jimgm: Starting out

[jimgm]

I’m starting my lithium withdrawal journey after 21 years. On 21 January I reduced from 800mg to 700mg. It’s been a bumpy month with chest pains, back issues, distraction, foggy brain and a lot of sadness and grief. I am well supported by friends, family and therapist. Doctor does not object, and has proposed a taper schedule (4x monthly 200mg reductions). I plan to taper logarithmically and much more slowly than that. It’s a great relief to find a community, and I look forward to getting to know you on the journey. Jim 

[Shep]

Hi, Jimgm. Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

I'm glad you have so much support and a doctor to prescribe as you taper. 

 

It sounds like you've already decided to taper slower than your doctor recommends, which is a very smart move. At this point, if you're having a lot of symptoms, you may want to updose a small amount. Going from 800 mg to 700 mg is a 12.5% reduction, which is faster than the recommended 10% per month rate, based on the prior month's dose (not the original dose).

 

For more, please see:

 

Tips for tapering off lithium

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

Are you taking any other drugs or any supplements? 

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
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As you provide more information, we can help you set up a game plan for coming off lithium. 

[jimgm]

I’ve got a few questions about the mechanism that I’m using to taper lithium. Does anyone have any experience they can share? 
 

1. I’m using 300mg capsules of IR. Is it ok to take the odd amounts of lithium in a solution of water or do I need to put it back in the capsules? 
 

2. How do people accurately measure the lithium amounts for micro-tapering purposes? I am in Barbados and have not been able to find digital scales for dry or pipettes / measuring jugs for wet. 
 

3. How do people store lithium once tapering quantities have been measured? Is it ok to store in water in the fridge? 
 

4. Has anyone used silver foil to store lithium? I did and the powder started to go green after about a week. 

 

2000 - started taking lithium 800mg

2011 - increase to 1000mg

2015 - resume 800mg 

End Jan 2021 - decrease to 700mg

End feb 2021 - decrease to 675mg

currently micro tapering from 660mg 

[getofflex]

Previous post moved to your intro to keep your history in one place.