Lithium Issues

[Zoeysfat]

Hello again, I think I might be doing something wrong trying to post this question. I tried it earlier, but nothing appeared on the message board Anyway, I have been gluten free for over a year now and was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II. The shrink put me on a low dose of Lithium, but now I am having stomach problems again. Not positive if it is the Lithium or if I am doing something else wrong. Does anyone know if a Celiac can take lithium? Any help would be appreciated

Zoey

[ravenwoodglass]

Hello again, I think I might be doing something wrong trying to post this question. I tried it earlier, but nothing appeared on the message board Anyway, I have been gluten free for over a year now and was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II. The shrink put me on a low dose of Lithium, but now I am having stomach problems again. Not positive if it is the Lithium or if I am doing something else wrong. Does anyone know if a Celiac can take lithium? Any help would be appreciated

Zoey

Did you ask the pharmacist to check to make sure it was gluten-free?

You have been gluten-free for a year, I just want to make sure you are checking everything and dealing with CC issues. Have you eliminated it from your cosmetics and toiletries, pet foods and craft supplies? It may of course not be the case with you but for myself and my son low levels of CC effect our 'moods' much more than our tummy. The horrible depression usually follows a short period of intense energy and disordered thinking. Sound familiar? This corelation only became obvious to me after a couple of months on a modified paleo diet when I introduced mainstream, processed and foods that were possibly CC. On a diet with no chance of CC I was psych symptom free for the first time in my life.

I do know how hard it is too deal with this sort of thing, and to get back to your original question some people do react badly to lithium. If the CC issue isn't a problem and you continue to have a problem with it there are some other drugs that might give you relief. I hope you feel better soon.

[jenvan]

As was said here, I would 1. check your diet and verify everything is gluten-free and CC-free. 2. make sure your meds are gluten-free (as well as makeup, products) 3. evaluate the lithium--for some people it can cause naseau and d, especially in the beginning.

[LKelly8]

I'm a bipolar celiac and I take lithium - 300mg 3xdaily, a generic from Roxane Labs. Teva is a good gluten-free generic. I know the brand name Eskalith CR is gluten-free. The generic form probably is too. I loved Eskalith CR but my insurance won't pay for the brand name, even tho I'm allergic (hives) to the generic. In my personal experience there's less side effects, especially in the beginning, if you take one of the sustained release formulas - has CR, SR or ER after the name.

Side effects usually go away after the lithium levels off in your blood. My side effects were mild nausea, shakiness, a metallic taste - like having a penny in your mouth - and a spaced out feeling. They all disappeared after 2 or 3 months. Occasionally I'll get these symptoms again if my lithium level starts rising because I'm not drinking enough water, doing too much, sweating too much, etc.

Crazymeds.org is a good (and very funny) website for psych meds support. They also have a message board.

Edited to add: I did have weight gain as a side effect as well. Added 12lbs, took a year to lose it all. I also quit nicorette gum at the same time so I'm guessing that didn't help.