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  #1  
Old Nov 07, 2006, 05:39 PM
sam1994 sam1994 is offline
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I have been on lithium for 1200 mg for 2 weeks now. I am extrememly tired. Does this go away?

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  #2  
Old Nov 07, 2006, 06:07 PM
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biplol biplol is offline
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(sam) I'm sorry, I haven't taken lithium, but I'd say you need to ask your PDoc and also some of the members here can give you better directions on that.
Welcome!
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  #3  
Old Nov 08, 2006, 07:53 AM
Suzy5654
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Yes, I was exhausted on Lithium. The doc added Provigil (a stimulant that is non-addicting & doesn't make you feel wired) to my morning meds. Unfortunatety, I had a bunch of other side effects on Lithium (the most dangerous being impaired kidney function) so I had to get off it. It really worked for my mood, though.

I still take Provigil (& now Concerta, too) with Abilify & Lamictal. Helps with the tiredness a lot & increases motivation. Hope the Lithium works well for you. I know it has helped lots of people.--Suzy
  #4  
Old Nov 08, 2006, 09:07 AM
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RainbowFaerie RainbowFaerie is offline
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I have heard lithium can do that. I take Provigil, too, for disabling MS fatigue. It is quite expensive but without it I want to sleep all the time. The Trileptal has made that worse and my skin is breaking out.

RF
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  #5  
Old Nov 08, 2006, 04:31 PM
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Soidhonia Soidhonia is offline
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Hello I hope you are feeling better the side effects of Lithium are generally not long term, it generally takes at least 6 weeks toget adjusted to the medication. Hang in there it gets better in time. Soidhonia
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  #6  
Old Nov 10, 2006, 02:14 AM
maureen maureen is offline
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I've been taking Lithium for four years (BP1) and I've been taking 900mg. daily which is the therapeutic level. I would make a guess because you have only been taking it for 2 weeks perhaps your Doctor thought you were just a little more than hypomanic and is trying to decrease your dopamine level at a more rapid rate in order to balance you. Most likely he /she will lower the dose soon. Lithium makes me slightly tired or daydream-like, so I tend to take it in the evening when mania seems to be at its highest level; it appears that depression is at its lowest level during our depressions in the morning. Hang in there.
  #7  
Old Nov 16, 2006, 10:55 AM
sam1994 sam1994 is offline
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Still really bad. I am tired all the time. I have called my DR. and he lowered my dosage. I wonder how long it will take. I cant take being sleepy all the time.
  #8  
Old Nov 16, 2006, 11:28 AM
maureen maureen is offline
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Do you believe that your diagnosis of BP is accurate? When were you first diagnosed with it. People who are not BP become very lethargic if they take Lithium. Have you tried only taking it in the evening. Lithium may be taken either one at a time or all three at once like in the evening right before you go to bed.
Maureen
  #9  
Old Nov 16, 2006, 11:54 AM
darkeyes darkeyes is offline
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I'd take this up with your pdoc.
Adjustment can take time, I never found it to cause fatique, when I was on it. My oldest brother has been on it fo 30+ years and isn't fatigued by it,even works with machinery during the day.
Have you had any labwork lately for thyroid function?
If not you may want to do so, hypothyroidism can cause fatigue,depression,inability to lose weight,hair loss, and a whole bunch of other unpleasantries.
Your fatigue just may be temporary, and not from your meds. it can come from manic episode's passing, the high energy ebbing.
It's best to just check with your pdoc, just to rule out what is or isn't the cause. Knowing what it is may help reduce unecessary anxiety that can come from "wondering what is causing this".
I can drive myself batty when I have something I can't explain, I start worrying what is it or what is it not.
You may need a different med. or a combo, or just a dose adjustment, don't get discouraged, there is treatment for this, and a better selection of meds than many years ago. Side Affects
Lots of luck with this, let us know how you make out.
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  #10  
Old Nov 17, 2006, 10:42 AM
maureen maureen is offline
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Side Affects Side Affects Side Affects Side Affects Sam I agree with Dark Eyes; I also have never experienced fatigue on Lithium. However, if you are either taking a sleeping pill such as temazapam or a tranquilizer such as valium or Xanex; those two will definitely cause fatigue and lethargy but only if abused (i.e taking perhaps 2 more a day than precribed.)
Are you gettig enough sleep each night?
There for you, Maureen
  #11  
Old Nov 20, 2006, 03:27 PM
sam1994 sam1994 is offline
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I am getting elven hours of sleep a night. I fall a sleep very early and wake up late.
  #12  
Old Nov 20, 2006, 06:16 PM
crazymusiclvr crazymusiclvr is offline
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Hello there. When I first started taking lithium, I felt absolutely exhausted and numb for quit a while. It probably took me several weeks to adjust to it. After a while, your body should adjust and hopefully, you'll get your energy back. I bet right now you feel like a zomby but it should be worth the fight. Lithium has helped me both with my mania and my depression. The drug has been around forever. I saw my mood improve very quickly. It was just getting used to it physically that took a while. I hope you feel better soon! Keep up the fight.

~Lia
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  #13  
Old Nov 22, 2006, 04:27 PM
sam1994 sam1994 is offline
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Thank you everyone for your support. I have seen my pdr and he has put me on another 2 drugs. Wellburtrine(spelling not sure) and abilify. He said that this should increase my mood and engery level. Well see... It seems like a lot of guess work to me.
  #14  
Old Dec 11, 2006, 01:50 PM
sam1994 sam1994 is offline
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Its been almost a month and the same thing is happening. I am getting 11 hours of sleep a night, since I fall a sleep at 7:00 pm and waking up at 7:00 am. I have talked to my PH and he doesn't think it is the meds. He ran a bunch of test and they all came back normal. So now what? This really sucks!
  #15  
Old Dec 11, 2006, 02:27 PM
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Soidhonia Soidhonia is offline
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Hello I hope you feel better soon. Do you take a multivitamin with your medication? You may want to talk to your Dr about taking a vitamin, and possibly your diet and what to eat on the medication. sometimes juices especially orange and grapefruit juice can not be taken with medication, and your diet may have to be changed if you are not thriving on your medication,so that you can function at a higher level. I hope the best for you in the future hang in there. Take care Sincerely Soidhonia
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