bi-polar

I would like some information about lithium I have been on this table as last 20 years .Only this year the tablet  is not as benefical as before also I was on 600mg 'then my doctor put it up to 800mg 'I started to go toxic now it is cut down to 400 mg. I am still shaking quite a lot yet My blood reading was up to 1.2 for a few weeks it is down at 8.2 but when I was on the 600mg I seemed to be quite okay. Can you help me please holly245 Thank -you  If I get a answer were do I go in site to get reply .

[Xila31]

Hi,

I am also on lithium. I am on 300mg which is not that much. I would say it helped for a while but seems to help less and less, but soon I am going to see my doctor about this. I think the thing with lithium is to drink a lot of water. I keep water at my desk all day. But I have heard other people say raising your water level suddenly is bad? So, you should ask your doctor about it.

I'm guessing that once your toxicity has gone down to a safe level, you should ask your doctor about raising the dose back to 600mg if that was working. Also ask about drinking more water to help keep your kidney's safe.

I hope this helps!

[bernie40]

Hi, I'm on 400mg (when I'm taking it that is) and although this only gives me a reading of .3 I find it works for me.  I know that after a long period of time medications can "poopout"/stop working so well.  It may be that you need to add something to take alongside your lithium, worth discussing with your psych.  Good luck

[HoneyNut]

I tried Lithium twice within the past year.  It just wasn't the medication for me.  The second time I was put on 900 mg of it, got blood work done, but never heard from my Psychiatrist what the results were, as I told him I gained 15 pounds during that one month, he immediately took me off it.  No weaning off it or anything.  I don't recall any side effects (if any would have occurred anyway?).

Are you taking any other medications with the Lithium?

Hope you're well,

HoᴖeyNᴗt

[zzzmykids]

Hi Holly,
Sorry you are having problems with low levels of lithium.
First do you have  your blood tested every three months, make sure to have the two tests for your thyroid, every time.
Do you drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day?
I do get the shakes once in a while, it goes through a cycle then stops.
I have taken as high as 1200 mg...way too much.
I have taken for many years 900mg every day.
I don't always take the  right amount of water, it shows. If you think 8/8 oz of water too much, simple test, no smell, no color you are drinking enough.
The blood tests when taking Lithium is not optional, it could save your life.
Talk to your doctor, see if there is something he would be willing to change you to that he feels would work as well with your system as Lithium.
I have tried others and they just aren't for me, so I take lithium.
Is it Lithium ER? I take one in morning and one after dinner.
Good luck,
zzzmykids

[scochran]

I also take Lithium - 1200mg.  Was up to 1500mg, was toxic and symptomatic.  Sorry you're having such problems, but I would discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist.

[monkeyc]

The shakes should stabilise, theyre one of the most common side effects to the point where everyone pretty much gets them, they often flare up when a dose is increased but they will settle, tiredness also increases them BTW.

Lithium is not for everyone but its the single most effective drug in both phases and the number one most prescribed mood stabiliser, its also a true mood stabiliser unlike the anti psychotics and anti epileptics where the mood stabilisation is a side effect.

I take 1875Mg a day of Lithium and have done so for 3 years with no issues, There are patients who have taken it for 30 years without issues.

Also as to dosages being way too much - unlike say Seroquel Lithium works on blood serum levels - there is no guaranteed dose or basal dose its entirely on the persons mmol levels - 0.8-1.0 being the theraputic range (most doctors avoid 1.0 because its easy to slip to the unmagic 1.2 toxic region, normally they want it 0.8 to 0.9 - a person might achieve that on 600mg and another on 2000mg - please don't say that a dose is way too high for everyone as its individual - dosage titration and monitoring are individual things for Lithium as its a natural salt not an engineered drug.

I know people on 500mg and people on 2500mg, on 1875 I sit at 0.9 steadily.  Its what works for the individual patient.

The most important thing to know about Lithium are the main side effects and toxicity.  

You MUST drink water.  its not a maybe you must be drinking 2-3 litres of fluid a day to prevent toxicity, you have to avoid dehydration at all costs and avoid large alcohol intakes.

Ultimately Lithium like all drugs can stop working and its hard on the thyroid and kidneys if you dont watch it.

[zzzmykids]

Well put, friend.
zzzmykids

[holly245]

Thank you very much for your interest on my intake  of lithium hold that we can become internet buddies  from Holly245