D3N0 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 (edited) I don't know if I can take it. I got pushed up to 1200mg (from 900mgs) last week. And I have been sick ever since. Headache, almost uncontrollable diarrhea, wave after wave of nausea, stomach cramping. It's been 10 days tomorrow and I go get my level checked tomorrow morning. I am almost thinking my level is going to come back high with these symptoms, but the reason my dosage got moved up was bc I was only right at .6 on the 900mgs. Either way, whether it's high or low or right on target, I can't do these side effects. I'm a single mom to 3 kids under 12 and work full time. I just don't have time to mope around feeling like this. Do these things go away? Edited March 13, 2012 by D3N0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedoubt Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 The SEs I got from lithium did mostly go away. I am not sure how long it took, as the last year is a blur. At this point, I sometimes get some heartburn with my nighttime dose (600), but a glass of milk takes that away. My SEs did increase a lot when I went from 900 to 1200, and were bad enough that my pdoc decreased back to 900. It wasn't just physical stuff, it was also feeing really down and miserable. I wish I could be more specific for you, but I just can't remember... I tend to get sick when my level gets above 0.9-- for me, a therapeutic level is about 0.6. Just because there is an average range doesn't mean there aren't outliers that need a lower or higher level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Hon, you need to call your doctor in my opinion. Maybe you can drop back to 900 mgs. Don't forget to drink your water, lots of water. Lithium level is important, all well and good, but days of diarrhea and nausea is not tolerable. It will be interesting to see your Lithium level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isis Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Definitely talk to your doctor. Side effects of lithium increase can also increase your serum levels. Which can worsen the side effects... Any loss of fluid through vomiting and diarrhea has the potential to make you dehydrated and raise your lithium levels. Keep your fluids up and speak to your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I am genuinely asking, not trying to be snarky: I keep seeing people saying their blood level is "only .6." But that is at the lower end of therapeutic range. Why don't pdocs stop at the .6 mark to see if it works at a lower dose? I mean, it seems like the pdocs just keep raising and raising the lithium, and push right past .6 without even giving it a try at that level. My dad liked to keep his patients at the lowest level that was therapeutic for that individual, and would definitely have left it at .6 if it were working. Granted, lots of patients couldn't find relief at .6. On the other hand, he actually had patients who stablized at .4, and if that happened, he left it alone. Why does it seem pdocs don't wait to see what happens once it reaches .6? If I am misunderstanding, let me know, that is why I am asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 those are good questions my own doctor tried to keep lithium as low as necessary and he did suggest i stay at 0.6 but it just does not contain my bp1 my husband is at 0.6 and it seems to be good for him considering the long term consequences to kidneys and throid you would think most doctors would try to keep the level as low as possible I dread the days when I show some cumulative consequences and might need to give up lithium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I stopped at .7/.8 (I get a few of both readings.) and held it there for a year or so. My last blood test shows a spike to 1.0, so we're getting it redone to see if it was just a once off or if I might need a slight reduction to give more buffer room from toxicitiy. I'm more than happy to sit at any level, if its working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becks Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Speaking of levels, ugh! I forgot to get mine done! I guess I better make some time within the next few days! The SE's I've experienced on Lith (this time around) have been quite minor. I had some small hand tremors and still do occassionaly and I'm extra thirsty, but no GI problems, thank goodness! I experienced enough of that when I was on the Zoloft. The major problem I'm having, is the Lith seems to be attacking my teeth, but I think that's only because I already have really, really terrible teeth. 10 years with no dental insurance or treatments will do that to someone who has terribly soft teeth anyway, add in the meds and the fact that I'm a coffee whore and well, presto, extraction city here we come! Make sure you call your pdoc and see what they can do to possibly lower your Lith or try something different. I'm on 600mg and so far, throughout all this stress I'm experiencing right now, it's keeping me afloat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanks for the answers. So I must notice when a pdoc does pushes it, but not notice when a pdoc doesn't push it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I take 800mg Lithium (Blood level usually 0.8mmol/L). I don't really experience any side effects apart from increased thirst and urination, also an occasional mild hand tremor which I can live with. I have been on the higher dose of 1000mg in the past and with that dose I usually get a much more pronounced tremor. When I started taking Lithium I was introduced to it slowly, 200mg for a few days, 400mgs for a few days, 600mgs for 5 days then a blood test (blood level 0.6mmol/L). Then I was put on 800mgs and 5 days later another blood test and my pdoc was satisfied with the result so I have stayed on 800mgs for the most part of the last 9 years. I think that is why I have never had awful side effects. My pdoc introduced it to me gradually so my body could get used to it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurf2050 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 About the hand tremor, mine started on Li and was barely noticeable. It got worse. Bad enough that eating with a spoon is sometimes a trial. I don't know if this problem came from lithium, however. I was on lithium for several years without tremors. I take depakote now (for a while) and there have been no change in the tremor level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) When did you go on the Depakote? Hand tremors are a very common side effect. I had a bad tremor on Depakote, and when I added Lamictal, it became ridiculous (on the level you are talking about). But the Depakote was definitely the main contributor, and every time I met someone with medical knowledge, they recognized it as a medication induced tremor. It was noticeable to lay people, too. ETA: OMG, can I even read? You already discussed the Depakote. Sorry about that. Edited March 17, 2012 by crtclms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D3N0 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 Just an update: I just came from the Pdoc. My Li level was 1.1. Not toxic but clearly too high for me. I'm going back to 900mgs from the 1200mgs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurf2050 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 thanks for the update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Just an update: I just came from the Pdoc. My Li level was 1.1. Not toxic but clearly too high for me. I'm going back to 900mgs from the 1200mgs. When my blood level went over 1.0 I always experienced a severe tremor so I always keep it at around 0.8 by taking 800mg daily. Hopefully you will experience less side-effects at the lower dose, and as a result reap all the benefits that Lithium offers!! Good luck with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysb Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 So since I've been on lithium I go to the bathroom to have a BM at least 10 times a day. It isn't diarrhea yet but it is definitely annoying. I keep telling my doctor and they don't seem to be concerned unless it is diarrhea. In my opinion (which I am a nurse) I'm still losing fluids and this can't be healthy. Anyone have this problem?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 If you are drinking enough water, that should still be okay, especially as you are not having out and out diarrhea. I take a shit 3 or 4 times a day on the average day which isn't 10 times a day, but is till pretty frequent. You should be drinking at least 3-4 liters of water, if not more. Not drinking enough is going to make you feel like shit.Remember, as this is a side effect, there is a good chance it will pass (*rimshot*) in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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