[Fire_Star]

Okay,

I'm not very confident today. Today I finally saw a pdoc who has diagnosed me as bipolar and prescribed me Lithium. He said I was being hypomanic in the session.

I'm all for meds, so am very surprised at how I'm feeling right now. I'm very apprehensive about starting on meds. I saw a GP yesterday who diagnosed me with anxiety disorder and depression; she believes once I get out of the stressful living environment I am in at the moment, i should immensely improve with my conditions.

Should I just start on them, and see how it goes? This is the first time I've ever seen the above GP and pdoc so it feels like... we should look into it more, if you know what I mean. But I have seen a string of docs over the last few months and I have some saying situational depression and some bipolar so I don't feel like it's been 'settled' on. Though I admit, when I talk about depression with docs, I don't think it fits me very well; bipolar explains pretty much everything - so maybe I'm just in denial?

I know meds are different for everyone - anyone able to give me pros/cons and what to expect with it? I guess less beer for me these days too... :/

Lithium is a good med. There is a reason why it's the old standard. Expect blood draws from time to time to check you blood levels. That's how they decide how much you need to take. Expect to be thirsty all the time. Drink lots of water and get used to many trips to the restroom. I had hand tremors that were probably the most bothersome side effect, but I dealt with it because the med was working. I could work around hand tremors. That's about it. Definitely less alcohol.

[Fire_Star]

Yeah, he told me about the tremors. I'm concerned how they'll impact on my sewing and drawing but I haven't really got into that stuff for nearly a year really...

[Pughead]

Yes, you should start on them. Titrate according to how your pdoc instructed you, assuming he/she instructed you. If not, the guys over at crazy meds seem to know their stuff.

Lithium is suppose to be real good at getting people out of mania quickly. It's one of the oldest meds used to treat "manic-depression." That, and the valproates. (i.e., Depakote)
My pdoc brought up Lithium as an option to take in conjunction with Lamictal, but decided that Depakote was a better choice because I've been on it before, with no significant side-effects, other than a lot of weight gain, but that was on a really high dose. Also, I'm on Depakote ER, so I'm hoping that really minimizes the chance of weight gain.

Plus, Lithium just sounds cool. It's an element and in the periodic table.
Just watch out for any significant side-effects, but take it as prescribed and give it a chance.

[Fire_Star]

Thanks for the replies!

Ugh, I just realized I forgot to ask about birth control when I saw my pdoc - does it matter if I take Lithium with birth control pills?

[lettersfromjuliet]

I dont know how about Lithium but I know that Lamictal decreases the effects of my birth control (it's the case in general)... Im purely assuming its the same for your medicine. Since it is a "standard" medicine for the treatment of bipolar, I highly doubt it cant be mixed with birth control. Just be extra safe if you're active and I'd make your doctor aware that you are taking birth control as well so if nothing else they have it on your records for future reference

[Amazonmom]

Lithium does not change the effectiveness of birth control. I could get into a long boring explanation, but I will leave that to a doc...

[Fire_Star]

Thanks for the info. Started my meds today, hopefully out my manic state soon.

[WendyAussie]

Lithium is the "gold standard" or the "first line of defence" for Bipolar. Among many psych drugs I am on Lithium (which helps more for the hypomania/mania aspect) and Lamictal (which helps more with the Bipolar Depression - it's very good). One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Lithium can destroy your thyroid function - it has mine, and now I am on another med to try to fix that, but it hasn't started to make a difference. The lack of thyroid function can do deveral things, one is to gain a lot of weight as the metabolism is affected. Another is that low thyroid function can actually contribute to depression. I had terrible psychiatrists for a long time (I didn't know that until after) and they seldom had my thyroid function tested bloods. Ask your psychiatrist about this aspect of Lithium and also about getting regular bloods.

Like many patients, I didn't get a correct diagnosis early on - but just like you, my correct Bipolar diagnosis came when I was Hypomanic/Manic in a session. It gave the psychiatrist a clear opportunity to see the signs. I would go along with the diagnosis you have been given, but also be open for your doctor to keep monitoring you over time, you telling the doctor your moods states etc, and you'll either stay with your current diagnosis or eveolve to another - happens all the time.

You're doing well girl!! And Hey, I'm an Aussie too!!!

[Pughead]

Aussies, don't go to the coast today. Though the tsunami should have petered out by then.

[WendyAussie]

Thanks Pughead. I live on the coast!! But no, it's OK as I live in south west Victoria so am away from the East Coast.