Lithium worsen conditions?

I have been on Lithium for about 3 weeks now, been taking 300mg twice a day for two weeks (along with my 600mg trileptal twice a day). But, my cycles feel like they are getting worse not better. I just had the worst fall I think I've had since before I started taking meds for cycling, and yesterday was the first hypo cycle I've had in a while (typically been going depressed-normal). I rapid cycle though, so it's not uncommon for me to cycle mid-day then back again by the time I wake up (or shortly there after).

Just wondering if anyone else has had any incidents where Lithium worsened their cycles.

Sometimes the medication can have a paradoxal effect....meaning it does the exact opposite it is supposed to do. I have never taken lithium so I am not of much help. Have you talked with your pdoc about that the lithium is doing or how you are feeling? I would call as soon as you can to talk to him/her.

I haven't spoken with him about it making things worse. But my next appointment isn't for another 2 1/2 weeks. Being that I'm military it is actually harder for me to get in to see him than if I were just going to a regular (non-military) pdoc. Also the fact that he is located about 2 hours from where I am and I schedule appointments through people here, who then schedule the appointment through his people... it's just a giant cluster *%!#.

But, I go on Thurs to get a referral to see another pdoc (to get a 2nd opinion) and I am going to request a local one... one that I can actually sit down face to face and talk to, because my current one I actually see through a video teleconfrence (pdoc television for the loss)

I'm just having a hard time with it right now, and it is so frustrating and I feel like there is no one to talk to about it. I've started opening up to my wife about it more and educating her on bipolar disorder, so now she is noticing the sudden and drastic mood swings. But still yet, she is always trying to 'fix' it by asking me why I get depressed or why I'm so happy all of a sudden. I just can't answer those questions, not sure if there even is an answer. And it is so damn frustrating I just want to break down.

There can be that effect and it is great you are going for a referral for a second opinion. I saw your other post first, didn't know you'd decided to go. It should help and get you some answers you need from an unbiased opinion.

It's not easy getting started on new meds and combos of meds, which one is causing what but you just know, it isn't doing what you expected. So frustrating. Keep a list of your history and symptoms to take to the new doc and medication dosages, less to fill out when you get there. I wish you the best for your appointment and will hope for some relief soon.

I was on lithium for about 2 and a half years and found that it made my mood too low, but 3 weeks on a med isn't long enough for it to become a therapeutic level. Definitely let your pdoc know even if it's just leaving him or her a message.

Do you think your mood is cycling more because of the shift work. A previous career I had prior to my diagnosis had a brutal shift schedule and my mood was all over the place. It may be worth it to ask for a constant day shift schedule while you get your meds worked out.

A good thing to point out to realtives who live with us beepers is that we don't react well to high stress, so over reacting to every little emotional change is probably not helpful Actually, this is true that we can be triggered by too much pressure in a whole lot of ways, but usually it's not any one little thing that anyone does that MAKES us sad or happy. We are usually not EVENT triggered as as much as, well, for lack of a better word, state triggered. If we get too tired, sick, hungry, stressed for too long, that type of thing, it tends to make our cycles worse.

Lithium treated me well until I got into my late thirties and then I started metabolizing it too well, then i started slowing way down on it, losing motivation, having trouble talking, gaining weight, etc. I had to switch off, which was sad, because it was really a good stabilizer for me until then. Yes, it can make you depressed, i have heard people have horrible probelms with that, particularly in the begining. When I started on it, there was a preparation I was taking that was not that great for me, and I had to switch to a different preparation, so sometimes even something like that can make a difference. Things like "fillers" can change how your body handles the active ingredients, believe it or not.
Good luck! HUGGGGSSSS!

It could be lithium or it could just be a coincidence.

I was on Lithium for a few months and I saw an initial improvement, but I wasn't able to get to a good therapeutic dose because of the side effects. Even though it didn't work for me, I have heard it is a great drug for many people.

Hi Please ask your doctor too give you something else cause lithium mess up my brother kidneys with failer they should take this med off the market please not lying too you I dont want nobody to suffer like my brother is

Lithium never helped me much, except to bring me down way too far. I never took it for very long. There are so many better medications these days, and what with the side-effects of lithium and harm to thyroid and kidneys, it ought to be taken off the market.

Ask your doctor to change medications, I'd say.

Thats true high five on that the medication people who made lithium needs to be slap

kikki27, I'm sorry your brother was effected by lithium that way. However, there are many people that have been helped by lithium. My mom has been on it since I was 8 years old (I'm 35 now). A person does need to get regular blood work done to ensure the lithium levels are therapeutic and not toxic.

The unfortunate part of being on Psychiatric medication is they will have side effects. The mood stabilizer that I'm on (lamictal) can cause Steven Johnson Syndrome which can be fatal.

Thank you