Lithium?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Lithium?
3
Tue, 07-24-2007 - 12:05pm
Have you taken it? Did you like it or hate it? Why did you like or hate it? What were side effects?

 

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: mom2my3kids
Tue, 07-24-2007 - 2:34pm

I've been taking it for about 4 years, was TOTALLY

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
In reply to: mom2my3kids
Tue, 07-24-2007 - 4:47pm

How do I hate Li?! Let me count the ways! (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett-Browning.)
First off, it made me gain weight...lots of it. Never believe anyone who tells you it doesn't have that effect! It also gave me tremors- maybe not as many as the old-fashioned antipsychotics, but noticable all the same. I had constant diarrhea on it. A lot of the time I felt sick and actually puked often. Finally, it only worked partially with me. Neurtontin was the better choice for me all-around- it worked better, and had NONE of the above fx.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

P.S. As you might have guessed, your milage may vary;).

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2006
In reply to: mom2my3kids
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 8:10am

I take Lithium. I am on a lower dose then some take, but I don't have any problems with it. I didn't have any weight gain with it. I don't get extra thirsty, I have no problems with heat. I don't pee any more then I did before taking it. At first I did feel a little tired from it but now I take it at night.


Everyone is different on all meds. It's one of those things you have to try it and see how it works on you. If you don't like it then you can always stop, but if you start it try and give it some time. Lithium is a fast acting drug. It gets in the system fast, not like anti-depressants where you have to wait 8-12 weeks before you see a big difference. It only takes a few days to see a mild difference and after a few weeks you should see a bigger difference. Your pdoc will increase the dosage

     ~ Tina ~