Posted by BarbaraCat on September 13, 2003, at 16:25:12
In reply to Let me run this question by you, Barb-cat, posted by fluffy on September 13, 2003, at 15:05:33
Lithium has a weak serotonergic affect, but I don't know the details. Hypomania can be an early side effect which quickly calms down. I don't remember if I got hypomania or not when I first started. As far as the bruxism, I had it really badly when I was on SSRI's. The higher dose I took, the worse it got. I was also twitchy, like a neuron would fire and a muscle would jerk. I've heard that higher doses of serotonin can cause this, but why that would be with Lithium, if it is the Li, is puzzling.
My gut feeling on this is that it's the Lamictal and not Lithium that's causing bruxism. Don't forget that Lithium is going to potentiate the effects of Lam and bruxism and other akathasia type symptoms are pretty typical when ramping up with Lam. How much are you taking of each? Have you noticed any other side effects like tremors, diarrea, nausea, blurred vision? These are the sx you'd expect with Li, but not the tension or grinding. - BCat
> Hi Barbara--
>
> You seem better today. I was worried about you. I have been, well, kinda all over the place. I had a very wierd first two weeks on Li. It did NOT have the calming effect I was expecting. In fact, I became very hypomanic and mentally confused. It seems to have calmed down. The past couple of days, I've felt I have the personality of a rock. Today is better. But what the hell??!! The most troublesome side effect I'm having that seems to be lasting is bruxism (or teeth clenching). It happens almost all day, every day--my jaw hurts really bad! Supposedly, this is related to seratonin blockage? Or something seratonin related. Does Li have much to do with Seratonin? Do you know anything about this? My doc did NOT seem pleased by the Li results!! And I can't say for certain I'm pleased yet either. My memory is better, though. My sleep has not improved yet.
>
> If you or anyone else knows about the bruxism part, i'd like to know.
>
> Thanks,
> Katy
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:9730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/259714.html