[glitter85]

Hi

I'm just a mess right now and want to talk to someone who understands.

I have been on lithium carbonate for about 2 years now. My dose has steadily increased to 1800 mg now. My level is .9. I have been feeling better and more stable with this dose (it was upped about 2 weeks ago)but the side effects are getting to be pretty awful. Since I have started lithium I have gained over 30 pounds. Since the dose was upped I have been walking around in this dazed fog, forgetting stuff and just feeling totally out of it. I don't even want to drive. I have an appointment with my Dr. on the 13th but I'm trying to get one earlier because I have been such a mess. She won't call me back, though.

In addition to upping the lithium, at the same time she decreased my Abilify. I have untreated anxiety and that has shot through the roof. So I'm this fat, dazed, anxious person and I hate it.

There are a few more side effects that I don't feel the need to list, but I will answer any questions about what I am experiencing. I just want to know if this is normal.

I'm ready to quit it all.

I'm sorry this is all over the place.

[hamster-bamster]

I feel that the dose of Lithium is too high. I forget what the therapeutic range is but the dose is just so high. The highest I have ever been on has been 1500. I am now on 900 mg without any unmanageable side effects from Lithium. Anxiety is helped greatly by continuous cardiovascular exercise - running, walking, biking, spinning, swimming, rowing, an elliptical. Exercise counteracts weight gain, too, so you need to exercise any which way - you really must, for one hour every day on most days of the week. Can you commit to it?

[Trippin2.0]

Dazed, fat, floating and forgetful is just not good enough. I hope you speak to your doc about decreasing the lithium, coz it does seem too high for you at the moment. Glad you joined us over here post as much as you need to, about whatever you need to, we are here to offer any type of support you need

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by glitter85

I just want to know if this is normal.

No. That is not normal. I get two side effects from Lithium - it screws up my thyroid so I need to take a synthetic thyroid hormone and it gives me acne which makes me use Tazorac but that is actually a GOOD side effect that results in wrinkle-free skin and lots of compliments. That's all. Completely manageable. My memory is so good that I remember meaningless sequences of 6-digit numbers as well as the last names of my elementary school classmates I have not seen in decades. So no problems.

If it is giving you THOSE kinds of problems (FAT, DAZED, FORGETFUL), the obvious steps are to reduce the dose and failing that, find another medication.

In general, a p-doc who does not return messages and who has let you gain 30 lbs needs to be changed.

[BlueInanna]

welcome glitter, glad you found us. hope you get to change meds, they do sound like might be too high / too much.