IS ANYONE ON 600mg OF LITHIUM INSTEAD OF 900mg?

DandyAndy

When I first started taking lithium I took the cheapest of the cheapest generic lithium 300mg capsules 3x daily and it made me sick in my stomach, so I dropped down to 600mg...but it did nothing for my mind.

What I found that worked well was a controlled release tablet of lithium, but it only comes in 450 and so I took 900mg a day. I don't take it anymore, though.

salty

DandyAndy, thank you for writing. I have no idea what it's doing for me anymore. I have a feeling I don't need 900 anymore--it's been 25years.

I hope to hear from others who have lowered his/her dose.

Thanks again for posting.

Salty

twoeyez

Salty :

I started out with 900mg Lithium Carbanate over 37 years ago. Stayed on that dose for 14 years. After hospilitaztion to monitor my dosage in 1984, I was started with 600mgs. Have been emotionaly stable since that date. (it is extreamly important to monitor the serium lithium ...normal range :.06 to 1.2)
In the last year my pdoc lower my dose to 300mg. because of my stability. However, my serium lithium went to .05. I did have very mild hypomania symptoms. He said to start taking 600mg 4 days a week and 300mg 3 days a week. With that dosage,my serium is now at .08. And I feel very stable.

So,perhaps it is the monitoring of the serium lithium that is the final answer to possible reduction on dosage. Just remember ...once a BPer is on lithium ...
you will always be on lithium.....the dosage my vary depending your emotional stability.

colleen617

This week lowered dose from 750 mg. to 600 mg. which should give me a blood level approx. .5 or .6

When I first tried it, I was put on 900 mg. As a result, hair fell out, got acne, and gained weight.

Have been on 750 mg. for 10 years -- take dose at 5 p.m. & 10 p.m. -- doc wants me to take a.m. and p.m. dose but if I do, I can't function b/c I too spacey and tired.

What dose are you taking and for how long?

salty

I'm on 900 and have been for 25 yrs. I was just thinking maybe it's time to go down. I will ask my dr. I'm kind of afraid to do so, but I'll see what he says.

Salty

twoeyez

Salty....Don't be afraid to ask....If you have been emotionally stable for a long time.....you have a right to try a lesser dose. just monitor your serium lithium test very carefully.

liz49

My daughter is on 300 mgs of Lithium a day, along with 10 mgs of Prozac. This combo seems to be working. I guess everyone is really different. She's only been on it for 2 months, but I've noticed a tremendous improvement in her moods. She's still really messy, but hey, she's only living with us for a few more weeks. Should she be having her blood levels monitored?? She'd never do that on her own!!

twoeyez

Liz :

Sounds like the Lithium and Prozac my be a winning combo. However,what do you really mean by "she's still really messy"? If she is moving out on her own, her emotional stability is got to be at it's best. And She has to take the responsibility of having her blood levels (serium Lithium) monitored on her own, as part of her ability to deal with BP Disorder.

I truly wish that she can make a "GO" at this.
It's called "live and learn" !

Carry On,

arvc

My 15yo started out at 1500mg(5years ago) a day, then 1200, then 900, and is now alternating between 600 and 900 and it seems to be fine for him. We do keep a check on his lithium levels. His go to "0" easily and that is not good. He feels better and has lost almost 30lbs in about 4 months. To a teen boy that is AWESOME. See how your dr feels about every other day at 600/900, I don't think this is the ideal way/method of doing it, but maybe it would be a step toward 600 a day from now on.

salty

Thanks to everyone who posted!

Salty