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Avatar universal

was on 900 mgs of lithiem,,,listen to my story..

i was put on lithiem some time ago,,around 4-5 monthes..300mg twice aday..then needed more..so at this time my serum level was 0.6..was taken off the 2  300mgs aday..then put on 2  450mgs time released..LITHEM IS A GOOD MED FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN HANDLEL IT....so i was taking a total of 900 mgs in a 24 hr period..witch isint a lot depending on you..;after on the new dose about 1 month,i started noticing SHAKING ALOT..COME AND GO,,then things started increasing...i wasent eating when i did eat get sick..so 8 days ago i called the squad to take me to the E.R...they put me in i.c.u. for 2 days....my serum level   was 3.  thats into the sever toxic range..hardly anyone can get to 1.2 let alone 3..i was seeing things wasent scary..but i was incoherent!! it goes to showe you..you can take ur meds as uto told and still need to watch out for any of the above..i can never take lithiem again..i dont know whats going to happen now..am going to therpy...there trying to get me a shrink still..not a good experience  james
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Avatar universal
Thank you for sharing that. I hope you are okay now. I wanted to let you know that after reading this I am definitely going to get my labs done tomorrow. I am a week late already. I am also the queen of worst-case scenarios, so I was worried anyway. Thanks again for illustrating what could happen; it made enough of an impact on my husband that he is going to drive me to the lab. Miracles never cease.
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607502 tn?1288247540
We missed you around here James, I was hoping you were going ok so its a bummer this happened but thank god you are ok.

Rooting for you to get into that pdoc, I know youve been fighting for that.

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Avatar universal
THANKS   ALOT FOR UR CONCERN...JAMES
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Avatar universal
I forgot to add, I hope you are feeling better, and that toxicity has gone out of your system, sending cyber hugs!

Monkey I had no idea about the eating part, no wonder I has so many problems, on top of the fact I shouldn't have been at that dosage. I was actively engaging in withholding and binging while I ws 16, wow. Until recently I realized I was never fully hydrated. I drink over 2 litres (8cups of water) a day now. Lithium has been a godsend to me this time, and I know I am in control of the choice of my meds, as well, I can actively request to have my blood checked more often if I am still concerned. I was told that I was in control of my journey to wellness, and that they were there to guide me. They said that they would only intercede if I was unable to take care of myself, or I asked for it.

These horror stories shock me, and my heart goes out to you jimgreg. I hope things smooth out and you feel better.
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Avatar universal
Where you getting blood tests to track your levels? that's very important when they get into the higher levels you were at. I'm only on 450mgs at night, but my pdoc wants mine checked every month.  When I was 15-16 I was titrated up to 1200mgs, I was a zombie, numb, my hands shook and I ended up with a seizure. I found out later, that a teen should never been at this level. I was diagnosed with BP but because of my experiences with that pdoc, I vowed not to take it again. I was in a adolescent group day program, and we were all pretty much drugged up. I found out later that he was using us as as study.

Since then, I've had little trust in pdocs until this one I have. I was still getting massive depressions even on 150mgs of Lamactil daily, and suicidal. They suggested I go onto Lithium, 150mgs, I begrugingly started and omg it's worked. I've had to tweak all my meds and am on 450/mgs a day, but it's working. Have you chatted with your doctor to find out why your levels did that and why? holy cow. I hope you find another MS med, and there are a few others out there that can help.
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607502 tn?1288247540
Hey James I was wondering where you were, bugger eh.

You were so worried about this as well I remember, Its sad this did not work out for you, I know you have impaired kidney function so that may have contributed but at least you got help and got it sorted.

BTW Motor Tremors and shakes are well know lithium side effects, fine motor tremors in the hands are very common, they go away normally after a few months but can stay and are often worse when dehydration is present - not eating on Lithium is a very dangerous thing and I can well understand how sick you must have been.

No its not a drug for everyone. it can work very well but by is nature there are some risks, you got help, youre ok and that is what matter  Im glad to see you back and posting and I hope they get you that pdoc asap now.
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585414 tn?1288941302
That's an unpleasent experience and clearly shows you could not tolerate Lithium but there are many other mood stabilizers. I've personally found Lamictal quite effective and it does not have the cognitive confusion (in my experience and clinically far less so) and weight gain that can commonly happen with Lithium so I'd ask about that. For more information on mood stabilizers google "Depression Central" (a good resource for all mood disorders).
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