Lithium & Alcohol

[Pills404]

I've been on Lithium for approx. 20 years and been drinking longer than that.  My hands started to shake when I started lithium and would stop shaking in two to three days after not drinking.  I know lithium intensifies with alcohol but know after not drinking for two weeks my hands are still shaking.  Is it the combination of lithium and alcohol and the alcohol that is causing this?  I plan to stop drinking and feel I have no problem doing that but how do I stop my hands from shaking?  

[Tink70]

Only reason for Lithium in my book is BiPolar.  Since I'm BiPolar and have been considering Lithium, Ill take the hand shaking thing into consideration but I'm also a recovering alcoholic so I would never combine the two together.  I used alcohol to medicate the BiPolar and somewhere crossed the line and became a little pickled and couldn't stop!  I didn't know that I was BiPolar during my active addiction and it took Rehab to get me sober and AA and my higher power to keep me sober but they diagnosed me at Rehab.  I didn't want to admit it so I stayed sober and miserable for awhile.  Then it got real miserable.  Sober and Stuck as they say.  Finally had to medicate.  It's alittle better and I'm still sober but I have to have both things.  So, I guess what I'm saying is - the hand shaking thing?  probably alcohol withdrawal.....if you are on Lithium for BiPolar - it's not at a theraputic level cause you are still medicating and you might just be an alcoholic too!  See the PDoc, go to AA and hold on cause you are in for a bumpy ride!
Take Care
Tink

[ibizan]

sounds like ur going thru  some alcohol withdrawal...does the doc who prescribes ur meds know how much u drink?probably not...u need to get honest with them and tell them how much...if ur taking other meds with the alcohol that could be causing problems as well.

[TJack]

oops forgot to ask you>>why are you on litium?  Sounds likea very long time to be on that drug to me.

[TJack]

First of all welcome to the forum.  There are others, like Ibizan who can give you advice better than me but in my opinion you should go see your Dr. right away and quit drinking right away, like NOW and go to AA.   They have all womens meetings which is what i go to and it does help.  You will be amazed at the stories you'll hear and i found myself thinking, I thought i was the only one who did that or felt that >>> So hang in there and others will respond to your post when they get off work.  Best Wishes. TJ