For those that were ever on lithium, or currently taking it, what was it like? Did it work? What were the side effects like? And what dosage were you on?
I’ve been on lithium two different times. First time was in 2018-2019 I was on 1200mg and it did a good job of controlling my manic highs. I just started back on it in July, I was put on 600mg. I had a couple recent mini manic episodes both lasting only 5-6 days. My last manic episode I was really triggered to self harm, I got an urgent appointment with my pdoc and she upped my lithium back to 1200mg. Recently I had my labs done and my lithium was at 0.6 which my pdoc says is a good level.
Things I notice is I am really thirsty all the time and because of that I have to go to the bathroom more often. I also notice I am extremely heat intolerant now
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Thank you for your response, @Hanna_Foxx. The doc said that could be an issue. It’s odd he prescribed it because I’m not bipolar or schizoaffective, but my anger and suicidal ideation was getting out of control.
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One of my old pdoc’s I saw back in 2018 said that a small dose of lithium can help with suicidal thoughts. I’m talking like 300mg a day so well below a therapeutic dose
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Yeah, that’s what I’m starting on.
I hope it works for you! I don’t think you’ll need routine blood work if you’re on that low of a dose but I could be wrong
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I was on it in the ward and after wards for suicidal thoughts
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Thank you, @Hanna_Foxx
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I was on it in the 90s…it didn’t really help and it destroyed my thyroid. Now I’m on Synthroid for life.
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I was prescribed it for about 6 months until I ended up in the ER with toxicity. In that timeframe I couldn’t stop the sugar cravings. The amount of weight gained was abhorrent. Long-term effects now are thyroid issues. I have nodules. It works for a lot of people however it did not for myself. It helps to have a competent doctor on board.
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I had exactly the same experience, and also have to take Synthroid for the rest of my life, but honestly i was on the border to develop hypothyroidism just before i started on lithium.
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I think I was on 1200mg overdose…
used to drink a litre of a drink in one go. Bad med. Didn’t need it. Also damages the thyroid in the long run.
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With lithium and prayer, I have overcome my temper. I used to blow up every month, now never
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Not a good one.
In some people Lithium worsens depression. I had a terrible time on Lithium.
Plus, hair loss.
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Yeah that’s why the doc put me on it, plus suicidal ideation.
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It didn’t really help me
I was on it for years decades ago
It gave me hypothyroidism and diabetes
Lithium is very hard on the thyroid and kidneys
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Pdoc put me on it recently. At 1200mg. I dont really notice anything. Im in a pretty mega depressed/SI state though.
They said itll help depression/SI but I havent noticed much improvement. Not too sure how high of a dose I want to take, prob max 1500
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I’m sorry, @LevelJ1 about you experiencing a depressive episode. Hopefully Lithium helps you, but I myself haven’t noticed much help with my anger and suicidal ideation, but I only just started at 600mg. Hopefully you get to feeling better soon!
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Thanks @John_Raven , hope it helps you.
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It didn’t phase me but, I must add here that I was misdiagnosed at the time with BP1. The whole duration with this medication I couldn’t stay away from sugar laden foods, gained over 60 lbs in 6 months and ended up in the ER with a toxic level of 2.7
Bloodwork is very important.
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