My psychiatrist just added Lithium to my numerous other meds for Bipolar II and anxiety. I'm reading the possible side effects and its scaring the crap out of me. One site says that 1 in 25 will develop an enlarged thyroid. 1 in 25 ?????? Holy crap - that is huge ! I am doing very badly right now and this is making me worse. Can anyone give me some of their experiences with Lithium ???? Thank you

Did the doctor tell you to also eat more bananas? I have a friend who was told this. Somehow lithium decreases the potassium.

Please check with your doctor. Hope all is better for you

my brother was on Lithium for years...it worked for him, but he did gain weight as it somehow made him feel really hungry and his appetite never subsided, but in the past two years he started something new...and he lost over 100lbs....Lithium is not your only option...ask your doctor...and see what he can prescribe...or do some research online, there may be other options for you...as far as I know, Lithium is one of the oldest prescribed drugs...from way back...it works, but it has some side effects, im certain there are newer drugs that do the same and not with all the side effects!! Look into it, and dont be afraid to ask your doctor...if you want I can ask my brother what he is taking instead of the Lithium and pass it on to you...and you can look into it... let me know! Good Luck!

Lithium SUCKS BIG TIME!!! My psychiatrist put me on it in July. I was actually going to start a thread about it as well! I lost my job because of Lithium. It dumbs you down and causes memory loss. It also can cause weight gain. I've gained over 80 pounds since I've been on it. It sucks because I had lost over 126 pounds and now I'm almost at my starting point again. The food/hunger cravings are insatiable! I would ask your doctor to put you on something else. In my opinion, Lithium is just a bad, bad drug.

I actually did very well on Lithium. I'm considering asking my doc to put me back on it. Only thing that sucked about it was the monthly blood draws to check your levels, but really that's no big deal. Really helped my mood and other things.

Witchy,
I've been on Lithium for approximately 5 years. I did gain weight in the beginning about 15 lbs., but I can't blame it for my true weight problem. I also have the diagnosis of Bipolar II. I found that Lithium was very calming, and that was something I needed. I also take Prozac with it. One poster mentioned memory loss, I have had periods of that, but I'm 58 and that could just be age. Like that poster my job isn't going well, but in my case I think I have just found that I don't like what I'm doing.

My husband says I'm like a different person and he has put up will all the years of undiagnosed bipolar. My doctor has spoken of discontinuing it and I am actually somewhat afraid to do that considering that my wild moods will come back. I know people that also take Depakote (not indicated for me due to blood pressure) and they did not have the weight gain effect.

Overall I have had a positive reaction to Lithium.

Pam

Thank you for your responses. I am already on Lamictal, Ativan and Buspar but have had a major emotional trauma and have gotten worse since September so my doctor is adding the Lithium. She did not want to do the Depakote because of potential loss of hair. I lost half my hair in recent years and have just now started major regrowth with the help of Flutamide. I've tried Geodon, Trileptil, seroquel etc. I know everyone has different experiences but the weight gain sacres me too. I had stopped losing in October becasue of this emotional issue but have maintained which is a major triumph considering I'm upset AND the holiday season. I am just starting to lose again so I don't want to have an issue with that. I guess I need to try it for a few weeks and see what happens. I'll weigh in weekly intead of every 2 like I have been doing and if I see a jump then I'll stop it. Bipolar really sucks. I want to feel better and not think about S but the meds are such a drag. Starting a new one is scary - you feel like a damn lab rat. I was up all night last night sick - couldn't sleep - anxiety. Starting Lithium made me have to take Ativan for the anxiety - LOL !!!!

Witchy,

First you are doing absolutely great maintaining weight loss through what sounds like some major problems. The Lithium weight gain is just in the beginning. I'm now losing weight while taking Lithium and I've lost 14 lbs. so far.

Bipolar does suck and I'm sure that all of us that have it feel the same way, especially since it will probably always be with us. The pharmaceutical companies seem to be the only ones happy with this disease. I'm only on 2 meds for it, now, but I guess that could change. I think, though, we should be glad these meds exist otherwise our lives would be like they were before we were diagnosed. Give it a shot.

Pam

hello,

I just wanted to tell you that i take Lithium and limictal form my bipolar and it really hasn't been that bad other then the peeing and the saltiness. I've only been on it a short time but it seems to be working for me. I have tried a butt load of drugs in the last year and a half and this one seems to be doing well. good luck to you

maureen

Thank you Pam and Maureen. I'm up to 600mg and so far nothing with appetite and weight gain - but i don't feel any better either. I can't sleep - haven't slept more then 2 hours a night for over a month now and I am wiped out. As anyone with Bipolar knows - sleep is crucial to keeping it under control and this is causing me huge problems. I cry all the time and the manic episodes are increasing. I feel horrible and I can't get my emotions under control. I feel like I'm never going to feel better. Don't know how much more of this I can take.

I have been on Lithium for 3 years and it has been a god send for my Bipolar disorder. Yes- there are alot of side effects and you should visit your doctor regularly- especially to check your Lithium levels in your blood. The benefits of taking Lithium- having a normal happy Balanced life, far outweighed any negative side effects for me. My advice is take your Lithium as prescribed, do not suddenly stop if you begin to feel better.This will cause a relapse and all your symptoms will come back. One of the aspects of living healthy and taking control of your life means managing your mental health. It helped me and i hope it helps you too.

My husband is bipolar 1 and has been on lithium for over 5 yrs. I can tell when his levels are off so i know its a good drug for him. FOr him it has alot less side effects than alot of other meds for bp. Be sure and drink plenty of water and dont cut your sodium intake.
It is good to hear that so many ohters deal with bipolar disorder because for so long i felt like we were all alone. Good luck
debi