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Only Bipolars Forums › General & Support › Lithium
09/12/2011 11:45 AM
Lithium
marycaroline
Posts: 2
New Member
I have taken Lithium for almost thirty years. Blood work was always done sporadically especially over time. My internal medicine doctor noticed that my kidney readings were off, creatinine and BUN. Most of her patients are "elderly". Two years ago she told me I have the kidney function of an 80 year old and sent me to a kidney doctor. I have been in his care ever since. I was immediately taken off of Lithium and put on Lamictal.

I do now only have somewhere between 30 and 50% of my kidney function, both of them are damaged. Apparently these reading change partly due to ones hydration at the time of the blood drawing.The worst possible scenerio is that someday I may have to have kidney dialysis.

My message, make sure your doctor is monitoring your use of Lithium and blood work. If they suggest say every three months, then do it!!!

I don't want anyone to end up in a situation like mine.

I am now 50.
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09/13/2011 05:06 PM  Top
Edyn
Edyn  
Posts: 1104
Senior Member
I've been taking lithium for the last 8 years. Didn't know about the kidney thing, but I do know my thyroid has stopped working because of Lithium. Fortunatly I can take thyroid meds to cover my bodies needs. I don't suppose there are meds to fix kidneys. Thanks for the heads up. I'll insist on more regular testing because of your post.
I've been practicing

You cannot change the future because you don't know what it holds until it is here, then it becomes the past, and why worry about the past since you cannot change it.

I am only as strong as those who support me.


Please note that I have lots of opinions and I have no qualms as to letting you know them, whether you agree with me or not is your opinion.

09/15/2011 10:59 AM  Top
lovewalk
 
Posts: 107
Member
Wow thanks for the posts. I am getting my first bloodwork tomorrow. Hopefully it works for me without complications.

09/15/2011 03:35 PM  Top
Dit
Dit  
Posts: 12156
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate
I've been taking Lithium for 13 yrs, i recently went off in January and tried another mood stabilizer, it did not work after 3 months so i'm back on Lithium, Lithium seems to be the medication for me i stay well taking it. I'm so sorry about what's happened to you, I hope Lamactal works well. I get bloodwork annually and they do check my kidneys then thats only once a yr, i get bloodwork every 3 to 4 months for my Lithium count (amount in my blood). I always knew Lithium is hard on the kidneys and i'm worried myself, thanks for your post and letting us know. I wish you all the best.
Be Still and Know That I Am - Scripture
12-Step Slogans - One Day/Moment at a Time/Just for Today/Let Go & Let God/But By the Grace of God
Live and Let Live/Easy Does It/This Too Shall Pass

"Don't be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts." - Hopi tribe

Bipolar I

Lithium 300 mgs, Lamotrigine 200 mgs, Klonopon (Clonazepam) .05mg more if needed, Clomipramine (Anafranil) 25 mgs, Abilify 5 mgs, Seroquel 25 mgs

Please note that I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. My opinions are personal only. This site is not intended to be a substitution for professional care, nor is anyone here qualified to make diagnoses.

09/16/2011 10:24 AM  Top
Kelti
Kelti  
Posts: 3254
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate
I took lithium for years with little side effects. I had the shakes though, but it was keeping me well, so I took it. A small trade off for being well. I's rather shake than be sick. But then lithium just kinda quit working for me and I had to have a med change. I take geodon and buspar and wellbutrin now. I believe that lithium is one of the best psyc meds out there even tho I had to let it go. I tried lamictal for several months and it made me worse. Just my experience. I think lamictal is a good drug too. Just because I can no longer take lithium or lamictal doesn't mean they are bad drugs for some one else. Thanks. Kelti.......Laughing Laughing

Post edited by: Kelti, at: 09/16/2011 10:28 AM

Disclaimer:: I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist and my advice and opinion should be regarded
as such...

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09/16/2011 02:13 PM  Top
hunkydorie
hunkydorie  
Posts: 1512
Group Leader
Thanks for sharing. I'm so sorry! I tried lithium at one time in my life for a very short period of time, but couldn't stay on it because it gave me severe diarrhea. I'm glad that I don't have to rely on it because I have also heard that it is hard on your kidneys. Good luck with the other meds. I hope they work for you.
Ambien 10mgs./No longer on Seroquel
Geodon 120 mgs.
Levothyroxin 137mcgs.
Lamictal 300mgs and ativan PRN
I am not a physician and only give feedback based on my opinions
Without Christ in my life, I am nothing.

09/16/2011 03:55 PM  Top
Whatamess212
 
Posts: 5
New Member
I just got on lithium yesterday. I'm 18 years old and bipolar. Does this stuff really help? I feel like I'm going to jump out of my own skin. I recently tried to commit suicide and have been struggling just getting through my day. Anyone got any advice?
What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

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09/17/2011 04:58 PM  Top
steve571
steve571  
Posts: 2691
VIP Member
i just got my lithium dose uped due to having suicide thoughts for being my answer to any kinda problem i was having..i was honest with my pdoc for a change..i think i will be talking about this kidney thing next appt wich i have once aweek at the moment.
Lithium 900Mg
Risperidone .1 Mg
Remeron 15 Mg

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09/18/2011 02:50 PM  Top
nickster101
nickster101  
Posts: 8
Member
I've only been on lithium for the past few months. I have noticed the hand tremors, but I am very stable emotionally. I did have blood work to see if I had reached theraputic levels. I don't recall any mention of checking my liver. Thanks for the info. I will ask at my next appointment.
Nick

Bipolar II, insomnia

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09/18/2011 04:20 PM  Top
Arauna
Hey Nickster, I have been on lithium for 11 years. I found that when I had tremors it was because my lithium level was too high. The correct dosage is different for everyone and they adjust your dosage by monitoring the levels as well as asking you if you have symptoms. I get mine checked 3 times a year. Lithium toxicity can be dangerous so you must get the levels checked regularly.

While lithium can have some liver toxicity, the real dangers are damage to the kidneys and thyroid. When you get your lithium levels your doctor should also be doing kidney function tests and thyroid studies (T3, T4, TSH). Having said that, lithium saved my life.
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