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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Lithium The Right Medicine For Bipolar Disorder?

My daughter, age 54, was just evaluated for bipolar and put on lithium against her will, in a short term psychiatric hospital, after being placed there under the Baker Act. She was sent home after 9 days, on lithium and to make an appointment with a psychiatrist within the following two weeks. She stopped the lithium after a few days home and never made a doctor s appointment. She is manic and delusional. It started with a psychotic episode during a urinary tract infection and E coli in a regular hospital. She was bipolar at age 16, was on lithium from age 18 to 23. Has been off it and functioning until this episode now, with no therapy. She is in complete denial. Insists she never had a problem. Her behavior is bizarre and getting worse. Her husband is ready to try to commit her again. We can t get her to see she needs help. She insists we all need help, not her. What can we do?
Fri, 21 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there. I can think this is a difficult situation for you. Let me try and break down things easily
Lithium is a treatment for bipolar disorder as it is a moid stabilizer, it is actually considered to be gold standard. However, it needs to be monitored regarding side effects and blood levels need to be taken regulary to monitor if the dose is therapeutic. Thats the down side to lithuim but if compliance is good and monitored well it can ve an excellent drug.
Like from what you explain she is manic and psychotic and has very poor insight into what is happening, her condition and treatment. If there is now way she wants to take the treatment, is a danger to herself or others it is best that she gets admitted again for treatment. Long acting injectables are available which is in the form of a monthly injection which might be the route to go.
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Is Lithium The Right Medicine For Bipolar Disorder?

Hi there. I can think this is a difficult situation for you. Let me try and break down things easily Lithium is a treatment for bipolar disorder as it is a moid stabilizer, it is actually considered to be gold standard. However, it needs to be monitored regarding side effects and blood levels need to be taken regulary to monitor if the dose is therapeutic. Thats the down side to lithuim but if compliance is good and monitored well it can ve an excellent drug. Like from what you explain she is manic and psychotic and has very poor insight into what is happening, her condition and treatment. If there is now way she wants to take the treatment, is a danger to herself or others it is best that she gets admitted again for treatment. Long acting injectables are available which is in the form of a monthly injection which might be the route to go.