Posted by Squiggles on July 11, 2005, at 14:45:13
In reply to Re: Given Generic lithium and crashed after 4-5 months, posted by platinumbride on July 11, 2005, at 14:34:29
> Fascinating stuff!
>
> I really thought that i was the only one who experienced this when I switched pharmacies and, conequently, formulations.
>
> Around the time this happened I had levels checked and the 600 mgs which had always kept me at .6 and basically feeling OK, showed a reading of .2 (I think), with a comment that it was "barely perceptible". That was also a time when I felt terribly depressed.
>
> My doc then put me on a slow release of eskalith, this time 900 rather than 600 and I felt better within a few days. (Oddly enough, I had been on the first formulation at 900 mgs once and it kept me at the same .6 as 600 mgs did)
>
> My last level was .8.
> So much for the "all generics are the same and the same as the original" story.
>
> I'm glad you are feeling better.....
>
> DianeYes,
I feel better thank you Diane. I have no reason
to doubt that my levels when starting on the
generic lithium were the same as the chronic
0.8-1.0 or at most 1.2.I noticed the change very gradually, but the
first thing I noticed on the generic was the
gradual easing of all the nasty side effects
of lithium. I was so happy. But I did not
realize that along with a lack of side effects
something else must be wrong.I gradually became manic and then quite suddenly
depressed after 5 months.I reported the "superiourity" of the generic
to the companies (both generic manufacturers and
VALEANT -- my constant provider, and VALEANT
wrote back to me saying, I was lucky, because
you are not supposed to switch from one brand that
you have been accustomed to to another especially
to a generic as the levels may not be the same.Cynically, I thought they just wanted my cash, lol. Nope, they were actually doing me a favour.
Squiggles
p.s. Question: I feel refreshed physically --
is it possible that I have been "de-lithified after 20 years? Dr. Mogens Schou says that
when drs. check the bloods, they really should
also check the brain, because lithium can accumulate in the brain and the bloods will not
reflect that. Anyone know anything about this?Well, two good things have come of this:
1. I know I am bipolar - mania and depression
-- no doubt of that and a very frightening experience;2. I feel "cleaner" as if I had a chance to
get rid of some excess lithium.Would be interesting to know what the generic
dose really was.
poster:Squiggles
thread:525385
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050708/msgs/526230.html