User Reviews for lithium

I really hate lithium. My dr. tried me on a couple other medications but they were worse. He says there is nothing else. I have shakes so bad I can'T write my name, plus I've gained about 70 pounds which makes me so fatigue, depressed and just about ready to quit lithium.

keeping the right level is tricky

I had terrible mood swings. I have also been diagnosed with MST and PTSD. After a stint in the VA Psych Center...I came home and the new VA Psychiatrist diagnosed me as Bi-Polar. It's been a couple of months and closely monitoring my numbers....I'm up to 1200mg and I finally feel "semi-normal". a few bumps and grinds, but overall my mood is better, more stable and consistant.

This stuff is evil! It took away my beauty and sexuality and made me into a crabby loser. STAY AWAY

This product has greatly reduced my mood swings, the hallucinations have stopped, but now I have to deal with the tremors, constant sweats and the problems of shaking all the time and knowing that I can't hold onto anything without dropping it, let alone being able to stand up without falling down, the tremors can be so bad that I am afraid to drive anymore and I have only been taking this med for the second time for about 2 weeks now, the first time wasn't as bad as it is this time.

I have been using lithium for abouta month now. What a difference this has made for me. Mania calmed, depression lifted. I am able to get along with others now. I have not expirenced any weight gain or dizziness, or confusion. I have had an occasional light tremmor, similar to having too much coffee. Over all this medication has been totally worth any side effects. My mind is much quiter now. What a difference. I wish I could have had this diagonsis 15 years ago.

the only problem I have with lithium is the weight gain the inpending heart arithmia and the edema that it seems nothing helps but your in a state of mind that everyone loves so what do you do. you continue to take it and your body suffers but your mind is great. so what is the answer I don't think I know anymore. all the newer drugs I can't take.

there have been a few times over the last 6-10 mo.s when lithium has worked for me. I believe that this infrequency is due to my negligence of my diet - more specifically, my caffeine intake is generally considerably higher than it should be - both ideally & according to my Dr.which - if I'm understanding correctly - causes the lithium to be flushed through my system, & ultimately renders me unable to reap the full benefit of this prescription. I will be pleased if my prescriber agrees to let me try a different mood stabilizer at my next appt. with him.Read More Read Less

I have an extremely low salt diet and if I do not take salt tablets with lithium daily, my mind and body go into a stupor, I get lethargic, very sleepy, slurred speech. It's really bad but if you get really bad side effects like that, see if your salt levels are low and try a salt tablet before you give lithium up completely. My moods feel level when I take it together and it was worth going through that to finally get relief. Hope it helps. (For providers: Lithium can cause hypokalemia and watching salt levels is just as important as checking liver and kidney function)Read More Read Less

I am a 58 year old female that has been on Lithium for a year to control mania. It has been effective. I have experienced tremors and dizziness. I have recently noticed that my hair has become thin and fragile and the skin on my arms bruises easily. Has anyone else experienced this? I have not gained weight. I am considering switching medications if the hair thinning is related to my use of Lithium.

I have gained 30 pounds and have bad acne all this medication did was make me depressed

Tremors with all forms of Lithium!

I'm a 39 y.o. mom who's had Bipolar I disorder for roughly 12 years. I have tried EVERY medication thrown at me (don't take Depakote unless you want to gain 50 pounds in 1 month!), because I was so desperate to return to normalcy. I believe Lithium DOES work, provided that you stringently regulate your diet. Too much or too little caffeine, salt, water can unbalance you. Take NO NSAIDs PERIOD, unless you want your kidneys to shut down (happened to me). I'm still trying to determine how to best treat a headache, or a cold, since I can't take any painkillers or cold medicine, but there is no doubt this drug has eliminated 90-95% of my bipolar mania symptoms, with no return yet to any type of depression. "Works for me!" NOTE: 900 mg Lithium Carbonate, 1x day Read More Read Less

Used for add, I could see the difference in ability to concentrate the same day I started the use.

finger nails soft. acne

Although you have to be at a theraputic dosage to get the full effect and you have to get bloodwork done periodically (which can be annoying and sometimes scary) it is a great drug from many years ago and remains the gold standard in treatment for bipolar disorder. I feel that it has helped me with my mania side and also my depression. It can have bad side-effects, but what medication doesn't? The range that you need from Lithium carbonate can range from 300-1800mg so don't be discouraged if it is not working at a lower dose.Read More Read Less

Took Lithium before I went to bed, and the next morning I had severe problems with balance and the ability to walk, and severe confusion.

dangerous