lithium toxicity

Warning talking about gross stuff like being sick to one's stomach.

So my original prescribed does of lithium is 1200mg but when I was younger I was more liberal about taking it correctly. About five years ago I was told I could go down to 900mg if I felt comfortable so I have been changing it around between the two. The only time I take the original prescribed dose is during my period for added stability.

I had my levels done recently and they were elevated (mild) only after 3 days of taking 1200mg consistently. I read this after taking another full dose. I skipped the next day but that was not enough to bring it down even after going to 900mg.

I have been vomiting all morning down to the bile with painful stomach cramps. I can't keep food down even the tiniest bite of dry toast. Water does not seem to agitate it thought.

The thing is this has been happening ever 2-3 months a few days after my period for the past 3 years. I think my original dose might be too high or there is a weird going on with me since that is about the same time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

I will be seeing my doctor in 3 days but if anyone knows how to hand Lithium Toxicity symptoms that would be very helpful.

Check the link in my signature to my blog. Search for "lithium toxicity" to read my experience. If you truely think you have lithium toxicity, go to the ER!

What I have is mild to moderate toxicity my level actually falls somewhere between 1.20 and 1.50 but I am one of the lucky ones who's body at the hint of poisoning starts purging. Don't worry if I were experiencing the heavier symptoms I would not hesitate to call poison control and seek treatment. I was mostly hoping to find out how long I am going to feel terrible and if anyone else has had to deal with taking the wrong dose for lithium. On a lighter note I can eat soup now (crosses fingers)

Hi BlindBetta. Given the symptoms you are describing, you really need to talk to your psychiatrist immediately. Since it is the weekend, if you continue to feel quite unwell, then you really should consider Moose's advice.

The first time I was put on Lithium, I was also put on 1,200 mg, straight away (no titration). It's hard for me to remember/discern how I initially reacted because I was also going through alcohol withdrawal and mixed manic. I was eventually taken off because of hypothyroidism and mood issues, but a couple years later put back on again, but 900 mg, like you. That time I do remember having nausea problems for a while, though not to the point of vomiting. I'm not sure if it was toxicity or what, but it did ease. I remember easing the nausea with OTC meds. Have you considered talking to your pharmacist about your situation and asking if there is anything that can help? Are you drinking plenty of liquids?

i'm a 73 yr. old female, diagnosed 30+ yrs. ago with bp2. i'm providing this merely for informational purposes. i had only hypomania, no depression, so for all those years i was only on 450mg. lithium. throughout those years, and unbeknownst to me, i began having thyroid issues; then i had to have all but a portion of my parathyroid glands removed as lithium was making/creating too much calcium, and after surgery i was on calcium tablets daily, and then finally about 3 yrs. ago i started having kidney issues. all my blood work over the yrs. was merely to determine my lithium levels, but not one psychiatrist mentioned the damage over time with long-term lithium use. please become informed. i am off lithium completely at this time.

I spent the first six months on lithium vomiting because I was not eating breakfasting. I have to eat a big mean of complete protein or starch or fat (got to love fast food) or else I will be running to the toilet and I am curious if that is the same for others. Right now I am only experiencing a little bit of nausea, stomach pain, fatigue, and part of that is because I could not keep the thyroid pill down this morning. I am drinking Gatorade to keep my fluids up. This is the first time my levels have been that high and I will be seeing my doctor on Tuesday. I went a little to high with my levels (again under 1.5) and my body decided to respond and that's when I noticed a pattern. I will be skipping my medication tonight (not that I could eat enough to take it) and then trying for a half dose tomorrow and then back up to three and then doctor the next day.

I used to be on 1800 mg of it and ended up in the ICU for a week with my kidneys failing for severe toxicity. If you suspect you may have toxicity don't wait to contact your doctor, do it immediately because if it is it can get worse. My levels went all the way up to 4.6

After I saw my levels I went back to the lab to have my kidneys tested to make sure they were not the cause and they are doing fine. For me I think it is just that if I take all four pills its too much. I have been trying to go down to three. I might have to make the jump. Current plan is to skip a dose today and to call out for work tomorrow just in case.

Update: I can eat apple slices now

I started to have kidney failure also when I had lithium toxicity. I could not keep any food down what so ever. If you think you may have lithium toxicity I would recommend going to the ER.

Are you on immediate or extended release pills?

If you cannot reach your psychiatrist or an on-call psychiatrist you could talk to a pharmacist. They should know about that kind of thing and could maybe advise you if you should wait it out or seek immediate treatment to be safe.

I went toxic once and I quit lithium right then! I’m not going to wind up trashing my kidneys and needing dialysis because of a psych Med.

Please go to the er and get checked out, this is nothing to play with

I am on extended release. My levels are not high enough to even be considered Mild toxicity. I'm just showing symptoms because I am more sensitive. The nausea is gone, so is the stomach pain. I read that many people get it and they don't realize it. The natural response to poison is for the body to purge it and lithium is a poison. The levels while still under 1.5 became high enough for my body to hit the purge button. Does lithium toxicity cause anyone else to purge?

Mild toxicity
Mild lithium toxicity usually goes away on its own when you stop taking lithium and drink some extra fluids. However, your doctor may still want to keep an eye on you while you recover

I’ve been toxic twice in the past 5yrs. Both times because I allowed myself to become dehydrated.
You need to drink a lot of water/liquids when you take Lithium - 2 to 3 litres a day ( 8-12 glasses).

I never threw up when I had toxicity but my levels were sky high.

Moose72 do you experience nausea when you don't eat enough food when you take it?

I try to drink 3-5 litters a day. I am always extra thirsty at night which makes me get up 3-7 times to go to the bathroom.

[QUOTE=BlindBetta;6563365]I am on extended release. My levels are not high enough to even be considered Mild toxicity. I'm just showing symptoms because I am more sensitive. The nausea is gone, so is the stomach pain. I read that many people get it and they don't realize it. The natural response to poison is for the body to purge it and lithium is a poison. The levels while still under 1.5 became high enough for my body to hit the purge button. Does lithium toxicity cause anyone else to purge? QUOTE]

Yes but from the other end. I want to vomit but have severe dehydrating diarrhoea. If you continue to be dehydrated it’s worth presenting to the ER. They can give you a litre of IV fluids which would also be a quick way to lower your lithium level.

Unfortunately I don't have much advice to give to you, BlindBetta, but I'm REALLY HAPPY all the other wise posters do! Please DO reach out to the ER, your Pdoc or a pharmacist if things are still bad! It is your own health we're talking about after all! Please keep us updated on your situation and let us know how things are turning up for you! We ALL do care about you and we all DO want to know how things are going for you! THAT'S A PROMISE! Please stay safe and take GREAT care of yourself! You ARE important and you ARE worth it! THAT'S A PROMISE! Remember that we ALL DO care about you! PLEASE DON'T YPOU EVER FORGET THAT! Please NEVER give up hope! KEEP FIGHTING! YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND YOU MATTER! Please don't you EVER forget that! Sending many safe, warm hugs to you, BlindBetta, and to ALL of the people who you love and who love you!

I'm feeling a bit better today. Most of the symptoms have dissipated. I appreciate all the concern and advice. My aversion to the ER comes from the fact I don't have insurance and although an I.V. drip would be helpful I am not at a point I think it is necessary. I have only shown mild symptoms and am progressing positively. My lithium levels are not to the point that I would even be considered having toxicity at all so please don't worry. I am just more sensitive and will discus it with the doctor in two days. Will keep people updated. Would love to discus more about sensitivities for lithium.

I was immediately taken off lithium at the ER when toxic. I don't remember that I had to take food with it.

Update: Apparently I had a cold and was seeing symptom that mirrored the cold symptoms. The psychiatrist said that I was fine and that the levels were not high enough to cause concern. Am a little embarrassed for freaking out the way I did.

I’m glad you weren’t going Toxic. Don’t feel silly at all. We all need our kidney to function well.