lithium wean - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Soar · 06-01-2006, 09:12 PM

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!!!

kiehn · 06-01-2006, 09:32 PM

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, 02:36 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

Soar · 06-03-2006, 06:21 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, 07:09 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!