[hamster-bamster]

I have been meaning to post it... will do it now. Last month I had lithium intoxication. I was so disoriented at night, when I would wake up frequently to drink (thirst from Lithium) that I could not find my way in a one bedroom apartment and fell frequently, once right on my chin. My BP became very low. I went to our county's urgent care clinic, from which was admitted to ER, from which was admitted to the hospital where I stayed till next day receiving IV all the time, tons of solution. My lithium dose was lowered from 1500 mg to 900 mg. I was sent home once my lithium level was well within the norm.

This was my first stay in hospital while being conscious and at the same time in a non-psych unit. The only other time in a medical, non-psych unit was after the suicide attempt in a comatose state. So my general conscious experience with hospitals is psych units, locked and unlocked. So I was very surprised by how I was treated during this stay. My possessions were not checked. My shoelaces stayed in place. My phone was not taken away for the night. I was not looked at with suspicion. It felt so different.

I am just sharing as an anecdote, as well as reminding of the importance of frequent level checks for those on Lithium. Better not let yourself go to the hospital over something that could be controlled - I procrastinated with going to the lab to get tested and voila. My doctor in the meantime forgot that she wanted me tested, because the county load is so huge. So it is my fault.

[faerie_moon_x]

I'm glad you're okay, hamster-bamster.

[Anneinside]

I also became toxic on lithium. I was in a bad state and the pharmacy changed my pills from taking 2 600mg capsules to 1 1200mg capsule. I didn't read the bottle and took 2 of the 1200mg a day until I became so toxic I no longer knew my date of birth when they asked in the ER, couldn't walk unassisted, couldn't use a phone book (to call ER) or remember 911... I was on IV for 4 days in the psych unit. Even though I said I wasn't suicidal then moved me there from a medical ward. It was difficult because there were no call buttons so I couldn't call for help to go to the bathroom. Luckily, the second day my mom came and stayed with me, helping me to go to the bathroom. Toxicity is not fun.

[hamster-bamster]

Not fun at all, and yours was much more severe than mine. Good we emerged OK. How much are you taking now, Anne? Back to 1200mg just making sure not to overdose, or less?

[Confusedinomicon]

I take 900mg and increase to 1200mg when I get hypomanic for like 1-2 weeks. I hate increasing though because I get bowl issues.

I decreased to 1050 -> 900mg again when I stabilize.

[zbmom]

That sounds awful

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

How much are you taking now, Anne? Back to 1200mg just making sure not to overdose, or less?

I had requested lithium because it is known for reducing suicidal thoughts/attempts. Some time after being toxic I became suicidal again. Since it "failed" in the reason I was on it my pdoc changed me to lamictal or depakote, can't remember which. Right now I am on lamictal 200mg.