[Th3reandback]

Just wondering what other positive experiences there are out there for people using lithium.

After almost 6 months, I have to say I think it's pretty great. I like that it numbs me out a little, but not to the extent that Prozac ever did. And it seems to keep me pretty chill most of the time. My depression never hits rock bottom anymore either, so I suppose it's doing its job. I'm groggy and tired constantly, but I feel like I've been that way my whole life to some extent. Just kinda feel a little stoned in the sense that things are a little numb and cloudy, but in a good way.

What is your experience on lithium? Does it change over a long period of time?

[st0psign]

lithium gave me the shits at any dose I was on

[Wander]

Lithium may have saved my life as it reduces the manic angst, impulsiveness and rage that led to several suicide attempts. Lithium calms me down but does not sedate me or take away 'me' as other meds can do. The down side is regular blood works, tremors, weight gain and thirst. One day I hope to be stable enough to come off it but that won't be until my circumstances calm down.

[Rjaye]

I wasn't able to continue it. I was so out of it I couldn't function and I was on a light dose. I am glad it works for so many people though.

[MusicLover82]

I've been on Lithium for 5 years now, and I'm doing fine. There have been times where my side-effects get out of control, and my pdoc will lower my dose. Make sure to stay on top of your pdoc about ordering blood work periodically (I'd say once every couple or few months?) to make sure your Lithium level is okay. I can't take a high dose of it because of the side effects, but in combination with all my other meds, it is great.

[pirilin]

Lithium is a great medicine. I started @ 900mg, like most doctors precribe, and it was too much to handle.
I lowered myself to 600mg and doing GRRRRREAT!!!!. Blood level @ .5, which the shrink likes it. To the point of not wanting to give me blood tests anymore. I want the blood tests.
Even @ 600 it's not child's play. I've met people only taking 300mg.
It's not the Lithium per se that brings trouble. It's the dosage.
It takes a while thought, like a month to start working. My 0.02

[Th3reandback]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Lithium is a great medicine. I started @ 900mg, like most doctors precribe, and it was too much to handle.
I lowered myself to 600mg and doing GRRRRREAT!!!!. Blood level @ .5, which the shrink likes it. To the point of not wanting to give me blood tests anymore. I want the blood tests.
Even @ 600 it's not child's play. I've met people only taking 300mg.
It's not the Lithium per se that brings trouble. It's the dosage.
It takes a while thought, like a month to start working. My 0.02

Unfortunately I don't hit theropod if levels until 1200mg. I was taking 900 and my level was too low. What could this do to me down the road?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Pirilin-don't let him give up your levels. Mine have been known to creep from .4 (had to maintain it that low or I got toxic) to 2.1 (if I remember right; the ER was a weird experience) and was hospitalized with toxicity for several days. I went back on it (because it worked incredibly well for me) and got extremely toxic again after having had consistent .4 levels for months. That time I didn't go to the ER because I knew my level was lower from how sick I'd been and so I just called my pdoc and stopped it.

Despite my horror stories lithium was an amazing drug for me and I wish I could tolerate it without toxicities. 3 big ones is enough though.

[Cavegirl]

I was just recently put back on lithium, I'm going for blood work tomorrow. I'm sure I'm not at the proper level yet. I went off of it years ago as it caused me severe cystic acne. I'm watching for that nasty side effect like a hawk. It had worked very well in the past for me. I had been on Depakote 1500 mg for years, but my moods still fluctuated quite a bit. My mania has been pretty severe, so I thought I'd give it another shot. Like I said, it had worked nicely in the past.

[~Christina]

Years back when I first started on it ,, I really needed it.. Helped even me out so that I could learn coping skills and ways to self manage Bipolar.

Downside I broke out in hellish cystic acne for the first 6 months then it tapered off a bit, , never went away. I had a really significant tremor. I forgot words left and right , would forget how to spell words like " what" So after about 1.5 or so years I decided I wanted to try life without it.

I have dropped AP's cold turkey and never had so much as a hiccup .. Coming off Lithium ? Holy hell it was horrible, Sick as a dog for 3 weeks .. Took about 3-4 months for my brain to revert back to pre lithium ..

Was it good over all for me ? Yes at the time. Am I glad I dropped off it ? Yes.

It felt like someone feed me battery acid.

[pirilin]

Originally Posted by Th3reandback

Unfortunately I don't hit theropod if levels until 1200mg. I was taking 900 and my level was too low. What could this do to me down the road?

I don't get the acne, but have some "sand" behing my ears and dry feet.
The tremors get serious if I use vibrating tools. Like a weedwacker or drills.
Let's say, typing gets harder. Otherwise minor, but is always there.
Lost reflexes. Hard to decide while driving. I already crashed. I'm driving slower now.
That's my experience. Now, they say it causes thyroid and kidney problems.
I'll cross that bridge when I get to the river.
I'm happy enough to suffer some side effects. Lamictal never worked for me.
Good luck.

[pirilin]

Let me add that on lithium you need to eat salt. Like pretzels or chips.
And drink a ton of water. I do over a gallon a day of plain water, plus sodas, coffee, etc.
I also vape, so I was drinking that much before.
Hope this helps.

[Th3reandback]

I heard that lithium is almost 100% effective in preventing mania/manic episodes. Has anyone experienced mania while on lithium?

To be honest I have no idea. I'm on other medications so I'm not quite what sure how Lithium specifically affects me; only how the cocktail makes a difference as a whole.

[~Christina]

There isn't a medication on the planet that is going to keep you from having Bipolar episodes.. Meds, coping skills and lifestyle changes increase your chances of having less problems.


Some of my most Epic manic episodes were when I was taking Lithium. LOL

[Standup2me]

Originally Posted by st0psign

lithium gave me the shits at any dose I was on

I hear ya. Me too

[Gabyunbound]

Can lithium be effective alone without anything else? I'd love to only have to take one med.

[Th3reandback]

Originally Posted by Gabyunbound

Can lithium be effective alone without anything else? I'd love to only have to take one med.

It has been pretty effective for me, though I am also on 150mg of Wellbutrin. About to start up medical cannabis again with the hopes of weening off the Wellbutrin.

I have unipolar depression, not bipolar. So I don't know how much use my experience will be. But I took lithium for a couple of months (in addition to an AD, clomipramine (a tricyclic)). It didn't do anything for me. By some miracle I didn't get toxicity, even though I quit drinking (as in, consuming liquids) while on it because I was psychotic.

[MusicLover82]

Originally Posted by Th3reandback

I heard that lithium is almost 100% effective in preventing mania/manic episodes. Has anyone experienced mania while on lithium?

I get hypomanic while on Lithium, but I'm not on the highest dose because of side-effects. I take 900 mg daily.