Lithium and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sca...
• December 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed lithium after trying a host of other drugs, including Seroquel, olanzapine, Wellbutrin, Abilify, and many others. The dose went up to 900 mg, and it gave me terrible acne but improved my mood drastically. I felt a lot more stabilized and calmer, and it was better than the other drugs I had tried. Eventually, the acne got so bad that I had to get off of the lithium. Unfortunately, even after getting off the lithium, although the acne improved, it never went away (and I had NEVER had acne before). This caused permanent massive scars all over my face and will cost thousands to remove. For this reason, it has to be the biggest regret in medications I’ve ever taken. The side effect has caused permanent damage, and as a result, I have low self-esteem and depression. To anyone experiencing acne on lithium, STOP before it gets worse, or you may end up with a face full of scars! I thought they would just go away, but be warned it can cause permanent damage!"

• Sca...
• December 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed lithium after trying a host of other drugs, including Seroquel, olanzapine, Wellbutrin, Abilify, and many others. The dose went up to 900 mg, and it gave me terrible acne but improved my mood drastically. I felt a lot more stabilized and calmer, and it was better than the other drugs I had tried. Eventually, the acne got so bad that I had to get off of the lithium. Unfortunately, even after getting off the lithium, although the acne improved, it never went away (and I had NEVER had acne before). This caused permanent massive scars all over my face and will cost thousands to remove. For this reason, it has to be the biggest regret in medications I’ve ever taken. The side effect has caused permanent damage, and as a result, I have low self-esteem and depression. To anyone experiencing acne on lithium, STOP before it gets worse, or you may end up with a face full of scars! I thought they would just go away, but be warned it can cause permanent damage!"

• mmm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "On first initiation with lithium, this drug was a miracle cure for 'mania' and 'anxiety' and 'depression.' For 20-30 years, it was well tolerated at 900 mg maintenance. As the years went on, it progressed, problems such as weight gain, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and flat affect (which I liked for some strange personal reason) progressed. In the past 10 years, it became difficult to tolerate, and my dose was not decreased upon request, ultimately leading to coma, in episodes of interaction between antihypertensives, where the dose was reduced in half by ER doctors. I would not say that this is a great drug for acute mania, and there is a strange effect on both depression and mania. However, I think, in my case, 40 years has been too long. I would like to report on this one, upon second review, now that I am reducing down to 0, and really not sure what the future will bring: 'Lithium in Neuropsychiatry,' The Comprehensive Guide-some bias FOR lithium, especially on the stats of discontinuation."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me more depressed and anxious. Tried to switch to it from Lamictal because Lamictal makes my hair fall out. Looks like I’ll be sticking with Lamictal. Pity."

• Ali...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 18, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "Extreme weight gain (20% body weight) that I immediately lost upon discontinuation. Anhedonia, inability to cry. Doing fine on lamotrigine."