No, you are not overthinking it--you are being cautious. In my experience, most doctors are not concerned about side effects or downplay them, but they would be if they had to live with them or risk being damaged by them!
I won't take Lithium for those same reasons. The issues/side effects you listed are not that uncommon. And Lithium is tricky, too, because if something adversely affects your blood monitoring, it can do damage. I've seen it happen before to someone in person and have heard of it happening to several others. Especially if you take multiple drugs or have other health problems.
Lamictal, imo, seems to be the safest one to try (and the only mood stabilizer I'd ever try). I'm surprised your doc didn't suggest Lamictal first. Of course, maybe this is one you tried already.
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Originally Posted by embutterfly
I currently take Effexor, Latuda, Topamax and Wellbutrin. My doc wants me to try Lithium to try to address my repeated "mixed states," but I'm really scared of it. I'm convinced I'll get kidney stones, gain weight, destroy my thyroid and develop Lithium toxicity. Am I over-thinking it? My doc says it's a safe drug and worth a try and might get me off one or more of my other drugs. I've literally tried dozens of other drugs. I welcome advice. Thank you!
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