[all74]

So, Latuda failed (side effects) and the genetic testing that I did said that pretty much every other AAP would be the same (at least for the ones currently available). So my pdoc is starting me on lithium. Why does this feel like a bigger deal than taking an AAP? I know it's been around longer than dirt but I'm feeling a bit like "oh, this is bad enough now that you've got to take lithium."

Sorry to sound like a pity party... that's not what I'm looking to do. I'm just feeling pretty alone right now. I've never known anyone else who's taken this. I've only ever heard of people taking this after being an inpatient. And my wife is no help. Her line is all about how she "takes good care of herself and her mental health" with the implication that I wouldn't need meds if I went to yoga every day.

I don't know. I guess I'll see how this round goes. Thanks for reading.

[glennk]

Are you on any other medications?

[wildflowerchild25]

Good luck with the lithium! It didn’t work for me and the side effects were intolerable but it works great for a lot of people.

[still_crazy]

its still popular for many diagnosed w/ bipolar I. long term effects can be a problem, but proper monitoring can reduce those risks. if lithium doesn't cut it, there's still depakote, trileptal, lamictal, and some other anti-epileptic drugs to consider, if you haven't tried those already.

[Guiness187055]

Lithium is working good for me. I had to adjust my dosage from 1200mg down to 900mg. In conjunction with lamictal my SI has disappeared. Good luck

[HALLIEBETH87]

It's super effective for tons of people but wasn't a good fit for me. hope
It does for you and please have your dr periodically check your thyroid function.

[pirilin]

Lithium was good for me. Doctor stopped it because my hands were trembling too much. Otherwise, I'll still be on it. I loved it. 600mg produced ,4 blood serum, which is still therapeutic.
Eat with salt and drink a lot of water. I mean A LOT. Good luck.

[RedDawn]

Lithium has been a literal life saver for me.

I'm on a high dose and the only side effect I have is tremors.

If you can tolerate it, it's a great drug.

Article about lithium’s benefits-uplifting even!

https://pro.psychcentral.com/the-inc...um/001606.html

[eye2797]

I have been on it for Abbott 6months. It has been good for me. I have been on so many meds. I am keeping my hopes up that it continues to work.
Good luck

[Cocosurviving]

Hello there....I was diagnosed while in full blown mania. I was immediately started on Lithium 900mg....Aug 2012. It worked. I did gain a lot of weight. I’m also thirsty all the time.
I tapered off Lithium because of the weight gain. In three weeks I was back in full blown mania and admitted to a mental hospital. After three months of hell I went back on Lithium. I’ve been on for six years now. I get blood work done regularly. I can not take ibuprofen now. Do not feel bad about taking Lithium.

[All Is Revealed]

Lithium has somewhat worked for me. My moods are more stable than they used to be.

I would wait 3 months before making a judgment as to if it is working or not. Typically if a medication makes me gain weight (even 5 pounds) I tell my pdoc I refuse to take it.

[NorthernAuroras]

I've been on Lithium for 12 years. I've had my struggles with it. Here is what I have found: (These are strictly personal experience, no one reacts the same.)

When taking it, I have to take it with protein. Not just food, but protein. Protein takes longer to digest. If not, I will throw it back up.

Set times to take it and be consistent. I have found that if I don't, that's when the side effects hit me.

Regular blood work is important to monitor lithium serum levels.

Monitor your sodium intake and how much water you drink. Both play a factor in dehydration which can cause levels to spike.

It can take 6-8 weeks to reach and maintain a stable dose. Give it time to see full effects.

I am sorry your wife is not supportive. No one wants to take these drugs. But we all want to be healthy and sometimes the meds are needed to help us obtain that health.

Good luck!

[tsrc78]

Has anyone had Lithium effectively treat ultra rapid cycling? I think I read somewhere it wasn't great for that, but I'm curious about personal experiences.

It didn't really work well for me, I had to get it to 1500 mg before I just barely reached a therapeutic dose, and this was back when I actually took my meds regularly. I had months between a new pdoc appointment after my old one left, and I took myself off it in the meantime - I know, not good. I just thought that was an awfully high dose, but maybe others take it at that level.

To the OP, whether it helps you or not, you'll never know until you actually take it and see. Remember it does help a lot of people, you could be one of them.

Lithium has worked for a lot of people over the years, it's always worth a try. It did help me, but turned out not to be the best medication for me. There are a lot of blood tests required if your pdoc is aiming for a therapeutic dose.

I've heard of some people who experience few side effectd, others many. Lithium was weight neutral for me, but I had other side effects. Some that could be calmed with other medications, some that I just lived with. Though uncommon, I did develop a kidney issue. Because of that, my pdoc gradually weaned me off, but it was discovered early through the routine blood testing. My kidney issue doesn't require any treatment given its mildness, but must be monitored.

[WildcatVet]

Lovely, lovely little lithium capsules...! Saved my life many times and still is. Adjunct meds are fine and good...but lithium has been my gold standard for over five years now. Wouldn't be here without it...

[h2os]

I'm on 600mg lithium right now. Problem I have experience with this that I am extremely tired throughout the day and I was wondering how long it takes to get used to it wear you are not tired all the time.

Originally Posted by h2os

I'm on 600mg lithium right now. Problem I have experience with this that I am extremely tired throughout the day and I was wondering how long it takes to get used to it wear you are not tired all the time.

I feel lithium is making me a little tired, but the gabapentin does that too.

I haven’t been on lithium very long.

I don’t know if people come back to a thread much once they’ve posted. You could try starting a new thread on this topic.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by key tones

I feel lithium is making me a little tired, but the gabapentin does that too.


I haven’t been on lithium very long.


I don’t know if people come back to a thread much once they’ve posted. You could try starting a new thread on this topic.

I have been dealing with the tiredness for a long time. I feel like I have very little energy and completing task are a chore. I just started
Vit D3 1,000. I’m hoping it gives me more energy and not be low.

[NorthernAuroras]

Originally Posted by h2os

I'm on 600mg lithium right now. Problem I have experience with this that I am extremely tired throughout the day and I was wondering how long it takes to get used to it wear you are not tired all the time.

How long have you been taking lithium? It took me a good 6 months for the tiredness to go away when I first started taking it. At the peak, I was taking 900mg/twice daily.

Talk to your Dr, and talk to your pharmacist. I find my pharmacist to be much more useful when it comes to meds and side effects etc. I take 450mg in the morning now, 300mg at bedtime. Tiredness only sets in now if I am also suffering from insomnia, otherwise I can't function without it.

[Moreta]

Lithium didn't help me and it messed up my thyroid. Thyroid is fine now, but was on meds for it for 3 years. Make sure you get regular blood work to check levels and drink enough water. Lithium made things taste weird to me. Man it has to be like 10 years since I took it.

[glennk]

I've been taking Lithium on and off for almost 20 years (consistent usage for the last 15 years). Your body takes time to adapt. I found that the extended release (Lithium Carbonate ER) helped immensely. No bouncing up and down on my levels.

Agree with Moreta. Get your labs drawn regularly. At 600mg, you're at the very low spectrum. Mean Lithium dose ranges between 900mg and 1800mg. I've heard of higher doses than 1800mg, but I don't think that is good as it is near toxic levels. Adding on an anti-seizure or atypical medication is the best option in my book.

[all74]

Thanks all. We're doing a slow taper; I took 150 last week and just started 300. Will go to 450, 600, etc.

Thanks to everyone who replied about their experiences. It really helps to know that I'm not alone

I'm getting a strong message about monitoring levels Not going to be an issue. My MDs have been really good with long-term follow-up on other issues so I'm assuming this will be no different.

[all74]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Lithium has worked for a lot of people over the years, it's always worth a try. It did help me, but turned out not to be the best medication for me. There are a lot of blood tests required if your pdoc is aiming for a therapeutic dose.

I've heard of some people who experience few side effectd, others many. Lithium was weight neutral for me, but I had other side effects. Some that could be calmed with other medications, some that I just lived with. Though uncommon, I did develop a kidney issue. Because of that, my pdoc gradually weaned me off, but it was discovered early through the routine blood testing. My kidney issue doesn't require any treatment given its mildness, but must be monitored.

Do you mind sharing what the kidney issue is/was? Do you still have it?

[all74]

Also wondering if anyone who responded is taking it for BP2? We're mainly trying it for the depressed side of my bipolar rather than for manias (as I only get hypomanic). Thanks in advance!