Question:
How well can your body handle being on a high dose of lithium after surgery?

I'm concerned because I'm on 1600mg a day of Lithium, and I know that after I have surgery I won't be able to drink alot of water. Lithium can be highly toxic if you don't drink enough water. Can I continue to take my medication safely after surgery?    — Wendy H. (posted on June 15, 2001)

June 15, 2001
Your Right....you do need lots of water...so dont take it..switch to Prozac..or wellbutrin..or paxcill..there is a hole lot of other anti depressents you can take instead of lithium
   — [Anonymous]

June 15, 2001
Actually, I'm sure you know this, but other antidepressants can not be substituted for lithium. Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorders--much different than depression alone. Although I am not sure about your water question, I believe that you can drink enough. You will have the added motivation of the medicine. I am not sure how big the pills are, but they are not supposed to be crushed. I do know that lithium comes in liquid form, which may be good initially post op.
   — Shelley.

June 15, 2001
Switching to paxil or prozac would not do any good as they are nothing like lithium and don't do for bipolar what the lithium does. My husband was on lithium as he has bipolar and he had to quit taking it because it caused so many stomache problems. The dr. put him on neurontin. this is now used for many bipolar people, and especially helps with those with social anxiety disorders also. I have seen a drastic wonderful change in my husband way more so then with the lithium. It is quite a bit more expensive though than lithium, but if you have insurance that is no problem. You also don't have to have blood levels and such with it as it doesn't have the toxicity characteristics of lithium. Talk with your Dr. about it. You may do better on it then the lithium. Good luck
   — paula B.

June 15, 2001
tegretol and depakote are both mood stablizers used for those who cannot tolerate lithium. tegretol is also very cheap, and in my opinion works better than lithium without the horrible side effects (i've been on both).
   — [Anonymous]