Day 4 of lithuim

[kris123]

Ok, i am going to take the lithuim just to see how it works - day 4 of 480mcg - no side effects what so ever - drinking water, i have lost a pound so no weight gain so far - i am being careful about what I eat and drink - it made me a little dizzy but today - no effect - how long does it take to work - i don't really feel any different?  When should the dr up my dose?

[Crystlas]

Hey there.  It took me two months to feel stability on Lithium.  I started out with 600 mg then up to 900 mg, first blood test and up to 1200 mg, bad side effects, went back down to 900 mg and then after my blood work was a low level up to 1450 mg a day and that dose finally settled down in my system and I am staying at a great level.  Not much side effects at all for me except hand shakiness in the beginning for a few months.  Lithium likes me and I like it too!!  We fit well together!!  :0)

[kris123]

I am one of those people that can't stand to be over weigh and know how some struggle because i have been there - if i gain 5 pounds i am going to run it off :)

[DLA]

Stone?  Can you give me the American equivalent to that?  I'm afraid I'd have to say in the last 3 years I've gained 2.3 boulders!  :-(~   LOL

[kris123]

i have drop a few pounds in the the four days i took it but I eat good away and run so i am going to eat less and run more since i know it can cause weight can i have lost 53 pounds that i gained when i was pregnant - i weigh every day so i will watch it.

[cheeklollipop]

i take 800mg per day of lithuim i had hand tremors which didnt last long i have also got a underactive thyroid which i didnt have before and i have put on 2.3 stone in 3 years
It took about 3 weeks before i started feeling better

[crzychick]

You are confusing me.  So you are going to take it then.

It will take a while to feel a difference.  You will have to have reg. lab (blood) work done to watch your thyroid and liver levels. It is a step up program to get to a therapeutic level.  After each lab your pdoc will read the results and according to them will increase the dose.

Other than the thirst you may get some slight hand tremors that will go away as your body adjusts to the med.  I got them, they are not bad and not so bad that you will drop things or anything like that, just don't freak out.  If you gain weight it won't be over night, it will just creep up on you over time.  If you watch your diet and eat right and exercise you can avoid it.