User Reviews for lithium carbonate oral

I have an over active bladder, thyroid levels are elevated and bad constipation, but it does balance moods

Alright, people. PAY ATTENTION. lithium has side effects that you are supposed to talk to your Dr. about IMMEDIATELY. All this talk of diarrhea and tremors means you have too much in your system, need to get a level blood check immediately, etc. I took one pill a day for two and a half years and it all-but-cured my bipolar. I was injured in an auto accident, had my dosage monkeyed with by incompetent hospital shrinks and I went into toxicity: slurred speech, lack of sleep, muscle cramps, etc. NOW that I had too much I can't take a therapeutic dose anymore. I have struggled (depakote made my hair fall out, weight gain) and am just ok on Trileptol (oxcarbazepine) with an Abilify kicker. GET YOU BLOOD TESTS REGULARLY. lithium can help tremendously, if you don't take too much!!! Don't listen to the fearmongers who haven't taken the stuff. Even though I took too much, I never had any renal or thyroid issues. Just be proactive in your therapy if you really want to be healthy. READ ABOUT YOUR DRUGS. REPORT SIDE EFFECTS. CHANGE MDs IF THEY DONT LISTEN. Best of luck to you. Read More Read Less

I took lithium for about 2 years and did very well on it. It helped regulate my moods to an 'almost normal' point, the best I've ever been. There were side effects, however. The worst side effect for me was the thirst/dehydration - and the way I dealt with it. I drank a lot of water because I was always thirsty, but this caused hyponatremia - low salt to water ratio. I would experience painful headaches, vertigo, tingling in my extremities, and more because of it. Now that I know what caused the problems, this time on lithium I will try to drink less pure water and more sports drinks for thirst, and to make sure I sneak some salty foods into my diet. I just started taking lithium again and after 24 hours I already feel so much better. I feel much less depressed and anxious, but I'm not manic either. I've experienced other side effects, too. The most annoying being the tremors in my hand. The shaking usually isn't too bad, but once one of my arms started jerking - reminiscent of a seizure but only in one arm. It lasted about 20 minutes and never recurred.Read More Read Less

I have struggled for many years with depression,anxiety,ADHD, and bipolarism and after trying almost every drug out there over many years,we possibly have found a solution. I take 300mg 2x a day, along with 20mg adderal and there is a tremendous difference in the way I behave...for the better. I still struggle with the depression but that's something different I'm not talking about. The main side effect I have experienced is that you DEFINITELY cannot be in the sun for an extended amount of time. I miss 2 or more doses and I start getting really bad with my anger and crying...but everyone suffers some normally. I would definitely recommend this drug :)Read More Read Less

TRY SOMETHING ELSE FIRST!!!! I took this medication for a year and it seemed to work okay for me. However, this medication has the potential to become TOXIC for no reason. I became very sick. I was hallucinating, I could not perform simple tasks, I forgot who I was. It was terrifying. I spent 6 days in the hospital and am left with permanent kidney, liver damage. My memory, balance and coordination are not the same. I am now applying for disability because I cannot perform at work. DO NOT take unless nothing else has worked for you. Be sure that your blood levels are checked every 2-3 months. This drug was banned it the USA for decades because it can KILL you. BEWARE!Read More Read Less

Lithium has been a life-saver for me for over 20 years. Prior to Lithium therapy, I tried 4-5 Brand Name drugs to no avail - all with horrible side effects. Once starting Lithium therapy, I was back to my old self. I also take Klonopin for anxiety and Effexor for deppression. This drug "cocktail" works perfect for me and stops the destructive BiPolar Mania/Depression and. The side effects were initially weight gain and sleepiness. The doctor adjusted does of each med to eliminate those side effects. 300mg. lithium 3 times daily; 150mg effexor twice daily and 1mg Klonopin 3 times daily work fine for me. Lithium and Klonopin (a benzodiazipine) (or other bezodizepine) are considered the "gold standard" for BiPolar IorII since 1950. Many drs. don't like benzodiazipines because of their potential for abuse and addiction, but the fact is they work and the doctor can do a lot to prevent abuse and addiction of any drug by closely monitoring the patient. Based on my 20 year success with Lithium, anti-depressant (Effexor) and anti-anxiety agent ( Klonipin or clonazepam), I highly suggest a trial of these drugs.Read More Read Less

This medication caused my potassium levels to drop so low that I experienced severe muscle spasms in the neck. I had to go to the emergency room several times for this. After talking to a new Dr. about this I had come to learn that this was one of the biggest problems with this medication. I would NOT recommend being on lithium.

i tookit when a child im 33 now and my hands still shake rapidly

I've been using it for almost 50 years now, since before it was approved for general use by psychiatrists. Within days of beginning to take it I stabilized and have been stable ever since. There are some side effects, but they are manageable and not serious.

It helps with my mood swings , however when I take it I get a little nauses and makes me very tired.

Working ok with me.

The side affects are rarely major over a long period of time, which is what is common anyways. Its a miracle drug, if it works, it works amazing! Don't be scared by the side effects list. Most side effects are gone in a month or so, and even then, your not likely to get the exaggerated side effects. Some people do have severe side effects, but that can happen with all meds. If it works like it worked for me, its all worth it. Trust me, all others failed or lacked its effectiveness.

Fifteen months ago, after a zillion years of being given a parade of various designer drugs that failed, I was FINALLY prescribed lithium and now I seem to be totally free of the bipolar symptoms.

took 150 mg with ease but increased to 300mg in nov.2013.began tremors now worse, blurry eyes also worse hardly can drive, increased pain in legs increased since nov.2013.ncreas also confusion, need to go off this medicine will need to neurology

Having been one of the first to be given lithium (LiCO3) in 1970 in AZ, it works wonders and it is a mineral NOT a pharmaceutical recipe. The dosage has to be decreased when tremors and diarrhea start and the psychiatrist has to not stick to the blood level charts and listen to the patient's side effects. Get the thyroid checked 1 or 2 times per year. Yes, there is a metal taste in my mouth, but having moodswings is no picnic. It destroys relationships, can ruin you financially, and put you in jail (I've been there). But, with lithium I now have three college degrees, been married for 30 yrs. and am not depressed nor hypomanic or manic. This mineral is the GOLD standard for bipolar disorder. It also is used to treat migraines which I also have. I do not take anything else because lithium keeps me stable and able to care for my dementia husband. I have to be well in order to keep us both going. In 44 yrs. of taking lithium carbonate extended release (this one evens out throughout the day)I have no ill effects and will continue to use it until I die. Please give it a chance as this is how I got through nursing and social work school (which have therapy skills involved in both professions). My best wishes to all! Read More Read Less

I feel a change in how I handle many things that goes on around. I do not any bad side effect from taking drug , I have been taking it for about five months.

I think my mood has been more stable but I do not think that the physical side effects are worth it.

i was very dehidraterfor a brif time also troble driving and pounding headacks