[MisterUnderstood]

Hi, all! (Trigger warning below)
I just saw my doctor today and informed him that, unfortunately, I'd been having suicidal thoughts and had been self-mutilating again. He suggested that I try a low dose of Lithium. I'm terrified of this medication. I've heard horror stories of weight gain and tremors and the entire gamut. I was curious to see if anyone here's had any success with Lithium, especially in treating depression. I've been having an episode for the last two weeks, and I just want something that makes me feel as normal as Abilify did, but I'm absolutely terrified about Lithium.. I'm only on 300 mg, and I just took my first dose tonight. I already feel sort of out of it, with a little bit of a headache. I don't know if it's just my fear or what, but I see him again in two weeks. Is there anyone who can give me feedback about lithium, good or bad? Thank you!

[CycloMary]

I have been on 750mg Li for a few months.
It was fantastic at first. I had some side effects but the positive was worth it.
I was thirsty, foggy headed, increased appetite.
All of that abated after a few months. I only gained 2 lbs. so far.

I felt great, calm, no depression, loving people & life again..
Then, I had a bad 2 weeks of anxiety...mixed episode but not depression.
I increased my Li to 900 mg.
I had my bloodwork done a month ago & my level was low. My thyroid was fine.

I'd say don't be scared. Give it a go. It doesn't hurt to try & if it doesn't suit you, you can always quit.
Good luck.

[theenemywithin]

There is no need to be afraid. Do not let your fear get you into a state of hyper awareness. You may attribute anything as a side effect. Most side effects diminish with time and you are only on a small dose.

I have taken lithium for 35 years and currently take 1500mg daily. I have no sides.

The added benefit of lithium is its ability to increase grey matter and an increase in the size of the amygdala. Mania can cause damage to the brain, seen as lesions on an MRI.

So, feel blessed. Hopefully, you will tolerate the low dose just fine.

[secretgalaxy]

I went up to 1500 mg a day but my levels started rising too high and now I am on 600 mg. It made me gain around 10 pounds, gave me bad acne, and makes me extremely thirsty at night. I will hopefully get off of it soon as it has stopped working for me. In the beginning it stopped my suicidal thoughts and self-harming for a couple of months.

[cmorales]

I also just started lithium (on Monday). Same dose as you, MisterUnderstood (300mg). But my pdoc has me rising (rapidly?) from 300mg to 1200mg in the next 3 weeks.

She wrote down I am to take 300mg nights 1-3, nights 4-7, 600mg, 7-14, 900mg and on week 3, up to 1200mg. Al the while I am supposed to keep taking my Abilify, until she starts weaning me off of it.

I don't know.

So far, so good, save the nausea last night, but I am pretty med-sensitive. My doc tells me it's not supposed to have as many side effects as APs, so, I am hopeful about it.

[Pastel Kitten]

I've been on lithium for 2 months. I started with 300mg. It did seem to be lessening my depression, but I got very hypomanic (euphoric at first). It then became dysphoric, but I think it was more related to saphris (I'm very sensitive to AP's). After that, I had begun cycling through moods quicker than ever (pretty much every other day), so my pdoc upped my dosage to 900mg. I became very nauseous for the first 4 or 5 days, but then it began to lessen. Lots of thirst, but no tremors. I seemed to reach a pretty stable plateau for a few weeks but now I've fallen into a deep depression for the past week +. My pdoc lowered my dosage to 600mg, but that was because she recently diagnosed me with BPD and believes my bipolar meds are worsening it (I don't really understand that.)

Anyway, overall I have had no issues with weight gain, tremors, or anything out of the ordinary. You can expect to be very thirsty, though.