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Need help ASAP! Have to decide about Lithium NOW
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<blockquote data-quote="rlsnights" data-source="post: 410119" data-attributes="member: 7948"><p>Lithium is generally the medication of choice to treat mania. If it is going to work it works quickly and usually pretty well. Our psychiatrist told me that recent research has favored the atypical antipsychotics for managing early onset bipolar but he's already on that and it's not working. The biggest side effect issues with Lithium are hypothyroidism (thyroid levels need to be checked before starting and regularly while on lithium) and damage due to elevated serum levels often caused by dehydration. With lithium it is *very* important to stay well hydrated and to be very familiar with the early signs of toxicity so that prompt treatment of the toxicity can be done. If those things are done my experience and reading suggest it is as safe as any of the psychiatric drugs and, unlike lots of the others, has a very well documented rate of successful treatment.</p><p></p><p>If the lithium works well I would try to drop the risperdal. My son was on Abilify and it drove his blood sugar levels way up above 100, caused him to gain about 30 pounds and produced liver and red blood cell abnormalities. It's my feeling that Lithium is likely to be lower risk than risperdal for your son but of course you will need to discuss that with his doctors.</p><p></p><p>Did they offer you any alternatives like a mood stabilizer? Topomax, Lamictal, Depakote? Or as an add on instead of risperdal?</p><p></p><p>As for them demanding an answer within an hour, all that means is that the psychiatrist on duty is going to be gone in an hour and he wants to order the medications before he leaves. It is an artificial deadline and you have the right to take your time before deciding and to ask as many questions as you need to before deciding. They can always call the doctor after he leaves for auth to give the medications. And, if you haven't dealt with this before, they should require that one of the staff "witness" your agreement so 2 different people should be asking you if you agree to the medication change.</p><p></p><p>Patricia</p><p></p><p>Patricia</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="rlsnights, post: 410119, member: 7948"] Lithium is generally the medication of choice to treat mania. If it is going to work it works quickly and usually pretty well. Our psychiatrist told me that recent research has favored the atypical antipsychotics for managing early onset bipolar but he's already on that and it's not working. The biggest side effect issues with Lithium are hypothyroidism (thyroid levels need to be checked before starting and regularly while on lithium) and damage due to elevated serum levels often caused by dehydration. With lithium it is *very* important to stay well hydrated and to be very familiar with the early signs of toxicity so that prompt treatment of the toxicity can be done. If those things are done my experience and reading suggest it is as safe as any of the psychiatric drugs and, unlike lots of the others, has a very well documented rate of successful treatment. If the lithium works well I would try to drop the risperdal. My son was on Abilify and it drove his blood sugar levels way up above 100, caused him to gain about 30 pounds and produced liver and red blood cell abnormalities. It's my feeling that Lithium is likely to be lower risk than risperdal for your son but of course you will need to discuss that with his doctors. Did they offer you any alternatives like a mood stabilizer? Topomax, Lamictal, Depakote? Or as an add on instead of risperdal? As for them demanding an answer within an hour, all that means is that the psychiatrist on duty is going to be gone in an hour and he wants to order the medications before he leaves. It is an artificial deadline and you have the right to take your time before deciding and to ask as many questions as you need to before deciding. They can always call the doctor after he leaves for auth to give the medications. And, if you haven't dealt with this before, they should require that one of the staff "witness" your agreement so 2 different people should be asking you if you agree to the medication change. Patricia Patricia [/QUOTE]
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