Lithium anyone taking this?

[Buttons2]

Hi, my neighbor's daughter is bi-polar (or???),she is considering taking Lithium. I promised to do some research. Since I know some of you on this forum & trust your replies,can you give me some input into using that drug? My knowledge is about zero.....I do believe it's an "old" drug?

Thanks for any replies!
Buttons

[houghchrst]

Hi Buttons, yes it is one of the older tried and true drugs. Works for many people. I couldn't take it but I always have trouble with meds.

Here is a good link from NAMI, http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Medications&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=51&ContentID=20820

[zoso a.k.a Neil]

I've had Lithium and it flattened me . Everything went down and stayed there.
My get up and go got up and went ;and i had not the slightest desire to find it.The regular blood tests were a drag too.
Also because of it's nature it can cause salt to be excreted from every pore in the body-everything tasted of salt.
That is just what it did for me , i took it for six months and spent the whole time very unipolar and when i came off it i hit the roof.I now use effexor and lyrica which are better for me.
I hope you friend has some luck with it but approach with caution.
See ya Zoso

[stormie267]

I have two close relatives on it. One has been on it for many, many years, and it tires her out. The other relative has been on it for about two years and is doing very well, even on high doses. He just has to have his blood checked every three months. It can go under different names such as Eskalith or Lithobid.

[GlimmeringGirl]

I take it, 600mg daily. Most people start at 900mg. It has definitely helped to stabilize me. I don't love being on it - my side effects are being very very thirsty, and it does make me tired. But, on the good side, I don't have any more wild manic episodes. it's a huge relief.
I'm also on Effexor XR, Wellbutrin, trazedone and topomax and hormones.
My pdoc says that lithium is an 'oldie but goodie' and is what she starts with first.

[Buttons2]

Thanks so much. I already know the gal has refused some meds in the past,I did tell her mother that alot of meds are trial & error,what works for one might not for another.....

Hope all of you have a good day,and don't get too stressed out over the holidays!

Buttons

[markpilnick]

Been on low dose(about 335mgs) of time release lithium(eskalith) for a year and a half and after a few months on it, began to see the difference. The one time I went off it, early on, because of a side effect, I took off like a rocket and was out of it for almost two days. That proved it to me. I'm extremely sensitive to meds so that's why the relatively tiny dose but it works! Like any other med or alternative treatment, not everything works for everyone and there are varying degrees of efficacy but it's worth a try.

[Buttons2]

Thanks I will pass on this info. Guess she will have to start somewhere......

[pringlec]

Buttons2,

My 14 y/o son has been taking 1200 mg per day for almost a year now. It has made a huge difference. He was very bad off prior to taking it and even ended up hospitalized. I don't like the side effects but considering the way things were for him and for my family before taking it, it is worth it. I truly believe it saved his life. The thought of taking him off the lithium scares me. It's hard having a child who has to take so many serious meds (lithium, abilify, orap, seroquel) but what I think it comes down to is waying the odds. Is life better off without the medicine or with the side effects. Carri

[Buttons2]

Thanks Carri. Hope all of you have better days ahead! Actually my neighbor is still in partial denial about her daughter being bi-polar. Hopefully I've opened a door for communication (I told her my housemate & my son are both schizophrenic,that shocked her bigtime! my point was to let her know how they can appear normal but what a struggle it is). Her daughter might be coming to live with her,she's in her 50's,mom is in her 80's & in great health,one reason I think she finds mental illness hard to accept?

I appreciate the replies,Buttons