Lithium side effects

[Philip]

I have been taking Lithium for years.Recently I experience loss of memory.Anybody out there has had the same experience ?

[withavengeance]

Topamax for me caused extreme anorexia (which I already had anyway). Still amazes me how different meds work for different people.

No wonder docs have such a hard time treating bp's. I know we all get frustrated with meds that don't work and having to start over with something new. Not to mention buying scrips that don't work and having to toss them...what a waste of money (that we don't have to waste).

This is yet another thing about this illness that totally pi**es me off.

[My idol]

I'm not very keen on Lithium right now. It does work for me, don't get me wrong. But my drug- induced Parkinsonism from Lithium is driving me crazy! My shaking is so bad that even the typing I'm doing now is excrutiating. I keep double hitting the letters. I see my neurologist in a couple weeks and I will see if she can slow down my shaking with another med than requip xl. Then, I'll see my psychiatrist and will see if he can offer any help- maybe off of Lithium? I don't know, this is just a very trying time for me. Perhaps my dui has increased my anxiety to the point of worsening my Parkinsonism. As Pam, so eloquently said, "this illness totally pi**es me off", too!
Best wishes, all,
Linda

[Another Manic Monday]

I lost a lot of weight on the topomax initially and everyone in my Ed support group accused me of restricting on purpose which I wasn't. The neurologist I was seeing, who knew I was a recovering anorexic) told me it was OK for me to lose weight, that there were no health concerns. That I might not like how I looked but it wasn't a health problem. Then he told me how to keep my blood work normal. I went out too my car and cried. He had just told me all of the things I had been working so hard to unlearn. Then I got a new doctor. The lack of appetite side of effect has gone away and the new doctor monitors my weight and asks how I'm doing every appointment.

[dymphna]

ive just got the tremors.

1) im not a surgeon
2) it amuses my friends

memory loss sounds like a deal breaker, though.

[Jim Buchanan]

When I had the tremors and twitches from lithium, it was so bad that I could not operate a computer at work, and I had to change meds. A shame, as it worked quite well for me.

[dymphna]

there is definitely a line between amusing and bothersome.

[withavengeance]

To Linda: did you know Requip is for RLS also? Maybe it'll work for you, too, with the Parkinsonism. Also, you don't really have to be weaned off of lithium since it's a naturally occuring substance; my doc just told me to stop it. For me, lithium worked very well on the mania, but wasn't so hot on the depression.

To Sue: sounds like you really, really needed a new pdoc; some of these pdocs are crazier than we are!

To dymphna: LOLOLOL!

To Jim: I have a bp Type I friend who is on 18 meds a day (including statins and things not bp related). His doc gave him something to alleviate the shakes from his lithium; he couldn't even maintain his balance while walking. I find that pretty pathetic...needing a med to alleviate a side effect from another med! GAAAAH!

[Jim Buchanan]

My wife (also BP) used to be on *many* meds, some were indeed to treat the side effects of other meds. She went into the phosp and was weaned off *all* meds, psych and otherwise and then started on a new regime. This was about 2 years ago, and has worked wonderfully well, she's on way fewer meds and is much healthier overall. She was in misery coming off the old meds over a very short period of time, but she says that it was worth it.

[My idol]

Hi,Pam, yes I did know that Requip was also for RLS. Thank you for letting me know, though. I appreciate you looking out for me. At this time, the Requip is not working so well for the RLS or the Parkinsonism. I see my neurologist in a few weeks (heads the dept at the Univ. of Md.). I'm counting on her to help me with both problems.

I still take Requip xl and Neurontin for RLS, but I used to also take clonazepam (klonapin). Those 3 took care of my RLS real well until I had to stop the klonopin because of my addiction. Now, my symptoms are back a little (not too bad). Just enough to mess up my bedtime!

Why isn't 1 problem enough? I just get tired of one problem after another. Sorry to unload, though, Pam. I know that you have more than your share to deal with. Thank you for your concern for my problems.
All my best,
Linda

[withavengeance]

In AA, we have a saying, Linda...we have to give it away in order to keep it. For me to maintain my sobriety, it helps tremendously to help others.

I do agree, though, isn't one problem enough? Whenever I ask God 'why me', His answer always seems to be 'why not'?

[Another Manic Monday]

I'm actually quite happy with my pdoc. He's always up front about the known side effects and we discuss the side effects that I'm having. It's my decision which ones I live with and which ones I don't excet for the life threatning ones and he takes me off of those right away. He communicates with all of my other doctors so they are insync with what meds I'm on and to the point that most of them won't perscribe anything that could affect my mood without consulting him. My problem has always been with neurologist. I first started having the seizures with wellbutrin (before seeing this pdoc) and no one would believe me that it was a physical problem. They insisted it was psychiatric. But when I went off of the welbutrin it went away. It took 3 neurologist to get it diagnosed. It took longer to successfully treat it.
Another thing. This pdoc is completely responsible for my disability reviews. My insurance company goes directly to him and him only. They asked for input from my T once and he drug his feet so long on sending it in that they made their decision without him so they don't ask him anymore. And they don't ask me anything.
My previous pdoc got my disibility canceled on purpose I think because I wouldn't go into the hospital.