Lithium vs. Family support... thoughts?

Hello everyone!

Sorry in advance for the long post!

I have recently been diagnosed bipolar. I saw three therapists and a psychiatrist who all agreed. The psychiatrist prescribed lithium, a low dose, and I'd work up into the perceptible range and then stay on it and give it a try.

That said! My family is concerned about health issues. I come from a sort of hippie background where people have very critical feelings about the psychiatric industry and about applied psychiatry. My wife really really REALLY doesn't want me to take Lithium, and my parents are concerned about my Thyroid. I trust my therapist and my psychiatrist, I really like them actually, and they don't seem concerned at all.

My wife wants me to do a holistic thing that's like this special diet, vitamins, regulated sleep, exercise, meditation, so on and so forth... Honestly doing those things sounds wonderful, but does not seem practical. I myself do not feel like I can tackle that kind of life style change without some kind of help. I also don't think that my wife is being realistic about supporting this type of life style. Firstly she is terrible at managing time and keeping commitments. If I were to require her to be on time and support my exercise and meditation schedule, it is very unlikely that she would be able to do this. She also likes to stay up late, drink wine, smoke weed, talk, etc... We're both artists and have fully lived a bohemian lifestyle forever, and for me to be like, 'OK, it's 10PM, I'm taking some vitamins, meditating and going to bed' I just don't see that happening. In the past I have tried to regulate my sleep and she has NOT been supportive at all. In fact she has not supported any of the things she now says she wants to support. Compounding all of this is that she is just burnt out by being married to a bipolar person for 7 years. She feels very resentful that me and my antics have taken so much out of her, and honestly I feel for her, especially now that I have a diagnosis and understand bipolar better, I honestly feel for her, but that does not make me think she is going to be able to support me not taking lithium and instead addressing bipolar holistically.

In the mean season, I'm still bipolar. I have a busy life, I am fortunate that my bipolar has not been more debilitating. As I said I am an artist, and honestly, people just tolerate crazy behavior from artists, which is a blessing because I've been able to have a career but it is also a major enabler.

So! I want to address this! I don't see what my family is suggesting working, and I am worried about toiling away for another 6 months to a year not making progress, continuing to hurt myself and other people just because my hippie family (who I love) is like, AGAINST, Lithium.

Can anyone relate to this? Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone have any knowledge about the actual side effects of small doses of lithium?

Ugh...

I was so happy to get a diagnosis, it made so much sense out of so much. Honestly, I wanted to just take the ****ing pill! But nothing is ever that simple right...

I'd appreciate any advice at all!
Thanks!
MT

I suggest doing your homework on Lithium first. You can google any medication, and get the side effects that way.
I would also suggest having a talk with your loved ones. Some bi-polars (such as myself), can't live without medication. Heck, right now my medication is off so I am going through moodiness hell. Thank goodness I am manic right now, but I'd still prefer to be mood stabilized. My husband comes from a culture where taking any kind of psychotropic drug is considered a sin, but I ignore that out of medical necessity.

Lithium is an element. Lithium carbonate dissolves in the body into free elemental lithium, it doesn't get any more natural, or organic, than that. It has little to no side effects at lower dosages, and research has shown this element has effects on the mind and body even in trace amounts.

I would take it even if it wasn't prescribed to me simply for the fact that it grows brain cells. I kid you not, it literally builds gray matter within the brain. It increases neuron density, and protects cells from the damaging effects of ischemia (i.e. stroke), among other things.

Hi i'm from a background like you and also an artist. I am on 600mg of Lithium which is apparently about right for my blood work. Also on 400mg seroquel and 50mg topamax. Lithium is a new one for me this year. previously not given because of my history with suicide attempts. It has levelled me out somewhat. though presently (today) recently debatable. Meditation is all well and good but you have to do it. If your partner cannot stand right behind you then this is really tough. I detest meds, spend most evenings struggling with myself trying not to take them but when I don't I feel even worse. Lithium for me is a pain in the arse in that I have eight gain yet again and yes my thyroid is now F***ed and i take synthroid. also you have to get your bloods done regularly. I figured I'm screwed either way. Trying to find the path of least screwed up ness.

I don't care for tons of vitamins as taking to much can causes similar effects to medication. I do take a multi vitamin but that's because I have really bad eating habits. At the same time I absolutely refuse lithium. I don't see why it has to be one or the other.

I'm of hippy background too it is true lithium naturally occurs in water more places than others, studies showed people were feeling pretty good lol. I took it for awhile. Love my hypos/manias but if I crash into depression I have such a hard time climbing back up that muddy slope. So I was early to mid 30's when I first tried meds. I was scared & against it at first, still go back & forth.
Anyway I've had same bf for 8 yrs on & off. He'd say how my meds were an embarrassment and to do like our other people on the mountain and just drink some beers & smoke some pot. But I don't smoke pot any more - my kids started stealing it from me so that was time to quit. The bf then even started commenting on my weight gain & mean jokes like eat less McDonalds, I don't even really eat that. So I quit the meds for a year. Got my figure back & dumped him on a great hypo summer. But then the crash & reality. I got back with him, gave him a list of changes I wanted in the relationship he said of course. Then he watched me fall in the depression and I confided in him that it's bad I'm not even able to work. He ended up pushing me to go to pdoc, paying for my pdoc visits, his words he wanted me to feel better and less crabby.
So... They can come to change their mind on it. My best friend is an old hippy naturopathic doctor & he got extra licensing to write for meds. He says he feels they are just necessary sometimes. He takes some himself.
I do hate big pharma and big corp America. I hate powders & pills & wondering how'd they come up with that compound. The mass production, the insurance companies, the corruption... But it's just what I need to do for me right now. I suggest stick to your guns, avoid the debates. Let them know you've made this decision and really want to give it a try, you aren't trying to change their mind about the ethics of big pharma but would love to know they've got your back & will support what you feel is right to do for you right now.
My 2 cents...

Huh? Lithium has very robust anti-suicidal effects, in fact it's basically the only anti-suicidal agent known to man. For reference, here is an open access peer reviewed research paper: Lithium in the prevention of suicide in mood disorders: updated systematic review and meta-analysis | BMJ

I don't understand why everyone has so many complaints against lithium, what is your serum plasma level at?

Can I ask why?

nbritton-

- I hate getting blood work (and will skip it if not doing well)
- I refuse to take anything that has to be taken more then once a day (ED-nos)
- I refuse to take anything that is not weight neutral (ED-nos)
* I'll start 'skipping' if I get paranoid
* I'll start 'skipping' if I even think I gain weight
* I'll pocket it, spit it or down right refuse in a mood swing
- I refuse to take anything that can not just be taken at night (ED- nos)

I was told my next option is lithium.

Lithium carbonate is available in a once daily 450 mg extended release tablet. When taken at night it reduces daytime symptoms, such as food cravings. Furthermore, blood work is not mandatory, especially if you know the warning signs of lithium toxicity. i.e. shaking hands. Research has and is showing that lithium is beneficial even in trace amounts, and at lower dosages it has very little side effects. While it's probable that a lowered dose may not be able to control an active episode, a low dose can still prevent relapse. If you can't tolerate a high dose, you can always use it as an adjunct at a lower dose.

This is great information NBritton. I am going to bring it to my new pdoc next week. Thank you.

When I was on lithium it was an extended release. I liked it until I realized I'd gained almost 50 lbs. weight gain is a deal breaker for me too MM, as you know.
But I guess not everyone gains weight on it. Oh OP asked about side effects.. Initially I had a salty taste in my mouth and wanted to drink water non stop. Pdoc had to tell me to slow down on the water - i guess i was drinking too much water - who knew right lol? But those side effects went away fairly fast.

Firstly, meds are no quick fix, the people I've seen doing the best via medication route also changed their lifestyles, i.e eating, sleeping right, meditation, exercise, therapy. So, either way (psychotropic / holistic, lifestyle changes help).

Secondly, do what you are comfortable with. Not what makes your family comfortable.

Thirdly, yes Lithium is a natural compound, but its not a salt, its a metal that gets turned into salt by way of chemical reaction (my biotech friend explained it, but you can wiki it) and thus cannot be absorbed by your kidneys, so bloodwork IS a must. Any good dr will tell you this. Don't wait for toxicity to get bloodwork, your kidneys may have shut down by then. A member here nearly lost her husband due to kidney failure and he was having regulary bloods done.

There is a different version though, Lithium Oritate, I hear its safer.

Fourth: My experience...

It wasn't pretty, but others have had better luck, so bare that in mind while you read my horror story

At first it was beau.ti.ful. No more daily suicidal ideation, my thoughts slowed down, I actually processed one thought at a time instead of my usual 3. I loved it, I sang its praises and recommended it to all and sundry.

The first side effects was a metallic taste in my mouth, being dehydrated and perpetually hungry. I.did.not.get.full.ever. (lucky my body is allergic to fat so no weight gain, just ate everything in sight).

Those I could deal with, they were annoying, the hunger made me angry ( but I'm an angry b1tch as is) so the side effects were initially managable.

Then the hand tremors started, I wasn't too thrilled at all, and instead of get better (like the other side effects) this just got worse. I looked like I had parkinsons, lost all fine motor skills, couldn't even write and smoking was a chore. I gave up make up and tweezing my eyebrows. My brother had to apply my nailpolish. It got so bad I was banned from carrying beverages and using knives. Yes. I spilled shyt everywhere and cut myself.

That sounds horrid hey? But did I mention I became borderline retarded? Yep, so that about metals growing my brain matter? It ate mine, fast . My former longterm elephant like memory vanished, I needed a list if I had to purchase more than 2 items. Then my working memory diminished, I forgot my thoughts mid sentence, forgot what someone had just said or what I just did. I was a fricken gold fish. My vocabulary decreased as I lost words. I either suddenly didn't know the definition or that the word existed at all. I was communicating at a 12 y.o level resorting to lame a.s.s synonyms, highly embarrassing and self -esteem crushing as my vocabulary has been complemented since childhood. Oh oh oh, and my word recognition broke. You know? When you see your spelling error because the word obviously looks wrong... I needed a spell check for the first time at age 27, and I'm still working on the word recognition.

Oh, and the cherry on the retard cake? I have some permanent memory loss. Pictures of an epic vacation I "never knew" we took as a family does not ring any bells. I've run into people who are now complete strangers. I know that may seem common, but in the past, it only took 5min into a convo for me to place someone from my past. I have come across 2 people who know my family and the ins and outs of my life and I still have no idea who they are. The one dude spoke to me all night a few weeks ago and I.don't.know.him. From talking to him and a mutual friend I realise we used to hang out regularly on weekends in the past, he was part of our party clique, but I don't remember him from before now.
So no. I didn't have a good time, at all

Sometimes the amnesia still has me in tears, especially when family reminisc ( dunno if that's spelled correct) about fantastic events that are now lost to me.

Anyway, I asked my pdoc to change my meds, he gave me tremor meds for the parkinsonian symptoms, but he didn't care that I was borderline retarded.

So I flushed the shyt down the toilet. Figured I've been living with this beast ignorantly and managed to survive it, I have a much better chance now that I can identify it and its weaknesses.

That was 2 yrs ago, and amnesia is still present, so I doubt I will regain those memories and am afraid to find out about any others I've lost.

Sorry for the novel, I'm chatty at 2am with nobody to talk to, and got carried away.

Remember this though. Idk of anyone else that got fkd over the way I did by lithium. So I'm a major minority, because even the people I know of who were distasified didn't have it as bad as I. In other words, the odds are in your favour

I will say this though, if you have any medical predispositions to kidney or thyroid issues, steer clear, as there are many other mood stabilizers for you to choose from, and permanent damage isn't worth it.

thank you everyone!
i want to do both the lithium, starting with a super low dose, 150MG, and working up into a perceptible range, that is what my psychiatrist has me doing. And I also want to do the holistic bit. I feel like I need a boost to manage the life changes associated with the holistic part. by the end of a work day, my mind is in outer space, all i want to do is drink and smoke and watch netflix, and that is a best case scenario, that is assuming I'm not in a rage, or working feverishly on something that isn't time sensitive. if lithium could give me a bit more stability, maybe i'd have more luck with the holistic stuff. anyhow, gonna holistic for a bit. not my first choice, but i feel i need my family's support so i want to entertain their concerns, even though i understand the logic of just doing what feels comfortable for me.
thanks so much to all of you.
i need to be on here more.
<3
MT