[RDRK]

My ph & pht are discussing the options of changing my drugs to Lithuim. She is starting to think that the Lamictal and Seroquel is not doing the job. If things aren't better the next time I see them they will make the switch.

I'm concerned about taking Lithuim. The side affects and the chance of gaining weight. I can't afford another pound as I have had five children and after the last three have not seen under 150 pounds. In fact I have increased through out the years.

I'm also concerned about the side affects... and will I be starting all over again with my meds? Are they going to take me down to nothing and will I crash all over again. My hypomanic periods felt great ! But those periods are coming down quicker & with longer periods of depression. They say I'm rapid recycling.

Any suggestions?

[Slick399]

Hi RDRK,

You have every reason to be concerned about lithium, but I will tell you that it is the main stabilizing agent that has been around since 1950. If it wasn't safe then the number of people on it would not be on it.

I have been on lithium for 15 years and the only occasional side effect I have had is a slight tremor in my hands, that is all. I did not gain weight. The only pain with lithium is that you have to have a lith level done fairly frequently until you become acclimated to the med.

If you would like to send me a private message to discuss further, please do. Don't be afraid, your doctors will not have you go cold turkey on the lamictal or seroquel without you being stabilized on the lithium.

By the way, the lithium has kept me from crashing down several times.

Please do talk to your therapist and doctor to discuss your apprehensions.

Everything will work out.

Slick

[Slothrop]

I've been on it for a few years with no scary effects.

My psychiatrist tells me lithium and Lamictal work really well together...but your doc may or may not decide on that for you. Hopefully you can at least stay on your current meds until the lithium is up to therapeutic levels.

I think lithium really is a good drug for cutting the cycling!

[ellyb]

Hi RDRK,
My comments are probably not much help, but since starting lithium three months ago, I've put on 10kg (not sure how many lbs that is), but it's an enormous amount of weight and absolutely none of my clothes fit. It really sucks.
But, generally lithium has improved my moods - levelled me out to a degree. My experience to date is that there is no complete answer, nothing will make you feel completely normal (whatever that is) it's just a matter of attempting to manage your illness so you can work and manage life and your family.

[gravyyy]

I resisted starting Lithium for over a year, but when all else failed I agreed to start on it. I had this horrible image in my mind of what I was going to look like and how I was going to feel on the Lithium. IN all reality I haven't had many problems at all. I was worried about weight gain but started watching what I was eating about 2-3 weeks before I started the Lithium and I have actually lost 10 pounds since starting (2 months ago at this point). The most annoying side effect is increased thirst to the point that I can drink up to 10 bottles of water per day and it does make me wake up a few times at night to use the bathroom. I have noticed definit benefits from the med. I would like to feel better but I suppose I need to give it time. I am overall pleased with the medication. I am weaning off Lamictal and Trileptal at this point. Hopefully eventually I'll only be on Lithium. I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Amazonmom]

I actually told my NP "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!" when she said that she was going to prescribe Lithium. I also was having the most intense hypomania ever at that moment, but I also was desperate to stop feeling so weird.

I did end up drinking and peeing a lot at first, but that has gotten a bit better. I now drink more than I used to but that's probably healthy. I have not gained weight. I do get a metallic taste in my mouth at times, but that is fading away with time.

It helped cool off the nasty zoloft hypomania, but hasn't done a lot with the depression side of things for me. I haven't had any intrusive thoughts though so maybe the Lithium is doing something. My NP told me to get a lithium level done...my first one. It could be that my level is not high enough to help me out. I have been taking it just like she asked me to.

We are here to listen no matter what you choose to do.

[Martina]

Well if it's any consolation, the weight gain on Lithium is NOTHING compared to the weight gain on Zyprexa!!

I'm on the combo of Lithium and Lamictal, and I think that is what finally stabilized me after a really crazy summer.

Only side effect I've noticed is acne. I look like a really old teenager.

Sometimes you have to put up with the side effects in order to be stable. It sucks.

[NoMoreNola]

I was scared poopless whenever my doc put me on lithium. Of course, I got over that intial fear after about a week and lithium is now on my own personal 7 wonders of the world list, next to cheez-its and reeses. There really is no way to see if the medication is going to work well for you unless you try it out. Your doctor wouldn't have wanted to put you on it if there wasn't cause to do so. Odds are, it will help your mental stability. As for the sideeffects, have you thyroid checked just as often, if not more, than your lituim levels. Those who take lithium are at risk for hypothyroid. Close monitoring coupled with thyroid medication is complications should arise should help you keep your weight under wraps. Oh and I do yoga in my living room at least twice a week. An excercise helps.

[RDRK]

Hi there Martina... thanks for your information on Lithium... That acne thing, I noticed it with my Lamictal. Solution... hit the sun. That is the only way I could make it disappear. But I know... I haven't had acne like this since I was a teenager too.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that realized they were working on the teenage acne thing again. I thought I was imagining things.

Originally Posted by Martina

Well if it's any consolation, the weight gain on Lithium is NOTHING compared to the weight gain on Zyprexa!!

I'm on the combo of Lithium and Lamictal, and I think that is what finally stabilized me after a really crazy summer.

Only side effect I've noticed is acne. I look like a really old teenager.

Sometimes you have to put up with the side effects in order to be stable. It sucks.

[jeweltone]

I was on Lithium for four years. I am rapid cycling. It did not help my moods at all, and to top it off, it made me gain weight and screwed up my thyroid! I now have to take thyroid medicine for the rest of my life. Just letting you know that could be one of the side effects! I now take Invega, Prozac and Topamax.

[Martina]

Oh I didn't think Lamictal did the acne...geez, I'm screwed. I got both! Sigh. Oh well, I'd rather be fat and pimply and ugly but HAPPY/STABLE than be pretty and suicidal. Those are pretty much my choices. Only I don't know if I'll ever be pretty...