Lithium for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Bee...
• September 29, 2011

"I am 26 years of age now, but my mental illness of depression and panic attacks started when I was 15. I was then put on 20 mg Celexa and Klonopin 1 mg. As I got older, it was like I could never control my emotions, I was up and down all the time emotionally and could never concentrate on college. So, they put me on Adderall 15 mg to help my concentration issue... so that was solved. I still was riding the emotion roller coaster, though. My doctor recommended a mood stabilizer, Depakote... didn't work for me at all. I dealt with it for a while, but there was no in-between. I eventually had a mental breakdown, and within the next few months, my counselor was talking to me about lithium. I was terrified of it but tried, and I am the most stable I have ever been."

• Mck...
• April 6, 2015

"I've been taking lithium for two years now for my bipolar depression. It's good for stability, but I don't feel like myself. I never cry, never smile, and I'm not as outgoing as I was. I feel like a machine. I can't drink. I always have to be tied down to my pill bottle. Next year, I'm going to college, I feel so much older with this responsibility. Now I'm questioning if my stability is worth my freedom."

• bug...
• February 22, 2010

"It's old school and the best! I have suffered from bipolar disorder for twelve years... suffer no more, now I can live again. For anyone out there diagnosed with bipolar, stick with lithium and keep taking it!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2016

"I take lithium 300 mg twice daily. The lithium makes me pee constantly, and I really have to watch it if I decide to have any alcohol - I drink just 2 small beers, and I'm very buzzed. The lithium makes me feel stable, and it keeps me from having severe or deep depression. It has eliminated my severe depressions, and it's the only drug I've tried that does this. I still get the blues or feel slightly depressed, but nothing like the suicidal black hole depression I used to experience. Also, it slows me down during hypomania, so I don't escalate to full-blown mania. But if I neglect to take my lithium during hypomania (ran out) when in full-blown mania - lithium helps, but in my case, I must take an antipsychotic to ground me as well."

• Rus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2024

"I asked my PA if he would switch me over from Depakote to Lithium, and his response was: 'I will not switch you over. The only way you can have it changed is in a Psychiatric Hospital.' So, that’s exactly what I did. Lithium positively improved my mental health. I felt a calmness come over me. I sleep well now, I’m able to work 40-hour work weeks, which help me have more interaction with others, benefiting my overall well-being. I still have a hard time when around large groups of people, but the positive benefits from this drug far outweigh the side-effects."

• Hgc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2017

"I've been on 150 mg of lithium for 3 days. After 5 days, I'll be on 300 mg and then gradually go up. I've suffered from bipolar and depression for over 10 years. I've been on 15 different antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Nothing seemed to even stabilize me. The past few months, I've gotten so bad to where I've thought about suicide constantly. I was so depressed, easily irritated, and cried over the littlest thing. Lithium has so far saved me. I feel the best I've felt in a long time! I have no side effects as of yet. My mind is completely cleared of any negative thoughts. Although it's only been 3 days, I'm hopeful things will keep getting better from here. I'm so glad I tried lithium!!"

• abo...
• June 9, 2019

"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, 5 mg, and felt my brain swirl into a fluid, relaxed state, like a lava lamp or shimmering mirages over a landscape. Then I bought 50 g of lithium chloride, a simple salt of lithium, like sodium chloride. I put 10-20 mg 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."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2016

"I took lithium twice with no other drugs. First for a few days. I stopped because it made me feel flat, and it made it more difficult to think of the right word to use. My vocabulary and ability to articulate were noticeably worse. I took it again at my doctor's advice-300 mg for one week, then switched to 600 mg. The day I took the 600 mg, I was so angry that I wouldn't leave the house because I thought I'd pick a physical fight (something I've never done). I stopped taking it altogether, and now my memory is much worse than it's ever been (memory has always been a severe problem for me to begin with). I generally have a harder time getting anything done, speak a lot more awkwardly now, and have been pretty upset that lithium made my life worse."

• rus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2021

"I’ve been on lithium 600 mg since May, and it’s helped me tremendously. I no longer feel impulsive to do things like spend money (credit card). I truly believe had I found this medication sooner, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into some financial trouble. I’ll just have to deal with it. But more about this great drug: I’m able to go to work each day, which wasn’t possible before. I would find any little excuse to lay out of work. Well, not on lithium. It keeps my mood on an even keel. And I’m able to stay at work too. I know that may sound simple to do, but before lithium, it was a major problem for me."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 6, 2016

"I started to take this medication when my primary care physician got uncomfortable with my extensive use of benzos for my extreme social anxiety, so I was sent to a specialist who started me on lithium. The results are mixed for me. On one hand, every time I would take a dose, I would get sick to my stomach, I have no desire to eat, and my hand trembling is noticeable. However, I can now leave my house, go into stores, not depressed and much less dependent on the benzos, but I still get panic attacks. Overall, the pros have outweighed the cons."

• Do...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2021

"Lithium made my hair fall out and made me so depressed, more than before. The depression started to lighten after a month, but I still felt agitated and down. I was puffy and gained weight, too. I am so mad I took this drug. It also apparently destroys the kidney and the thyroid, so hypothyroidism is a very real result, kind of expected in time. Depakote is the same. Do not take this drug."

• pli...
• April 5, 2013

"Terrific against mania, haven't had a manic episode in 2 years. Also with barely any manic symptoms. However, for me, it's not great against depression but does help a little. It also helped with suicidal tendencies."

• Ace...
• October 17, 2016

"Not sure why they give this to people, but they sure do... Took 3 months, and besides the foaming at the mouth, memory loss, and the inability to articulate words (my family thought I was drunk :( ), and the lack of coordination to the point I couldn't even walk straight. I rode my bicycle on this stuff and tipped over into the street and almost got run over!!!! So then they added Carbamazepine to try and 'help' with the lithium side effects, and it made EVERYTHING worse!!! Folks, there is only one drug I have found that helps both extreme mania and extreme depression and curbs the rapid swings, and that is cannabis sativa (not indica). God gave us this flower for a reason, and no, you don't even have to smoke it... Just eat a cookie :)"

• Khi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2015

"I have been taking lithium (300 mg) for about 2-3 weeks now, and it has taken away my mania and leveled me out. I can see that it is working and helping me with my insomnia as well. A few downsides: it makes me nauseous when taken without food and enough water, and my sex drive is non-existent now. Kind of frustrating. I am also taking Lamictal (200 mg) and have been for about a year, so I know it's not the Lamictal that is causing these side effects."

• Alt...
• September 17, 2018

"I was placed on lithium Sep/17 during a powerful manic episode. I had zero insight into my bizarre behavior. Unfortunately, the lithium was not enough to bring me down alone. With valproate and olanzapine, I was mostly over the mania by early November. I did have nausea, extreme thirst, coarse tremors, and an overall ill feeling for the first few months, so I completely understand the temptation to quit. On the bright side, since the cycle ended, I think the lithium has made me much calmer and more stable. I have not had a single day where I exhibited hypomanic behavior, which is a huge improvement over the prior decade. Other than thirst and fine hand tremor, the side effects are gone. I never would have thought nine months ago that 2018 would turn out to be one of the best, most stable years of my life."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2010

"I have suffered from depression for approximately 22 years, I generally medicated with alcohol and antidepressants. I stopped drinking over 2 years ago, and my depression appeared to worsen, however, I was also noticing periods of wonderful happiness (which were unusual, but enjoyable!) which I could never remember experiencing before. I was diagnosed with bipolar in January of this year, after coming off a 6-month high and plummeting into severe depression. I have been taking 1500 mg of lithium and 375 mg of Effexor for the past couple of months. I have leveled out emotionally, however, I am very flat, no enthusiasm or joy, just really existing. I feel the lithium has brought me out of the living hell I was in, but I am still a long way from wellness."

• DCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2015

"I've been on Lithium for 5 years. For the first 4 years, I had a positive outcome. But for the past year, I've experienced rapid cycling and have been hospitalized twice. I'm now taking a combination of 1500mg of Lithium, 20mg of Prozac, and 10mg of Saphris. I'm hoping the depression lifts and my moods will stabilize. Feeling very overwhelmed."

• bip...
• October 12, 2015

"I have had depression forever, and after failed SSRIs, mania started to occur. Luckily, I was already seeing a psychiatrist. He tried me on Seroquel, which made me way too sleepy, and then Lithium, which stopped both mania and depression. Although it doesn't cure bipolar, I still have manic and depressive episodes during stressful times, but they are much more minor now I'm on Lithium. Only side effects are tremors for me, but they are fairly minor."

• Ano...
• October 16, 2019

"I've been on lithium for 6 months for bipolar I and have had such amazing results. I feel like myself and hadn't since over 2 years ago when I was diagnosed. I would give it a 10 if not for the side effects and necessary bloodwork. When I first got on, I noticed it felt like my legs were giving out when I was walking. The first 2 months on it had significant hair loss, but I don't experience it anymore. I think it made me lose about 5 lbs. It gave me moderate acne, which is improving, but I also went on spironolactone for the acne... If you can deal with the side effects, it's pretty great!"

• thr...
• May 2, 2009

"I have tried other medicines for bipolar disorder, and some worked and some did nothing. Lithium made me feel strangely dull and sleepy the first two weeks, but I wanted to give it a good chance. Around the 15th day, I woke up and felt fine, two months later, I still feel fine. I am also taking 15 mg of buspirone and 20 mg of Celexa. I never thought I would be able to really live until now. My moods are not extreme anymore, and I don't have suicidal thoughts. It is like a switch was flipped. My doctor started me at a very low dosage of lithium, I am so glad she did - I only need 300 mg once a day."

• Cja...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2014

"Was extremely suicidal and had ECT treatment for several weeks. Then put on lithium for maintenance therapy 300x2 daily for now. I think I've found the perfect recipe for S/I. Never have I felt so good and have enjoyed being alive. I recommend ECT and lithium for anyone struggling with S/I. I've tried everything else for the past 15 years and this is the ticket."

• Cha...
• March 12, 2016

"Started treatment on lithium in the midst of a major depressive episode. Started on 400 mg and gradually titrated up to 1000 mg. In short, I love this med. I've had very few side effects; I've gained weight, but I think this is mainly due to quetiapine, which I take alongside lithium. I still experience major shifts in mood, but lithium has made me far less suicidal, less inclined to self-harm, and has majorly improved my focus, concentration span, verbal dexterity, and, in part, manic spells. I am now in what would normally be a manic phase in my cycle, and, whilst I still feel a little jittery and excitable, it's far better than before. Only minor setback is my thyroid function is a little high, but I'm monitoring this with doc. Recommended."

• jaq...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2013

"I have been taking lithium bicarbonate for a little over 2 years. My dosage has fluctuated because I am also medicated for manic depression. I am 37 and have been medicated, on and off, for depression since I was 18. Lithium seems to help with my bipolar symptoms, not so much for my depression. My side effects have been: increased thirst, tremors, weight loss, and occasional stomach aches if I do not eat enough when I take my pills. I am fine with these so long as I feel 'normal.' Frequent blood work is not bothersome as I understand they are screening for my own health... lithium toxicity levels, kidney functions, thyroid activity."

• Aub...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2024

"Lithium has turned my life around. I am not swallowed by chaos morning to night and I am more rational. I am not as manic or depressive. I’m on 300mg x3 daily. CONS: I have gained excessive weight and developed an unhealthy craving for food. I have been 130-140 lbs my entire life and I went up to 170 in a few months. I am more forgetful, not in a scary way, just more annoying. PROS: everything. I was so against Lithium for years due to reviews, so I tried everything else beforehand. I regret that. I’m writing this review so I, and others, don’t give up.. if this med works for you, but you are struggling with weight, look at it from a different angle. You can start an exercise routine and healthier diet, which helps your mental health also. Give lithium a chance! You have to take the good with the bad and put in the work your medication can’t."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2013

"Currently on Lithicarb 500 mg taken as 2 x 250 mg tablets taken 1 morning and one night. Was bumped up to 750 mg but reduced back after severe dry skin and digestive discomfort as side effects. Was finally put on lithium after previously being misdiagnosed with just depression and general anxiety and put on Venlafaxine, which exacerbated my mania...hence was finally correctly diagnosed with bipolar. Suicidal thoughts are now minimal and I got over the need to pee excessively, which comes with increasing your fluid intake after first starting my meds. Now I am 4 months in, and I have gained weight, but that doesn't bother me as much as my loss of creativity and general lack of motivation. On the plus side, this doesn't bother me as much as it should."