lithium and sleepiness

Today was my first day of a doubled dose of lithium, divided -- 600 mg morning, 600 at bedtime. Granted, i am sick anyway (some weird cold/flu thing), but I ended up coming home from work because I couldn't keep my eyes open or focus. I am just curious if it makes anyone else that drowsy? It wasn't an issue when I was just taking the 600 mg at night.

When I was on Lithobid (a time release formulation of Lithium) I never had a drowsiness problem, but we are all different. In fact I had gone to that instead of Depakote, for that knocked me out so much, I even fell asleep driving, twice, so I asked pdoc for Lithium. My brother has been on Lithjium for ages and he was able to work with machinery,drive and lead a "normal" life.
Maybe it's just an adjustment period or some flu bug you caught. Take it up with the prescribing physician if this continues.
Meanwhile take care, hope you feel better soon, get lots of rest.

Candybear I am just starting too. But real slow as I have had bad reactions. So far I have been starting to double but am only at 450. Today I have added the 150 in the morning and again tonight. I will let you know what happens. I have been feeling realy weak and rickety like an old woman. But I have thought it was due to an upset Sunday night. ( see Abuse forum) My whole body has been stiff and sore like I have been punched and beated. Well I was emotionally. Have you felt like that? Because then maybe I am wrong and its the lithium. Keep in touch. We will enter the drug "minefield" together.