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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

My friend was prescribed Lithium..

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Siccness909

Siccness909

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Ok so my friend was prescribed it, I talk to her alot and I mean she does have depression and she's bipolar? I mean I never really realized she had it. Anyway is the psych going to far? I mean LITHIUM? Isn't that also for schitzophrenia? Not exactly sure but I just know the toxicity is really high with this shit. I'm worried about her, couldn't they have gone a lil lower? Isn't it for EXTREME cases of bipolar disorder? Just want opinions on this, thanks guys.

lower as in maybe something else? I don't know not sure but I'm just going off what Iv'e heard about it, don't know a whole lot to be honest about this class of drugs
 
It's for a lot of things. Bi-polar, depression that AD's no longer work on, mania...I can't rember them all. But it's not that bad as long as they keep up with blood work. After 4 yrs straight (9 yrs all together) on AD's my psych finally put me on a low dose of Lithium. It's old school, but it seems to be doin a better job then the other AD's I've tried.
 
This is definitely something for your friend to discuss with their doctor, siccness. It's one of the most effective drug treatments for bipolar disorder and is still commonly used now, although you're right there is a risk of toxicity so blood levels need to be monitored closely and other treatments are often tried first. However, as long as your friend is careful with getting the levels monitored and taking their dose properly it can be a safe and effective treatment as Babygurl says :)
 
I have heard and seen several patients rx'd lithium, however, IMO it should be reserved for the more severe or treatment-resistant cases of manic-depression (Bipolar Disorder). It is a very toxic drug, and so plasma levels must be monitored VERY carefully and frequently, especially in the beginning stages of lithium therapy. I have heard that it can be quite efficacious in producing a desired result, however, you are right to be concerned. Not all old-school drugs are "bad", but lithium is one drug to be weary of. There are other potentially safer mood stabilizers, however, I don't know what your friend has tried in terms of psych drugs and how they have worked for her.
 
Lithium is poison.. Tell your friend to take a holiday.. get away from friends, psychs and family for a while..Step back from her situation without well meaning 'counsel'.. and find her own direction/wisdom on the matter..

I'm not anti psychiatry.. Im sure they mean well. Im certain they have enough victims /guinea pigs/patients to maybe one day
find a chemical that can help long term with mental illness.. Personally, Id rather wait than participate in the process.

But what do i know ?

A psychiatrist told me my brain was a crisp packet.. I decided Id find other ways to chill.

* shrug *
 
Exactly, I know their are plenty of alternatives, and that's another thing SHE HASNT BEEN ON ANYTHING ELSE PRIOR! She was on Xanax for anxiety but that's obviously something completely unrelated. She's a smart girl but I mean just little things get to me like what if she goes and drinks and gets home and is all fucked up and wants to take MORE lithium? She's not like that but I mean hey it could happen, I wish they could give her something less powerful, I really feel that they went to far.

and just a little note, she's not fucking crazy, I was telling her shit you must of been throwing chairs at the psych claiming your the devil or some shit to get him to give you that all sudden. All jokes aside I just don't understand why they went as far as they did, she's 16 yrs old and Iv'e known her long enough to KNOW she doesn't need that to that extent.
 
I have no idea of your friend's symptoms. I am usually quite outspoken and opinionated when it comes to psychiatry, however, I have know nothing of your friend's problems. I will say if she has been on nothing prior for mood stabilization, I would suggest a more benign mood stabilizer like Trileptal or Tegretol (XR is also an opiton). There is Lamictal, too, but there are some potential risks with Lamictal, and it has a larger side effect profile. Lithium is certainly a drug to be taken cautiously, and when taken FREQUENT blood drawings should be employed to ensure plasma levels that aren't severly toxic. The drug itself is toxic, but there comes to be a point where there can occur acute danger with lithium should the blood levels be too high.
 
Siccness909 said:
Exactly, I know their are plenty of alternatives, and that's another thing SHE HASNT BEEN ON ANYTHING ELSE PRIOR! She was on Xanax for anxiety but that's obviously something completely unrelated. She's a smart girl but I mean just little things get to me like what if she goes and drinks and gets home and is all fucked up and wants to take MORE lithium? She's not like that but I mean hey it could happen, I wish they could give her something less powerful, I really feel that they went to far.

and just a little note, she's not fucking crazy, I was telling her shit you must of been throwing chairs at the psych claiming your the devil or some shit to get him to give you that all sudden. All jokes aside I just don't understand why they went as far as they did, she's 16 yrs old and Iv'e known her long enough to KNOW she doesn't need that to that extent.
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Oh! I thought she had maybe had other AD's prior that didn't work. In this case, and it's just my opinion, she shouldn't be on Lithium. That's a hell of a jump the psych did!
 
Your getting me worried lol, I'll talk to her and see what happens. I mean again she is 16 so she doesn't really have choice. I just really don't want anything bad to happen to her.
 
Siccness909 said:
Maybe. Shit I'll even talk to them, she's to young for this shit. Should start with something lower.
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Honestly man you are not this girls doctor and are in no position to be saying what drugs she should and should not be taking.

Bipolar disorder is a VERY SERIOUS CONDITION! Would you rather your friend not be on Lithium and one day off herself because her depression gets that bad? People dont realize its not like she has to act crazy or wil' out to have bipolar disorder, people who are bipolar go through SERIOUS BOUTS OF DEPRESSION for months on end, and then swap back to manic states. Its not like an instantaneous thing (the way people stereotype bipolar people, is when someone gets angry out of no where to make a crack like "oh shit this guy must be bipolar" when in reality it couldnt be further from the case), nor does it mean she "acts crazy". And its very serious

You dont need to throw chairs at a doc to get prescribed lithium......maybe the doc thinks it will work best on her because they have treated hundreds of people with a combination of AD and mood stabilizers and knows first hand which will work for certain types of people, whereas you only have one example of a person they've tried it on: your friend.

I think you're getting a little worked up here. You've said yourself they're monitoring her blood levels and everything like that so why so hyped over this?

And for the record I am no huge fan of psychiatry. I have made posts and points about how putting tons of people on ADs and the likes basically creates a lot of people with the same brain chemistry, which sucks because everyone is unique and SHOULD HAVE unique brain chemistry. But when it comes to actual, serious, cases of depression and bipolar disorder....i mean would you rather the person be so unique that they kill themselves or be a little less unique but more balanced?

Kurt Cobain was bipolar and didnt get treated, vincent vangoh was bipolar and didnt get treated, Ernest hemmingway was bipolar and didnt get treated....you see where im going with this? Russel brand is bipolar and GOT treated, carrie fisher too, Kennedy, and they're all still alive.
 
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You mentioned that she was on Xanax or alprazolam, I will say that benzo wds, particularly Xanax wds, can create new and more relentless anxiety once the individual is dependent on benzos and expirience benzo wds that can generally create anxiety attacks so bad, it can be viewed as psychosis or even feel like it IME.

Daily Xanax use is not a cure for anything and makes anxiety much worse, it should only be used when needed. I do like to take benzodiazepines; Xanax being a favorite for recreational use due to the rapid onset of anxiolytic effects. I tend to find it nicely relaxing, somewhat sedative (generally at the higher dosages I take), and euphoric.
 
Lithium is regularly prescribed as a mood stabiliser in Bi-polar patients. I myself never chose this option in my own treatment but have met many who have and have had great success.

As long as you are having regular blood tests lithium is relatively safe and its usage has been well documented.
 
^ Exactly. OP, you aren't her doctor and I think it's best to leave decisions about her medication to her and the doctor in question. Bi-polar can be a devastating illness if not treated correctly.
 
Indeed. I'm going to close this now as this is a medical question - we cover HR questions regarding recreational drugs, we're not medical experts and even if we were this is something to be worked out between the individual patient and their doctor..

I appreciate you are worried about your friend, and if you are concerned then by all means speak to her but this is something she needs to discuss with her psychiatrist - as mentioned, bipolar is an illness which needs correct management and her doctor is the one best placed to do this. I wish her all the best :)

Closed, pm me with any queries.
 
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