[zbmom]

So I was just taking lamictal and then I nosedived into a HORRIBLE depression when I increased the dose to 125. I don't know why I'm so sensitive to meds but the same thing happened with Topamax, a 25mg increase was the difference between depression and preparing to off myself.

My pdoc decided to add in some wellbutrin because I wasn't comfortable taking lithium.

It didn't seem to be helping so she gave me a prescription for lithium too, I took HALF of a 75mg pill and I spent the entire evening with cramps and spasms in my hands and feet, muscle cramps all over, and joints on fire.

Needless to say I have not taken it again and I'm just sticking with the lamictal and wellbutrin (and klonopin when anxious).

The cloud seems to be finally lifting, but WTH?

Has anyone had that kind of reaction to lithium and at such a ridiculously low dosage?

Correction: I took half of a 300mg pill not a 75mg pill, mixing up my meds here. So 150mg was what I took.

What kind of lithium did she prescribe you? I never knew lithium came in such a low dose. I have always been capsules, so I am not familiar with this.

No I have never reacted to lithium like that. I am glad is seems to be lifting though, that's good news!

[moremi]

Lithium caused me to swell badly. It was my 2nd hospitalization and I will never go back there. They started me on 11 different medications at once and sent me home looking like a zombie. Lithium and lamictal were two of them. I have no recollection of it at all. I was taken to the emergency room where they told my family my lithium level was dangerous. I dont know if I was hurting or anything because I cant remember anything but my husband said I was hallucinating pretty bad. I cant say for sure it was lithium though because of how many meds they put me on but Im too scared to try it again.

[danielleT]

I've never taken lithium but I take 300 mg of lamotrigine and it's had the opposite effect on me when I went over 250 mg. It caused bad anxiety and agitation for me. I counteracted that effect by increasing my seroquel at night. I see my pdoc next week, I couldn't reach her by phone so just handled it on my own.

Have you checked out the crazymeds forum? It's a good site to visit for any med related issues. Maybe you're metabolizing these drugs more slowly than normal. I do know that some people have anxiety as they titrate up on lamotrigine - anxiety after each increase which resolves itself over a couple of weeks.

[Confusedinomicon]

I didn't know lithium comes in that low of dose. I have heard of 150 mg, but never 75. I also felt sick taking the regular kind, but am fine with the extended release.

If it is a high dose of lithium they should be checking levels every 3 months. I get mine checked every 6 months. (I heard 900 mg is a standard dose)

[Rosie23]

I am also sensitive to medications and I get the strangest reactions too.

I only take Lamictal and it does well so far by itself. But I recently was given high blood pressure meds and I am so depressed that I am having thoughts of self harm. I haven't slept either. Doc said it shouldn't have done that.

I have to start only one med at a time and let it settle in for a couple of weeks before adding a new one. No matter what it's for.

I hope you find a good mix for you. It's frustrating for sure.

[zbmom]

OK wait, I looked, and the pills are 300mg which is what she said the insurance would pay for, so I took 150mg. But isn't that still low and weird?

[Confusedinomicon]

It doesn't matter if it is 'low and weird'.

It didn't work for you and there are alternatives.
I doubt you'd be willing to take it again, anyways, after experiencing those side effects.

(Unless you are asking if you should try it again...)

[bpktvikesfan]

I am not able to tolerate lithium but can tolerate lithium extended release... have been taking it for about seven years....i am very med sensitive as well...if i can suggest, sometimes the side effects will go away if u can tolerate them for a day or two...i not saying to tolerate the super serious ones, but the quirky ones will go away shorlty....but if u do have trouble with the capsule lithium 300mg the extended comes in a pill and is 450mg and is generic...best of luck and trust me when u find the cocktail that works it will be work all this hell, hang in there!

[hamster-bamster]

I second the suggestion of ER. I am able to tolerate regular Lithium just fine, but my new doctor prescribed ER because it is in general a milder medication. Just one warning if you do not have insurance: it is 10 times more expensive.