Lithium for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Tob...
• September 16, 2019

"Lithium is an amazing mineral for bipolar disorder! It completely reversed the neutropenia that lamotrigine caused. It also took away my fatigue. Very good and effective medication, this should be your first choice, not your last."

• hia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

"I was prescribed 450 mg of lithium to take in conjunction with 200 mg of Lamictal and 300 mg of Wellbutrin due to still experiencing irritability, impulsivity, and paranoia from bipolar. The psychiatrist who prescribed this to me said that it was “the cure” for bipolar to combine lithium and Lamictal, so I was eager to try it. I was only on it for 5 days. I had to stop because my job requires me to drive a lot, and I was getting tired early on in the day, almost to the point of being drowsy, like I was on a high dose of Xanax or something. Also, after looking up all the long-term side effects, I wasn’t too thrilled about taking it anymore anyway. However, I will say my mind was much clearer on this medication, and it made me more articulate. I was still pretty irritable though. My new psychiatrist added 100 mg of Lamictal in the morning along with the 200 mg of Lamictal at night, so we’ll see if that helps."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2017

"I have only been on this medication for 4 days. But I can tell you in these four days I have noticed an incredible difference in my brain function. I am diagnosed with bipolar 1. I have had around 13 manic episodes with delusions since I was 17. I'm 29 now. I've been treating my condition naturally up until now as I wanted to avoid the side effects of lithium. But these past few months I have been very sick, rapid cycling, and not able to sleep. I decided it was either take the lithium or die. Since I've been on it for four days I feel completely calm, focused, balanced. I really do feel like a light has gone on in my brain. Like... This is what it feels like to have a normal brain? I have noticed a coated tongue and a bit more tired than usual."

• Joh...
• May 30, 2008

"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."

• Bla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2024

"I’ve recently started lithium for my bipolar mixed episodes, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I am on my 3rd month and never felt so calm and relaxed. I don’t have racing thoughts, agitation, aggression, mixed mood swings, and highs and lows. My suicidal thoughts have vanished, which is great. My only symptoms I had at the beginning of the meds were diarrhea, migraines, and fatigue. However, my doctor had me go up to 950mg. But after too many migraines, she brought me down to 750mg, and now I am feeling perfect for now."

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

"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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Cla...
• July 9, 2015

"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."

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

"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

"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

"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

"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."

• Bip...
• August 7, 2011

"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."

• Mar...
• January 17, 2018

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2014

"I was dubious about lithium and didn't want it. The time came that it was a choice left. At first, I had nausea and thirst. My doctor put me on an XR brand, and it was better. I can honestly say today, I don't know if it's working or not. It is such a medicine that just does what it needs to do. But a warning is-watch your salts either on your plate or in the sun. I was told by the chemist, and then I became aware when one day, I was out in the heat and walking around. I felt faint after a while. The next day, I felt washed out. And this has happened a few times. Lithium is based on salts, and this can play a little chaos, especially in the heat."

• Mau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 14, 2018

"I've been on lithium again now for a few years. I was able to wean off of it a long time ago under doctor's supervision. I do experience slight tremors in my fingers, but I honestly can say, hand on heart, it's brilliant at keeping the manic episodes at bay. Now for the depression episodes, my psychiatrist added Sertraline 150 mg and 100 mg Lamictal, which the three make a super combo: one for mania, two for depression. I have been episode-free now for several years. I cannot say anything bad about lithium, it has been a lifesaver for me. And, of course, thanks be to God for His help."