[Alpha91]

Hey everyone I just got prescribed lithium, I take lamictal ad well. Taking new meds always freaks me out a little bit.. I'm kinda just wondering how the lithium made you feel? Thanks.

I take lithium. It makes me incredibly thirsty, but I have not gone manic on it. No other noticable side effects.

[Scooter9]

Good luck with it, lithium works really well for a lot of people.

It didn't do anything for me but I was taking it for depression. I just got all the side effects and no benefits so my pdoc stopped it after 9 months.

You need to make sure your blood level is good so your doctor might ask you to do blood tests regularly.

[Alpha91]

What kind of side effects did you get?

Though trite, I'll write anyway. People's experiences on medications vary. Lithium is some people's miracle drug, and isn't for others. Some people experience side effects, others not, or they are more than tolerable given its efficacy for them.

My advice in regards to Lithium is to work with your psychiatrist to find the lowest dose that is efficacious. That dose can vary a lot, and being a big or small person may or may not make a difference.

I fit into the group that experienced many side effects from Lithium, except perhaps a common one. Lithium was weight friendly for me.

Lithium was not a miracle med for me, like it is for others. Unlike others, I respond better to some anticonvulsant moodstabilizers and antipsychotics. I didn't get all of the Lithium side effects simultaneously, but did have a number at the same time. When I took 1,200 mg, they were more bothersome than when I took 900 mg.

I was slowly weaned off Lithium about four or five years ago. In my case (can differ), I found that my moods didn't worsen, though I was still on a rather large medication cocktail. What I noticed when I was finally off Lithium was a decrease in my need to pee so often, less thirst, a little clearing of a mild "mental cloud", and better skin appearance. Other side effects had already resolved, while on the med, or became permanent. I won't mention all of them.

[Scooter9]

Originally Posted by Alpha91

What kind of side effects did you get?

Hair loss, really bad constipation, dry skin, felt really dizzy, couldn't (and didn't) drink enough.

Doesn't mean any of that will happen to you, everyone is different. The side effects stared about four weeks after I started it.

[jaysmotogp]

Been on it for about three months. I didnt make me "feel" anything.
It has kept the hypomania in check, most of the time.
It does absolutely nothing for depression, just keeps the highs from getting too high.
Side effects for me has been thirst and bad acne, not much on face but lots on back and scalp.
And i'm 43 so its odd feeling like a teen with bad acne again

[Wild Coyote]

Hey there, Alpha91-

It's been awhile! Welcome back!

I had a trial of Lithium approx. 30 years ago. I'd had many GI side-effects. I also had a tremor.

As mentioned above, everyone is different.

If you give it a trial, I hope it works out for you.

Always great to hear from you!

WC

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, Alpha91 Meds can definitely be scary. It's good that you're informing yourself on these new meds you're going to take. I agree with all the others. Remember that everyone is different! Different meds may have different effects on different people. So the only way to know for sure if it will work out or not is to try it yourself. I'd suggest noot to read too much about side effects, otherwise you may become too paranoid. Although it's good to inform yourself to understand what's "normal" and what's not. Remember to talk to your Pdoc about this if you have any troubles! I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. Please don't give up. Is there anything we can do to help you? Please let us know. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Tryingtobehappy5]

I took lithium for a couple of months in the fall and it seemed ok for me. I didnt really take it long enough to find out if it would help with my mood. I was on that and wellbutrin. It did cause a fine tremor which I could not stand. It actually wasnt bad at all its just not something im willing to live with. I went off because i'm not good with med compliance and often convince myself i'm not bipolar at all.

[Guiness187055]

I was really dehydrated and my lithium levels went through the roof. I got violently ill and was admitted into the hospital with kidney failure. I was pulled of off the lithium and had a psychotic episode and ended up chained to a bed and then admitted to mental hospital. I am no longer on lithium. Hopefully you have better luck than me.

[Wander]

I have taken Lithium for about 5 years. The side effects I have had a mild tremors (which mostly are not there), thirst and must drink heaps of water which makes me have to go to the bathroom more than usual, and it affected my thyroid which is counteracted by thyroxin. It may sound like a lot of side effects but honestly I hardly notice them most of the time.

The benefit has been a complete stop in impulsive attempts. I had 6 in the 18 months prior and in the last five years - NONE. It has basically saved my life so I will not be going off it anytime soon. This is different for everyone but this effect is well documented to the point they were considering putting it in the water to lower 'incidents'.

[AspiringAuthor]

For me it was not worth it in the end. I got irreversible side effects - hypothyroidism and tooth enamel erosion - and some side effects that remitted when I stopped it, and no serious benefits. But everyone is different and it just might be your goto drug. Just please do not repeat my mistake and do not read Kay Jamison's books as gospel on Lithium. She writes beautifully as a memoirist but she is off as a researcher in that Lithium is not a miracle drug.

I ultimately do better on a couple anticonvulsants, though by all means not all, and on Zyprexa, though once again not on all antipsychotics as a class of medications.

[Alpha91]

Hey everyone! I'm sorry for the late reply I've been busy but thank you for replying back. I'm about to start it today, I finally got over my paranoid hump basically.. it's only 300mg my doc says its low so I hope I dont get a whole lot of the side effects. Even though its low still kinda freaked me out. Meds don't have a very welcoming name lol

[pat86]

I am on 900mg of lithium. It has had a very stabilizing effect on me . This is confirmed by family.

I seem to be very stable and it has helped with mood stabilization. I have no side effects that I can see.

Has helped with mania and depression sides of bi polar I believe.

I also take it with seroquel and the two work well together and solve 90% of my mental problems.

[MickeyCheeky]

Meds can be scary, Alpha91. I know how you feel. I was scared at first as well. Hopefully you'll get used to it. Take all the time you need. Take it one step at the time. Take baby steps. If any problems show up, or the side effects get too overwhelming for you, I'd suggest to talk to your Pdoc about this and see how it goes from there. Hopefully he/she will be able to help you. He/she's there to help you, after all. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. Please don't give up. I hope things will get better soon for you. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Sunshinesworld]

I had to pee all the time. And that didnt go away for like 6 months after i stopped it.

[Wander]

I have taken Lithium for about six years. Side effects are: occasional minor hand tremors, thirst and need to drink more water, initial minor weight gain then I dropped it, and thyroid issues that now require me to take thyroxine. It has not helped preventing episodes but it has saved my life (long story that may trigger).

[Pookyl]

On 1,350mg of Lithium. Have taken it for 4.5 years. It stops my wings from hitting the sun. I like it.

Lithium helped a lot with the manic symptoms

Possible trigger:

but I'm not allowed to take it anymore because I took three months worth at once

and I got diabetes insipidus from that. it didn't help with depression too much

[raspberrytorte]

At only 300mg it made me so weak I could barely walk to the door or stand. I hope it works out for you though. Good luck!