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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chloe on April 20, 2002, at 18:09:36
I am taking a smidge of Eskilith Controlled Release, 112 mgs am/112 mgs pm. But I am having a *damn* of a time cutting the 450 mg pill into quarters. The pill is scored, so 225 mgs is easy. But cutting it again turns the half into mainly powder.
Is it ok to take the *whole* 225 mgs once in the morning? Or is it best to spread lithium(even if it's a tiny dose)out through the day???
TIA
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on April 20, 2002, at 22:32:42
In reply to Can I take LITHIUM once/day?, posted by Chloe on April 20, 2002, at 18:09:36
> I am taking a smidge of Eskilith Controlled Release, 112 mgs am/112 mgs pm. But I am having a *damn* of a time cutting the 450 mg pill into quarters. The pill is scored, so 225 mgs is easy. But cutting it again turns the half into mainly powder.
>
> Is it ok to take the *whole* 225 mgs once in the morning? Or is it best to spread lithium(even if it's a tiny dose)out through the day???
>
> TIA
> ChloeHi Chloe,
Oh yes, absolutely take it just once daily if you want to. Lithium has roughly a 24/hr half-life (nearly double that of Depakote and MUCH longer than Neurontin). It is a hassle to have to chop up stuff.
Mitch
Posted by rainbowlight on April 21, 2002, at 1:29:54
In reply to Can I take LITHIUM once/day?, posted by Chloe on April 20, 2002, at 18:09:36
I used to take Eskalith (600 mgs. if I remember right) and I used to take it at night only. I never had a problem with it.
Posted by Chloe on April 21, 2002, at 19:19:54
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on April 20, 2002, at 22:32:42
> Hi Chloe,
>
> Oh yes, absolutely take it just once daily if you want to. Lithium has roughly a 24/hr half-life (nearly double that of Depakote and MUCH longer than Neurontin). It is a hassle to have to chop up stuff.
>
> MitchHi,
Thank heavens, I can simplify something for a change. I will take Li in the am, depakote in the pm and Neurontin am/afternoon/pm. And that's the just the mood stabilizers! With "polypharmacology city" I really have to be organized not to spend all morning trying to figure out how and when I am going to take all my various meds!As always, thanks Mitch
Chloe
Posted by Chloe on April 21, 2002, at 19:27:30
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day?, posted by rainbowlight on April 21, 2002, at 1:29:54
> I used to take Eskalith (600 mgs. if I remember right) and I used to take it at night only. I never had a problem with it.
Thanks, Rainbowlight.
Was there any reason you took it all at night? My pdoce would always tell me to start lithium on a day I can take it in the morning. I never bothered to ask why...
Just curious. Not really important.I really like your "handle", Rainbowlight :)
Chloe
Posted by rainbowlight on April 21, 2002, at 19:40:33
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day? » rainbowlight, posted by Chloe on April 21, 2002, at 19:27:30
You know, I don't know why I always took it at night. Maybe because I could sleep through any side effects I may have had. I know some people have to take it throughout the day to keep a steady level of it in their system. Maybe your pdoc thinks you need to take it in the morning so it will have it's full effect during the day. I never found it to be that kind of med, I felt the same through the whole day.
Posted by Ritch on April 21, 2002, at 22:12:16
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day? » Ritch, posted by Chloe on April 21, 2002, at 19:19:54
> > Hi Chloe,
> >
> > Oh yes, absolutely take it just once daily if you want to. Lithium has roughly a 24/hr half-life (nearly double that of Depakote and MUCH longer than Neurontin). It is a hassle to have to chop up stuff.
> >
> > Mitch
>
> Hi,
> Thank heavens, I can simplify something for a change. I will take Li in the am, depakote in the pm and Neurontin am/afternoon/pm. And that's the just the mood stabilizers! With "polypharmacology city" I really have to be organized not to spend all morning trying to figure out how and when I am going to take all my various meds!
>
> As always, thanks Mitch
> ChloeChloe,
I got a really decent raise at work once-and I have to "chalk" it up to lithium. I took an extra 150mg daytime (which I had rarely ever done), and went in to talk to my boss about the $$ issues-and I just spelled out my case very casual and matter-of-fact, and walked out .. with more than I expected! The whole trick was not to get all emotional and pissed. That is what will defeat folks everytime.
Mitch
Posted by Chloe on April 22, 2002, at 20:11:13
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on April 21, 2002, at 22:12:16
> Chloe,
>
> I got a really decent raise at work once-and I have to "chalk" it up to lithium. I took an extra 150mg daytime (which I had rarely ever done), and went in to talk to my boss about the $$ issues-and I just spelled out my case very casual and matter-of-fact, and walked out .. with more than I expected! The whole trick was not to get all emotional and pissed. That is what will defeat folks everytime.
>
> MitchHi,
I am glad Li gave you the "chill" you needed to be calm and collected to get that extra $$. I really do like Li. It settles me down. And with the absence of AP's, Li is truly essential to my cocktail. Just wish it didn't cause the ol' scalp to burn.
Switching to once a day dosing has increased the burn, but I am not going to get worried yet. I imagine my body thought I was going to increase the dose, when I was merely "adjusting." Man, my body is SO sensitive.
But I am really keeping up the Flaxseed oil. Boy, I love that stuff. And it seems to help the most with the scalp and skin pain. I look forward to having a tablespoon of it on an english muffin with cottage cheese. Extremely satisfying. But everyone I tell about this "treat" for me, thinks it's so gross. But actually it's very tasty. The oil is has a nutty flavor that I got used to really fast. Now I don't know what I ate before I happened upon the stuff!Well, that's my story...Are still taking any Li now? I know you got the depakote back on board. How is the sam-e working out?
Chloe
Posted by Chloe on April 22, 2002, at 20:14:38
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day?, posted by rainbowlight on April 21, 2002, at 19:40:33
So I am guess lithium wasn't a keeper for you. No side effects, but it also sounds like no benefit...
It seems amazing to me that you could take 600 mgs at night and not be up peeing all night! I am sure I would :)
Take care,
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on April 22, 2002, at 23:09:34
In reply to Re: Can I take LITHIUM once/day? » Ritch, posted by Chloe on April 22, 2002, at 20:11:13
> > Chloe,
> >
> > I got a really decent raise at work once-and I have to "chalk" it up to lithium. I took an extra 150mg daytime (which I had rarely ever done), and went in to talk to my boss about the $$ issues-and I just spelled out my case very casual and matter-of-fact, and walked out .. with more than I expected! The whole trick was not to get all emotional and pissed. That is what will defeat folks everytime.
> >
> > Mitch
>
> Hi,
> I am glad Li gave you the "chill" you needed to be calm and collected to get that extra $$. I really do like Li. It settles me down. And with the absence of AP's, Li is truly essential to my cocktail. Just wish it didn't cause the ol' scalp to burn.
> Switching to once a day dosing has increased the burn, but I am not going to get worried yet. I imagine my body thought I was going to increase the dose, when I was merely "adjusting." Man, my body is SO sensitive.
> But I am really keeping up the Flaxseed oil. Boy, I love that stuff. And it seems to help the most with the scalp and skin pain. I look forward to having a tablespoon of it on an english muffin with cottage cheese. Extremely satisfying. But everyone I tell about this "treat" for me, thinks it's so gross. But actually it's very tasty. The oil is has a nutty flavor that I got used to really fast. Now I don't know what I ate before I happened upon the stuff!
>
> Well, that's my story...Are still taking any Li now? I know you got the depakote back on board. How is the sam-e working out?
> Chloe
Hi Chloe,Things are a little unstable right now (mild mixed state panicky agitation!)-strangely, after I ran out of dexedrine I have become unstable. I don't know if it is because of dex. withdrawal or not. While I was taking it (just 2.5-5.0mg/day) I almost got completely off Celexa! There was a stretch where I didn't take any Celexa for about eleven days (or any other AD). This is the peak time of the year for any hypomania to occur. So, that's probably what it is.
Flax oil seems to be helping. I take one 1G gelcap at lunch and then another 1G gelcap at dinner. It isn't very expensive and it's good for your cholesterol, etc. I have yet to get the "pressed oil" that is refrigerated.
The SAMe is kinda weird. I definitely can tell something is going on a few hours after I take it. I don't think it is contributing to any agitation however. I just need more MS right now-and strangely I think a stimulant is acting like an MS for me. I am supposed to get Focalin sometime this week to try-I haven't called the pharmacy just yet. I think I will give them a ring tomorrow to see if it came in (along with extra Depakote that they ran out of). I will let you know what happens.
Mitch
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