lithium

[bipolerchick]

600mg every night what is this going to do to me i just starteded them like almost a week ago and i am tired sick to my stumice and cant eat at all i can barly stay up for school what do i do

[Xila31]

Sometimes other things can cause you to be late like stress, or changes in diet or exercise, or even just being sick. If you are late again and it worries you talk to your doctor.

[bipolerchick]

i was a week and a hafe late and in the intire time that i have had my priod i have never been late

[ILADVOCATE]

That side effect if caused by medication is from prolactin elevation. It generally is not caused by lithium but can be worsened by lithium interacting with an antipsychotic and other medications as well:
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUarticles/hyperpro.htm

[bernie40]

You shouldn't suddenly increase your fluid intake from what your normal daily amount is as this could alter the lithium level in your blood.  You should just carry on drinking your normal amount.  Perhaps substitute some of your caffeine drinks with water or flavoured water - too much caffeine is not recommended with lithium.

Bipolarchick:   I'm not aware of lithium altering the menstrual cycle, how late are you?

[bipolerchick]

can it make my mouthly late

[HEADROOM]

Thanks for that, I will try and drink more - is it ok to put orange barley or ribena or lime juice?

[Xila31]

The reason you need to drink so much water is because lithium is similar to sodium and it is very hard on your kidneys. Drinking water helps to flush it through your system. If you are dehydrated all the time the lithium can become toxic to your body, it causes your kidneys to work harder and it can cause them to be damaged and even fail. I have to be especially careful because my mother had a kidney failure, so it runs in my family.

This is why when you take lithium they want you to go in for period blood tests to make sure your kindies are functioning properly.

I have read that one symptom of lithium toxicity is vomiting. But there may be other signs as well. If you are concerned about this, you should talk to your doctor as they can better explain it.

[Xila31]

The reason you need to drink so much water is because lithium is similar to sodium and it is very hard on your kidneys. Drinking water helps to flush it through your system. If you are dehydrated all the time the lithium can become toxic to your body, it causes your kidneys to work harder and it can cause them to be damaged and even fail. I have to be especially careful because my mother had a kidney failure, so it runs in my family.

This is why when you take lithium they want you to go in for period blood tests to make sure your kindies are functioning properly.

I have read that one symptom of lithium toxicity is vomiting. But there may be other signs as well. If you are concerned about this, you should talk to your doctor as they can better explain it.

[HEADROOM]

Hi xila31, I have been on Lithium 800mg a night for over 25years. I never have liked drinking water but often heard that you should. What will happen if you don't?

[Xila31]

I'm so happy you're getting help! Lithium is not as scary as it seems as long as you take care of yourself.

Okay, first off drink lots and lots and lots of water. Even if you think you have had enough to drink, drink more. It is not easy to drink 80 oz + of water everyday unless you were doing it before, but if you don't that is when you get sick. Just get yourself a bottle to drink out of and every time you empty it, fill it. Carry it with you all the time. It doesn't have to be a huge bottle. I find drinking water in smaller 16-20 oz bottles helps because I don't feel overwhelmed or pressured. Just try to fill it and empty it 5+ times during the day.

If you start vomiting call your doctor and they may need to test your blood. Or if you get sick, for example, and vomiting or having diahrrea also call your doctor because you don't want to get dehydrated. Let them know you've lost your appitite.

Just keep drinking water.