 |
| FAQ/Help |
| Calendar |
| Search |
|
#1
Jul 04, 2014, 04:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Anyone have and experience with Lithium? My Pdoc wants to add it to my Latuda and Lamictal. Just havent heard much about it although I know its not new to the market. Just Curious.
|
|
#2
Jul 04, 2014, 04:17 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Lithium is very effective for bipolar, but the side-effects from long term use can be pretty horrible. I personally refuse to ever try it again, and my doctor respects my wish,
__________________
Bipolar 1 ~ 300mg Lamictal, 4mg Ativan
|
|
#3
Jul 04, 2014, 04:21 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Understandable. I have read some about it and the side-effects dont look too good. I'm on the max dose of Latuda for two months and it still hasnt helped much. I guess I could give Lithium a try since I have nothing to lose. Thanks for the input.
|
|
#4
Jul 04, 2014, 04:36 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I agree with pawn, I'll never take it again. The side effects were just too unbearable, plus it only "worked" if you consider being completely robotic working. However there are many people who take it and have great success with it. It's the only medication actually meant for bipolar and has been used for decades. I had a doctor tell me that they are starting to add lithium in smaller doses to med combos and find that effective.
__________________
Of course it is happening inside your head. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real? -Albus Dumbledore That’s life. If nothing else, that is life. It’s real. Sometimes it f—-ing hurts. But it’s sort of all we have. -Garden State |
|
#5
Jul 04, 2014, 05:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I have been on Lithium for 3 years and have had zero side effects other than you just have to increase your intake of fluids. Make sure your Pdoc explains why he/she wants you to try it and what are the side effects and what to do if you have a problem .
Good luck
__________________
Helping others gets me out of my own head ~ |
|
#6
Jul 04, 2014, 06:35 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
you can google or search these forums and you'll find loads of info about lithium.
__________________
This can't be life. |
|
#7
Jul 04, 2014, 07:26 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Lithium has been awesome for me for ten years with no side effects. I just went back on a few weeks ago as I quit meds due to stomach issues, but it was the Lamictal that was causing the problems n now trying solo Lithium n so far so good.
|
|
#8
Jul 04, 2014, 08:44 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Lithium can be great for some people. My main concern is the effects on the kidneys, and possible renal failure.
Lithium and chronic kidney disease | The BMJ
__________________
Bipolar 1 ~ 300mg Lamictal, 4mg Ativan
|
|
#9
Jul 06, 2014, 06:31 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I am on it and have been for about a month and a half I guess. I had been on latuda and it didn't help me at all. I am on Lamictal and Gabapentin right now with the lithium. My dr had me on 900mg of lithium but I was having such bad vertigo she brought it down to 600. Turns out it was fluid in my ear! Its gone now but I seem to be doing ok on the 600mg. My brain battles me though because now I start to think maybe Im ok and don't need to take lithium. I mean Im not sad or doing impulsive things. And maybe Im not really bipolar but just go through phases.
I agree about needing to drink more as it makes me thirsty but nothing crazy. |
|
#10
Jul 06, 2014, 07:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
I asked God to keep me safe from my enemies, now half my friends are gone. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bipolar I MDD -------------------------------------------------------------------- Lamictal-100mg Effexor-225mg Trazodone-100mg propranolol 80mg |
|
#11
Jul 06, 2014, 07:20 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My doctor told me that lithium is the number one drug she gives bipolar. The only reason why Im not on them is because my medication is working so well for me. Good Luck and keep us posted.
__________________
I asked God to keep me safe from my enemies, now half my friends are gone. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bipolar I MDD -------------------------------------------------------------------- Lamictal-100mg Effexor-225mg Trazodone-100mg propranolol 80mg |
|
#12
Jul 06, 2014, 08:35 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
It's interesting you mention vertigo. I've been having really bad dizzy spells that was suspected to be vertigo. My pdoc lowered it due to weight gain and coincidentally my the dizzy spells stopped. Sent from iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
#SpoonieStrong Spoons are a visual representation used as a unit of measure to quantify how much energy individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses have throughout a given day. 1). Depression 2). PTSD 3). Anxiety 4). Hashimoto 5). Fibromyalgia 6). Asthma 7). Atopic dermatitis 8). Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria 9). Hereditary Angioedema (HAE-normal C-1) 10). Gluten sensitivity 11). EpiPen carrier 12). Food allergies, medication allergies and food intolerances. . 13). Alopecia Areata Last edited by Cocosurviving; Jul 06, 2014 at 08:37 PM. Reason: clarification |
|
#13
Jul 06, 2014, 08:43 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I had a catch twenty-two. Lith worked but I had side effects too. I had weight gain. I also suspect vertigo. Short memory. And cognitive dysfunctions.
Sent from iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
#SpoonieStrong Spoons are a visual representation used as a unit of measure to quantify how much energy individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses have throughout a given day. 1). Depression 2). PTSD 3). Anxiety 4). Hashimoto 5). Fibromyalgia 6). Asthma 7). Atopic dermatitis 8). Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria 9). Hereditary Angioedema (HAE-normal C-1) 10). Gluten sensitivity 11). EpiPen carrier 12). Food allergies, medication allergies and food intolerances. . 13). Alopecia Areata |
|
#14
Jul 06, 2014, 10:22 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Well maybe the lithium was giving me vertigo...Im not sure..but my regular Dr did see the fluid in my ear which usually gives me vertigo.
|
|
#15
Jul 06, 2014, 10:35 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
You can read about it on the website Crazy Meds or just do a Google search. Everyone is different and it works for some people. But I personally refuse to take Lithium or Depakote because of the potential side effects.
I know some people say it's amazing and has literally saved their lives. But I know others who did not do so well on it. |
|
#16
Jul 06, 2014, 10:41 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I was on 1800mg of it and it worked wonderfully, until I got Lithium Toxicity and ended up in the ICU for a week on dialysis and having a seizure. I don't even remember being in the hospital, the week before that I could barely walk, was constantly shaking, throwing up, Horrible experience. Will never go on it again. I think it can work great for some people but I was on too much for my body and it built up toxic levels over time.
__________________
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” -St. Francis of Assisi Diagnosis: Schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type PTSD Social Anxiety Disorder Anorexia Binge/Purge type |
 pawn78
|
|
#17
Jul 15, 2014, 05:06 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have been on lithium for a few months now. My doctor has been slowly raising the dosage. I'm now at 1200 and close to the "therapeutic range".. Symptoms so far - frequent episodes of hypomania and psychosis.. Tremors - which make my life difficult and it's quite embarrassing.. Anxiety.. Fatigue (especially when my dose is raised).. Lack of sex drive.. Easily dehydrated (especially troublesome during hot summer days) .. Bad memory.. Easily distracted (more than usual)
Needless to say I'm really considering requesting another medication .. Especially with the fear of terribly damaging my liver and kidneys .. |
|
#18
Jul 15, 2014, 05:21 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
for 35 yrs. i was never on anything higher than 450mg. of lithium for my hypomania (no depression); over those years i had thyroid issues and am thyroid med for life; parathyroids had to be removed and now having renal/kidney issues. been off it about a yr. some of the fatigue is gone and my hair is no longer thin..is this drug a miracle or a curse????
|
|
#19
Jul 15, 2014, 06:50 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
My brain battles me though because now I start to think maybe Im ok and don't need to take lithium. I mean Im not sad or doing impulsive things. And maybe Im not really bipolar but just go through phases.
Phases??? You are just trying to be amusing. Right? 
__________________
Bipolar II and GAD Venlafaxine, Lamotragine, Buspirone, Risperidone |
|
#20
Jul 15, 2014, 11:15 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My dr upped mine today to 900mg. My last blood level was .5 and she said that's low! im in a mixed episode so maybe it will work
|
|
#21
Jul 16, 2014, 12:34 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I was on lithium and lamictal and neither worked for me
|
|
#22
Oct 23, 2014, 02:57 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Dx: Bipolar I Rx: Lamictal 400mg Zoloft 150mg Wellbutrin 200mg Klonopin & Xanax as needed Today is 1 week on Lithium 600mg |
|
#23
Oct 25, 2014, 03:55 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Been on it for 3 weeks now I think. At first I freaked out (as some forumers will know haha) because I got really spacey but that passed after a few days. It has helped lift my depression and kept a lid on a hypomanic episode i felt coming up when I first started
 so far so good. I haven't had any side effects other than needing to drink more water.
__________________
Dx: Bipolar II + PTSD |
|
#24
Oct 25, 2014, 04:08 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Think I might have posted this before but can't remember where I posted it.
I was on lithium for a year and it buggered up my thyroid. Now on thyroxidine sodium for life. Will never touch lithium again. |
|
#25
Oct 25, 2014, 04:22 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Lithium had way to many side effects for me to stay on it. My new pdoc asked me if I would be willing to try it again, I replied no way.
I would be getting a second opinion on the need for lithium, especially since you are already on Lactimal/Lamotrigine. You maybe able to up the dosage, (I think 600mg was the upper "normal" limit according to my pdoc) or try something else. As for me, my experience with lithium was not a positive one All the best. I hope you can find the right combination that works 
__________________
"Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes"  Success and failure are two of many words we get to define, not society. Our success depends on definition and intentions, not actions |
| Reply |
This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
|
My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.
Linear Mode
