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i went and got officially diagnosed! (Original Post) retrowire Jan 2016 OP
BEST of LUCK! elleng Jan 2016 #1
Wishing you luck! MuseRider Jan 2016 #2
That's what you needed to do, retro. Tobin S. Jan 2016 #3
Good luck! I know what you are talking about. nt thereismore Jan 2016 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author LiberalArkie Jan 2016 #5
That's what I immediately feared after being prescribed a medication retrowire Jan 2016 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author LiberalArkie Jan 2016 #8
Oh, jeez... Me living in the computer lab, later '70s, early '80s, and never got wealthy for it. hunter Jan 2016 #14
Best wishes and some advice.... steve2470 Jan 2016 #7
A psychiatrist will order blood work for patients taking lithium Tobin S. Jan 2016 #9
yes exactly right nt steve2470 Jan 2016 #10
One of my kids did that but it took some time to get things quite right. My advice: PATIENCE! hunter Jan 2016 #11
you have my best wishes, retrowire. roguevalley Jan 2016 #12
Thank you. nt retrowire Jan 2016 #13
best of luck. mopinko Feb 2016 #15
Drink lots of water TexasBushwhacker Feb 2016 #16

MuseRider

(34,058 posts)
2. Wishing you luck!
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 05:49 PM
Jan 2016

Good for you getting in and getting this done. It is not easy. Hang with it and you will get a handle on it.

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)
3. That's what you needed to do, retro.
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 06:00 PM
Jan 2016

Go see a pro. Also, keep in mind that that person is working for you and should be on your side no matter what. If things don't go well, be sure to speak up.

Response to retrowire (Original post)

retrowire

(10,345 posts)
6. That's what I immediately feared after being prescribed a medication
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 06:27 PM
Jan 2016

I feared that I'd lose the manic happy part of me... So perhaps an anti depressant solution would help with that? Still, I'll try the lithium first.

Thanks for the advice!

Response to retrowire (Reply #6)

hunter

(38,264 posts)
14. Oh, jeez... Me living in the computer lab, later '70s, early '80s, and never got wealthy for it.
Sun Jan 17, 2016, 01:15 PM
Jan 2016

But some of the people buying and selling it sure did.

steve2470

(37,457 posts)
7. Best wishes and some advice....
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 06:45 PM
Jan 2016

1- Study up on your diagnosis, from GOOD sources on the internet like webmd, Mayo Clinic, etc. It will help you immensely, I promise you. Try to learn the lingo as well as you can, so you can communicate better with your doctor.

2- About your doctor: Ok, here goes. Yes, SOME doctors and psychiatrists are really nice people with no God complex, and can accept suggestions and feedback. However, in MY experience, they are very touchy and territorial creatures. Do not ever try to play doctor or tell THEM what to do. It sucks, but it's the way it is. Be very tactful and diplomatic, and just describe your symptoms as precisely as you can. If they are competent, they will know what to do. Don't suggest an exact dosage, because you will get asked where you went to medical school. Don't suggest a medication, because of the same reason. You will learn how to work with your doctor eventually. Hopefully you have a humble nice doctor. Ask leading questions in a semi-dumb Columbo-ish kind of way. They will pick up on your lead, if he or she is competent.

3- Lithium is great but very powerful. Get your blood levels faithfully. It's not something to be casual about. Take it exactly as prescribed, which is my suggestion for all psychotropic meds.

Best wishes to you, and keep us updated.

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)
9. A psychiatrist will order blood work for patients taking lithium
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 08:15 PM
Jan 2016

Last edited Tue Jan 12, 2016, 09:12 PM - Edit history (1)

on a periodic basis. Since we got the dosage right for me, my doctor has ordered the blood work once every six months. The patient, of course, has to keep up with his or her end of the deal. If you have too much lithium in your blood, it can poison you like many medications. If you have too little, you might not be getting the drug at therapeutic levels.

hunter

(38,264 posts)
11. One of my kids did that but it took some time to get things quite right. My advice: PATIENCE!
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 08:59 PM
Jan 2016

Me, I've never been quite right, maybe I never will be, but I've learned to accept that, half a century of practice ,and many scars...

...many fine stories, even the bloody ones.

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