Lithium questions

Hi everyone. I've been on lithium for about 4 months, gradually ramping up, as part of a research study. I'm trying really hard to make it work but it's such a scary process for me -- especially this last ramp up from 900 to 1500mg, which has been just brutal (I'm on day 5 today, so peak blood level). I can remember stuff for about 20 seconds, or until something distracts me, whichever comes first. I am so out of it and tired all the time. Today, I'm starting to feel really depressed. No sign of mania but that's pretty much the only positive thing I can say about it so far. The other doses (600 and 900) were unpleasant to adjust to but not nearly this bad. I feel totally downtrodden and like I want everyone and everything to just leave me alone.

I'd really love to talk to some people who are on 1500mg or higher and are having success -- what side effects disappear with time and which stay? Do you feel blah all the time? I did on 900mg, too. Just... not interested in anything anymore. On 1500 mg I have no feelings at all. I don't love my husband or my kids. I don't care about my work or hobbies. It's awful. I need some hope. On 900 mg, I eventually had no side effects once I adjusted... is there any hope of that?

Hi ivylynore, sorry but I have no experience with lithium.

Here are some links at Psych Central that might be of interest

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...wlYdXS4lw4YNaQ

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...g_xzdS8kLgNkww

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...3iD2SBTRHgfXpQ

OH my gosh, if this is for a research study, why are you still taking it if it's making you not love your family or anything anymore?

I was on 1800mg Lithium but got toxicity and was in the ICU for a week which I don't remember the most of, I don't recall it working for my mood either. I'm doing much better on Depakote at a reasonable dose of 750mg.

I dont have any personal experience on it. That being said, I'm familiar w it. You're on a pretty high dose and while a lot of your symptoms are unfortunately pretty common, you might want to get your thyroid checked as hypothyroidism can cause symptoms such as those you're experiencing and lithium can cause hypothyroidism...be very cautious if they want to go over 1800 mg/day. Thats the max dose for bipolar, manic episode. The max for maintenance is 1200 mg/day. Make sure you're staying hydrated and that your salt intake is the same from day to day so that you dont mess w your levels. Good luck. I'm sorry you're so miserable. There is a fairly reasonable chance you'll adjust to the dose, just to give you some hope. I hope you do.

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It's not about the dose of lithium, but it's about what your blood level is. The "safe" therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6-1.2.
Some people need less than the therapeutic range, some need to be slightly higher.

Are you having your blood level measured everytime you increase your dose? What is your blood level?

Also, lithium is used to prevent mania. You don't get manic from it.

I have been on lithium for years and my blood level is near 1.1 on 900 mg dose.
I have also had lithium toxicity when my blood levels reached 1.5 and once 1.9.
This happened when I was sick and could not drink enough water and was throwing up..
The symptoms of lithium toxicity can be extreme thirst, tremor of the hands, GI problems, dizziness, and confusion.

If you are not getting your blood levels tested, you need to do so immediately. Your "dose" may be too high.
When I am stable, I have my levels checked every three months.
When I am changing dose, I have my blood levels tested every 2 week or if I have side effects.

It takes time for your body to adjust to lithium, so it is possible that your side effects will disappear. But you might also be on too high of a dose.
The higher your blood level, the more likely you are to have side effects.
That is why you need your blood levels tested and know what they are.

Lithium: The Test

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