&*%$ lithium!!!

AGAIN, I am experiencing side-effects of Lithium: weakness in my hands and legs, frequent urination, extra thirst, and heart skipping beats (not sure if that last one is the Lithium, though, or due to recent AP changes).

I'm so sick and tired of having to whine at my pdoc about the Lithium and lowering the dose on and off. I am sick of worrying about my kidneys in the future.

What is a better alternative to Lithium that is NOT a weight gainer and is NOT any of the following: Trileptal (already take it, not sure if it even works), Topomax (makes me have confusion spells... SCARY!!!), or Lamictal (ALLERGIC).

I guess that leaves me with the big weight-gainer Depakote. I don't need to gain any weight, I need to lose another 40 lbs (I've already lost 60 lbs.). Any other options??? HELP!!!

P.S. I very well may just stay on Lithium and lower my dosage. Of course this is all speculation and brainstorming, it's up to my pdoc.

Well I was given the Depakote when I left the hospital because my butt wasn't sleeping and I was up and down bothering other patients during the night!

I was on Lithium and it did the same exact thing to me! Its a nasty nasty drug. Didn't do crap for me.

I am on a very old medication they used to use in the 50s called Haldol or Haliperidol. It keeps the psychotic mania thoughts at bay, but I am up all night anyway. *Sigh*

I hated lithium.

Lamotragine was a god-send for me.

I hope you find a med you like.

When do you see your pdoc? You should not have to suffer like this. Lithium only gives me the shaky hands, thirst and frequent urination. The weakness in your body is a serious issue. Have you just changed your dose or has this just come out of the blue?

Every shrink that prescribes lithium should write down that you need to take a gallon of water a day, thristy or not. Check your pee, the clearer the better. Eat with abundant salt.
My hand tremors are almost gone. My stool is normal now that I lowered myself to 600mg. Level .5. You can't trust ANY doctor blindly. You need to inform yourself.
I will vouch for lithium as long as is working as good as it is.
Four years on Lamical/lamotrigene didn't do silch for me. Always manic. Lithium worked it's magic in less that a month.
Since lithium is the big bad wolf, we tend to blame everything on it. Check your other meds too.

My APs are currently in transition (cross-tapering), I just got put on a beta blocker, and I sometimes take herbal supplements for my voice. My pdoc said some meds and herbs can increase your Lithium level, so I suspect that is the case here.

I'm stopping the herbal throat remedies. I'm also going to lower my Lithium on my own until I can get in to see my pdoc. I will call his office first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the concern!

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