Bipolar Support Group

Hi everyone,

So my pdoc just put me on lithum for suicidal thoughts. What can I expect from lithum. Will anyone be willing to share their experiences?

Thank you.

L~

Lithium is the thing that finally stabilized me. I have had few side effects other than hair loss. It is also proven to reduce suicidal tendencies.

For me lithium took alittle getting used to. I had some mild side effects in the beginning. i wasn't sure if I wanted to stay on it but my doc talked me into seeing it through. I am extremely glad I did. I did recently try to get off it to try lamictal but I felt so out of control when the lithium was lowered that I had to be reupped while lamictal was slowly added. I was to take 200-300mg of lamictal with no lithium. I ended up being on both. If possible I will probally stay on lithium forever. It gives me the most relief at a theraputic level. Right now some of my other meds need tweeking so I am unstable, but I faithfully take everything that is prescribed. the only sucky thing is the blood lithium serum screens which are required but there no big deal .I just realized I forgot to go get mine today, whooops!!Good luck with the lithium..

I have only been on it for a couple of weeks, and I also take 50mg of Seroquel. It's been a little rough, but I'm hanging in there because of the people here who have such good results from taking it. I am at the point of trying to get the right amount in my system. Best wishes to you.

Thank you everyone. My doc also increased my dosage of lamictal to 150 mg. the dreams have seemed to subside so here hoping for more stability.

the tricky thing about lithium for me was that its side effects are similar to aspects of my hypomania (difficulty concentrating and focusing...memory too). Took me a while to find the right dosage since the pdoc was increasing the dosage for a while when we should have been decreasing it. Much better now

I had my first major manic episode in 1986, 1 year after becoming abstinate from alcohol. 22 years of hard drinking had masked bipolar.

900 mg Lithium was prescribed then but I struggled without until 1989.

I had my 2nd manic episode in 1990, after rejection by the same lady!

I was mostly depressed from 1966 until 1998 when I started Zoloft.

Lithium has worked for me. I'm religious about taking it and followup

I can't sleep for more than an hour at a time. Is this normal??

Could be maina or hypomania or anxiety. Not great because sleep is really important for keeping the moods level. I don't take sleeping pills, but my seroquel makes sure I sleep for at least 8 hours. You may want to give your doctor a call. Good Luck

Definitely call your doc, good advice from Fierosmom. Lithium has been a life saver for me. No more suicidal ideation, terrible depression and rebellious behavior for no good reason, Knock on wood!

At first I didn't see it, but now I do. Goodluck!