[Amy Today]

I just started Lithium a week ago and I have never felt so awful on medication in my life. I feel extremely tired, uncoordinated, a little depersonalized, and just plain foggy. I can't function at all. Not even a little. I even went to the ER yesterday because I felt so awful, but they told me my levels are fine and I'm just having adverse side effects. Has anyone else experienced this on Lithium? Does it get better? Soon?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Lithium can take some adjustment time. You did the right thing getting your levels checked so that's good.

Some people handle lithium better than others. The trick is finding a level that you feel good at but which is still enough to help you. It probably would be a good idea to contact your pdoc and get orders for a standard 12 hour draw so that you know what your level really is and then maybe the dr can lower your dose some.

I was on lithium for 10-12 years and while I never had side effects that were that bad (except hand tremors and a thing called diabetes insipidus that isn't diabetes and just meant I took another med to maintain my electrolyte balance) I did have several toxicities. Eventually we learned that I did best on a low dose.

I quit nearly 2 years ago after the last toxicity but went on a REALLY tiny dose Monday in a last ditch attempt to fix my depression before a drastic med change after Christmas (only 225 mg so my blood level will stay really low I hope).

It's a really great drug except when it isn't being a really great drug and then it's difficult.

Drinking ice water always helped me when it was making me feel bad b/c my levels were messed up. I have no idea the value of that but it did help and I drank a lot of it.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I had that and severe swelling! It was awful! It also started affecting my thyroid. I was taken off of it after 6 weeks. I gave it a good college try but just couldn't handle it. Definitely call your doctor that prescribed it and tell them. If you are going to the ER then I wouldn't definitely be thinking about getting off of it. However, you probably need to add a new BP med before completely stopping. You don't want to have a depressive or manic episode.

Hugs

[HALLIEBETH87]

Hopefully it will even out. I wasn't as lucky. it affected my thyroid function and I had GI issues all the months I took it.

[Teddy Bear]

I had the same side effects. I'm glad they took me off of it and changed my meds. It took almost 20 years before I found the right meds for me. Hang in there. If the side effects last too long ask to try something else.

[Amy Today]

Thank you everyone! I took my last dose over 12 hours ago and I am finally feeling more normal and present and a resident of this earth. Still a little foggy and I have a really bad headache (for the third day in a row). To be honest, at this point, I would rather experience the depressive and manic episodes than to ever, ever, ever experience the side effects of the Lithium again. I was very close to going to the ER again to be checked into psych. I can't go through that one more day so I'm not. I'll call my pdoc on Monday to tell her I stopped taking it. The worst that can happen in the meantime is I'll feel the symptoms of my Bipolar Disorder, which is wayyyy more manageable than the Lithium side effects.

Sorry you're not feeling so good. Hope it gets better!

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Lithium didn't effect me like that but my friend who was on it was a total mess. If I hadn't known her, I'd say she was high. She would take really slow, never understood what people were saying to her. She was just out of it. If your side effects are bothersome, you can always try a different stabilizer. I'm on trileptal now and I love it. I never "feel" different on it. But for the first time in a long time I feel normal. Hopefully your pdoc can help you!

Dx: BP2, PTSD, bulimia/anorexia
Risperdal 4mg
Trileptal 300mgs
Buspar 45mgs
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvance 70mgs PRN

[kimber1234]

Yeah-

Li can be your best friend or your worst enemy! I liked it after a 2 week adjustment period, but then it fried my kidneys and I had to stop it.

Seroquel was my permanent replacement (after depakote, risperidol, geodon, and abilify- in order). Seroquel worked wonders after the adjustment period which SUCKS! It was worth it, though. It has its own problems, but if you want a quick fix for mania- its the way to go....

I'm not a doc- just diagnosed for 20 years Good luck!

[topgun263]

I am fine with lithium but there is slight feeling of memory loss.

I want to try any other medicine. I would like to know if Depakote or any other medicine has any side effect that obstruct daily tasks.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by topgun263

I am fine with lithium but there is slight feeling of memory loss.

I want to try any other medicine. I would like to know if Depakote or any other medicine has any side effect that obstruct daily tasks.

my work said I was a danger to myself on depakote (mostly driving) and gave me the choice change meds or be fired ... on lamictal now ... it gives me memory loss also at high doses ... good luck ...

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm on Depakote now and I think it does affect my cognitive abilities. I didn't have that much of an issue with Lamictal. That's just my experience, though, so your mileage may vary.

[Amy Today]

Thanks everyone! The things we all go through to find a happy balance! Ugh. I'm on Lamictal and I haven't really had any issues with that except it makes me tired. I was on Latuda for a while, too. I never experienced anything like I did with the Lithium. I stopped taking it and I'm feeling much better. I literally felt like I was losing my mind or suffering from brain damage. It was traumatic. I'm so glad that's over with.

[furiousfever]

I had to kick lithium too. For me it was horrible. Now I take lamictal regularly and seroquel if sleep begins to elude me.

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