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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Extended use of lithium
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Extended use of lithium
by kc, Apr 11, 2000 12:00AM
My daughter has been on Lithium for several years. Prior to that, she also had ALL and underwent chemo for nearly 3 years. All before she was 18!
Are there any other drugs/homeopathic aides that don't have the serious side effects of long-term lithium use?
She also has IBS and has had her gall bladder removed and weight problems (steroids during chemo and lithium since then).
This young woman is only 22 and has not had a great medical history...am hoping progess is being made in bi-polar where treatment is kinder to the body, hair, etc.
Are there any other drugs/homeopathic aides that don't have the serious side effects of long-term lithium use?
She also has IBS and has had her gall bladder removed and weight problems (steroids during chemo and lithium since then).
This young woman is only 22 and has not had a great medical history...am hoping progess is being made in bi-polar where treatment is kinder to the body, hair, etc.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Apr 13, 2000 12:00AM
I am sorry to hear of your daughter's medical and psychiatric problems. Alternative mood-stabilizers to Lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder include Depakote (Valproic acid) and Tegretol (Carbamazepine). Research is also underway regarding Neurontin (Gabapentin) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine). Many patients tolerate Depakote better than Lithium. A discussion with your daughter's physician regarding these various options may be helpful.
