Crodentia Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I have searched for information on stomach issues and Lithium, and can't seem to find specifics. Of course, when I say "stomach issues," no one needs to provide specifics about what kind of issue (I really don't want to hear the details). I guess what I'm looking for is: 1. What dosage of Lithium were/are you on (if you're comfortable sharing that)? 2. How long after starting Lithium did/do you have stomach issues? 3. Rate your issues on a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being minimal and 10 being the worst you've ever had. 4. How frequently did/do you have stomach issues (on average)? Once a day? Three times a week? Something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 1. 1000mg/day 2. i currently have no stomach issues from lithium. However, all hell breaks loose every time my pdoc tries to take me above 1000mg. 3. I don't find this rating scale helpful. Suffice to say that while my pdoc was trying to find the right dosage for me, I wound up in the ER on more than one occasion dehydrated from puking my guts out for hours. 4. None at present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 1. 1000mg/day 2. i currently have no stomach issues from lithium. However, all hell breaks loose every time my pdoc tries to take me above 1000mg. 3. I don't find this rating scale helpful. Suffice to say that while my pdoc was trying to find the right dosage for me, I wound up in the ER on more than one occasion dehydrated from puking my guts out for hours. 4. None at present. Thank you for the information, Mia. I appreciate your description on #3, even though you didn't find the rating scale helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjustme Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 1. i don't remember 2. right away 3. 10 4. i don't normally have any stomach issues except if i'm sick or on lithium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shesellsseashells Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 You know, I experienced a LOT of bloating when I was on Lithium and even saw a gastroenterologist but never put the two together. (I hope you don't mind my being specific.) I had never experienced that symptom before. I did not have any other type of stomach issues. I can't be sure that the two were related, but here goes, anyway: 1. 1800 mg/day 2. A few months 3. 8 4. Almost daily after eating, and it occurred right after I ate no matter what I ate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_Rising Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 1. 1200 mg a day 2. As soon as I started taking this dosage (I was toxic) 3. 5 4. 2-3 times/day As soon as I backed down to 900 mg and was not longer toxic, the stomach issues resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 You know, I experienced a LOT of bloating when I was on Lithium and even saw a gastroenterologist but never put the two together. (I hope you don't mind my being specific.) Specifics are good, though I appreciate your tact as well. I'm not looking to relive those moments with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeremonyNewOrder Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I just wanted to say that instant release lithium made me very nauseous and have stomach aches but that went away when I was put on extended release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 I just wanted to say that instant release lithium made me very nauseous and have stomach aches but that went away when I was put on extended release. I will ask my doctor about extended release, though I wonder if splitting my 900mg into three 300mg a day would help, instead of taking 300mg in the morning and 600mg at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I had mild stomach upset on starting lithium. It went away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 I've been having pretty significant upsets about 3 - 4 times a week since I started, and it's been about a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedoubt Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Switching to extended release pills changed my life. I had GI problems every day on the IR, nausea and burning pain that pretty much ruined my life and made me feel like I was poisoning myself when I took my meds. Taking the IR pills with milk helped a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 I'm going to be calling my primary doctor tomorrow. I'm hoping they can move up my appointment before my Lithium has the chance to kill me. Today was the worst for my stomach problems by far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 My doctor wants me to halve my dosage at bedtime, from 600mg to 300mg. I am concerned this will not be enough to cover the bipolar symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedoubt Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Why not just switch you to the extended release tablets? I have read on CB from a lot of people that using the ER tabs solved their GI problems, and it definitely solved mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crodentia Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Why not just switch you to the extended release tablets? I have read on CB from a lot of people that using the ER tabs solved their GI problems, and it definitely solved mine. I would prefer the tablets you mentioned. I am not comfortable with this doctor, but he is the only one I have available to me until I see my primary for the first time on the 23rd. I will probably be seeing him Monday afternoon, and I may talk to him about the tablets (if I can understand him; his accent is very thick). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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