[Four]

Hi. Not much to say about me. I'm a guy. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for 6 years, but have been experiencing some physical health problems as of late, possible kidney problems from my medication, as well as some pain and fatigue.

Just looking for a place to talk.

-Four

[Mari]

Hi, Four,

Is it the lithium?
Is it the pdoc (psychiatrist) considering other meds for you?
Has your thyroid been checked lately?


It is hard to give up a medication that has been working for years.

A few of us with bipolar hang out here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum38.html



M

[Darlene]

Four,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on her condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[Four]

Thank you for the welcomes.

Mari, yes, I was on lithium for 18 months. In November my blood level was 1.0 so we all thought it was fine, but from January until just a few weeks ago I was quite depressed, so at the beginning of March my psychiatrist took my blood level and I was toxic. Not super toxic, but I suspect I was mildly toxic for some time, as I was experiencing persistent nausea. My pdoc sent me to the ER and they gave me an IV and sent me home. I don't know exactly what the bloodwork said, but it indicated a problem with my kidneys. My pdoc thought maybe my kidneys weren't filtering out the lithium, since there had been no changes to cause the toxicity, and even when we lowered the dose, the level remained high. The urine test showed my kidneys weren't concentrating my urine. I could tell this, whenever I urinated, my pee looked like water.

Since then I have experienced increased thirst, abdominal/back pain, increased urination, dizziness, nausea (finally went away a few days ago), and fatigue.

My psychiatrist referred me to a nephrologist and sent me to get a 24 hour urine test, which my psychiatrist said came back fine - it can't have been totally fine though, because my total output in 24 hours was 7 litres.

I see the nephrologist on May 21 so we'll see what happens. I think it's actually been getting better since we've been lowering the lithium.