Too much lithium? Please help

Hello everyone! I'm back on my meds, one of them being lithium. I know no-one here are docs, but, I could use some imput. I was on lithium before, and had a slight hand tremor, now, I can't even lift a glass. I have to put a straw in, and bend over glass to get a drink. Very bad tremor! I'm taking 900mg at night, just got out of hospital 3 nights ago, but spent 7 in the hospital, so this is my 10th day. Do you think it may be too much? I took 900mg. before. I had to move out of my hometown, so, I have no Dr. yet, but, working on it. Any help greatly appreiciated!

This is really a question for your pdoc. Give him a call right away and let him know what you are experiencing.

Call your old Pdoc and ask. How long have you been w/o a Dr.? What about one of the Pdocs in the hospital, if you liked any of them?

Call your old Pdoc and ask. How long have you been w/o a Dr.? What about one of the Pdocs in the hospital, if you liked any of them?

I've been without my Dr. for 3 months. Hospital won't answer, I have to see a regular GP because, there are no openings until Sept. for Pdoc. Thanks for input

Is it regular formula?

I had that problem with that, but not with extended release.

The tremors sound bad though, you should probably reduce until you can see a doctor. Maybe take 600 for a few days and see if it helps the tremors? That would at least tell you if it's lithium that's causing this until you can see your doctor.

Thanks, very much apprieciated

I just realized that Zoloft, also causes terrible tremors, which I'm also on, I wonder if that's it?? I haven't even looked up Seraquel yet, I've just had too many changes!!! Determined to stay med compliant though, no more hospitals! Got DR appt. for Tues..

I had debilitating tremors at 750mg which was therapeutic level according to bloodwork and psych assessments. I was HORRIBLE, I had zero fine-motor skills, spilt hot beverages daily. I couldn't button my daughter's school shirt, social settings were humilliating, it really kicked me in the teeth. Pdoc instead of switching, opted to ADD a med to counter it. That's when I quit my meds, coz among other reasons, side-effect meds were where I drew the line. I hope your pdoc helps you ASAP. I really feel for you.

What medication can counteract tremor? I have tremor from Depakote and no one offered me anything to counteract it. I thought it was impossible, therefore.

Not impossible at all HB. It was a beta blocker, propranolol. I heard it provides results, never tried it tho, just flushed them.

When I was lithium toxic I was puking and had diarrhea at the same time and my entire body itched terribly especially my scalp. They stopped the lithium after my level was checked and was 2.9 (therapeutic = 0.5-0.9) but it took several days for the side effects to stop.

Oh I probably cannot take those, my blood pressure is very low to begin with, I cannot go lower...

Mine's always been on the low side, dr's were never really worried save for 1 time when my iron level had also dropped dangerously and I was heading toward anemia. No fun at all! I feel for you. Have the dr's addressed your LBP?

I agree that it's too much when you have to put a straw in a glass to drink. Do you
find yourself just sitting and trembling? You need to see your doctor. My understanding is that some people now work better taking lithium every other day rather than every single day.

That's one drug you have to be careful about--too much and you can get kidney damage--so do see your psychiatrist as soon as possible and relate your symptoms.

There are some other very good meds out there now for Bipolar illness--Lamictal is one of them. Of course, there are many others, as well.

Take care.

Genetic