Lithium side effects

So after going up to 800mg of lithium, it's kicking my *** physically.

I've got a fine tremor in my hand which us embarrassing and I'm constantly visiting the toilet. On top of that I've put on a little weight and look 'pale'.

My mind though... I feel okay. As in stable ok. It's been a long time since I felt like this and I'm for lack of a better word, happy.

Do these side effects pass? I'm starting to feel good and for a change, not in a hypomanic way.

it has been a long time since i was on lithium. i dont remember toilet issues but i did have the tremor. i dont remember it being too bad that i decided to get off of it. i refused to tolerate side effects that incapacitated me in any way. but eventually it started affecting my thyroid so i got off of it.

That started when I went up to 1800mg, I couldn't even make it to the bathroom. Sorry if this is TMI but I lost control of my bowels because my kidneys were shutting down from Lithium Toxicity

I was on it for a few months eight years ago. The side effects never went away and I went toxic twice. On top of that it didn't help at all so I went off. I'm not sure if I would have tolerated the side effects had it worked.

I actually had a so called lithium rash.. be careful

Lithium gave me vicious hand tremors and made me angry.

I'm worried about the effects on my body, of course. Constant blood work, likelihood of destroying my thyroid.

What good though is physical well being if bipolar rules my life. I'm starting to think about quality of life, rather than quantity.

The going to the bathroom so much thing could actually be insipid diabetes, so watch out for that. I got that from taking Lithium. It goes away when you stop taking it, but it can really damage your kidneys! My psychiatrist took me off of it as soon as he found out about that side effect.

Lithium gave me acne, diarrhea, weight gain, thyroid issues and made me SO thirsty. NOt the med for me! But I do know it helps some people.

I'm on 900mg. When I first started I had the hand tremors too but they went away. I also had a very dry mouth and eyes but they went away also. I gained a lot of weight and very fast! 30lbs in 2months!! That had been the hardest thing for me but I'm dieting and busting my butt in the gym 4-5 days a week to try to get it off.

I felt like someone poured battery acid in my stomach. Couldn't stay out of bathroom and would have lost weight, because food disgusted me. I broke out in a rash immediately and was dying of thirst.

Not for me.

I have zero side effect and Zero mood effects. It's like I'm just taking a sugar pill or something. When I am not down though my mood is totally flat.

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Keep an eye on the toilet issues. I have severe kidney problems following lithium toxicity, permanant damage at this point. Keep your blood levels monitored and if you do not see improvement in the bathroom situation I advise that you seek medical attention. Even if it ends up being nothing, its better safe than sorry.

Very strong heartbeat over the last few days... Side effect?

Some of the feedback you have gotten has even been helpful to me, as I am also on Lithium and have spent a year hoping to understand what was bipolar disorder and what was a symptom of the medication. I have noticed the tremor in my own hand as well while being on Lithium, and the bathroom thing lasted for a while - I just felt like I always needed to go. When I was first on the medication, I did notice a paleness to my skin, but since then it has seemed to go away. I'm currently taking 1500mg a day, morning and evening schedule, so I can understand the feelings of change. When I was first on Lithium I began to feel much more normal that I had in a long while, and I have felt that with a doctor more active in my treatment, I may be able to find the remaining key factors needed to help a little more. If you become concerned, call your doctor and explain what you are feeling, see if there is any advice from the professional end and combine it with the support you've gotten on here.

I'm glad that I've been of help to you

The tremor isn't so bad today and frankly, if I have to live with a minor tremor for the rest of my life to feel stable I'll make that sacrifice.

Still pale as a ghost today and feeling a little sick but again, I hope they'll go away in time.

Do you take extended release lithium?

I had to stop lithium due to tremors. i think my dr acted too quickly though and he just made me stop it.

Yes, I do take the ER. I've had the regular and my stomach just can not handle it in the doses my doctor wants me on. I feel the same way though -- a small tremor for reliable stability is worth the sacrifice. I feel that I've done fairly well at getting used to normal tasks and have gotten to a point that unless I look for it, I forget that I have a tremor.

I've started Lithium last week, and have immediately noticed the effects. It's helping me tremendously in keeping my ultra rapid cycling less severe, but I can relate to your side effects. No hand tremors yet, but It is "kicking my *****" as well.