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Reviews
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gevanhee
New Member
Registered: September 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 8
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Fri January 18, 2019
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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On a dose for depression. I gather it helps. Not as suicidal.
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CONS:
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Not aware of any.
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Overall fine.
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cutelittletwinstars
New Member
Registered: August 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 11
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Tue August 7, 2018
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $18.00| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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stabilized mood switches, decreased suicidal thoughts
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CONS:
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twitches for the first couple months, messed with menstruation
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i havent been on it for a year yet, but it has worked very well. my level has stayed constant for a while. my suicidal thoughts have plummeted, i am not as angry anymore, i dont cry five times a day, and my thinking is much more rational
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Achy Turtle Armor
Grand Magnate
Registered: July 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3100
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Thu May 3, 2018
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Reduced suicidal ideation. Works quickly.
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CONS:
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Metallic taste in mouth, food tastes different, tremors, possibly weight gain, must have regular blood work done, and often dry mouth
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I don't like taking it but its ability to reduce my suicidal thoughts is amazing. If I don't take this medicine, after 2-3 days I am a danger to myself. That reason is why I put up with all the downsides to this medicine. I like the idea that it is a natural occurring element. Its atomic # is 3 on the periodic table of elements.
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surfzulu
Member
Registered: March 2018
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 34
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Sat April 21, 2018
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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No more suicidal thoughts after 25 years. More energy much less depressed
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CONS:
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Weight Gain
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Allowed me to go from sleeping 12 hours a day to 7. Much less depressed. Able to come off my Anxiety meds. Miracle no suicidal thinking. Maca Root improved my depression just as much. Natural alternative to prescripition meds.
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Ann0908
New Member
Registered: April 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2
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Mon May 8, 2017
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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I only been taking Lithium carbonate 300mg x 3 per day/lorazaepam 1mg x 3 per day,
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CONS:
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still manic
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I'm still manic my family tells me to slow down, but I can't stop.
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Turtlesoup
Grand Member
Registered: October 2014
Location: Alaska
Posts: 862
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Sat January 14, 2017
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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Helps with mood stabilization & prevents mania
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CONS:
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I had side effects of significant hand tremors & GI upset
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Lithium helped stabilize my moods & I did well on it for a while-however the hand tremors were bad & my GI system was always upset-also have to have lab work done to check levels. I decided to go off this & try others mood stabilizers with less side effects.
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FormerChampionLadyH
New Member
Registered: February 2016
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 6
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Thu February 18, 2016
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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Minimizies rage, homicidal, sucidical feels to just being irritable and aloof.
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CONS:
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You have to pee every hour and you lose the ability to hold it.
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Use the capsules over the pills or you will get stomach pain or GORD. Why they even have the pill form, who knows (hopefully your doctor). If you are bipolar then unfortunately it doesn't get better than Lithium. I can control my actions despite my emotions on Lithium but the long-term effects will kill my kidneys. I don't know how I will be able to function once I'm forced to switch medication.
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Wanderlust90
Veteran Member
Registered: September 2015
Location: AUS
Posts: 643
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Thu January 21, 2016
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $13.00| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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Reduced agitation caused by antidepressants
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CONS:
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Nausea, GORD, headaches, emotional blunting
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Bad side effects, developed GORD & had to start PPI, also carries a risk of developing hypothyroidism. Reduced positive along with negative emotions. Was only at 750mg dose with levels of 0.5-0.6 so may not have had full effect. Had to take too many tablets per day. Very cheap though! Oh & the blood draws are not terrible but not fun
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Xand
Member
Registered: December 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 25
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Sun December 13, 2015
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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eliminates depression
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CONS:
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none
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19 years taking 1000mg per day, and the last year on 800mg per day.
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Erik456
Member
Registered: May 2015
Location: LA
Posts: 79
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Wed May 20, 2015
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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PROS:
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it works
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CONS:
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none
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I normally get proposed pills by americantrustpills (seriously, this place sucks) without danger. Sad to say I use to take plenty of it so minimal expense is extremely important for me.
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Hopeful Camel
Member
Registered: May 2013
Location: Western U.S.
Posts: 385
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Mon October 13, 2014
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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mood stabilization
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CONS:
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tremors
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Moderately good control of mood swings. However, I am having severe tremors and internal shakiness that is debilitating. It outweighs that good that the medication is doing.
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fabulousdivararity
Member
Registered: May 2014
Location: Arizona
Posts: 30
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Thu June 5, 2014
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Helped stop my depression overnight
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CONS:
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Bad for kidneys
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Fantastic for bipolar II!
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BPD Ghost
Member
Registered: February 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 33
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Sun February 23, 2014
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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It made me numb.
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CONS:
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It made me numb and I self-harmed and eventually attempted suicide. This stuff is lethal.
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This drug is a bad word in our house.
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wolfclaw
New Member
Registered: January 2014
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 6
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Tue January 28, 2014
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Lithium seems to help with depression but mostly helps with anxiety & or Bipolar1 disorder
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misskrome
Member
Registered: January 2014
Location: ...
Posts: 229
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Mon January 20, 2014
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 2
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Not strong enough to even put a dent in my mood swings and rages but cannot increase without reaching toxicity level. Very minor side effects. a little trouble emptying bladder (not even bad enough to be worth mentioning, really), little hair loss (just a tad) and the occasional random gasp for air. Really, the least amount of side effects I have ever experienced on any medication, but isn't doing anything to help my stability. I'm still afraid of leaving my house because I just know I may hurt someone.
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Topher
Grand Member
Registered: February 2005
Posts: 769
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Wed November 6, 2013
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Almost completely effective in preventing major manic and depressive episodes
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CONS:
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Must be closely monitored for toxic side effects
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I am a 30 year user with low side effects. The two most noticable side effects are dry mouth and a slight tremor in my hands. I have extreme psychotic breaks without lithium - major depression or severe manic episodes with psychosis. It seems a miracle to me that a simple salt can prevent these symptoms. iam one of the lucky ones with a major mental illness that can lead a perfectly normal life with one medication.
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suchalargepillcase
Junior Member
Registered: June 2013
Location: West Seneca, NY
Posts: 19
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Sun June 30, 2013
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Totally got rid of my episodes.
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CONS:
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Some weight gain, major dehydration, can have almost no caffeine, makes me kind of foggy and zombie like.
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It has made me extremely stable. The side-effects were horrible but besides the dehydration they all leveled out over a few weeks. It made me feel really good and normal once the side-effects wore off. I just have to have beverages available at all times and it's made my brain slightly foggy so my memory and speech aren't as sharp as they once were. Definitely worth it though for the stability.
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Thu May 2, 2013
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $15.00| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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lithium carbonate
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CONS:
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too many side effects
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I took it for a few weeks. started gaining weight, my hair was coming out,extremely thirsty. My doctor told me however that I didn't give it a chance to work and that everyone has lithium in their biody. was told I would have to get my levels checked with blood samples, no thank you.
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dollydoo
New Member
Registered: July 2012
Posts: 1
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Sat July 14, 2012
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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mood stabilisation
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CONS:
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weight gain, dehydration, feeling emotionless
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been on lithium for 3 years it has helped me a lot in terms of my moods and depression. i do find that i feel like i am on an emotionless cloud, i dont really care about anything anymore, im not happy not sad just pretty much a zombie.
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Riotgirl
New Member
Registered: March 2012
Posts: 1
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Thu March 1, 2012
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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Don't know yet
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CONS:
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Dont know yet
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Imstart this tomorrow and I'm a little scared. I was diagnsised bi polar at 17, but cos my mother didn't believe it's taken till she's passed away and me 32 to be fully treated for it. I'm told it's gotten worse, I rapid cycle now. I'm mainly down, with spurts of mania. I wish I could be always mania with the energy levels. I hate no energy, exshauted all the time. Been reading here, little nervous but sorta hopeful with what everyone's said
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moogifier
New Member
Registered: July 2011
Posts: 3
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Fri February 10, 2012
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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No long-term side effects (for me, at least), definitely gets a hold on my Bipolar
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CONS:
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Dry mouth, dehydration, having to get blood drawn for level-checking
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Short story long: I had been on Lithium before for about 5 years, when a bad decision made by an intern at the VA hospital landed me in the ER with lithium toxicity. What happened was I had been in the ward for a severe depressive episode and she increased my lithium from 300mg a day to 1200mg a day. I'm female and am 5'2", 100 pounds soaking wet. I was discharged from the ward with my new dosage and a started to feel very ill within the next 24 hours. I was throwing everything up (even water and popsicles) to the point where I was left dry-heaving. I was having body spasms and was constantly dizzy. At first I thought I had the stomach flu or something. For some odd reason, I didn't even give a thought to the possibility of lithium toxicity. When a nurse suggested over the phone that I go to the ER, I did. I ended up in the detox ward at the VA, getting the lithium out of my system. That was probably the sickest I have ever been.
After that, I swore off all meds. Being bipolar, that probably wasn't such a smart thing to do.
This past summer/fall, I got back on lithium (after a lot of conversing with my doctor) and I also take Prozac (although that's being phased out as I will be starting Wellbutrin soon). This time, the Lithium works just fine. I'm on 450mg a day (started at 300) and I think that dosage suits me fine. There were the side effects at the beginning: the shaky hands, extremely dry mouth, and upset stomach. Those have all pretty much disappeared. I feel no side effects from the meds at all, and it really has helped my moods. It has also seemed to have a calming effect on me, but I'm really not sure if that's the Lithium or the Prozac or something totally different.
You just gotta' make sure you get your levels checked. Yeah, getting blood taken is no fun, but it's necessary for this.
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Tosspot
Member
Registered: November 2011
Location: North Shore, Massachusetts
Posts: 250
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Sat November 12, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $8.00| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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Excellent stability
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CONS:
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thyroid shut down
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I loved Lithium but my thyroid was shutting down and I didn't want to add Synthroid to my med list. But I would def. recommend at least trying lithium and seeing how it works for you.
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rpdcycle
New Member
Registered: July 2011
Posts: 2
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Mon July 18, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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price
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CONS:
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uncontrolable rage, tremors, drinking enough water for a small village
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turned my anger levels into something very scary. ended up having EMS called for slicing my arm open with a steak knife. I got 10 stitches and a psych hold. They said my lithium levels were good. Very very bad med for me. I stopped it immedietly afterwards. Oh and now my thyroid doesn't work.
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spacemonkey36
Member
Registered: March 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 81
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Sat March 19, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $2.50| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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??? There are-well not for me???
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CONS:
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Oh, how about kidney failure and complete loss of lifetime thyroid function!
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This drug caused me permanent kidney damage--I now have about 47% of normal kidney funcion: where I finally stabilized. But when I was admitted to the nephrology unit for DIALYSIS, I had Acute Renal Failure, and they didn't know if any of my kidney function would ever come back. I also permanently lost all thyroid function, and 16 years later, still take thyroid replacement. After several dialysis treatments, I did regain enough function to get by. But I am now permanently hampered in any treatment or medication I am given by the permanent damage to my kidneys. Watch out for that nice potential side effect I also got: nephrogenic (means it starts with the kidneys) diabetes insipidus. Hormones get released, and you have the 2 symptoms of diabetes (without the glucose problems), which are severely increased urination (we're talking about 3-4 gallons/day, and up to 1 liter at a time with each urination...8-9 times per night to pee, not to mention the times per day)...I drank up to 4 gallons a day to keep up with the fluid loss, and this fouled up my electrolytes so badly I ended up intubated in the ICU. I think I will pass. My goal in life at age 20 was not a kidney transplant. It was to graduate from college. I had to take a semester off to recover from the effects of this drug (? poison?) and it took me another year to grauate, b/c I could only do part-time my first semester back. And try and work to support myself? Good luck--and I was independent--my family was not helping me financially. So, be aware of how much you're taking in and how much you put out if you suddenly notice increased urination and THIRST. Even on 4 gallons/day, I was actually dehydrated when I was admitted to the ICU. My potassium had also been depleted to the fluids I took in, and put put, to 1.2 (normal is 3.5-5mg/dL, and you can suffer cardiac arrese at about 2.8, sometimes even at 3.0), and the nurse looked at me and said, "I have tried to resuscitate patients with higher potassium levels than you've got." Scared me to death. I list this as an allergy. I don't stop breathing in terms of hives and anaphylaxis-no, it was worse than that!
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Jane999
Junior Member
Registered: October 2006
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 18
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Wed April 7, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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Oh yea. I almost forgot. Incredible weight gain. Combined with an antipsychotic I put on almost 80 pounds over six months. This stuff adds an incredible health tax on your glands and nervous system.
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Jane999
Junior Member
Registered: October 2006
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 18
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Wed April 7, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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Nothing
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CONS:
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severe tremor, extreme dry mouth, lack of emotional response,
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Lithium Carbonate was a horrible drug I was forced to take against my will. I had to take 1500mg daily and I suffered. Dry mouth that never went away was the least of my problems. I was always tired, reading was a chore. When you are fourteen years old you shouldn't be moving like a palsied senior citizen. I couldn't feel my emotions much anymore except occasionally sadness that this was happening to me. Six months was far too long to have had my blood toxic and getting stuck with needles to make sure my kidney's weren't dying. I was so much happier off of it and my body felt clean again when this crap was out of me. If you didn't have a chemical imbalance before, this stuff will give you one. Suffering the illness symptoms was preferable to life under the effects of this toxin.
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4alleternity
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2010
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Fri February 26, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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?
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CONS:
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serious weight gain
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i didnt like it at all. My doctor put me on 500 mg and i gained 50 pounds within months and it was so hard to get off until i stopped taking the medicine.
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4alleternity
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2010
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Fri February 26, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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?
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CONS:
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serious weight gain
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i didnt like it at all. i gained 50 pounds within months and it was so hard to get off until i stopped taking the medicine.
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skuldam
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2009
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Tue December 1, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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calmness, stablizes mood
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CONS:
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hand tremors, regular blood tests
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Eight months ago I had first manic episode which I had to be hospitalized. As in inpatient, I was given Zyprexa, which works, but I gained 25 lbs in 2 weeks. I also feel sleepiness midday. As an outpatient, I switched to Lithium and did not have any of the side-effects Zyprexa has.
Initially, I had to find my therapeutic level so constant blood checks is a bit of a hassle. But after that, Lithium feels great at .7 therapeutic level.
I was on 1500mg of Lithium before having to quit due the potential negative effects to my kidneys. I'd prefer to be on Lithium had this not been the case since it made me feel like my old self. My hands did shake a bit, but the effect was not unbearable.
Right now, I'm on Abilify and Depakote. This cocktail is just not the same since my daytime sleepiness is the same as when I was with Zyprexa.
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phoenix47baby
Grand Member
Registered: September 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 619
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Tue November 17, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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life saving product for some
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CONS:
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fine hand tremor, regular blood tests
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life saving product for me
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psychodwnldr
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2009
Location: maryland
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Sat October 17, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $6.00| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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CONS:
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agitated,moody.headaches,lack of sleep
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my doctor put me on cymbalta for my anxity and mood swings then i was diagnosed w/cyclothymic personality,my shrink put me on lithium 900mgs. 11 days i was on it i was tired,agitated and mood was back to were it was before i stared taking the cymbalta.Lithium just wasnt for me. I've been off it for 2 days w/just taking the cymbalta and i feel great
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Topher
Grand Member
Registered: February 2005
Posts: 769
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Wed September 30, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Excellent mood stabilizer for bipolar I individuals
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CONS:
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Slight side effects and the need for serum level monitoring
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I have classic bipolar I symptoms with extreme manic episodes requiring hospitalization and clinical depressive episodes. Since becoming compliant with lithium in 1981 I have been symptom free until this year, that is 28 years. Unfortunately, when my mother died in April my serum lithium level was low and I suffered a manic relapse that requirerd a brief hospitalization. This medication despite some diarrhea and mild hand tremor is a God send, allowing me to life a normal life without any fuzziness in my thinking. I do have to be careful about drinking too much which is a bit of a sacrifice. It is not for everyone but if you are bipolar I it is usually the drug of choice.
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glindanorth
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
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Fri August 14, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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controls mood swings effectively and neutralizes suicide ideation
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CONS:
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weight gain, dry mouth, balance problems, cognitive decline
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Lithium won't win any awards for enhancing one's physical comfort or appearance, nor will it help you appear smart. I have lost major IQ points on lithium, and I often find myself searching for words when speaking and forgetting the mostobvious things. I put on 50 pounds in under two years taking this medication.
Dry mouth and dizziness are a given. On the other hand, I lost the desire to act on any suicidal thoughts romping through my brain.
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toriiixx
Junior Member
Registered: June 2009
Location: galway newyork
Posts: 11
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Sat June 13, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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works alright
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CONS:
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tremors, dizziness
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It doesn't work as well as I would like. I have to take 1200mg a day and the lab work gets ridiculous. Hasn't had much of an affect on me but it's alright
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sunnyday
Junior Member
Registered: May 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 16
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Wed June 3, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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none
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CONS:
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it made me hallucinate
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Didn't work for me
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Topher
Grand Member
Registered: February 2005
Posts: 769
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Mon March 30, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Effective mood stbilizer for Bipolar I disorder.
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CONS:
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Needs to be monitored for renal and thyroid complications. Minor side effects.
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I resisted my Bipolar diagnosis for ten years resulting in multiple hospitalizations for major manic and depressed episodes. I had extreme poles when decompensated including psychotic mania and severe depressive episodes. The birth of my son motivated me to accept my diagnosis and become compliant with Lithium treatment maintaining a serum lithium at .7 mEq/l.
I have been without a major manic or depressive episode for over 25 years now on lithium. I do have some side effects, mainly a slight hand tremor that I can control with concentration. I also have slight dry mouth that if not managed can cause halitosis. These minor side effects do not out weigh the benefits of having an otherwise normal life thanks to the efficacious and reliable simple salt that is lithium carbonate.
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Pers3phone
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2008
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Sun November 2, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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Fewer side effects, provides stability
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CONS:
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Emotionally, makes me like a robot
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I've taken lithium for over five years, after having two manic episodes altogether in a two year period of time. I had one manic episode during this five year period when I had the flu and stopped taking the pills. I go to work every day, pay my bills, and generally function fine. But I have cried maybe three times since I've been on lithium and I generally feel detached, like nothing matters one way or another. The only feeling I can muster is "kind of angry" about the effects of this drug. I realized that I have not been able to love anyone new in this time, so my relationships suffer. I have only been able to love those I already loved in a sort of logical way, like I remember loving them so I can act out of love. I haven't been able to really bond with my dog. I guess this is an acceptable side effect for a lot of people, compared to the devastation of untreated mania. I'm working with a doctor to kick lithium so I can see if the lifestyle changes I've made will keep me stable without robbing me of the ability to love and connect with other human beings. If it doesn't work, I guess I'll resign myself to a lifetime of lithium.
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doctorjake
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
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Mon August 18, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 2
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PROS:
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inexpensive
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CONS:
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made me into a zombie
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At first I liked this drug because it helped decrease my suicidal thoughts but now I hate it. I used to feel happy and sad a lot (goes with being bipolar huh?) but now all I feel is meh. I think I'd rather have the ups and downs.
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skittleburst14
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
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Sun August 10, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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absolutely NONE for me
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CONS:
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violent depression/suicidality that lasted for months
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I have been diagnosed with ADHD, major depression, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia (no anxiety disorder, and I received an inappropriate bipolar dx). I took this a few years ago when I was about 23, and it was the absolute worst drug I have ever taken in my life (I've been on over 30 diff meds in 10 years). My mood tanked so quickly that I ended up laying in bed sobbing (about nothing, b/c literally nothing was wrong) for hours and hours... moved to the couch, and couldn't move off of it. Turning my head was depressing enough to make me cry. I couldn't be alone for one second. It was scary how violent that depression was. Even thinking about it makes me feel like I want to go back and sue that doctor for malpractice (who upon hearing this reaction, encouraged me to double the dose! And since I was too wacked-out to argue, I acquiesced and my parents had to take me to emergency room I became so suicidal. For the people who truly have bipolar, this drug could be a godsend, but if you do NOT or are unsure, be VERY careful with this one. I would never want anyone to go through the same hell I endured on this.
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hidenseek
New Member
Registered: July 2008
Posts: 1
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Mon July 14, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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made me more calm
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CONS:
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memory bad confused and panicky,wiped out my thyroid,put on weight.
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took myself off,when doctor told me the extreme tiredness was due to my thyroid being affected by the Lithium.Also I couldn't remember things and was confused whwn talking,much slower and fogetting words.This made me panic.
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alexbrooks09
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2008
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Fri May 30, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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helps with paranoia
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CONS:
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it makes you tired, shakey, and decreases your attention span, apathy, loss of memory
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I hate lithium...I can't tell if my problems are due to long term psych with drawls from Adderal, or side effects of lithium ... but I cant concentrate...I'm flunking my freshmen year in high school...I have no emotions hardly, and also emotional labilty..i drink lots of black tea and some coffee and i get really angry, irritated, and dramatic..before i wasnt on lithium and had caffeine it made me feel alert and kind of euphoric. Should I just stop taking it and throwing away my doses when my moms not looking?? Also how does lithium interact with seroquel?
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carbonmade
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2008
Location: Hopefully not where I currently am come winter...
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Sun May 4, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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helped control extreme mood swings, decreased impulsivity (ie: manic shopping sprees, excessive drinking), decreased racing thoughts/fast-paced speech a bit
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CONS:
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increased appetite, possible sexual side effects (though could be from another med i'm on)
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have been diagnosed bipolar I and II so not sure which I am, however,
i've never been so stable in my life as since i went on lithium in september 2007 when i was in inpatient treatment for my eating disorder among other things. i was there 3 months and my boyfriend said that after i came back i was like a different person. it helps control my mood swings and impulsivity and i'm told i act more adult/my age (24). it has really helped me stay sober actually as well. now i can function like a semi-normal human being (though not fully yet - it doesn't cure everything.) on 900mg/day and was afraid it would turn me into an emotionless zombie but it hasn't. if anything i'm feeling my feelings more, only expressing them in a more appropriate manner.
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biplr4me
Junior Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 8
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Mon March 31, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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PROS:
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Controls the highs and lows of my bi-polar
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CONS:
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Heavy weight gain and crushes you're emotions
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Please see my previous post update but this drug has been horrible for me. It took away all of my emotions and left me with a small amount of bitterness and anger, to help me get the strength to get off of it. The numerous side effects ,for me, are not worth the mood control. I also never expected a 35 lbs weight gain. I am trying to diet and it's not coming off! If lithium works for you hey stay on it but for me I need to find a more mental and body friendly med.
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LBear1947
New Member
Registered: March 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
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Mon March 17, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $180.00| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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It stabilized me at a very low level.
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CONS:
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The side affects are awful. Headaches bladder irritation sweating
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At 150mg I was fine. Then 300mg the headaches and bladder irritation got very bad. Have suffered through this and can't go higher but I can't take the bladder irritation any more. I also take lamictal which never controlled the mania.
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LithiumLullabye
New Member
Registered: February 2008
Posts: 2
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Mon February 18, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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no more nightmares, level mood, less agitation
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CONS:
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some weight gain
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Overall, pretty good. I can lead a much more normal life while on this med.
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75peanut
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2008
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Sun January 20, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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cheap, works well with Lamictal
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CONS:
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weight gain
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I have been on both Lamictal and Lithium Carbonate now for a year now. Just getting over a cutting episode last week, first time during this past year that I have been on it. Overall I would recommend it.
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ehrhar
Member
Registered: December 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 37
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Wed January 16, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Stable mood
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CONS:
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Hand tremors
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Lithium is also one of my favorite drugs. Though I hate the tremors I know that it is really working for me. I also hate the frequent blood level testing.
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runnergrrl
New Member
Registered: January 2008
Posts: 1
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Fri January 4, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Depression has lowered.
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CONS:
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Numbness, poor cognitive function, poor memory, blood tests, inability to have hard workouts, lack of interest in life
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I am on 900 mg. When I first started it (almost a year ago) I became very happy. But, as time wore on, I almost lost my job because I was forgetting things (I was doing well at my job prior to Lithium). I was running red lights and stopping at green ones. I also noticed a numb feeling. I pretty much do not care about people or life itself. I feel like I just exist. I have had suicidal thoughts. I have tried to get off Lithium, but I became even more severly depressed. My doctor has suggested Abilify, but I don't see any difference in side effects. I have been on almost every drug so my doctor is running out of ideas. Lithium is great, if you can bear with the fact that you will experience at least some of the side effects. I am bearing with it, for my mother.
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biplr4me
Junior Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 8
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Thu December 20, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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Helped calm my major mood swings and cycling
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CONS:
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Kind of makes you feel flat
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I was on it about 15yrs. ago and it didn't work then but as I have controled my Bi-Polar it seems to work very well with Lamactil, and some cymbalta which I may be going off of. I am looking to find out more about the caffine connection to Lithium. I am an ex-alcholic that went from booze to Coca-Cola as a fill in.
If this is effecting me while using Lithium I'm open to any knowlege of this being a real problem. Otherwise execpt for the kind of flat feeling it works very well.*Update* This has taken all of my emotions and crushed them into oblivion. I don't feel anything but anger I can muster up because I feel like this. I am contacting my meds Dr. to get off this and on something else where I have feeling once more I think this is why I went off Lithium all those years ago. Good luck if it's working for you, but it's killing me emotionally and the 35 lbs. weight gain is not a help for my health.
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Barbarian
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Fri November 30, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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Inexpensive; very effective mood stabilizer
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CONS:
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You'll probably gain weight, but usually maxes out after a couple of months.
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For the price, I recommend this drug over any other for mood stabilization. However, if you have the money then I'd invest in Lamictal for both mood stabilization and depression; moreover, I'd suggest combining this drug with another for anti-depressant properties (such as the HIGHLY recommended drug Lamictal -- especially for depression). You cannot lose with this wonderful combination of Lamictal and lithium for bipolar disorder.
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