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What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Question: Two doctors have called it chronic fatigue syndrom because I fit no other category. There have been a few attempts to correct this but none have worked. All this time I have been on 450 mg lithium and decided to cut it in half last night. It seems to have made a noticeable difference. My blood levels are always normal. Could too much lithium be part of the problem?? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
450 mg lithium is not high dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Health care magic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First of all I like to inform you that 450 mg dose of lithium is not high dose and unlikely to cause side effects such as fatigue.
In addition chronic fatigue syndrome presentation is quite distict from the simple fatigue caused by any medication. In this regard we can establish chronological relationship between start of lithium and onset of fatigue symptoms. Secondly CFS sympyoms have pain symptoms on most occasions which are unlikely to be caused by lithium.
Having said this we must not forget that medical science is half science and it is possible that low dose of lithium showing more efficacy than high dose of lithium. I feel if half of your prescribed fose is working gor you there is no harm in continuing it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to contact me.
Thanks and regards.
450 mg lithium is not high dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Health care magic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First of all I like to inform you that 450 mg dose of lithium is not high dose and unlikely to cause side effects such as fatigue.
In addition chronic fatigue syndrome presentation is quite distict from the simple fatigue caused by any medication. In this regard we can establish chronological relationship between start of lithium and onset of fatigue symptoms. Secondly CFS sympyoms have pain symptoms on most occasions which are unlikely to be caused by lithium.
Having said this we must not forget that medical science is half science and it is possible that low dose of lithium showing more efficacy than high dose of lithium. I feel if half of your prescribed fose is working gor you there is no harm in continuing it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to contact me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, Dr XXXXXXX for answering my question. The dose of 450mg lithium may be low for most people but it is too much for me. I was having debilitating fatigue and not simple fatigue as you inferred. I was also having total body aches and no pain as I was checked out for fibromyalgia. I would classify severe fatigue with light headedness and flu like symptoms as some sort of fatigue syndrome. There are no rigid symptoms of CFS as I have been suffering for over 5 years with no relief. Would you have tried lowering my lithium amount to see what would happen? Would that have occurred to you? My doctor was more interested in adding pills, not taking them away! For the last three nights I have taken half a pill or 225 mg. Should I eventually get off of lithium altogether? Thanks for your response. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I think yes
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me with much useful information.
You are right in saying that most of doctors believe in adding pills when there is poor response and almost never think of taking the patient off medication.
Practically speaking I have never encountered a patient with CFS who responded better on lowering the dose of lithium. In most of my patients I use 600-900 mg and never encountered debilitating fatigue.
Regarding your question about getting off the medication I feel 225 mg of current dose should be attempted to reduce in very gradual manner. You can go to half tablet of 225 mg after 15 days and than stop it altogether after another 15 days. My opinion is based on the fact that fatigue has significantly gone down when you shifted to 225 mg from previous 450 mg. It is possible that with further lowering you will feel more improvement.
I like to take some time before you stop altogether because there is some evidence which suggests high content of lithium even in drinking water (definitely it will be just equal to 100 mg or so ) helps patients in combating many illnesses including fatigue. As I communicated earlier that it is possible that low dose of lithium is more effective and that same mechanism is playing role. Considering this I feel take some time before you stop it allotter.
I hope this assists you further.
If you have more questions feel free to ask me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Thanks and regards.
I think yes
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me with much useful information.
You are right in saying that most of doctors believe in adding pills when there is poor response and almost never think of taking the patient off medication.
Practically speaking I have never encountered a patient with CFS who responded better on lowering the dose of lithium. In most of my patients I use 600-900 mg and never encountered debilitating fatigue.
Regarding your question about getting off the medication I feel 225 mg of current dose should be attempted to reduce in very gradual manner. You can go to half tablet of 225 mg after 15 days and than stop it altogether after another 15 days. My opinion is based on the fact that fatigue has significantly gone down when you shifted to 225 mg from previous 450 mg. It is possible that with further lowering you will feel more improvement.
I like to take some time before you stop altogether because there is some evidence which suggests high content of lithium even in drinking water (definitely it will be just equal to 100 mg or so ) helps patients in combating many illnesses including fatigue. As I communicated earlier that it is possible that low dose of lithium is more effective and that same mechanism is playing role. Considering this I feel take some time before you stop it allotter.
I hope this assists you further.
If you have more questions feel free to ask me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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