[Research] Lithium?

[Literophile]

Has anyone on here tried lithium for seizure control? How well does/did it work?

 

[Nakamova]

I think that lithium is prescribed more as a mood stabilizer than as an AED. Its use is problematic because it can quickly go from therapeutic to toxic, and because there have to be frequent tests to check serum levels and protect against thyroid or kidney damage.

These links suggests that lithium can CAUSE seizures:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3117123
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505004001015
and that it's especially dangerous for people with seizure disorders to take lithium:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456879_3

 

[Literophile]

TT~TT

I'm just trying to cut down the amount of medications I take. I'm looking up what works for my type of headaches, and lithium came up, and I know someone who takes lithium with her AEDs so... Oh well. Thanks for the sites.

 

[Endless]

I've heard of Lithium being used for serious cases of depression or bi-polar. With big warnings about side effects. And Nakamova is right - it can make seizures worse.

Here's the package insert for lithium on the FDA website (dailymed). Read it. Seriously.
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=12165''

Central Nervous System
Blackout spells, epileptiform seizures, slurred speech, dizziness, vertigo, incontinence of urine or feces, somnolence, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, confusion, stupor, coma, acute dystonia, downbeat nystagmus.

Cardiovascular
Cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse, sinus node dysfunction with severe bradycardia (which may result in syncope).

Neurological
Cases of pseudotumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure and papilledema) have been reported with lithium use. If undetected, this condition may result in enlargement of the blind spot, constriction of visual fields and eventual blindness due to optic atrophy. Lithium should be discontinued, if clinically possible, if this syndrome occurs.

I know what you mean about reducing the number of meds. Talk it over carefully with your doc before you make up your mind about Lithium.

A little piece of historical info: When Juan Ponce de Leon thought he had found the fountain of youth in Florida, some believe what he actually found was a pond with an upwelling of water with high levels of lithium. It caused a feeling of elevated mood or euphoria, which made them feel younger. Good thing they didn't have long term exposure! They didn't have blood panel tests back then!

 

[Nakamova]

A little piece of historical info: When Juan Ponce de Leon thought he had found the fountain of youth in Florida, some believe what he actually found was a pond with an upwelling of water with high levels of lithium. It caused a feeling of elevated mood or euphoria, which made them feel younger. Good thing they didn't have long term exposure! They didn't have blood panel tests back then!

Lithium used to be in 7-Up too, until the 1950s. I guess it made folks "Up."

 

[Literophile]

Wow, that is so interesting! I love trivia.

:/ Well, I know I'm going to have to take at least two medications all my life: dexamethasone and one (or more) for seizure control. And I have awful headaches... Endless, what do you take for yours?

 

[shonafrances]

I have just come across this thread as I was searching for info on Lithium after my Psychiatrist suggested it for treatment of my recurring depression. Tbh I am not keen on medication for the depression as two types I tried didn't do anything (fluoxetine and citalopram) and the third (Mirtazapine) left me virtually catatonic with outbreaks of awful rage and I had to come off it, plus awful weight gain. I think I would rather continue to handle it with routine, behaviours, CBT etc. I was surprised she suggested it for depression as it is more often for bipolar and she had just ruled out bipolar! Plus she knows I am being investigated for possible seizures and now I see it is proconvulsant! She was a bit dismissive when I mentioned the possible epilepsy 'everyone gets Dejavu, and stress makes it worse', grrrr, I know the difference between general dejavu and what is happening to me! Anyway, if the epilepsy Dr says it isn't epilepsy then I will listen, when the psychiatrist says it, to be honest I turn a deaf ear as it isn't her speciality...
So anyway, not keen on lithium as it also has weight gain as a side effect and as I am doing really well in recovery from anorexia I do not want weight gain rocking the boat.
Anyway, I figure I shouldn't make any decisions on medication until I speak to the epilepsy Dr and get sleep deprived EEG results as it seems silly to stick any new chemicals into me before I know what is going on with my brain!
What do you guys think?

 

[Nakamova]

I agree -- each med you add can complicate the picture -- particularly if the person doing the prescribing (such as your psychiatrist) is dismissive of or unfamiliar with epilepsy. ["Everyone gets deja vu" is absolutely not true. Most people are not experiencing deja vu on a regular basis.] Make sure the neurologist is well aware of all the symptoms you are having. If the EEG is inconclusive (which can happen with partial seizures) that doesn't rule out an epilepsy diagnosis, particularly if your symptoms fit the bill.

 

[shonafrances]

Thanks Nakamova. It is so frustrating how medical professions live in their own silos of knowledge. My GP swore blind my symptoms weren't epilepsy as she had done placement on an epilepsy ward, I had a list of symptoms from the epilepsy UK website and she even said they must be wrong!!! Luckily I persevered and she agreed to send me to the neurologist to shut me up.
I know in my gut this is not panic attacks as the episodes are always exactly the same and follow the same pattern etc. so even if it isn't epilepsy there is something going on. The list of symptoms for simple partials was the first time anything came close to describing what I have been experiencing. The neuro has taken me seriously and done an MRI (normal, phew) and two EEG's (one showed something but not conclusive, waiting results of sleep dep one) and referred me to Epilepsy specialist as he felt it was outside his expertise and I really appreciate how he has handled it. I just want to see the specialist, but 5 weeks more to wait.
Thanks for your input.