Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 188 Location: gulf coast =), USA
scared to go on lithium Posted: 03-20-08 08:40am
dr. said lithium is next in line if
abilify doesn't work . i am absolutely
petrified of lithium ! i would so
appreciate any advise about drug and would
also like to hear from bp 2's taking this
med.
thanks in advance!
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noisesnob
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 23 Location: ,
lithium Posted: 03-20-08 15:20pm
I took it about 5 years ago, but not by
itself. I took it with depakote and
zoloft, so I'm not sure what I felt from
the lithium. All I know was that I felt
like a zombie and I gained a lot of
weight. Meds work differently on different
people though... Good luck!
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poisonangel168
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 32 Location: High Ridge, MO, USA
Posted: 03-20-08 15:42pm
I have never been on lithium, but I have
been on most atypical antipsychotic drugs
and my bfs dad has been on and off of
lithium for years. He says that it is a
godsend and it was the only thing that
worked for him. As noisesnob stated,
however, different meds work differently
for different people. You should do some
research on lithium if you haven't
already. I know that blood tests are
sometimes required to monitor the level of
lithium in your blood because lithium can
be toxic. If you don't feel comfortable
taking lithium after doing additional
research, just tell your doctor how you
feel. I am sure that there is another
alternative to lithium if you don't want
to take it.
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illectronic
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 16 Location: NYC,
Posted: 03-22-08 18:48pm
Lithium is great for keeping away manic
episodes and has worked for me. However, I
have gained weight, I have mild had
tremors, and on top of that I'm still
hypo-depressed. Good luck.
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noisesnob
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 23 Location: ,
Posted: 03-23-08 11:02am
Oh I forgot to mention the blood tests...
but I get those regularly no matter what
med I am on to check the levels... but
with lithium I had to get blood tests to
check my thyroid. Apparently the lithium
affected it - which may have created the
weight gain - and I had to go on synthroid
to counteract that. But it wasn't a
nuisance to take just one more pill lol.
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2225 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:126
Posted: 03-23-08 13:54pm
As for me, I'm done with them all. I have
to many illness issues that do not
corresponed with an physcotic drug and
lithium. I tried lithium and now
Lamiectal, That;s it for me. I am way to
paranoid about side effects, which for
what it's worth would be a 50/50% chance
of getting any. But, I did.
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
Thanks: 185
Thanked:98
Posted: 03-23-08 17:06pm
I have been on 900mg of lithium since
1999. The doctor says that is a low dose.
I go for lab tests every three months. I
take three pills, 300 mg each. I take it
with Olanzapine.
Before I was on paxil, lithium, olanzapine
and epival. With the help from the
doctor, I came off everything gradually.
I believed I was well.
Wishful thinking.
I got an episode in which I wanted to
throw myself off a balcony. the fourth of
six episodes. That is when they put me on
only two medication. Lithium and
olanzapine. That is also the time I
believed I had a mental illness. I
understood that it does not go away. This
was in 2004. Over the years I have added
30 pounds but I don't mind it.
With my AIDS, I sure appreciate the good
body and exercise helps me to feel good
about myself. I thought walking was
exercise until I met Homerx. He does a
full work out.
All the best
Muthoni (Mson)
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puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 188 Location: gulf coast =), USA
thanks everyone Posted: 04-15-08 08:28am
i feel a bit better.. i suppose about
lithium. i associate it with court ordered
injections my brother had to get every
week. he held in there for about 3 months
and he left without a trace for about 1
year. he said it messed up his ability to
invent and be creative. creativity is all
i have... it's what i do for a living,
it's what i do for therapy, it's what i do
to get my mind out of my head for a bit. i
guess i would try it but with caution.
xoxo
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2225 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:126
Posted: 04-15-08 09:17am
Don't be afraid puzzld, I was on Lithium
for about 3 years and I helped wondes
untill my doctor thought I could do
better. I was doing fine on the 300mg a
day. If I am not mistaken, Lithium with no
other componients has lesser chance of
side effects. There is to much othe stuff
in the other meds that anyone can have a
reaction too. But, that is normal. You'll
be just fine girl. I am BP 1 and this time
it was hard to get it right, I am now on
Depakote and Seriquil.
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username4
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-24-08 18:30pm
I have had bipolar disorder since I was 20
(well that is when I was diagnosed). I
have had 2 mania's and 2 long depressions
in only the past 5 years. Well I have
tried all the meds.
I didnt have luck with any meds when I
was depressed. I am suppose to be taking
litium along with another medication-which
i do take. I am just afraid to take the
litium-I dont want to be like a zombie or
gain weight. And I have been okay for the
longest since I have been diagnosed
Bipolor. I have been okay for now 2 1/2
years.
I try to be aware and proactive but I am
just not gonna take the litium. My dad
was on different meds also, which nothing
helped him either. He had bipolar
disorder and committed suicide a couple
years ago.
I dont know what my point was. But I do
wonder about lithium as well. Sorry that
doesnt help. I think this is an old forum
anyways...so i hope you are doing well.
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BoneyardDiva
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 72 Location: Nunya, USA
Re: lithium Posted: 04-25-08 21:54pm
noisesnob
wrote:
I took it about 5 years ago,
but not by itself. I took it with depakote
and zoloft, so I'm not sure what I felt
from the lithium. All I know was that I
felt like a zombie and I gained a lot of
weight. Meds work differently on different
people though... Good
luck!
Depakote is really known for weight gain.
Lithium has a tendency to make a person
very thirsty. Hubby is about to start
taking Lithium & phase out Lamictal. I
think you'll be fine.
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Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
. i am absolutely
petrified of lithium 
! i would so
appreciate any advise about drug and would
also like to hear from bp 2's taking this
med.
Wishful thinking. 
I got an episode in which I wanted to
throw myself off a balcony. the fourth of
six episodes. That is when they put me on
only two medication. Lithium and
olanzapine. That is also the time I
believed I had a mental illness. I
understood that it does not go away. This
was in 2004. Over the years I have added
30 pounds but I don't mind it.
