AboutIvan Goldberg, M.D. Expertise I am a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist with many years of expereince in treating individuals with depressions, manic-depression (Bipolar Disorder), other mood disorders,. I am especially interested in the psychopharmacologic treatment of individuals with so called "treatment-resistant" syndromes.
Experience I have been on the staff of the National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. I am currently in full-time private practice in New York City.
A.B. Johns Hopkins University M.D. N.Y.U. College of Medicine
I am the creator of Depression Central:http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
Question Hi, I am a 33 y/o female in overall good health except for the following: bipolar 2 disorder and allergies. As such, I am on a number of meds, and frankly, am terrified of the long term effects of these drugs...especially on my kidneys. Here is what I take daily:
20 mg lexapro
150 mg wellbutrin xl
600 mg lithium
astelin spray
nasocort spray
frequently: zyrtec d
occassionally: tylenol
Frankly, this is the 1st time all my symptoms are under control, and I feel fabulous. It has been life altering. My dr plans to wean me off of the lexapro and wellbutrin after I have a period of stability behind me- but I have a nagging feeling about the long term effects that the lithium will have on me. I do try to stay well hydrated, but am thirsty no matter what. Should I be this worried? What are your thoughts on the toxicity / safety of this regime? Many thanks. Allie
Answer Hi Allie . . .
There is no way that I can comment of the safety of those medications for you as that would depend on your past medical history. Only your doctors could comment ion that.
I have been practicing psychiatry for over 40-years and have some patients i started on lithium in the early 1960s when we were suing it prior to it being approved for general use. Most of those patients are still taking lithium, and are doing well. To take lithium safely on a long term basis twice yearly thyroid and kidney tests are a good idea.
