[Azvixxen]

I recently took a leave of absence when starting all of my meds (first time officially diagnosed was in June this year) and it took me out for 3 months to get everything in my system and try to have days where I didn't feel like I was losing control every second.

I then went in for a follow up and said everything was great because I wanted to go back to work since financially things were getting difficult. The problem is things were far from great and have since become increasingly worse, as some of you have probably read my complaints about mania and depression both hitting me pretty bad this past 30 days.

I let my pdoc know via email that I am having a really hard time, and he said it is time to add Lithium to the mix since I have been having "idealized suicide thoughts". My question is - has anyone ever introduced a new med and still gone to work everyday? Specifically Lithium? Are the side effects going to make me better pretty quickly, or am I due another 30 days of trying to balance myself out while figuring if the side effects are ones I can live with?!?! Any insight? Help?!?!

[LettinG0]

Everyone is different in how they react to meds and how quickly the meds affect them.

For myself, I started Lithium and, a bit later, Latuda and continued working. Now, having said that, I haven't had any adverse side effects from either med. For the first few days of a Lithium increase I am pretty irritable and maybe a little upset tummy; but, it has worn off after just a few days.

I wish you the best. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Your health and stability comes first.

[raspberrytorte]

I've worked through all med changes. I wait to take my first on a night when I have off the next day though, just to be safe. So you could do that. When I first started lithium I had pretty bad side effects (just my experience) and had to stop taking it, but I was still okay to work. Good luck!

[*Laurie*]

All of my life I had to keep taking care of my family and home while changing meds, then when I was working (in a cafe) yeah, I did all kinds of med changes and kept working. Since May, for the first time I've been able to go at my own pace & take it easy through some med changes. I work, but I work from my computer these days. So I can kind of set my own schedule.

[Azvixxen]

Thanks. I was trying to be pre-emptive and request short term disability paperwork to take to my appointment, but I think I will just try the new change and see how I do. Maybe I can use mind over matter tricks. If I convince myself I'll be fine, then I will be!

[scatterbrained04]

I've always kept working. I usually try to start new meds on the weekends since I have weekends off.

[Standup2me]

The only one that has really been a problem is Lithium.
I had a poor sense of balance for the first two weeks on it and could not drive

[BlackSheep79]

If I wasn't on intermittent FMLA I wouldn't have a job. Can you get that? I, like so many are constantly changing meds, for eight years now. Things go good for awhile and then it goes bad or I have bad side effects. I always do med changes on my days off, because you never know what's going to happen. Sorry, I'm allergic to Lithium.

[Slowbrains]

I've been working all the time. Starting seroquel was quite a tough bit i remember. I was tired zombie for a month or so until i got used to it. Couldn't get much done and afterwards i thought if should have been off from work for at least first week or two.

[Brophy]

It really just depends on the dose of lithium. I titrated up to 900 mg, which is a relatively small dose. I had some problems with feeling fuzzy, but nothing too serious. I work at a high volume martini bar so I was sincerely worried about my motor skills and balance being thrown off. Neither really happened for me.

[bipolar angel]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

I've always kept working. I usually try to start new meds on the weekends since I have weekends off.

Myself also, tried to start when off-mostly because I always had trouble adjusting to side effects. I am very prone to GI side effects...so even if it said 1% chance of nausea-I would vomit violently...since I figured this out, md learned to start me on lower than normal dose/work up slowly and I do major med changes /new med whn I can take like 3-4days off to start it..but thn I do work while upping doses

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by Azvixxen

My question is - has anyone ever introduced a new med and still gone to work everyday? Specifically Lithium? Are the side effects going to make me better pretty quickly, or am I due another 30 days of trying to balance myself out while figuring if the side effects are ones I can live with?!?! Any insight? Help?!?!

Not Lithium, but I worked for 15 years after being diagnosed with bipolar and I took a great many different medications and still worked full time during the medication changes. The key is to have a pdoc who is responsive to your phone calls and who will start you with small doses of meds so you can ramp up slowly.

Good luck.

Except in cases when I was actually hospitalized, I've always kept working. Lithium generally is not all that difficult to start up for most people, but everyone is different.

[gina_re]

I've had no choice because I have bills to pay. Despite this MI I'm the most stable one in my family. Go figure...