I can haz lithium?

[lightningxsnow]

(I also posted this to ask_me_anything , so I'm sorry if you're seeing it twice.)

Has anyone here been on Lithium?

I have a non-bipolar I form of bipolar (probably bipolar NOS, from the looks of it). I get mixed states, hardcore depression, and hypomania. I'm rapid cycling, but not ultra-rapid; my moods last from about 2 weeks to 4 months. I'm on Zoloft and Zyprexa

Comments

[lunamothmama]

i am actually surprised you arent on a mood stabilizer already. if you are only on an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, all you are doing is medicating the states themselves, not preventing the swings in the first place. especially with more frequent swings, i would think you'd need a stabilizer of some sort

[akumyo]

I read that anti-depressants are really not the best thing for someone with bpd and I used to be on them but they were completely unhelpful

I'm on lithium right now and I haven't had any issues so far. No tremors, no weight gain (I'm actually running the risk of losing wieght, I'm having eating issues.)

I agree with Lunamothma, try the lamictal.

[ariesd]

A low dose of mood stabilizers can help but too high a dose can trigger mania.

I had the lithium shakes and went toxic a few times, now I am on abilify and effexor and that seems to work.

[battleashes]

I've been on Lithium, but only for about a couple of months before I just stopped taking it. My hands shaked a lot, and I was really nauseous and tired. Sometimes I felt like I was "gliding" more than walking, as well, but that could have been one of the other four medications I was on.
I'd say go for it. I know it sounds like I'm saying oh Lithium was terrible, go ahead and do it, but that's not it. I've heard such good things about Lithium and I'm really mad at myself for not sticking with it. It's supposed to work wonders. I think you should give it a try.

[lavinia_short]

i've been on lithium for about 2.5 months now after 5 years of instability -- it's the first time i've been stable ever. there ARE some side effects - i've noticed that i mix up words a bit or sometimes lose my words - but the stability is amazing. i'm only on 600 mg right now, which isn't even considered a therapeutic dose, but it's been amazing.

[the_leh]

Lithium is the best drug I was ever on, mood wise. A fucking miracle pill for depression and mania too.

But be forewarned. It has the worst side effects of all the psych meds I've ever been on. It also has several serious health risks, which most people do not realize.

Zyprexa does have the awful weight gain, but Lithium has a million others that suck more. So while you can get past the side effects for the sake of sanity, it should be a last resort kind of thing. There are other mood stabilizers they have not tried on you with less serious risks and side effects.

And, while I know this is REALLY rare...it's possible for Lithium to trigger a rare brain condition. It happened to me. Probably one in a million odds (I could only find case reports and no stats), but it has happened.