Gastroparesis - do lithium or citalopram cause it? (I am bipolar)

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theelms - 13 Dec 2007 15:17 GMT

Hi. I am a new member from UK.

I was diagnosed with bipolar 4 years ago and have been taking 4
medications.

I have been vomiting 1-2-3 times a week for 6 months. A
gastroenterologist wonders if it is gastroparesis (i.e. a paralysed
stomach / no peristalsis in the stomach). He thinks that this is
being caused by taking lithium and perhaps also citalopram. (I am
also taking lamotragine and olanzapine).
It's not great being on so much medication but the main thing is that
it has worked well for me since my diagnosis of bipolar 4 years ago.
So I do not want to have to alter my medication.
I have asked 2 pharmacists about this link and they do not think that
lithium would cause gastroparesis. However surfing the web the US
sites for gastroparesis indicate that Lithium can be one of the
causes.
So is there anyone out there whose digestion has been affected in this
way? Please let me know your experience.

Thanks
Jane

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Jeff - 13 Dec 2007 18:10 GMT

> Hi. I am a new member from UK.
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Thanks
> Jane

You may want to ask your psychiatrist or a psychopharmacologist about
this. They may have seen enough patients who are taking any of the drugs
alone or in combination to be able to say that this is definitely a
cause of this.

However, it appears that lithium can definitely cause this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastroparesis/DS00612/DSECTION=3

Jeff

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theelms - 13 Dec 2007 22:34 GMT

> > Hi. I am a new member from UK.
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi again - thank you Jeff for your feedback.
2 good phamacists think there is no link b/n Lithium/Gatroparesis. I
see the gastroenterologist again after having had tests next Friday
(21st) so will see what he has to say. I have been trying to get good
info in advance of seeing him. I don't want it to be my drugs but
neither do I want it to be anything else. A catch 22... (At least
Domperidone is stopping me being sick for the time being.)

If anyone else in the group has any feedback on Gastroparesis/Lithium
do let me know.
Best wishes
Jane

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