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FluffyDinosaur
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Default Mar 09, 2020 at 01:47 PM
  #1
I just (reluctantly) started Lithium after putting it off for a long time. I'm driving myself nuts worrying about all the possible side effects. I think the long lists of nasty effects that you can find online are warping my perspective. They don't tell me what the odds are of taking Lithium and *not* having any (serious) side effects. Does anyone have some more positive experiences to remind me of why I'm doing this?
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Default Mar 09, 2020 at 04:38 PM
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Hi FluffyDinosaur. I can't praise Lithium enthusiastically, but know that it can be a miracle medication for many. I did have a number of side effects, but I'll only say that it was weight neutral for me. Prior to the second time I went on Lithium, I had been the highest weight I ever was. When I was switched back to Lithium and Geodon (and Lamictal), I lost 40 lbs in six months. I lost that weight on a strict diet, but prior to that I would not have been able to diet strictly.
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Default Mar 10, 2020 at 06:50 AM
  #3
I liked Lithium when I was on it. It was the first medication that ever gave me a "quiet mind." It helped with mood stability and limited my depression. I did lose motivation, gained weight, and had periods of tremor, but it all seemed worth it at the time. I stopped taking it eventually due to the side effects, though. In general, I'd probably go back on it again in the future if I needed to.
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Default Mar 10, 2020 at 11:39 AM
  #4
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Originally Posted by BirdDancer View Post
Hi FluffyDinosaur. I can't praise Lithium enthusiastically, but know that it can be a miracle medication for many. I did have a number of side effects, but I'll only say that it was weight neutral for me. Prior to the second time I went on Lithium, I had been the highest weight I ever was. When I was switched back to Lithium and Geodon (and Lamictal), I lost 40 lbs in six months. I lost that weight on a strict diet, but prior to that I would not have been able to diet strictly.

Thanks, I hope I'll be one of those people for whom it's a miracle drug! It's good to hear that weight gain is not as much of a concern as I initially thought. That's a side effect I was really dreading because I just got to my ideal weight and I really want to keep it that way.
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Default Mar 10, 2020 at 11:45 AM
  #5
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Originally Posted by quietlylost View Post
I liked Lithium when I was on it. It was the first medication that ever gave me a "quiet mind." It helped with mood stability and limited my depression. I did lose motivation, gained weight, and had periods of tremor, but it all seemed worth it at the time. I stopped taking it eventually due to the side effects, though. In general, I'd probably go back on it again in the future if I needed to.

The quiet mind sounds promising, but I'm hoping the lack of motivation won't be too bad... I've been dealing with depression on and off for a long time now and the lack of motivation and getting things done is one of the things that's bothering me most. To be honest, that would be a reason for me to seriously consider quitting the Lithium.
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Default Mar 10, 2020 at 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by FluffyDinosaur View Post
Thanks, I hope I'll be one of those people for whom it's a miracle drug! It's good to hear that weight gain is not as much of a concern as I initially thought. That's a side effect I was really dreading because I just got to my ideal weight and I really want to keep it that way.
I hope so, too.

So you know, after losing the weight I mentioned, I maintained 30 lbs of the 40 lbs lost for a good 7 years. The 10 lb gain was likely normal for me, anyway (not necessarily related to medications).

I have been on a couple weight gainer medications, in the past, but again, Lithium wasn't one of them. Even my 600 mg of Seroquel XR isn't that weight unfriendly for me.
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Default Mar 10, 2020 at 11:59 AM
  #7
I was very wary of Lithium as well for a number of reasons. It definitely wasn’t my first choice. I haven’t experienced any side effects and it’s been weight neutral for me. It’s also helped bring me out of a depression. I’m more comfortable taking it now.

I hope you have a good experience with it.
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Default Mar 11, 2020 at 04:26 AM
  #8
Overall I've had good experiences (on it 5 years 1200mg) but I have poisoned myself a few times. Well, the weather has and my exercise habits (didn't drink enough), but it's great stuff.

My organs are behaving too, but it's something that should be monitored....I hear it does go wrong.

BUT my stability is alright and I'm pretty much using it as mono now (tapering off of lamictal, last little step). Weight gain isn't an issue with me and that, I had that more with Seroquel and such.

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Default Mar 11, 2020 at 05:49 AM
  #9
Thanks everyone, it's good to hear these experiences and to know that horrible side effects are not necessarily a given with Lithium. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will definitely keep an eye out for signs of Lithium poisoning, especially during the summer months!
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Default Mar 11, 2020 at 09:16 AM
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Thanks everyone, it's good to hear these experiences and to know that horrible side effects are not necessarily a given with Lithium. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will definitely keep an eye out for signs of Lithium poisoning, especially during the summer months!
It's good when people approach a new medication with an open mind. I think that sometimes people read horror stories about certain medications and refuse to even try them, when they could possibly be highly beneficial.

As Nevvy suggested, it is important to drink a lot of water when taking Lithium. I know that means a lot of pee breaks, but it's worth it. My doctor used to remind me not to drink too much caffeine. I believe caffeine may affect Lithium's efficacy. There are other drugs to avoid while on Lithium. Rather than me listing others, please discuss with your psychiatrist and/or pharmacist. They're not a big deal, but important.
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Default Mar 29, 2020 at 06:02 AM
  #11
I dropped Lithium immediately. I was urinating about 20 times per day, always dehydrated. I took 1350mg per day. All my blood tests showed 0.5 - 0.6. Decided to drop due to probability of kidney damage. Thanks good my kidney examination results were perfect. It did help with my mania and removed my rapid cycling. However, I went to moderate depression which lasts until now (1 year to be exact). Fail to respond to SSRI. Now I'm on Lamictal 100mg,Effexor XR 75 mg and Zyprexa 10mg. Zyprexa is a savior for my mixed States and mild hypomania. I plan to increase Lamictal to 200mg, Effexor XR to 150mg
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Default Apr 27, 2020 at 01:58 AM
  #12
Lithium was fan-freaking-tastic for me; the first time in two decades that I’d felt anything even approximating “normal.” Unfortunately, it gave me diabetes insipidus, so I had to come off of it. Amazing thing is, though, that I’ve been doing great on my lamotrigine alone since the lithium (I was on this prior to the lithium being added). Seems like the lithium did something long-term; I know that sounds crazy (ha!) but it’s the only way I can understand it. Great med.
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Default Apr 28, 2020 at 09:53 AM
  #13
Thank you @signs and @all74, for your experiences! I suppose my experience is kind of in the middle. I've been at the "right" lithium level for about a month now but haven't noticed much improvement. Then again, these aren't normal times, so maybe that's still to come. And who knows, things might have been even worse without the lithium.
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Default May 01, 2020 at 12:00 PM
  #14
Your welcome it will take some time to see the benefits. It took me 3 weeks to notice. And lithium is really good for minimizing suicidal ideations and kept me out from hospitals
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Default May 07, 2020 at 09:21 PM
  #15
Lithium has been a miracle for me. It's the only thing that's reliably kept me stable. I had to pee a lot when I was taking 1200 mg, and a slight thyroid issue, but no other problems. My kidneys have been fine and I've never gotten to toxic levels. For me it's a wonder drug.
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