My husband was diagnosed April 2, 2008 and started taking Lithium (150 mg 2 x a day) and Rilutek a few days later. He has had his blood taken once a week for the last month. The Doctor told me yesterday that his creatine was 1.3 and that normal was 1.2. The doctor said that he did not want to increase the lithium because the creatine level was too high and we would risk damaging his kidneys. My question to the doctor was - If our only hope of slowing the progression of the disease was taking higher doses of lithium, and we can't do that because of the creatine level, then what do we do. The doctor had no response. So I asked if he should be drinking more water, to which the doctor agreed would be a good idea. My question is - can anyone help me understand all of this. How much lithium is needed to be effective, what is creatine and what level should it be at in order not to damage the kidneys. What can we do if anything to reduce the creatine levels. Is water the only options, and if so - how much water is needed. I wish had all the lab numbers, and I will ask for a copy of my husbands lab results the next time I talk with them. But in the mean time, can anyone help me understand this? I would appreciate any help cuz I am not feeling any compassion from the doctor.