Lithium facts

[uni]

Hello Tracey. I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time right now. I hope you feel better soon. I'll be watching for more of your posts. Meanwhile, here's a

[Atlantis]

Hello Tracey,

I was very afraid to try Lithium, well afraid is not really the right word, but i definately was very nervous about starting the medication.
I am not nervous now, I am more nervous now not to be on it. (Low moods/suicidal thoughts)

There are many posts in different threads where i speak about lithium and I am very grateful to Paul for starting this thread, so we all can have a place to come and discuss this medication.

Let me know what your doc says on Friday, if he starts you on Lithium, we can help each other, I am only 4 weeks ahead of you, so we would be a great support for each other...Also Just Me has recently started lithium as well.

And lets not forget Paul, he is a wealth of knowledge on lithium, and most other subjects too

And Uni & AJ will always have our backs so you see, we have nothing to worry about, our Forum Family is watching out for us

I wonder, can I just take this laptop with me everywhere I go

[A.E.V.]

hi Karen and Tracey,

I hope you both feel better soon!!

[Atlantis]

Hi Anne, thanks for the hugs.

I was just thinking about you
How are you, what have you been up to lately?

I was doing some research on Lithium and how it helps with suicidal thoughts and I also read that it is helpful with self harm behaviours.
I was not aware of this.

[A.E.V.]

well, I do hope it can help others that do self-harm... the lithium just aggravated it for me!

I'm not too bad thanks. just came back from a four day weekend in the Eastern Townships and had a great time visiting family. so for now, the mood is nice and feels relatively "normal". don't know for how long, but I'll enjoy it while I can!

Anne.

[gtchamp]

Thanks guys for the hugs. Just a sec......Ok, I just gave myself a big hug.

So, Atlantis, the one reason I am not on Lithium right now is because the doctor is concerned about the weight factor with me. It is already an issue and he said I will definately put on more weight when I take this drug so he wanted to investigate and we would talk at the next visit (this Friday). I wish I knew what it was that causes that because maybe I could avoid it or something. Have you heard of any of this?

Tracey

[AJ]

No apology needed for 'rambling' Karen. Have you seen some of my rambling posts?

Here's a for you Karen and a for Tracey too.

[Atlantis]

Hi Tracey,
I have only put on 5 lbs, maybe even a little less, in a month on lithium, and RE-O has mentioned on the Forum that weight wasn't on issue with Lithium for her. I understand your hesitation, we are all on meds that already cause weight gain, who needs another one that slows down our thyroid!

If you do dome resarch on the web, you will find that Epi-Val is the real "heavy weight" when it comes to packing on the pounds...

I was on Epi-val last year and I put on 30 lbs in 3 months.

I know everyone is different but there are alot of studies showing that lithium causes much less (5-10 lbs) weight gain
compared to epi-val...

The weight i put on seems to be mostly water weight from all the extra fluid I am drinking, it's not from extra food I am eating, my apetite has not changed since i started taking lithium. Some people drink high calorie fluids to relieve their thirst, maybe that can cause weight gain, but if you stick to water i think you will be o.k.

I hope that helps, and just search the web and keep reading, try reading articles, instead of other people's opinions (except people on this forum of course ), because If someone says they put on 80 lbs on lithium, i would have to question what thier diet and exercise routine was like, but then again i guess it is possible.

But from the papers written by doctors that I have read, on average, i have seen about 5-10 lb weight gain with lithium, if you drink water and not high cal fliuds.

Hope this is helpful.

p.s. You will have to have your thyroid checked before starting or at the beginning of treatment, if you have a low thyroid to start with, and lithium reduces your thyroid further, you may need medication for this. Don't worry, your thyroid might be fine, if it's not, you will get the medication you should be on anyways.

p.s.s If Lithium does mess with your thryroid, the doc can give you medication for this too, just when we need right another med

[Re-O]

Yup, it's true. I have only gained some pounds from my nightly donut trips. I've cut that out .. mostly. I do always need to have a drink nearby so adding water wieght may be a factor for some.

Hope your doctors appointment went well

"and RE-O has mentioned on the Forum that weight wasn't on issue with Lithium for her."

p.s. I'm a he

[Atlantis]

Hi All,
I though I would post some facts on lithium for any members or guests who may be reading the thread .

What is Lithium?
Lithium is one of the elements.
Lithium is found in nature as a salt.

What Illnesses are Treated by Lithium?
Mania
Depression
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Mood instability and/or impulsivity in personality disorders

What are Some of the Basic Facts About Lithium?
Lithium is not addictive.
The dose of lithium given can be very different from person to person.
Lithium is usually only a part of treatment. Psychotherapy, skills training and lifestyle are important too.

What is the Usual Course of Treatment with Lithium?
The starting dose is between 150 and 600 mg for most people.
The dose is gradually increased.
Blood tests are taken once or twice a week until the blood level is between 0.5 and 1.5. mEq/l
Lithium takes a week or two to start working.
The longer you take it, the better it works.
When lithium works, it is usually taken for at least several years, and often for a lifetime.

What are the Most Common Side Effects of Lithium?
increased thirst
increased urination
nausea
loose stools
tremors
fatigue or weakness
trouble with learning, memory or concentration

Are There any Risks of Lithium Long-term?
Two changes that can occur in people who take lithium long-term are a change in kidney function that causes very frequent, dilute urination and low functioning of the thyroid gland.

Lithium Toxicity.
Lithium toxicity is a side effect that occurs when a person’s lithium level is too high. It can be caused by an abrupt change to a low salt diet, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, taking too much lithium at once, or fasting. Symptoms can include mental confusion, slurred speech, vomiting, poor coordination, muscle twitching, severe tremors, severe diarrhea, trouble walking or severe drowsiness. If you think you have toxicity, call your doctor right away and don't take any more lithium until you get the okay from your doctor.

What Do I Have to Do to Take Lithium Safely?
Drink enough liquids to quench your thirst. Avoid getting dried out or dehydrated.
Tell your doctor if you plan to get pregnant or if you are pregnant.
Have your blood checked as ordered by your prescriber.
On the day of the blood tests, take your lithium after the blood is drawn.
Don't cut down on salt (sodium) drastically without checking with your doctor first.

[gtchamp]

Hey there guys. Thanks for the info on Lithium. I'm going to have to take some time and really go through it some more because I am joining the ranks and will be starting Lithium next week. I have to do start up blood work and an EEG first. I had to fight to get them to lower my Epival before putting me on Lithium. Told the doctor that the Epival is being used for something else and I don't see why I need to be on that high a dose when I am now starting a new regime. He finally agreed but decided that it now has to go to my GP and I need to talk to her about how low it goes. So....whatever. I've been down that road before. Anyway, back to bipolar. Lithium is what we are trying. He wanted to try Abilify but it is too expensive for someone without a drug plan. I am hoping it works. OK, so here is where I put in a picture of two fingers crossed.
Take care
Tracey

[Atlantis]

Hi Tracey,
The more i read about lithium the more encouraged i am about the drug.

I just got to get through these annoying side effects Everytime the side effects start to go away we have to increase the dose and then they come back, yuk, but i am on my target dose now so after another week or two the side effects should go away and then i can finally stop whining

So, when do you think you will be starting the med and did your doc say what dose he is starting you on?

[gtchamp]

Hi Atlantis...I am starting my Lithium next week. I do not know how much yet as he called in the order. I'll let you know as soon as I find out. Hopefully, I don't go through too many side effects.

I do have a question for anyone out there. I have been told by a urologist, my crisis worker and the psychologist that Lithium can effect the kidney when taken long term. Well, what is long term and how does it effect the kidney? All I am finding out is that you urinate more. It is really on my mind so I would love any info on this.

Thanks
Tracey

[Atlantis]

Hi Tracey,
Here is a link to an article that has alot of info on Lithium, including its effects on kidney function. Don't let the introduction scare you, the author is just listing some widely held beliefs and misconceptions regarding Lithium, he discusses the facts behind these beliefs in his article. "Lithium Prophylaxis: Myths and Realities" Mogens Schou, M.D.

http://focus.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/1/1/53

[uni]

Hey Tracey, apparently the symbol for "fingers crossed" looks like this: (yn)

I guess with a little imagination you can see it. Hand pointing downward? Anyway, (yn) for you.