Soar
06-02-2006, 12:12 AM
Anyone weaning off of lithium???...My hubby and I want to start having children...it is not a good idea to be on lithium during preg. I also feel I have been misdiagnosed....but I have been on lithium forever sooooo I am not sure how to go about the weaning process( with my doctor's help I know, but they are always so reluctant to help with this....) Suggestions?? Help??? Thanks!!!
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kiehn
06-02-2006, 12:32 AM
Ive been on lithium for years but past child bearing years. If it were me I would do some online searching, let my doctor know what I want to do and if they wont help I will find another way. Do some online seaches for alternative med for my condition and wean off the lithium very very slowly. Good Luck, K
Hedgehog No 1
06-02-2006, 05:36 AM
Hey Soar,
I weaned myself off lithium after being on it for eight years at maximum dosage. I decided it was time for a change and a review of my illness. It turned out to be the best decision of my life. It only took about six weeks to reduce the dosage enough that I could then stop altogether.
Hope it helps,
Hedge :cool:
I weaned myself off lithium after being on it for eight years at maximum dosage. I decided it was time for a change and a review of my illness. It turned out to be the best decision of my life. It only took about six weeks to reduce the dosage enough that I could then stop altogether.
Hope it helps,
Hedge :cool:
Soar
06-03-2006, 09:21 PM
Hedge, what was your dosage? Mine is at 900 mg...(but the past few days I have gone down to 600 mg....I cant break up a capsule....) I see my doc on Tues but am not too sure how supportive he will be with this....Thanks for ally our suggestions!!!!!!...and help Hedgehog and Kiehn... ;)
Ruth6:11
06-04-2006, 10:09 AM
Soar, if you are truly Bipolar you cannot wean off of Lithium without sooner or later beginning to cycle into manias and depressions. Just like a Type I Diabetic can't wean themselves off of insulin and magically have their pancreas start working.
Childbearing and the situation with meds CANNOT be handled here - you really really really need to talk to your doctor.
There are risks to you to go without a mood stabilizer if you have Bipolar Disorder. There are risks to a fetus (especially during the first 3 months) if you stay on a mood stabilizer.
Your really need to talk about this with doctor who handles your Bipolar Meds and with an Obstetrician. A genetic counselor wouldn't be a bad idea either!
:angel:
Childbearing and the situation with meds CANNOT be handled here - you really really really need to talk to your doctor.
There are risks to you to go without a mood stabilizer if you have Bipolar Disorder. There are risks to a fetus (especially during the first 3 months) if you stay on a mood stabilizer.
Your really need to talk about this with doctor who handles your Bipolar Meds and with an Obstetrician. A genetic counselor wouldn't be a bad idea either!
:angel:
Soar
06-04-2006, 08:45 PM
No genetic counselor, thank you. I will chat with my doctors but if they are not supporting I will still wean. Thanks Hedge for your response!!
Hedgehog No 1
06-05-2006, 07:55 AM
Soar,
I was on 1200mgs per day - BUT was misdiagnosed and mismedicated.
If you want to come off the lithium you need to replace it with some other med if you are bipolar.
Speak to your doctor.
Hedge.
I was on 1200mgs per day - BUT was misdiagnosed and mismedicated.
If you want to come off the lithium you need to replace it with some other med if you are bipolar.
Speak to your doctor.
Hedge.
Soar
06-07-2006, 10:07 PM
Well, i am just replacing it with other mood stabilizers (non-prescription) like fish and flax seed oils and other supplements....
Soar
06-07-2006, 10:08 PM
Hedge, what are u taking now? If u dont mind me asking....Thanks!!!
Hedgehog No 1
06-08-2006, 01:00 PM
Soar,
I'm currently taking OLANZAPINE 5mg at night - for the racing thoughts in my head. This is primarily an anti sycotic med. I am also taking LAMICTAL 100mg as an anti depressant.
It's early days with the olanzapine as I have only just switched over to it after a couple of nights as an in patient in hospital. Initially it seems to be working well.
I also have a sleep problem so I have some meds to help me sleep but they are not to be taken all the time, only occasionaly.
Hedge ~
I'm currently taking OLANZAPINE 5mg at night - for the racing thoughts in my head. This is primarily an anti sycotic med. I am also taking LAMICTAL 100mg as an anti depressant.
It's early days with the olanzapine as I have only just switched over to it after a couple of nights as an in patient in hospital. Initially it seems to be working well.
I also have a sleep problem so I have some meds to help me sleep but they are not to be taken all the time, only occasionaly.
Hedge ~
Ruth6:11
06-08-2006, 07:43 PM
Soar, fish oil & flax will not control the chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters of your brain.
If you want to get pregnant you need to talk to your doctors, listen to them and then make up your own mind. If they are relunctant to help you through the time it takes to - wean off of lithium, stay off it while you are trying to get pregnant and then stay off it for at LEAST the first trimester, tell them that you will sign whatever papers they want releasing them from any lawsuits/damages.
Maybe the docs will listen to you then!!
I don't remember if you are a Type I?? If you are, it may be possible to time your pregancy between cycles as much as possible...
:angel:
If you want to get pregnant you need to talk to your doctors, listen to them and then make up your own mind. If they are relunctant to help you through the time it takes to - wean off of lithium, stay off it while you are trying to get pregnant and then stay off it for at LEAST the first trimester, tell them that you will sign whatever papers they want releasing them from any lawsuits/damages.
Maybe the docs will listen to you then!!
I don't remember if you are a Type I?? If you are, it may be possible to time your pregancy between cycles as much as possible...
:angel:
Soar
06-08-2006, 11:12 PM
Thanks Ruth!! I am not Type 1 or 2....that is the thing....I was truly misdiagnosed and my doc now even says so...... I do not go through cycles....I just have anxiety and jittery feelings.
Soar
06-08-2006, 11:14 PM
I know fish oils wont control my neurotransmitters....just to help support my mood....btw, I am also on an SSRI-zoloft. Thanks!!! Cassie