Lithium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• bjayz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have suffered with bipolar disorder as long as I can remember its been one manic episode after another. I'm 31 now and have been on lithium for 3 and a half weeks in now and for the last 3 days have felt the best I ever have, I feel stable and finally am free of the need to self medicate. I know its only early days and have had some side effects such as extreme thirst, minor weight gain and hate the blood tests but this is a small price to pay for finally feeling well. Hope other people with this illness have the same success as I'm getting. All the best."

• XcghC...
• May 4, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "After being misdiagnosed and mistreated for 20 years, I finally understood that I am bipolar type 2. I noticed a huge difference on lithium (I don't have any other meds whatsoever now) the first day I took it as I immediately leveled out. The antidepressant effect took slightly longer to kick in but this medication has changed my life. I don't feel cut off like I did on SSRI meds and I don't have any side effects at all. All my blood work has been perfect and I am really pleased beyond any expectations with the effect and the total lack of side effects. I don't feel like I am on a medication at all - it feels like I have suddenly become normal. "

• tamjam
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug has saved two of my very good friends from what I really belive would have been both of their deaths. The 1st friend was an emotional wreck, and the 2nd friend was a suicidal cutter, and BOTH have gotten their lives back and are on the right path with this medication. Both did gain some weight and got some acne, but when you look at the alternative, I think they are both beyond grateful for it all! As am I, so I think if someone you know is like this, please get them to a doctor who knows about bi-polar disorder, and get them onto this medication, it really truly DOES WORK for a lot of folks suffering through their life, when there is NO NEED to! Help them! WE ALL DESERVE TO LIVE A SOMEWHAT "NORMAL" LIFE! "

• MSHI
• July 2, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar type I in 2008. I sort of knew that I was bipolar, and I also heard that lithium was a terrible drug (thanks to the teachings of a very misinformed individual). I tried 3 mood stabilizers over the past 7 years. Each of the mood stabilizers was an anti seizure med. Finally, I had to go on lithium. Within one week, I felt better than I had ever felt before. I suffered from horrible irritability all this time. My irritability is now gone. My own son said that I am lot nicer now. Hearing my son say that made this switch very worth while."

• Sunsh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have a bit of love/hate with lithium with the love outweighing the hate side of it. I’m Bipolar 1, diagnosed 4 years ago. Mentally, it is great. Keeps me level as long as I take it as prescribed, 600mg 2X a day. Prior to diagnosis, I had a self-diagnosed problem with alcohol (self-medicating likely) and since Lithium I hardly ever drink, maybe 2-3 times a year and only 1-2 at a time. I no longer get the same feelings from alcohol, which is odd and true. I consider that a plus. On the negative side, I had beautiful hair and now it’s dry and dull, so I’m always trying new products. Also, I have dirarhea 2-3 times a day most days. As it works so well mentally, I put up with these side effects. I like staying employed and being ‘mostly’ responsible."

• Kaat
• September 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm 21 and have bipolar disorder I've been on lithium for exactly a year next month. The only side effect I 100% know is from the lithium is retaining water weight (I haven't gained actual weight at all on lithium) once I drink more water I'm fine. I'm more on the manic pole so the lithium levels me out, decreases my impulses and over all I'm more pleasant to be around, less snappy. I was on Klonopin for 4 years and once I went on lithium I easily came off of it once my bipolar was under control (about 3 months into getting my lithium levels up) Lithium is a lifesaver to me and I can't imagine not taking it. It's the only one that works for me. And I like myself on lithium.Im more than satisfied after 8 years of trial and error."

• ow7en
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "After trying Seroquel XR and Lamictal combined together with no effect on my bipolar depression, my doctor started to doubt my bipolar diagnosis. Then, he added lithium carbonate extended release two times a day. Within two weeks, I began to feel significant relief from my depression, suicidal thoughts, and mood swings. And with each day, my functioning and symptoms improves more and more. Lithium medicine saved my life and gave me hope for living a normal life when I never thought I would have one again."

• mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was only on lithium for a couple months. My doctor prescribed it because he thought it would help with the suicidal thoughts related to my bipolar depression. While I was on it, I felt very strange and almost "out of my body." I gave it a good go, but eventually I decided that the strange feelings in my body and brain were too much to take. I know lithium works for many people and is considered on of the best bipolar medications, but for me it just made me feel super weird and not myself."

• teetz...
• March 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium is a lifesaver. I had been misdiagnosed for years. When I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 was happy to finally find somewhere to start. People scared me off lithium with all of the side effects. I was afraid of weight gain etc don't be! All of our side effects are different. I wish I would have tried it way sooner. I'm a ton happier! I haven't been this happy in years. I'm a completely different person. Sure, I have to deal with stomach aches if I don't eat with it. The thirst goes down but still need to drink water - that's very important. And tests are not that big of deal."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

Eskalith-CR (lithium) for Bipolar Disorder "I have be Bipolar Disorder for 25 years. I had my first episode out of college when I started by first job. I went into a total depression, many brushed it off as nothing, because I was young, etc. But I could hardly get out of bed, cried all the time. It did finally go away after a few months, then the fun came in the spring. I went into a mania, shopping, spending a lot of money. Once I got 3 speeding tickets in one hour. That's when I knew something was wrong and was luckily diagnosed as Manic Depressive (Bi Polar). I was put on Lithium and within 2 weeks felt much, much better. I've tried going off of it, but every time I get depressed or manic. So Lithium has worked for me! Stay on it! I have tried going off, doesn't work."

• Aileen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Depression "I just started Lithium at 600mg for depression. I’ve tried SO many antidepressants over this seven year depressive episode. I’ve felt emotionally flat, have trouble concentrating and remembering things, and live in a brain fog. It’s been especially devastating since I was forced to leave a wonderful career due to this illness. My psychiatrist finally referred me to a world-renowned doctor. This doctor responded to me within two days. He said that Lithium along with Spravado and intensive TMS is the appropriate treatment. (The TMS is done for 9 minutes, 10(!) times a day for 5 days. This protocol is approved and has conducted studies on it.) He also said that side effects such as weight gain and tremors are minimal and occur if the dosage is above the therapeutic level. I’m, of course, going to take regular blood tests. I am so thankful that I’m receiving excellent care. Will report on progress."

• Pinea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Lithium for three weeks now. For the first time in years I feel balanced. My major ups and downs have subsided and I do not have any side effects at all. Since I work in construction I monitor my fluid intake to avoid too much lithium in my system. The only drawback to drinking more water is having to frequent the restroom more often. My sleep has improved as well so all my previous medications are no longer needed. Currently I'm on 300mg 3x/day. Everybody's body responds differently to every medication out there and luckly I found something great."

• Jillian
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

For Depression "I have tried so many antidepressants over the last two years and actually found them to only increase the severity of my depression. I found one that helped finally but still felt symptoms of depression creeping in. I asked my Dr to augment with lithium and it worked! My fatigue is nonexistent now and I feel like I can handle life now. At first I was so thirsty that I could drink the entire Atlantic Ocean with a straw. It has since improved--but I learned that no matter how much I drink, I'm still going to have some thirst so I don't over do it. My mouth is dry and I have a very slight tremor in my hands but it's a small price to pay----now I get to live instead of just survive. :) Ps aincrease your dose slowly to minimize side effects"

• crusa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking lithium since 1983, It has kept me stable but I miss the highs, my creative side has disappeared, can't concentrate and I lose interest in things and I have been told I must take lithium for the rest of my life."

• 44yro...
• March 7, 2016

For Cyclothymic Disorder "Ok, we all know that people respond differently to meds BUT this is my story. I was on the verge of losing my husband of 24 years. Feeling I had hit rock bottom I decided to see 1 more doctor. I had taken every antidepressant under the sun in the last 20 years for "anxiety and depression" and I had high hopes every single time.....nothing was working and I was getting worse. My doctor started me on lithium 300mg twice daily. I can honestly say I felt a huge difference after the first 24 hours. My mind was QUIET and I felt calm. No racing thoughts, no panic attacks, no overthinking anything.....just peace. I have been on it for 2.5 wks now and I FINALLY feel normal again. I am more considerate and loving to my family <3"

• abori...
• June 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've never been to a psychiatrist. However I've had a baby die, and I've been through the worst grief, and denial of grief. I've been deeply sad and broken. I've shut down emotions out of fear of being unemployable and not being able to care for my other children. This 30 years compressed into a deadly human, edgy and angry. So I started taking over the counter lithium, 5mg, and felt my brain swirl into a fluid relaxed state, like a lava lamp, or shimmering mirages over a landscape. Then I bought 50g of lithium chloride, a simple salt of lithium, like sodium chloride. I put 10-20 mgs of this in a carafe of water and drink it throughout the day. The water tastes very good. To close this, I want to make it clear to everyone that lithium is an essential element that everyone needs. If you don't get enough from your environment you will have lithium deficiency. The symptoms of lithium deficiency are bipolar, depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide; rage, frustration etc"

• Europ...
• July 16, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium - well I didn't think I could be helped but lithium has done that. I have slight dry lips and feel a little sick if I take on an empty stomach without having eaten all day. I thought I'd be dead one day but now feel relaxed and happy and like I can live in the moment. Since been on lithium: I have stopped drinking alcohol (uses to drink a bottle of wine a day ) Stopped smoking cigarettes Stopped taking 2 anti depressants , sertraline and mirtazapine I have lost 6 kg and walk 10km a day. You may need to change some of your friends like me when you realise they're all alcoholics and coke addicts. I feel calm and relaxed and lithium will change my life."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I've tried almost all of the Bipolar Meds available out there - Geodon, Depakote, Lamictal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, etc. All of these made me stupid and/or fat and were not very effective for my depression. This past year I sunk to a new low of serious depression - I told my PDoc that I need something different because I was a lifeless, delusional, an anxious zombie and was suicidal. His secretary said she would forward the message to him - 3 Times. No reply from him at all - I had to find a new doctor and he put me on 300mg Lithium (went up to 600mg 2 weeks later) - about 1 month into my new treatment, it feels like a switch was flipped. This is the best medicine I've ever had and I hope it continues - not many options left for me."

• Retir...
• February 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Lithium, 1000g a day, for the past 39 + 1/2 years. I always drink a lot of water daily, + wee a lot or course. I have experiences tremours when water intake is low. I initially had hand tremor and some thinning hair. I have been taking 2000g of fish oil for the past 15 years and have recently started epilim to fine tune my short manic episodes. Lithium has been the saviour of my life many years ago after 2 manic episodes in one year. I take blood tests yearly or every 2 years ( if I forget, )to determine effect/normality of the internal organs in relation to Lithium. Resisting gambling, drugs ( smoking, ) and limiting alcohol has given me a lovely wife and seeing my now 2 adult sons grow up."

• compl...
• March 14, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "This is the only medication I have ever taken with 100% results. Without this drug my life was uncontrollable. Always either ups or downs, now because of lithium I have been stable for over 25 years. I would recommend this to whoever wants to be their true selves again."

• Aimer
• December 16, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on lithium for about a month now. I was put on it by the doctor in the hospital after a major manic episode. This is the first time in my life that I have no have thoughts of harming myself. My mood is stable, life is easier and I am not suffering. I had some side effects of nausea and vomiting but with a reduction in my level and always taking it with food these side effects have subsided. I am still getting used to being stable after over three decades of illness but this is getting better every day. I recommend giving lithium a try if nothing else has worked."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on lithium about 26 years. Currently on 1,200mg putting my lithium level at 1.0. It dramatically improved my sleep which without lithium is a major problem. It has made me more pleasant to be around, close to stopped my angry, irritable ways and keeps me from destroying relationships. No weight gain, mild tremor and dry mouth. This medication I combination with lower dose Prozac has saved my life and given me a quality life. Outstanding medication and very inexpensive!"

• Johan
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I've had a severe manic episode and was put on antipsychotics which helped calming me down but I was still a bit manic. When put on lithium I felt a lot better because mania ceased. The difference between antipsychotics and litihium for me was like if antipsychotics stepped on the brake and lithium lifted the gas pedal. The only, but still significant, side effect I've had is less short term memory. Lithium stabilize my mood, less anxiety and stress (less diarrhea, less neck pain, more relaxed), better sleep not just because mania stopped but also because overall well being I'm very satisfied with lithium as a mood stabilizer"

• Serica
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium is nice, but it does have little price to pay. Diagnosed Bipolar II 2 months ago, figured that I had bipolar literally since my first memories and started taking lithium (600mg at day and 600 mg at night), absolutely works like a charm, and now I picked up my social relations and is able to work full-ahead for my college applications. However, it does make me thristy (I mean water is healthy so it's not bad) and numbs my emotions. I don't feel any happiness or sadness, nor am I capable of love. My personality hasn't changed however, and I still appears to be the same in front of others, only calmer. That inner peace is invaluable, although you may need to think twice if you have a significant other."

• EMVW
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lithium for about 1.5 months, along with Lamotrigine. As soon as one week, I could tell a difference in myself. I was finally starting to feel like my "normal" self. At the time of starting these medications, I was easily agitated, would get angry at everyone over simple things. I found I was grinding my teeth a lot, trying to cope with my feelings. I was also becoming reclusive, since everything bothered me, I tried to avoid people and things that bothered me, so I would "hide" in my bedroom, and then the depression set in. So far, these two medications have helped wonderfully, and have changed my life!"