Lithium. Should I be scared?
I actually felt a little bit good today for a while!
We paid the rent, which is one major reason. Also, I went to Dr. Kwon. Upon hearing of my experiences of the past two weeks and having a good idea of my history now, he wants me to try Lithium...er...lithium, do you capitalize that? I'm just worried about its impact on the baby. I know I can't breastfeed on it. It probably gets into the milk more than into the placenta or whatever. I think this stuff can help me, it helped my friend Jessica immensely. I wonder how safe it is. I dunno, I've heard things about it but I can't remember what I've heard. I never retained the knowledge because I never thought I'd be taking it. I'll be doing some net research right after this entry.
Maclean came home from work early today because of his poor back. At least he got his prescription for the Flexoril. Doesn't seem like it's helping much though. The heating pad doesn't help either.
I found some info. on the Lithium thing: Lithium
For many people, lithium is a mainstay of their treatment for bipolar disorder. The decision to continue taking lithium during pregnancy can be life saving to the mother. Other women might switch to lithium because it has fewer risks to the developing fetus than their current medication. While taking lithium, it is important that women stay hydrated to prevent lithium toxicity in themselves and the fetus. Careful monitoring of lithium levels, especially during delivery and immediately after birth, can help prevent a relapse in the mother and will also show if there are high lithium levels in the infant.
Lithium is the only drug proven to reduce the rate of relapse of illness from nearly 50 percent to less than 10 percent when women continue or begin lithium treatment after giving birth. Women who choose to breast-feed should know that lithium is secreted in breast milk. Breast-fed newborns whose mothers take lithium should have their blood monitored for lithium.