Do bipolar meds build up in your system eventually causing toxicity?!
Question: Do bipolar meds build up in your system eventually causing toxicity!?
I have an appointment on July 14th to see the dr!. as to what kind of bipolar meds are right for me but as of now I am not taking any!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Any type of medicine can build to toxicity!. When properly managed, they don't!. Lithium, for example, is managed by blood serum level with the effective range usually between !.6-1!.0!. At first, you have blood draws monthly or so but once you stabilize, they can be moved out quarterly or semi-annual!. Toxicity can occur somewhere over 1!.8-2!.5 depending on the person!. I have no problem with it at 1!.2 regular level so for me it'd probably be over 2!.2!. This is my favorite med, btw!. In other words, you won't be near the level and it wouldn't be a problem as long as you stay reasonably hydrated!.
Other meds can work the same!. I mean all other meds!. The are measured in the miligrams you take instead!. That's about the only difference!. Long-term use of any med can become problematic as well!. That is why on stabilizers, you get annual blood panels, just like any competent doc would have you get on any other long-term med!. The blood work identifies potential problems and you switch meds before it becomes a real issue!.
Basically, you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing meds!. It's no different than any other chronic condition that requires ongoing med!. Relax!. It's not that scary!. Besides, when you find the cocktail that works for you, your life will improve considerably!.
PS - I take Lamictal and Lithium, Depakot and a little Seroquel as well!. The med that works for you with the least side effects is the med that will be best!. Sometimes many meds at lower doses is what works best!. I can speak highly of most of my meds (I don't like Depakote but my brain does)!. Lithium is the most neuroprotective of all the stabilizers!. That is it protects the brain from further deterioration!. It is the oldest med and docs know how to monitor for problems and stop them before they become issues!. That can't be said for any other med!. The fear of it is stigma and stereotype, and anyone who doesn't seriously consider it as a med is a fool IMO!. Bipolar is progressive!. I want to keep as many brain cells as possible, and if Lithium can grow some new ones as thought, I gladly take those, too!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Other meds can work the same!. I mean all other meds!. The are measured in the miligrams you take instead!. That's about the only difference!. Long-term use of any med can become problematic as well!. That is why on stabilizers, you get annual blood panels, just like any competent doc would have you get on any other long-term med!. The blood work identifies potential problems and you switch meds before it becomes a real issue!.
Basically, you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing meds!. It's no different than any other chronic condition that requires ongoing med!. Relax!. It's not that scary!. Besides, when you find the cocktail that works for you, your life will improve considerably!.
PS - I take Lamictal and Lithium, Depakot and a little Seroquel as well!. The med that works for you with the least side effects is the med that will be best!. Sometimes many meds at lower doses is what works best!. I can speak highly of most of my meds (I don't like Depakote but my brain does)!. Lithium is the most neuroprotective of all the stabilizers!. That is it protects the brain from further deterioration!. It is the oldest med and docs know how to monitor for problems and stop them before they become issues!. That can't be said for any other med!. The fear of it is stigma and stereotype, and anyone who doesn't seriously consider it as a med is a fool IMO!. Bipolar is progressive!. I want to keep as many brain cells as possible, and if Lithium can grow some new ones as thought, I gladly take those, too!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Medication for bipolar does not become toxic, but many people will be on one medication for a long time and then the doctor may want to change because of side effects!. Or the doctor may want to try a new medication on you too!. My husband has schizophrenia and over a ten year period, he has been on 4 different medications!. All were changed because of side effects mostly!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
there are some!. lithium being one, also tegretol and valproate!. anticonvulsant meds are used to control behavior and they all need blood tests to monitor levels!. you can die if the levels get too high in your blood!.
you can not grow brain cells the ones we are born with are all we get!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
you can not grow brain cells the ones we are born with are all we get!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
the only one that is truly toxic is Lithium!. Do not let ur doc prescribe lithium, for that reason and others!. i am bipolar and Lamictal has changed my life, also my gf and another friend both take it and they love it!.
of course everyone respons differently but Look up Lamictal on wiki!.!.its the only med that has ever heped!. plus it good for my anxiety, my BPD and my depression and general agitation!. truly an amaizng med! Good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com
of course everyone respons differently but Look up Lamictal on wiki!.!.its the only med that has ever heped!. plus it good for my anxiety, my BPD and my depression and general agitation!. truly an amaizng med! Good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com