So I got my blood taken on Wednesday so that my psychiatrist could decide what to do with my meds at my appointment Thursday (yesterday). I haven't had a lithium level done since November (which is partially my fault). Turns out I was dangerously lithium toxic. The lab didn't flag it, but when my psychiatrist looked up the results on the computer she found out I was toxic and we didn't even finish the appointment, she sent me directly to the emergency room.

Initially I was told I would be staying at least overnight, if not more. But most of what I did was sit around waiting. They were confused because I didn't seem to have any of the usual lithium toxicity symptoms. Eventually they drew blood to confirm the lithium level. I waited a few more hours and then they gave me a saline IV to try and flush my system. Just as I was mentally preparing myself to spend a night in the emergency room, they told me my lithium level had dropped to just on the edge of toxic, so I could go home. I saw the triage nurse who had told me I'd be in overnight on my way out and she was surprised I was leaving.

I saw my psychiatrist again today and she was mad because she had asked for an EKG and a urine test, but they did neither. She's also concerned because the blood they drew yesterday was close to the time I would have taken my meds, and my lithium level should not be on the edge of toxic just BEFORE I take my lithium.

I didn't take lithium at all last night, and tonight I start a lowered dose. On Wednesday I will get my blood drawn again, and Thursday I have an appointment to review the results. I'm really nervous that it will be a repeat of this week, that I will still be toxic and will spend another Thurs/Fri in the ER. I can't miss class on Friday.

The weirdest thing is I have none of the usual toxic symptoms. No nausea/vomiting/GI symptoms. No heart palpitations, tremor, thirst. I've been depressed, and had aches and pains I thought were from the depression, but my psychiatrist thinks both the depression and aches could be from the lithium toxicity.

Anyone else ever had a toxic lithium level?