Lithium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Joh...
• May 30, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium is the best drug for bipolar disorder I've ever seen. I've been on it for about two years and will probably be on it for the rest of my life. I was off of it for 14 months after being on it for a little over a year. The way I felt off it was a difference between night and day. My anger, anxiety, and stress are way less. While I also believe the medicine is not the cure, just the basis, I think counseling also works."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

For Depression "This medicine works great for what it's used for. I'm Bipolar 1, but Lithium + SSRI (Prozac/Fluoxetine) has fixed my treatment-resistant severe bipolar depression with suicidal thoughts. I'm balanced again. I also take Seroquel, and I feel stable again-no highs, lows, or mixed states. I'm finally me again. I can think with a clearer mind. 10/10."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 15, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "These doctors knew I work outside, but yet still gave me this medicine. I haven’t felt good in the summer while on this, so I did some research, and the doctor and the pharmacist said it is a very dangerous medication to take while working in the sun. I’m not a happy person right now."

• Dan...
• January 31, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm bipolar and was recently put on lithium. I can tell a huge difference, and so can my family, but it's been about 4 months now, and I'm at a crossroads with staying on it. Some of the side effects I'm having are weight gain, thirsty all the time, constantly having to pee, hand tremors, my hair is falling out, and blank emotion. I've read a lot about this drug, and I know my liver, kidneys, and thyroid are all at major risk for damage, so what do I choose? Feeling better and dealing with all the crap that goes with this medicine, or get off of it? Decisions, decisions???"

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication started working immediately and successfully. My bipolar disorder was out of control when I finally received my diagnosis. Lithium was the first medication I was prescribed for this mental illness. I’ve added and subtracted additional medications over the years, but I’ve never left lithium. My psychiatrist and I both agree it works extremely well in my case. It does manage mania better than depression, so I’m on another prescription for my “lows.” I did have side effects on the immediate release tablets, but once I switched to ER, the only thing I noticed was acne. It doesn’t bother me much though, and it has died down significantly, but I’d still take stability over clear skin any day."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2023

For Depression "I’ve been taking lithium for approximately 3 months, and let me tell you-it saved my life. I deal with a lot of severe depression and anxiety-I have borderline personality-and lithium helps both significantly. This is the first medication that I’ve taken that I’ve noticed improvements within 4 days to a week. It also helps my anxiety A LOT. I’ve tried over 15 plus medications, and I would say this is one that works the best, as well as Effexor and propranolol combined. Works so well I’ve even been able to eliminate benzos after 3 years of dependency. Only side effects would be increased thirst and urination. I know a lot of bad reviews may make you not want to try it, but it's worth it."

• big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm not really sure about this. Sure, it's good not to be manic, but it lengthens my depressive cycles, i.e., there is no up (mania), there's a brief period of stability that goes away almost immediately, and LONG depressive cycles to the point where I would rather be untreated. Mania may not be ideal, but it's better than the long depressive phase. A bleak life is what Lithium offers me personally."

• sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Lithium has cut my suicidal thinking drastically and helped my sleep. For 20 years, I have fantasized about suicide from between 25 times and 300 times a week consistently. I took Latuda and Lamictal for bipolar and had very little sleep on both, and the suicidal thinking got too intense. Been on lithium for 3 months now, and the suicidal thinking has diminished to between 0 and 5 times a week. Huge difference. Have not noticed any adverse side effects. I am on a regular sleep schedule now as well. Highly recommended for the overly suicidal thinker like me."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 17, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I am diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar. I spent 8 years trying every psychiatric medication on the market to no avail. I never found stability, my life was made up of rapid cycles of extreme moods. One week I would be happy, confident, and secure, the next week I would be extremely depressed, often suicidal. I had 6 serious suicide attempts and was hospitalized 22 times. Nothing worked, at least not for long. I was put on lithium 2 years ago along with the two other medications, I was on an antidepressant and an antipsychotic. Lithium saved my life. I have had no suicidal thoughts, my life is no longer ruled by extreme moods. Although I can be a little emotional at times, I am able to remain logical and in control, something I could never do before."

• ali...
• November 2, 2019

For Depression "Like most of you, I had tried all of the regular antidepressants until I found lithium. As a major depression patient, the most dismal and horrible thing about depression is the brain fog that lithium doesn't eliminate completely. Some doctors say it has to be a combination, so lithium with an antidepressant. After taking lithium solely for 2 years, I still have brain fog."

• Cla...
• July 9, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication literally saved my life. It kicked in in about a week and has increasingly gotten better since then. Lithium keeps you from feeling the intense, overly emotional highs and keeps away the suicidal/hopeless lows. I tried going off of it for a week because I thought I didn't need it and found myself crying nightly, getting overly emotional."

• Cak...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 18, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I am more balanced when taking my lithium. Unlike what some have said, I unfortunately experience the full range of my emotions. Fortunately, due to a combo of Wellbutrin and regular therapy, I handle those emotions much better when taking my lithium. The times I didn't take lithium, life was more challenging - I have borderline personality disorder."

• Kyr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 23, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I had poor medication management, which led me to having a toxic level for over two months, on and off. It wasn't until my heart had arrhythmia so bad that I suffered cardiac arrest and a small stroke. I was found in my apartment on the floor after 3 days, almost dead-rhabdomyolysis was setting in, I was severely dehydrated, and could not move my body for over a week when brought to ICU. I then had an ICD placed in my chest to control the arrhythmias. No hemodialysis was given, even though my lithium level upon admission was 9 times the normal dosage. I was released to the psych ward, where they gave me another psychotropic to control my bipolar. Now, 3 years later, I have almost no thyroid function and left-sided weakness."

• Bla...
• May 17, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on lithium for a week, and I already feel great. Grounded in the world and clear-headed. I no longer feel I am trapped in a daydream/nightmare. I have no side effects apart from slightly dry lips, and this drug will save my life. I have already deferred several decisions to end my life in the hope that I could find a cure for my bipolar (once at 19 and again at 34), and I am glad I did as I think I have found it. I guess this is how it feels to be normal. I now feel that I can partake in the world rather than being caught in an endless battle of bipolar 2 rapid cycling."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Pros: - Stable enough to hold down a part-time job now - Reduced the urge to attack my friends and family for no good reason - Lower sex drive Cons: - Gained 10 pounds - Constantly feel like I need to pee - Still too depressed to go back to college - Lower sex drive Final verdict: It's okay."

• Wif...
• January 13, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "My husband just started taking lithium last week, and we both have seen a HUGE difference. Yesterday, he told me he feels 'fine' and not like he doesn't want to be on this earth any longer. He's been on multiple antidepressants over the years, none of which have worked. His new psychiatrist seems to have found the right drug. I hope he continues to improve. We both thought lithium was for people with very serious disorders, which we didn't consider him part of that group. No matter, if it works, it works! Take care."

• Mar...
• January 17, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking lithium for 7 years now, and it has honestly saved my life. I have bipolar disorder, and lithium has kept me on track. Prior to taking the medicine, I was having an extremely difficult time battling depression and mania. The only thing I’ve noticed is that I get pretty thirsty and have to drink a lot of water, but nothing serious. I had people try to shame me so that I wouldn’t take this drug, but I wouldn’t be here without it."

• Bip...
• August 7, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I love lithium! I was terrified to try it, but I have no side effects. No weight gain as I have not been depressed and staring at the wall in a fetal position, unable to move. If I take it, it prevents mania (I can tell when I forget) and depression. I drink more water - I try to drink 60 ounces a day and sweat more, but there are no other side effects. I make sure to exercise, usually 30 minutes a day. I got bad news that should have thrown me into depression, but since being on lithium, I was able to talk normally, work out a solution, and function - thanks, lithium."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2012

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Turned me into a zombie and made me gain at least 60 pounds. Lithium completely numbed out my emotions until I could no longer function. I was on it for 3 years and nobody would take me off of it because I have adverse reactions to most mood stabilizers that could replace it, and they viewed me having no moods at all as better than having symptomatic Borderline Personality Disorder. I barely have any memories from the time I was on lithium. I was eventually taken off it because it started driving me into rage."

• Cjh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on lithium for several months now for bipolar I. Wow! It helps. Drawback: you will feel sick if you don't drink enough water. Also, I gained 30 pounds in about 4 months. I felt ravishingly hungry all the time. That part is not fun, however, I can function properly. What lithium doesn't cover, the therapy does. I might have a chance at normalcy."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on lithium for about 2 years now for bipolar 1 disorder. This medication helped in the beginning, but now it does nothing for my unstable mood. The side effects get worse each day. It also causes severe acne and weight gain. I wouldn't recommend lithium to anyone. Lots of bipolar meds out there. Try something else!"

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "A few weeks ago, I decided to go off lithium because I felt 'fine.' Bad decision. I went right into a severe manic state: paranoid, delusional, severe anger. Back on lithium, and all is well again. The only side effects for me are extreme thirst/dry mouth and sore joints. I take 450 mg ER twice a day. Lithium allows me to go to work every day, pay my bills, and enjoy life in general. Highly recommend."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

For Cyclothymic Disorder "I came across one of these reviews here and decided to try lithium orotate OTC supplement. I had previously tried: Lamictal (gave me the rash), Topamax (gave me memory loss and lip sores), Abilify (made me have psychotic visions). I was getting desperate.... My cyclothymia gives me lack of focus, difficulty thinking, irritability, extreme mood drops where I feel exhausted and sometimes just downright angry. Lithium orotate took all of that away. I take 10 mg in the morning, and it keeps me stable, happy, focused, energized... sometimes I need a little more around 4 pm, I put a pill in water and take a few sips. So in total, I am probably taking 11 mg per day. I sleep like a baby, no nightmares, peaceful sleep. It’s been a lifesaver, and I will be using it to control my mood swings."

• A R...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’m on lithium for my manic bipolar with psychosis, and I don’t have episodes anymore. This is the only good part about being on lithium, but now I cannot stomach much food without getting sick. If I don’t take it regularly, I get awful headaches, and not to mention it has taken my memories of childhood. I do try my best to grasp my memory of here and now, but I honestly cannot tell you what I did even yesterday. But the worst part is the muscle spasms, and your body is in constant pain. But I’ve gotten used to it, I’ve been on it for two years now."

• Bea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 10, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken lithium since I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 in 1993. I stopped taking it for 10 years and then started taking it again, and it's been 6 years back on it. I wouldn't substitute this medication. It works very well. The correct dosage is what matters most. The therapeutic window is 0.6 to 1.2, just because the level is slightly lower isn't always bad. It's alright to manage some of the symptoms, but when it gets above 1.2, toxicity becomes an issue. It has to be maintained properly. My only drawback is occasional hand tremors, and in high doses, it tends to dull personality."