Feeling physically ill

[LeftCoastChick]

Hi folks, I need a bit of insight if this is truly from the Lithium. I've had my hands and fingers swell to the point, I can't wear my rings, and my shoes are tight for the last 7-10 days.  My pdoc is sending me back to my GP to get some kidney function tests done. The weird thing is my Lithium levels are much lower then they should be for 450mgs/day of Lithium. In the last 2 days, I've been unable to keep food down, and I'm feeling wretched. I'm wondering if this is something that I should go over to my ER for, I don't see my GP until next week. I'm a little worried, I've never had anything like this before.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Naustiously your, LCC

[monkeyc]

I wish I could get an appetite drop - Im still struggling with that after the AD and its not the Lithium as I was fine on it for a long time.

Hang in there ok

[LeftCoastChick]

You are right monkey, looking back I've had issues wtih retention before, not in a while but I have so this would make sense and adding that it can nauseate, it makes one miserable. I took my lith with food tonight, and not feeling as green.I also realize I've had a significant drop in appetite since going to 450mgs of Lith, I'm going to see if I can find some info on that.  I just had some bread to be safe, and  it's easing up

.I'm not in as much of a panicked state.  I don't get freaked out easily by things, lol I tore some tendons in my foot going over on my ankle, and I didn't go to the ER until the next day figuring it was just a sprain. I don't like to jump at things too quickly. I think the reason being is my mum is a hypochondriac and I just got sick of hearing of her aches and pains, I also hate to waste taxpayer's money, there are too many people abusing the ER.  

I'm going to investigate other meds, just in case I have to switch so I have an idea. I have a feeling that's going to be the course of action..

[monkeyc]

Lithium can cause swelling with water retention however its very rare - the fact that is a salt is not so much a problem as if you are prone to retention in the first place.

Nausea and Vomiting can be lithium side effects, I have them some days and they come and go, not normally vomiting but nausea and often if you do not eat with the pills or drink enough water with them.

Could be just plain old retention but get it checked - never take chances with the BIG L and water problems.  Its too fussy if things get messed up.

[LeftCoastChick]

I've been on the meds since October, and have had no ill side effects except the first 2 days after that nothing, and nothing  with any of my drugs,(Seroquel  or Lamactil) so this is a new thing. My GP's office is open tomorrow and going to try to get in first thing, my nausea has eased up a bit, so I'm not going to go to the ER. I can imagine it is just busy as all heck being a holiday. I really hate going to the doctor's but I've lost some weight recently, but I look like a puffer fish. I appreciate everyone's help, I"m never sick and I was feeling so green around the gills, it made me worried. I keep ya posted, thanks everyone, it's nice to know I'm not alone in the universe.
Hugs LCC

[LetaB]

  My lithium pamphlet certainly did list swelling as one of the primary side effects due to the fact that lithium is a SALT! I am prone to water retention and after a month of lithium I couldn't stand the triple whammy of bloating, constant "p"ing, and mounting fat that my prescriptions of lithium and Depakote have been giving me. How long have you been on lithium? Hopefully the nausia and vomiting are unrelated to your meds.

[bernie40]

Hi LCC, sorry to hear you are not well!!!

I didn't get a patient info leaflet with my lithium (great or what) but I did have a look online.  It doesn't mention swelling as a side effect (although I'm sure you know that this doesn't mean that another website wouldn't list it) but it does mention nausea and vomiting.

I think I have to agree with ILAD and say go to your ER, don't leave it another week until you see your Doc because if it is due to the lithium this could be more serious.  On the other had it could be completely unrelated but at least you will know one way or the other.

Let us know how you get on as I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be worried about you and keeping fingers crossed.

:-)

[LeftCoastChick]

Thanks Ad, I'm just not one to be fussed over you know? I thought it might be the lithium, but my pdoc who's very and I mean very conservative upped my dose on my last visit on Tuesday, she said it's a slim chance at the levels I am on that it could be the Lith. but she did say that my hands swelling was quite obvious. I had to use butter to get my rings off today.  I'm not a drinker, but I did have a wee glass of champagne after my stomach settled down for a bit last night. I worried about that, but my symptoms started long before.

Thanks for you insight, as you are very knowledgeable. I'm checking my temp, if it gets any higher I'm going in.

[ILADVOCATE]

I'm not sure its from the Lithium but yes you should go to the ER. Lithium can potentially have long term effects on the kidneys regardless of level. That''s why some psychiatrists won't use it for more than 10 years (my psychopharmocologist will use it long term there is no standard for this, except of course to monitor for this effect regularly). Are you on anything else besides Lithium? Even non prescription medications. It could be an interaction. Make a full list of all prescription and non prescriptions you are on and just to be on the safe side anything you ate yesterday that was different (in case this is not from the Lithium but a reaction to that I'm thinking because yesterday was New Year's Eve, if you had any alcohol even a glass of wine and normally don't that would be something to note as well).
   Regardless yes definitely go to the ER and ask them to make sure its not from the Lithium. It could be any number of things but they do need to rule that out. And if by any chance it is from the Lithium and they do need to change it, as Depakoate has a pretty poor side effect profille (many people find it sedating and it does often cause nausea and in myself vomiting) I would ask about Lamictal as another choice.