Posted by Mitch on November 17, 2001, at 0:00:00
In reply to Re: go to get off the Lithium :(, posted by Chloe on November 16, 2001, at 18:01:56
> I really tried everything to counteract the dryness and pain. The awful hair oil perscribed to try to soothe my terribly sore scalp made it burn even worse. So I went to a derm. intern today, it takes 4 months to get a real derm appointment. They said the only thing that will stop my scalp from burning is to stop the lithium.
>
> I am really upset. I can feel my temper getting shorter by the minute and I am not completely off the stuff yet. Lithium had a wonderful calming effect for me. Why can't I tolerate side effects? My friend says who cares about your hair, you need your meds for your mental health. But my head wakes me up at night because it hurts so much on the pillow. My follicles are screaming. And this happens several times a night. And then if I scratch my head or the wind blows my hair, it hurts intensely. This can't be good can it? Or am I just being a wimp?
>
> The derm said that taking more neurontin may ease the pain a bit. And perhaps it could help with my emerging short fuse too? I wish there were some mood stabilizer that I could take take wouldn't make me anxious or destroy my skin/scalp. I am so scared. What am I to do now? Thanksgiving is next week and I am hosting company at my house. I planned all that while feeling good on the Li of course.
> So now it's back to the 300 mgs (and maybe go up to 600???) neurontin, 1.5 mgs Celexa and diazapam. Oh I wish I didn't get so many side effects. the Li + neurontin was a great combo. What am i supposed to do now that Lithium, Lamictal, Trileptal, Topamax, Zyprexa have all failed??? Is anyone else this med side effect sensitive?
>
> thanks
> Chloe
Chloe,I would *really* try the Neurontin increase. It *does* increase oil and collagen in my skin. I can really tell that-I'm serious!
Oh, and here is another idea I had after I posted my last message to you: You started the lithium and didn't seem to have any of the side effects you had previously. Then, they cropped up on you. I mentioned thyroid augmentation before as a possible help. WELL... Have you had a TSH blood test done, ever?? If you are hypothyroid, your skin can get very dry, flaky, and even itchy. Lithium can cause hypothyroidism. You may have started on the Li and felt ok, and then you may have become hypothyroid which aggravated your skin troubles. Ask your pdoc about a simple TSH blood test. IF it is *higher* than 2.0 than you need treatment. That *might* help out your skin problems. Just a little brain fartlette,
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:84008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84467.html