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Bipolar diagnosis--Starting Lithium
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<blockquote data-quote="klmno" data-source="post: 231420" data-attributes="member: 3699"><p>Smallworld knows a lot about medications- maybe she'll pop in later. Also, there may be others around who can offer some experience about lithium for a 9yo. My son takes it and it helps him a lot but he didn't get a BiPolar (BP) diagnosis until he was 12yo. Keep in mind, these types of medications work very differently in different people, but I take it you just want to make sure it's safe to trial it, and I don't blame you. If you don't get any others' experience, I would go with what the psychiatrist said as long as I was comfortable with the psychiatrist.</p><p></p><p>My son does better (less side effects ) on lithobid, which is extended release (or time release-not sure) version of lithium carbonate. Most common side effects are increase in thirst and then needing to urinate often. This decreased in my son after many months. He had stomach upset at initial introduction and at each increase in dose. This went away after a few days except his last increase while titrating up, which then psychiatrist switched him to lithobid and now he has little or no side effects. His hands do get very jittery sometimes- it didn't start until after starting lithium, however, it also runs in my family. It happens mostly when he has skipped a meal and goes away after eating. Of couorse, blood levels have to be monitored.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.rxlist.com/eskalith-drug.htm" target="_blank">http://www.rxlist.com/eskalith-drug.htm</a></p><p></p><p>This is a pretty good link about describing medications- click thru different pages for lithium (eskalith) and it should tell you about use in children.</p><p></p><p>Re IEP- yes that's for school. If she's had neuropsychologist testing, it might have revealed excutive functioning deficits, memory, etc., not pertaining to traditional ideas of a learning disability. She might be too young for these to be causing a difficulty at school yet. Then, BiPolar (BP) can effect behavior at school and medications might have side effects (ie, cognitive dulling, the needs to carry a water bottle all day) that will require her to have some supports at school. These all need to be documented and provided thru an IEP. If it isn't a problem now, keep a watchful eye so you can get her an IEP as soon as possible. It will protect her rights and provide her with accommodations that will become more and more important.</p><p></p><p>Good luck!!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="klmno, post: 231420, member: 3699"] Smallworld knows a lot about medications- maybe she'll pop in later. Also, there may be others around who can offer some experience about lithium for a 9yo. My son takes it and it helps him a lot but he didn't get a BiPolar (BP) diagnosis until he was 12yo. Keep in mind, these types of medications work very differently in different people, but I take it you just want to make sure it's safe to trial it, and I don't blame you. If you don't get any others' experience, I would go with what the psychiatrist said as long as I was comfortable with the psychiatrist. My son does better (less side effects ) on lithobid, which is extended release (or time release-not sure) version of lithium carbonate. Most common side effects are increase in thirst and then needing to urinate often. This decreased in my son after many months. He had stomach upset at initial introduction and at each increase in dose. This went away after a few days except his last increase while titrating up, which then psychiatrist switched him to lithobid and now he has little or no side effects. His hands do get very jittery sometimes- it didn't start until after starting lithium, however, it also runs in my family. It happens mostly when he has skipped a meal and goes away after eating. Of couorse, blood levels have to be monitored. [url]http://www.rxlist.com/eskalith-drug.htm[/url] This is a pretty good link about describing medications- click thru different pages for lithium (eskalith) and it should tell you about use in children. Re IEP- yes that's for school. If she's had neuropsychologist testing, it might have revealed excutive functioning deficits, memory, etc., not pertaining to traditional ideas of a learning disability. She might be too young for these to be causing a difficulty at school yet. Then, BiPolar (BP) can effect behavior at school and medications might have side effects (ie, cognitive dulling, the needs to carry a water bottle all day) that will require her to have some supports at school. These all need to be documented and provided thru an IEP. If it isn't a problem now, keep a watchful eye so you can get her an IEP as soon as possible. It will protect her rights and provide her with accommodations that will become more and more important. Good luck!! [/QUOTE]
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