I'm about to add to other meds for Treatment Resistant Depression. I would like to hear some
success stories about lithium if possible. And how to stay properly hydrated. How long have you taken it? What else are you on... etc.?
Anybody on Lithium? How hard is it to stay properly hydrated?
Question posted by Unipolar_MDD on 8 April 2022
Last updated on 10 April 2022
Answers
mmmousemaid
8 April 2022
I was on lithium for approx. 40 years. It was a very good drug for me but I can longer take it due to Stage 3 kidney. I did have to drink a lot water, and it is important to do so, as it is a salt and dehydrating. Dehydration can raise it to toxic levels (NTI drug). I have been switched to another drug. I miss lithium very much, but it does affect the thyroid, kidneys, and brain over many yrs.
Unipolar_MDD
9 April 2022
Do you mind telling me how it helped? With depression I assume.
What drug were you switched to, and does it help?
Did you routinely get your kidney values tested during the 40 years you were on lithium?
mmmousemaid
9 April 2022
Not depression; for bipolar 1; it stabilized mania and depression swings. It was a "miracle" drug for some years but in the last decade, it was harder to tolerate, possibly due to Stage 3 kidney eGFR decreasing. Antihypertensive intearction was very severe (ACE, beta blockers). Tests were more frequent in the beginning and they became yearly. I am sorry I cannot continue it.
Unipolar_MDD
10 April 2022
Thanks for your replies. I'm 65 y/o and going to start lithium as augmentation for TRDepression. I'm told I'll be starting at lower doses than that given for Bipolar, and that may be enough. Time will tell. I'm also told that I'll know within a couple of months if it is helping, or not. So IF (big if) it helps with my depression then I'll worry about long term effects... one worry at a time. Thanks and sorry you can't take it any longer but you do have to protect your kidneys and 40 years on Lithium is a longer time than most manage to stay on it from what I have observed.
Related topics
depression, bipolar disorder, lithium, treatment, major depression disorder
Further information
- Lithium uses and safety info
- Lithium prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lithium (detailed)
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