[Ellacancan]

I am new to this group. I have bipolar disorder and have been on lithium for 25 years. I'm concerned about the long term affects. Have any of you heard on of other people on lithium for this long? Have you heard of someone transitioning to a new medicine or more than one medicine after this time? Thank you so much!

[pegasus]

Hello Ellacancan, welcome to Psych Central forums,

I am not an expert on medication but I did come up with this >>> Psych Central Reviews - Lithium carbonate if you scroll down it has some reviews from long term users and most say they have had no long term issues with it. Other people have other medications on top of lithium though there are some drug interactions listed on that link I have provided. Your doctor will look into your history and know whether there are likely to be any issues with adding another medication.

Hopefully other members will chime in with their experiences of it.

You might also like to ask your question in the Psychiatric Medications forum.

[Restin]

At least Lithium doesn't make you a zombie with drowsy side effects. I've been on it about ten years and it helps level my emotions. The worst it does is make me shaky. I'm an artist; so, I get off it gradually to finished a picture. Then back on gradually. My doc would have a fit about it, but (sigh) what else can I do.