acne due to Lithium usage

nebmale · 03-24-2003, 03:42 AM

I have been using Lithium for almost 9 years now and am getting closer and closer to age 30.

Anyway, I am currently using Pro-Active, but has anyone found anything else to kind of counteract the damage Lithium does? It is getting really old! Thanks.

nebmale · 03-24-2003, 05:37 PM

Sorry, I guess I should clarify for those of you who aren't familiar with Lithium. It replaces a chemical missing in the brain --> bi-polar mental illness.

help · 03-25-2003, 01:03 AM

How long have you had acne for from lithium ? If you have had it the entire 9 years you may want to try another med that doesn't have that as a common side effect. Have you tried Depakote or tegretol ?

If you have to take lithium, look into supplementing it with vitamin B5.

nebmale · 03-25-2003, 03:02 AM

Thank you, 'help'. My doctors have not been very receptive to the idea of taking me off the Lithium. Actually, my boyfriend and I are going to try to conceive in the fall, so this might be the break I've been looking for.

Yes, I've been on Lithium for the entire 9 years. I've had really good luck with it, though. Oh, my acne isn't all that bad, anymore. It is just frustrating to have acne at age 27.
Thanks again!