Lithium Trial - ALS Society of Canada

[acenoface]

I guess I am "Lucky" to be bipolar. My psychiatrist had no objections to putting me back on lithium (I was taking another mood stabilizer). If you really want to get on lithium, all you really need to do is go to a psychiatrist and tell him or her that you were diagnosed bipolar. Make up a story about having gone through a period where you had religious delusions and out of control spending and hypersexual behavior.

 

[Al]

I hope you're joking about making up stories to get drugs Ace. We don't condone that behavior and offering advice like that could be taken out of context and hurt the reputation of this forum.

AL.

 

[BLPhill]

Or, you could ask your doctor for it and tell them why you want to be on it. I did, I am now on lithium, have been for a month. It's better to keep it simple.

 

[jl73]

It sounded like a joke because of the 'lucky' preface. Seriously, most doctors once you have ALS will probably give you most any drug that might help you as long as there might be some potential benefit, stories not required.

 

[Duks]

Relative of newly Dx PALS

I was diagnosed with ALS in January and will be tested in Saskatoon SK on March 18th to see if I will be accepted for the lithium trial. I assume that I have about a 25% chance of slowing this disease down a bit. It appears that no more than 50% of people on it have some luck at slowing this disease down. I have a 50% chance of getting a placebo. Thats how I came up with the 25%.

Hi bkss & all,
My cousin was diagnosed with Bulbar (?) ALS in Jul 09. She saw Dr. Briemberg at the UBC in early Aug 09 & a Pathologist (speech?) 2 weeks later. Unfortunately she is a very private & introverted person. She was Dx on 17 Jul 09 & asked me not to tell anyone. That has been stressful for me which is only minimal compared to what she must be going through. Now most of her family have known since end Aug 09. I don't know if she was selected for the lithium trial or even had knowledge of it. It is a 2 year double blinded lithium trial being conducted in every province in Canada. bkss, were you selected for it? Has anyone been prescribed the combination of lithium & riluzole & what were the results.? I have been researching ALS & found this most informative site. You are all supportive of each other & very STRONG. I am a better person for it! I pray for my cousin & now for all of you. God Bless you!
DUKS

 

[Danijela]

One of the requirements here in the Uk is that the patient has already been taking Riluzole for at least 3 months, in order to be considered for the lithium trial. My parner is taking part.