[embutterfly]

I currently take Effexor, Latuda, Topamax and Wellbutrin. My doc wants me to try Lithium to try to address my repeated "mixed states," but I'm really scared of it. I'm convinced I'll get kidney stones, gain weight, destroy my thyroid and develop Lithium toxicity. Am I over-thinking it? My doc says it's a safe drug and worth a try and might get me off one or more of my other drugs. I've literally tried dozens of other drugs. I welcome advice. Thank you!

[elevatedsoul]

lithium may work for you, but you have to have regular blood tests to make sure your levels aren't toxic
as long as you do blood work and keep an eye on it its supposed to be safe

when i took it i didnt like it, for similar reasons... i dont want to have so many blood tests and it made me shake
while i was taking lithium my thyroid levels went up and was prescribed synthroid, thats when i stopped taking lithium

No, you are not overthinking it--you are being cautious. In my experience, most doctors are not concerned about side effects or downplay them, but they would be if they had to live with them or risk being damaged by them!

I won't take Lithium for those same reasons. The issues/side effects you listed are not that uncommon. And Lithium is tricky, too, because if something adversely affects your blood monitoring, it can do damage. I've seen it happen before to someone in person and have heard of it happening to several others. Especially if you take multiple drugs or have other health problems.

Lamictal, imo, seems to be the safest one to try (and the only mood stabilizer I'd ever try). I'm surprised your doc didn't suggest Lamictal first. Of course, maybe this is one you tried already.

Originally Posted by embutterfly

I currently take Effexor, Latuda, Topamax and Wellbutrin. My doc wants me to try Lithium to try to address my repeated "mixed states," but I'm really scared of it. I'm convinced I'll get kidney stones, gain weight, destroy my thyroid and develop Lithium toxicity. Am I over-thinking it? My doc says it's a safe drug and worth a try and might get me off one or more of my other drugs. I've literally tried dozens of other drugs. I welcome advice. Thank you!

[pinkflower17]

Originally Posted by embutterfly

I currently take Effexor, Latuda, Topamax and Wellbutrin. My doc wants me to try Lithium to try to address my repeated "mixed states," but I'm really scared of it. I'm convinced I'll get kidney stones, gain weight, destroy my thyroid and develop Lithium toxicity. Am I over-thinking it? My doc says it's a safe drug and worth a try and might get me off one or more of my other drugs. I've literally tried dozens of other drugs. I welcome advice. Thank you!

Personally, I think lithium is a great mood stabilizer. Yes, it does have some possible nasty side effects and you do have to monitor levels fairly closely, but it seems to work well for a lot of people. I know it's kind of gotten a bad rap, but to be perfectly honest all the meds you're currently on have potentially bad side effects as well. I think some of the reason we know all the side effects is just because it's been around longer. If it was me, I'd give it a try. I understand your fear though, new meds make me nervous as well. Good luck. If you decide to take it, I hope it works well for you.