I have been meaning to post it... will do it now. Last month I had lithium intoxication. I was so disoriented at night, when I would wake up frequently to drink (thirst from Lithium) that I could not find my way in a one bedroom apartment and fell frequently, once right on my chin. My BP became very low. I went to our county's urgent care clinic, from which was admitted to ER, from which was admitted to the hospital where I stayed till next day receiving IV all the time, tons of solution. My lithium dose was lowered from 1500 mg to 900 mg. I was sent home once my lithium level was well within the norm.

This was my first stay in hospital while being conscious and at the same time in a non-psych unit. The only other time in a medical, non-psych unit was after the suicide attempt in a comatose state. So my general conscious experience with hospitals is psych units, locked and unlocked. So I was very surprised by how I was treated during this stay. My possessions were not checked. My shoelaces stayed in place. My phone was not taken away for the night. I was not looked at with suspicion. It felt so different.

I am just sharing as an anecdote, as well as reminding of the importance of frequent level checks for those on Lithium. Better not let yourself go to the hospital over something that could be controlled - I procrastinated with going to the lab to get tested and voila. My doctor in the meantime forgot that she wanted me tested, because the county load is so huge. So it is my fault.