AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question I am 22 years old, and have been experiencing regular abdominal pain and bloating for several years. I began taking psychiatric medication for bipolar/schizo-effective disorder when I was 16, and I attributed my stomach discomfort to the side effects of these drugs. I went on and off of more than 20 (maybe even 30, it was hard to keep track after awhile) different medicines within 5 years, or between the ages of 16 and 21. I'm happy to say that I have been off of those medicines for about a year now, but sad to say that the pain hasn't gone away.
I talked to my GP about this, and he recommended a gastrointerologist for me to see. The gastro. gave me a colonoscopy, and discovered that I have diverticulosis. He told me that this is very uncommon for someone as young as I am, and I have done a little research online to try and find out why it happened so early in my life.
I have read that low-fiber diets are a big cause for diverticular disease, but I eat a very healthy diet with lots of fiber. I do this because I realized on my own that the more raw fruit and vegetables I ate, the less pain I encountered. I never eat fast food, and hardly eat any processed food at all. I have also read that obesity and stress can be factors, I may be a little overweight and have a bit of stress but neither are extreme enough to cause this... I don't think.
I have read scattered bits of information about a link between Lithium and diverticular disease, because Lithium may upset "microsomal liver enzymes," and cause bowel troubles. I took Lithium for 5 years (1800 mg a day) so this appears to be the most reasonable cause, but I can't find very much more about it. I was wondering if you could tell me if my assumption is correct, is my Lithium use probable cause for my diverticulosis? And if you think it may be, do you know where I could find more information so that I can educate myself and understand how it happened?
Answer Dear Alyssa
I have done a literature search and can find no reference to lithium causing diverticulosis. It can cause constipation which then can cause diverticulosis if unchecked. If you were not constipated I would doubt lithium would be the cause. I agree with you that your diet should off-set any chance of diverticulosis and can only suggest that you may have inherited a weak bowel wall leading to this condition. Carry on with your healthy diet and you may prevent further deterioration of this condition.
