Lithium

[Chicago]

what can you tell me about it? I want all the gory details.

[Cathy]

http://bpbabble.com/forum/index.php?topic=523.0

http://www.medicinenet.com/lithium/article.htm

might be a good starting point until you get some replies 

[Phyllis]

I'm not on it, but quite a few people here are. From what I have been told - it makes you really thristy and you have to get your levels checked every so often to make sure your not getting toxic. That is about all I remember about it. Maybe someone who is on it now or has been on it will chime in here an give you the low down.

[clayton]

OK, I've been on it for 15 years--it is a very good drug, keeps you stable (in most; doesnt work for some people at all) it is true you get thirsty a lot, pee a lot, get a tremor, and you have to be careful about caffiene--it can dehydrate you, and there can be a side-effect of being unable to walk, which can scare the hell out of you unless you know what it is--need to get needle stuck in you every so often to check blood level--otherwise, great drug.

[Chicago]

i'm thirsty and shake and not being able to walk sometimes, but the walking thing is over now, i got rid of it. I thought it was the lithium that made me shake, thanks for the info guys.

[francie]

Chicago, you can get all the information you will ever need about the side-effects of almost every drug in the world by doing a search -- use yahoo or google, if you feel like searching.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_pharmacology

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/lithium-side-effects.html

I sure hope the drug helps you, Chicago!  take good care.

[high maintenence]

i'm thirsty and shake and not being able to walk sometimes, but the walking thing is over now, i got rid of it. I thought it was the lithium that made me shake, thanks for the info guys.

I did have tremors during the time I was taking the Lithium, even seizures, which my doc said were not a side effect of the med, but they miraculously got better and then finally gone once I quit taking the Lithium. I do have to say though, that when the crash of illness struck, we tried so many different meds and I still was deathly sick. At that time, we started the Lithium and it saved my life. I was on it for a little over a year before I began having the effects. Without it, I think I wouldn't have made it through that period of time. I think your body changes or something, b/c our meds have to be changed/ increased/ decreased, and all other types of changes during the periods of our life. What works for you for a while, sometimes doesn't continue to work. At least that's what's happened with me. My Seroquel has changed alot. I am having to increase it, but still am not sleeping...ugh

[chasemanzmum]

maybe i should see about that

[trad]

I had a similar experience with Lithium as High Maintence.  I was quite suicidal when I started it and immediately i became less of a threat to myself.  The other symptoms mentioned are common.  Thirsty, Pee a lot, tremors, also I gained 30lbs when I was on it, then lost 30lbs after I got off.  I have to say that in all I am not a fan of the drug, but as we all know everyone reacts differently.  While I wasn't a danger to myself, I didn't feel like I was myself.  I felt like I was hovering over my body walking around like a zombie.  I had trouble remembering interactions with others.  I didn't want to kill myself, but I couldn't entertain any clear thought.  As a student, it really impaired my work.