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otisj · 08-06-2011, 12:53 PM

Hi- I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they are or have been in the same boat as me. I have been on Lithium for 17 yrs straight. I have just started to taper down last week, in hopes of going off completely & possibly adding Prystique (sp?) if needed.

I was on 600 mg for YEARS. About a yr & a half ago, I did try to lower my dose, (only for about a month), but because of our family possibly making a major move, etc, I got nervous & went back up to 600 mg. to be safe. Since then, we have relocated & I feel the most stable I have ever felt. My level has always been .5, even on a higher dose (the highest I got to was 900 mg), & last yr after starting to lower & getting nervous, I tried increasing because out of my own fear I felt I had to, & I had horrible side effects, so doc put me back on 600.

Anyway, my question is, has anyone been on Lithium (just lithium for the most part) for this long & if so, have you tried to come off? Just curious what to expect & how to wean...........right now my doc has me weaning slowly....

Thank you so much.

AndyPink · 06-18-2012, 10:47 AM

Just saw your post, how are you getting along?

otisj · 06-19-2012, 07:30 PM

Hi- I actually never weaned completely - I had a setback & am now on about 700 mg - April was 18 yrs that I have been on Lithium & I still plan on trying to wean off completely again soon. Have you ever tried Lamictil? (sp?)

AndyPink · 06-23-2012, 03:43 AM

Hi I have been on lithium for just over 20 years at 900mg. 9 months ago I dropped to 750mg. This is the only drug I'm on, I stayed at 750mg for three months before dropping to 600mg for six months. I then dropped to 450mg one month ago. I plan to stay at this level for another few months and if all is ok will drop down again.

I find when I drop I get very tied and need to rest as my body adjusts, but I have found I do have the odd night of not sleeping to well, maybe due to a bit of anxiety, if this last for two or three nights I take ambian to get a few good nights of good sleep.

I use mood trackers and other tools to track my symptoms during this time. The key is to go very, very slowly and listen to your body.

I was on lamatil a few years ago but I found it badly effected my short term memory, and it is designed to help more with depression rather than manic symptoms so I came off.

Four months ago I had comprehensive blood work to check my adrenals, neurotransmitters with NeuroScience and have gone onto other natural supplements which are helping a great deal.

Hope this helps, good luck

Andy

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