[hartbroken]

I got a phone call today from the nurse where I see my psychiatrist, and she told me my lithium level was too high from my blood test a few days ago. She couldn't tell me what it was (it usually runs 0.9 or so) but I usually take 600mg in morning and 600mg at night. She wants me to take 450mg in morning and 600mg at night now. I think I know why - I've lost 10-15lb in the last few months.

Does anybody know does a mild toxic level like this cause tremors in hands and legs? Something has been causing that. She couldnt answer that one either.

[BuggsBunny]

I know abilify can cause the feeling that you have got to move your leg (arm, whatever) RIGHT NOW, or you will go absolutely out of your mind. (Can you tell I have that problem.)

I've heard some others talk about lithium causing tremors in their hands, but you will have to wait until they log in to verify that one.

Okay, I just looked it up and hand tremors are definitely Lithium linked. Two sites said leg tremors as well.

If you really want to know what the numbers are, ask for a copy of your lab results to be mailed to you. Just tell them you like to keep track of your bloodwork. (I do this on a regular basis, and have no problems getting it.) It will show the norms and also what your number is. It never hurts to be more informed about your own illness.

[bipolarmedstudent]

I looked it up, and yes, it can. It's called 'fine hand tremor'.

[Trippin2.0]

My levels were never toxic but I had tremors in my hands and legs as a side effect.

[LiteraryLark]

That's why they do blood work. If it's too high, they need to lower it. Lithium did not cause your weight loss, but your weight loss caused your lithium to be too high.

Fine hand tremor is a minor side effect of lithium. It goes away with a lesser dose.

[Nixi]

My friend had tremors on lithium and her levels were ok. It is a side effect

[LiteraryLark]

^^ agreed, I have/had hand tremors and my lithium levels have always been fine, even with a 40 pound weight gain.

Well, I have had tremors on lithium within a normal blood level, but sometimes my levels have gotten too high and the tremors were much more noticeable. I was toxic once, and it felt almost as if I was drunk, I was very confused, I couldn't walk in a straight line, and I overall felt very sick, very nauseated, and slurring my speech very badly. My friend noticed it right away and got me to the hospital.

The tremors are yes a side effect. However they can also be a sign of toxicity, if you look it up it is listed as a symptom of toxicity, except that you may notice that sometimes it will be defined as coarse trembling of hands and legs, instead of fine tremors.

[sb7777]

Same here. I get hand tremors even when lithium levels within therapeutic range. It's a common side effect, I'm told.

[sunshineanxious]

I know that people are very different in their sensitivity to Lithium.

I stopped yesterday because I was nauseated for the whole day, had a feeling of pricking in hands and feet) and had headache. So now I'm having my lithiumlevels controlled by a blood test. I'm only on 12 mg., haha, so maybe I'm just hypersensitive to it.

I probably could be caused by the mildly toxic level. Anyway, I'm hoping you'll feel better when you reduce the dosis.

[BNLsMOM]

When I was on lithium, I had such tremors that I couldn't write, or move easily. I wasn't toxic but the doctor (this was during a hospital stay) took me off the med and started Depakote. I just had my bloodwork done and had to go on a lower dose because my level was too high. I also have hand tremors with Depakote.