Lithium

[poemdivaa]

Does anyone in this community tale Lithium? my phychisttrist suggested the idea of taking a low dose of lithium since I am continuing to have panic attacks and feeling very tired and depressed. does anyone have sny suggestions or knowledge of Lithium?

[diemyn]

When I took Lithium, years ago, it made me gain a lot of weight. There may be some people that something so superficial wouldn't crush them, but I'm not one of them. With so much more weight I also found myself to be even more tired. I withdrew from life while I was on it and I felt like I wasn't myself; not even my worthless self. I'd research it a lot before taking it if I were you.

Love and light,
Diemyn

[ILADVOCATE]

I took lithium a while back and it was effective but I did experience cognitive blunting, sedation and weight gain and I was able to tolerate and respond to Lamictal much better (and for me it worked on mixed states more than lithium, as well I believe it is specifically used in bpd) but each person reacts differently to each medication. These two websites might help for informational purposes:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm

[ginsa]

I started taking Lithium Aspartate about a week ago. I got mine from a local whole foods store. I had to order it. The capsules are 5mg each and I'm gradually titering up to 50mg a day. So far, at 15mg I've had  no weight gain. Also no noticeable mental effects.

I'd read that it can help with anxiety too. I also take moderately high doses of neurontin and am taking the Lithium prophylactically to (hopefully) protect brain cells. I think the Lithium is  helping with anxiety, but that could be strictly placebo effect.

I also take Very Low Dose  Naltrexone ( .25mg ) at bedtime and that helps with depression.

[ginsa]

Just a small correction, I'm titering up to 30 mg. a day, not 50mg.

[mcjay]

I took Lithium for many years and as others have said, it made me gain lots of weight adding to my depression and knocking my confidence, resulting in my withdrawing into myself and having little quality of life.

I also had a really bad tremor, and dry mouth.

The worst side effect was I began to get boils all over my body. Initially these were just lanced however I eventually had to have surgery to have glands removed from under my arms and another more private part of the body.
I'm unaware as to the frequency of this happening in people and can't prove it was the Lithium although my friend experienced the same side effect as this and we both believe it was the Lithium. Maybe a doctor could answer that one for you or anyone else on here.

I also don't believe it would alleviate any tiredness but only make you more tired.