[not_alone]

Hello,

I am a 32-year old, living in Belgium.
I was diagnosed with BP type II a few years ago, but only now I have really realized and acknowledged that I have this disease.

I am still a bit in shock by the fact that now I cannot longer attribute some of my habits as 'little, innocent quirks', but that they are signs of an abnormal state.

I consider starting up lithium, as my doctor advised me, but I am concerned about the side effects, such as trembling and weight gain.

Can you please share with me
- how you dealt with the shock of the diagnosis?
- how lithium helped and affected you?

Thank you in advance!

[Standup2me]

The diagnosis was a relief. Finally someone found out what is wrong with me.
After years and years, I was so happy to know

This is my personal opinion only, but I won't take Lithium because of the side effects I do well with lamictal. I've done research into lithium, and am just not comfortable with it

Lamictal has been a good stabilizer for me, but I also take some ads too.

welcome to our community. This is a safe, open place to ask questions, participate, etc

[HALLIEBETH87]

When I first learned bp dx I think I was relieved and sad.

I take lithium citrate right now (that's the liquid form.) And I think It helps me. Yes, I have had side effects but I haven't been in the hospital since last yr so that's HUGE

[Crazy Hitch]

Lithium is considered the gold standard, it can really help some.

Unfortunately it's not a case of one size fits all and it did nothing to stabilise my mood when I was on it. Also caused my body to produce antibodies that attacked my thyroid leading to hypothyroidism. I'm now on hormone replacement for life.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Lithium is considered the gold standard, it can really help some.

Unfortunately it's not a case of one size fits all and it did nothing to stabilise my mood when I was on it. Also caused my body to produce antibodies that attacked my thyroid leading to hypothyroidism. I'm now on hormone replacement for life.

I take levothyroxine for life too but it happened the first time I took lithium prescribed by a family dr who wasn't great at his job lol So this time I figured since I already take levo...I will give lithium a go!

[~Christina]

All psych meds come with possible side effects and everyone responds differently.

Welcome to PC

[Wander]

Lithium has been a miracle drug for me in stabilising my mood and reducing impulsiveness that led to many suicide attempts. Since I have been on Lithium I have not attempted suicide, although I have had ideation. There are side effects like weight gain, hand tremors and thyroid issues but I would not be alive without it.

[ozzy1313]

I have bpII and 3 days ago went on lithium. You can see my other meds in my signature. In high school I was hospitalized for a suicide attempt and given lithium (no bp was ever mentioned-maybe bc I was only 17) and it worked wonders.

I have been scared about side effects this time but I decided it was try lithium or death. It's been only a few days and I have been pulled out of my black hole-

[SDarbo]

I'm diagnosed schizoaffective. My mood disorder component within the schizoaffective diagnosis is bipolar.

The main thing I would tell you about mood stabilizers, sometimes better called aniti-mania medications, is that all mood stabilizers are really perfect for some individuals. Some people will be non-responders to an individual agent. Some people will find the side effects intolerable for a particular agent.

The way a person being treated finds out what is effective and tolerable for them is mostly trial and error.

In the interest of helping you give any proposed med a good trial, its generally true that a lot of initial side effects can diminish as you get used to a medication. If you find some side effects truly intolerable you should let your prescriber know right away. There is no reason to suffer any med that is causing you misery until your next appointment.

I could tell you about my lithium experience, but my experience with a med isn't relevant to what your experience will be. Just decide to give a med a good trial. Don't read over side effect lists and continually check for them. If it doesn't work or is intolerable there are many other choices.

In having a workable model of what the problem is you have already won more than half the battle.