Lithium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 25, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium saved my life. I was crazy. Drugs, alcohol, mania, impulse. I started lithium, and 3 months later I'm myself again. I love life, and I love being me again. The only downside is frequent labs and consistent water intake. Otherwise, I'm loving it."

• MSH...
• 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 a lot nicer now. Hearing my son say that made this switch very worthwhile."

• Kaa...
• 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 overall 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. I'm more than satisfied after 8 years of trial and error."

• Rus...
• July 16, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on lithium carbonate for 21 years. Mentally, I found lithium to be a very effective mood stabilizer. The physical effects of lithium are what affected me in the long term. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after being on lithium for 7 years, which my doctor attributed to being on lithium long term. After being on lithium for 21 years, I was diagnosed with Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which an endocrinologist attributed to being on lithium long term. The symptoms of this are increased thirst and increased urination, as I passed 10 liters of urine in a 24-hour urine test. Recently, I have just had one of my kidneys removed due to renal cancer, which I attribute to the long term use of lithium also."

• tee...
• March 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium is a lifesaver. I had been misdiagnosed for years. When I was diagnosed with bipolar 2, I 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., but 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 I still need to drink water - that's very important. And tests are not that big of deal."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

Lithium for Bipolar Disorder "I have been Bipolar Disorder for 25 years. I had my first episode out of college when I started my 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."

• ow7...
• 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 improve 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."

• 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."

• Eur...
• 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 it on an empty stomach without having eaten all day. I thought I'd be dead one day, but now I feel relaxed and happy, like I can live in the moment. Since being on lithium, I have stopped drinking alcohol (used to drink a bottle of wine a day), stopped smoking cigarettes, and stopped taking 2 antidepressants: sertraline and mirtazapine. I have lost 6 kg and walk 10 km a day. You may need to change some of your friends, like I did, when you realize they're all alcoholics and coke addicts. I feel calm and relaxed, and lithium will change my life."

• Jil...
• 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 overdo 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 increase your dose slowly to minimize side effects."

• Sun...
• 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, 600 mg 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 diarrhea 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."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "I was only on lithium for a couple of 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 one of the best bipolar medications, but for me, it just made me feel super weird and not myself."

• Pin...
• 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 luckily I found something great."

• com...
• 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."

• Aim...
• 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 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."

• Bee...
• October 1, 2011

Lithium for Bipolar Disorder "Changed my life totally and completely. I used to be on an emotional roller coaster...up and down, over and over again. This medicine just brings me to a mellow state. I let nothing get to me anymore. I never get hostile, and that was my norm. I actually think this medicine saved my life because I was so tired of being emotional and angry! This was my last resort. I tried everything else that the doctor wanted me to try and none of that fazed me. I recommend this to anyone with bipolar."

• cru...
• 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, I can't concentrate, and I lose interest in things. I have been told I must take lithium for the rest of my life."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2021

For Depression "I've had extreme panic attacks and anxiety, along with depression for the last year and a half. It totally disabled me. Was in four different mental hospitals, taking every antidepressant you can imagine. A few weeks ago, I went to the doctor, and he prescribed me lithium. Within a week and a half, my anxiety and panic attacks were gone, and my depression has lifted to a large degree. I'm at 300 mg right now, and they want to get me up to 600 mg. I can't wait to see what it does for my depression. I absolutely love this drug, and I'm having no side effects. Hang in there, everyone!"

• Ret...
• February 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking lithium, 1000mg a day, for the past 39 and a half years. I always drink a lot of water daily, and urinate a lot, of course. I have experienced tremors when water intake is low. I initially had hand tremors and some thinning hair. I have been taking 2000mg of fish oil for the past 15 years and have recently started Epilim to fine-tune my short manic episodes. Lithium has been the savior 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 the effect/normality of the internal organs in relation to lithium. Resisting gambling, drugs (smoking), and limiting alcohol has given me a lovely wife and has allowed me to see my now 2 adult sons grow up."

• Ail...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Depression "I just started lithium at 600 mg 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 Spravato 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."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on lithium for about 26 years. Currently, I'm on 1,200 mg, 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 stopping my angry, irritable ways and keeps me from destroying relationships. No weight gain, mild tremor, and dry mouth. This medication, in combination with a lower dose of Prozac, has saved my life and given me a quality life. Outstanding medication and very inexpensive!"

• Ava...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium has been very helpful, and it has really helped the depression side of bipolar II. No more suicidal thoughts (which no other medicine has this benefit!), and quality of life has gone up. It has stabilized my mood and the hypo-mania with severe depression (psychotic features). I have been on lithium for about 5 months, and the benefits started to show after 3 months of being on it. If you are starting this, be patient, results are not immediate."

• EMV...
• 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 and 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!"

• KCa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 1, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking lithium when I was about 24 years old. It did help my mania and depression. I decided about a year later that I didn't need it anymore, so I stopped taking it. I went manic almost immediately and ended up in the hospital for 3 months. I have now been on lithium for over 40 years, and no mania or depression has come back, although I really enjoyed the mania part. Getting the levels right is really important, and it takes time. I've read some other comments on here where people are saying they've tried it for a few months and quit.... lithium takes about a year to feel like normal, at least it did for me."

• Tam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking lithium for 11 months for bipolar depression. I do not want to interact with other people, and I feel like I'm dead. I have gained like 20 to 25 lbs. All I want to do is eat, and then I'm so depressed from gaining so much weight. I'm talking to the psychiatrist this week, I'm going to try to get on a different medication. All I want to do is sleep and not get dressed."