Lithium side effects

Hi. I'm 44 and have been diagnosed with just depression most of my life. Now my new doc says I am Bipolar II and just started me on Lithium. I have been reading about weight gain as a side effect and that worries me. Anybody have any experience with lithium and weight gain??
Oh I also take Lamictal which I have been on for several years with no side effects.

I've tried Lithium in the past and never gained weight and I'm the type of person that if the side effect is to gain weight I always gain weight. I have tried both Lithium Citrate and Lithium Carbonate and had side effects other than weight gain on both. On Lithium Citrate I got really bad hives, while Lithium Carbonate sent me into a hypo-manic episode. I'm on Lamictal too and apart from the really dry skin and fear of rash I really enjoy the way I feel. Good luck with the new meds!

I'm on lithium carbonate, have been since August 2007 and have not gained weight. It's been very helpful for me, balancing out my moods. Hope it works for you too!

I take lithium carbonate, no weight gain here either.

You don't know how good it is to hear that you guys haven't gained weight because if I did I would get depresed which would defeat the whole purpose!!!
Thanks

Just a heads up, if you are looking to avoid weight gain, think twice if you are recommended Zyprexa. I gained 20 pounds in 5 days on that stuff and bloated something awful (I could barely get my feet in my shoes - I actually couldn't tie them).

i have had no problem with weight gain!!

I took Lithium a couple of times. Both times I got toxic. The worst part of the toxemia was the itching. Every inch of my body itched.

Be sure your doctor is checking your levels every so often. Talk to him/her about the frequency when it should be checked.

It seems to be a good drug for many but not for me personally.

i am on lithium carb 450 mg 2 times a day and a few other meds i have put on almost 50 pounds since november when i started it and my moods cycle worse then ever cause of the weight gain

No weight gain (other than from aging and alcohol) in 25 years of use. I have started to have a little tremmor in my hands but it may be nerves cause it goes away. Here is my worst side effect, dry mouth which can cause, you guessed it, bad breath. Bummer. Maybe this is not a problem for everyone. But I have to be vigilant at drinking fluids, taking mints etc to manage this. Kind of embarassing, but this is not an uncommon problem for anyone having to take medications. Then again, I would be in the hospital without lithium.

<font color="#880000"> Lets see i take it about 1500mg everyday. Weight gain is big, acne can start back up and need for water. i just had to be drinking all the time. Have the doctor check your thyroid before and after. And your kindeys too as it can play with that. just keep an eye on some stuff. </font>

not everyone gains weight on lithium. the very first time i was on it, i actually lost weight

it can increase your thirst, so you want to be careful what you drink- if you end up drinking high calorie sodas and juices, you will probably gain wt.

i ended up gaining wt later on, because lithium made me thirsty and only milk seemed to quench my thirst. even though i only drank skim milk, i drank a LOT and put on about 15 to 20lbs (which i have since lost)

lithium will increase your blood volume initially and this can make you feel bloated. but the wt gain from this should not be more than 8 lbs or so.

good luck! i think lithium saved my life, and i am looking forward to being on it again sometime soon

I have been on Lithium for about a month now, and I haven't experience any weight gain. I am, however, thirsty ALL the time, I have a terrible taste in my mouth, and two weeks ago my tongue turned black - the doctor says I have a fungal infection and I have to swish and swallow this dreadful syrup 4 times a day.

Re: Schatje's comment, I totally agree, if you want to avoid weight gain stay away from Zyprexa. I have been on it for over a year, and I have gain about 35 lbs.

I haven't stopped taking either of them though, anything is better than being locked in the hospital.

That's what happened to me

I didn't gain any weight on lithium either, I've been on it for seven years.

I do get hand tremors often, and deal with acne which cropped up shortly after I started taking it. I haven't had a lit of side effects from lithium tho. The biggest thing for me is that I did with chronic pain and inflammation and you cannot take NSAID's with lithium as it raises lithium levels.

I have ance from lithium. Havent gained weight, though. If regular lithium makes you sick, ask for extended release. I got sick in regular and had a metallic taste in my mouth, but dont with extended release. It isnt very expensive either. (Maybe 20 dollars for 90 300mg)

I didn't gain weight on lithium. I was just tremors, thirsty, and having to use the bathroom a lot as a result. I was on it for a year, from 300 mg to 1200 mg.

No weight gain here either. Excessive thirst, that lasted a few weeks. Pimples and omw for the 1st time in my life, BACKNE. Tremors became unbearable, seriously, I couldn't even pour coffee without spilling and nearly burning, my spelling was suddenly atrocious, I had hectic memory loss, couldn't remember 3 items to get at the shop, and would lose well known words... Everything's back to normal now tho

I had little bit of weight gain on lithium. I also get very thirsty and have acne from it. So far I have been on it for a year and the weight gain was not severe.

No weight gain here on my lithium and seroquel although I can't lose weight and I also can get the tremors

Don't really remember the weight gain on Lithium, but the tremors were awful! I lost my beautiful handwriting/penmanship and cried many tears over that. I got horrible acne from it too. If you are worried about weight gain, I agree with the others stay far away from Zyprexa.