Lithium Side Effects

I am taking a ramp-up dose of 450mg of lithium. I've been on it a week. I also take another couple of meds that the pharmacist says cause higher lithium blood levels when they interact.
I'm having serious hand tremors, serious thirst, and serious anxiety attacks. The thirst I was aware of, and can deal with. The hand tremors are much worse than I was expecting. The anxiety attacks are debilitating. I'm taking klonopin and zyprexa to deal with the anxiety attacks, but it seems counter-productive to be taking more meds to cope with the lithium.
I'm not feeling any positive side effects from the lithium. I've not had blood levels taken yet. I see prescribing psychologist on Saturday.
Thoughts?

I'm back on it after several years, so I'm having to relearn what to expect. I'm at 600 right now and will go up to 900 if levels look okay next week. I had hand tremors, but zero anxiety. I was on too much and, with other meds, such a zombie that my boss took me to the clinic. I wonder if you're just not at optimum level yet and that's why you've got the anxiety. Is it worse, or just not getting better?

And I apologize if this is a dumb question, but are you drinking enough water to flush out your kidneys?

Water is SO important with lithium. I believe dehydration cause the level to be higher and that can be dangerous at times. Plus, water helps us feel better physically anyway and like licketysplit said-you need to drink it to flush out your kidneys because that's where lithium is flushed from the body. I currently take 900mg of lithium er but my dr. just switched me to lithium citrate so I can try taking 1200mg because I had tummy issues taking that dose of pills. I have never had a side effect other than nausea or tummy issues and it was when I had a dose increase or things weren't in order.

I hope everything you have going on gets straightened out! I think its possibly lithium has helped me. Its taken a bit to get to a good level. You may have to be patient (Im not good at that when I feel 'off').

Good luck!

Did you know lithium was an ingredient in 7 UP initially?

I'm drinking around 3 liters of water, if not more. I have taken seriously the water aspect of the lithium experience. It is the one thing I have control of. Thanks for your replies!

Keep us posted. I don't think a week is enough time to see a good effect, esp at that dose. I wonder why they haven't had you check your blood levels to see if you're okay to increase. Could you ask about that? My pdoc ordered one before my first dose (for a baseline) and again a week later (next week for me) to check the lithium level and see if I'm okay to increase. Maybe you call and get that ordered when you have your appt tomorrow?

Hi Hopeful_Camel,I was on 1800mg of Lithium before but got Lithium Toxicity and ended up in the ICU for a week. I hope you have much better luck!