Lithium and Thirst: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 9, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I wrote a review in the lamotrigine review area also. I was on lithium for 30 years. It is so important to get blood tests for kidney and thyroid function every 6 months. My kidneys did well for those years until 2014 when my creatinine level increased by 0.1. This is a big deal. That increase threw me into stage 3 CKD. The doctor took me off lithium to lamotrigine, and I am so pleased. Lithium caused extreme thirst and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which is a rare kidney disease. About bipolar disorder, the lithium worked wonders, and I had no episodes in all those years. Bipolar episodes are horrible, and I thank lithium for protecting me against those. I have to deal with kidney disease now, you have to weigh the pros and cons."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 3 years ago during a hospitalization. Was put on 600 mg Seroquel and 200 mg Lamictal. Switched doctors, and they decided to replace my medicines with lithium. I don't know why, but it made my condition 10 times worse, and I got very sick. Fever, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, excessive thirst, and urination. Plus, it makes my mood swings much worse and shortened my patience and turned my depression to rage. Gave uncontrollable twitches and body movements and shaky hands. Though I have been off it for a year. My case is probably an anomaly, as it seems to work wonders for everyone else."

• Dee...
• February 21, 2011

Lithium for Bipolar Disorder "I have suffered from depression since I was 8 years old. I finally started going to therapy and taking antidepressants and various other psychotropic medications with no luck. Finally, at 39, my internal medicine doctor suggested I try lithium CR 300 mg once a day along with an SSRI antidepressant. I am going to be 45 next month and have only been in 'the hole' five times. My doctor ups my SSRI during these episodes until I'm stabilized, then I go back down when I feel it's safe. Lithium has been a life-saving medicine with minimal side effects. Thirst and acne are worth it."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "This has been very effective at treating my classic bipolar. The only side effects that I have had are GI and thirst. I haven't gained on it and have been taking lithium for ten months. It seems to have helped me lose since I am no longer having the big swings. I feel like I am more in control of the body that I live in, for a change."

• kio...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 30, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Out of all of my medications, I have taken lithium the longest (7 years at this point), and the same dosage since then (900 mg). I have type 1 bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and the positive difference lithium has had on my life is immeasurable. It is not for everyone, and initially requires very close monitoring, so to recommend it casually isn't something I advise. Over the years, I have only been acutely toxic twice, and this was because I was out too long in the hot weather. The sweating combined with heat exhaustion caused it. Luckily, all this meant for me was a day of diabetes insipidus-extreme kidney turnover, i.e., having to pee every 20 minutes. The way lithium affects the kidneys is by tampering with the glomeruli, so staying hydrated is necessary to keep the kidney moving adequately. The only real side effect I have is thirstiness, but it is important to remember that this extra water is normal for you, even if it isn't for other people. Listen to your body!"

• Man...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking 1200 mg daily (900 mg daily 1/2 of the time), but for over 18 years. This drug does appear to soften the lows and highs. However, extreme moods still occur while on this drug, it appears to be effective. This seems to be the staple bipolar drug, and many cocktails prescribed by doctors include this. I have not seen any bad side effects from this, other than being very thirsty from time to time. With that, I do carry more water weight than the average person. I know this because I will often weigh myself before going to sleep, then go to the bathroom various times through the night and morning, and find that I 'lose' upwards of 5 pounds. The yearly or 6-month blood tests are annoying, but so far my kidneys are okay."

• Jah...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 23, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm 46 and suffer from serious bipolar 1 with PTSD from a 25-year-old military accident where a live missile fell off an F-4 and smashed my left foot. Many nights spent laying awake wishing it had exploded. First took lithium back in 1999 and found that it helped, but it was also dulling the positive receptors as well. It would upset my stomach and dehydrate me terribly. After going on and off of it for years, I recently had a nurse practitioner switch me to the lithium carbonate ER (extended release). I now take the whole dose before bed and don't have the upset stomach anymore. Still thirsty and on the numb side, but functioning better."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Lithium has definitely been a lifesaver for me. I've been taking lithium for about four months and finally feel normal. Besides the side effects of extreme thirst and weight gain, I can deal with it. I just love the fact that I have my life back."

• ZIB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I just started 900 mg per day a week ago, and I hate it! I noticed so far a slight difference in mood for the better. The side effects are horrible......especially having headaches all the time. Other problems are stomach ache and ready to barf any second, extreme thirst, morning dry mouth, big raised welts on upper chest and face, painful rash now starting, night sweats--wake up completely soaked, so not sleeping through the night. Ugh, it goes on...sharp shooting pain on right side about where the liver is, heart beats really hard, having a hard time breathing-my lungs hurt. This all scares me so much. It's not worth it to take a medication that does all this to me on an everyday basis. I wish there was another stabilizer, something else to take without all this...."

• cog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm currently between diagnoses of Bipolar II and BPD. I started on 400 mg Lithium (taking my level to 0.3) and already felt some effects with it. I recently increased this to 600 mg, and whilst I feel like myself again, I have a few side effects. A lot of nausea, being put off food, an extreme thirst (which isn't a bad thing because it's important to stay super hydrated on Lithium!), minor muscle weakness, and stomach issues. When starting and increasing the dose, I became incredibly gassy (thankfully, odorless!) and have had slight stomach upsets. I've also found acid reflux to be a huge symptom for me also, whether it is caused by taking Lithium alongside Celexa (Citalopram) and Inderal (Propranolol), I'm unsure. Overall, great drug."

• Dak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I’ve tried 20+ medications across all drug classes in the past 10 years. The meds either don’t work or I have awful responses to them. Until my doctor recommended lithium. Once we got to 300 mg 2x a day, I felt a dramatic difference. Overall, I felt better, my strong BPD symptoms reduced-I feel like I can think more rationally before I overreact, and it makes it easier to use my coping skills. I feel like I can “pause” when I’m triggered. And my depression is better. My lithium level at this dose is below therapeutic, my doctor said that low-dose lithium has shown benefit. When we tried to increase it, I felt worse, so we decreased it, and I’m fine. No side effects except being more thirsty, which is to be expected with lithium. Make sure you keep up with blood work. Lithium has been the only med to help me with minimal side effects."

• Eff...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2016

For Depression "I have life-long treatment-resistant depression and I'm taking an SNRI, recently started lithium carbonate as augmentation. It just makes me very tired at the starting dose. Although I'll try, I don't expect increasing the dose will help, and feeling so tired is very counterproductive for me. Also, have the typical thirst and no appetite. If it causes weight gain, that will make it even worse."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Didn't work for me. I was on it for around 18 months and went up to 900 mg. It gave me moderate and persistent tremors and extreme thirst; drinking so much water led to having to pee 24/7. Some people swear by it, and for some, it saves their lives. It just didn't work for me. The ER variant was moderately better than the RR."

• Xxc...
• May 8, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "It was on a low dose of lithium, so it didn't affect my mood that much. It definitely combats suicidal ideation, though, which was the reason I was put on it. However, the side effects are horrible: dry mouth, weight gain, thirst, hand tremors, drowsiness, increased urination, no interest in sex, feeling cold all the time. This morning, I passed out due to dehydration. It's not worth it. There are other primary mood stabilizers that you can go on."

• nnn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2021

For Cyclothymic Disorder "Been on lithium since December 2020 and never felt better. I’m calm, patient, no racing or obsessive thoughts. I stopped crying and feeling down. My PMS is way better and I don’t get all irritated and edgy now. In a nutshell, lithium is worth trying. Hope its good effect is gonna last. PS: One side effect I dislike is the metallic taste in my mouth, but not sure if that’s due to lithium or the probiotics I’m taking. I also get super thirsty, so I drink a lot and end up in the bathroom most of the time. But it’s still worth it. Oh yeah, and I’m super hungry all day. But I manage to stay healthy as much as I can."

• T b...
• January 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am just about to stop taking lithium for bipolar 2 due to recent frightening side effects. No problems to start except thirsty, but lately had a numb, tingly arm, which was scary. I was told lithium level was 0.6 (should be fine), then a bit later had a hideous kind of fit (I wrongly linked it to a cocktail?) where I suddenly felt totally drugged but kind of clear-headed, terrified. Vision (but not eyes) flicking side to side very fast on and off for 2-3 hours - horrifying. When I could see, I googled and very bad diseases like Parkinson's came up. (Eyes checked - fine.) Then the next day lost the ability to swallow at all for about 5 minutes (dysphagia?) also terrifying. All three symptoms are signs of Parkinson's, but no thanks to my GP I found they can also be effects from lithium. Gutted."

• pan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2022

Lithium for Mania "PSA: Lithium does NOT mix well with hallucinogens of any kind!! (tl;dr: had a real bad acid trip, do not recommend) I take 500 mg of lithium carbonate 2x a day. I've been on it for just about 3 months and it has been cray-cray. I take lithium, Wellbutrin XL 300 mg, and Vyvanse 60 mg. I have found that I no longer want most of my vices, like cigarettes and alcohol. I don't have much of an appetite; I am thirsty a lot; it is a salt-based form. Changes to my mood and behavior have been subtle but good. I do feel more serious in my everyday attitude, but I have the personal oomph to take on the day-to-day issues of adulthood. I don't experience mood swings. I'm not suicidal, but there have been days where it would be nice to dissolve into the earth. That feeling just kinda went away."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on it a couple of months, but I feel so much clearer in my thought patterns, to the point of revelation. My life was a bundle of chaos, particularly with mania, where people said I was too exhausting to be around and too much like hard work. I’d had SSRIs and mood stabilizers before, and although I thought lamotrigine and sertraline were working for me, I couldn’t recognize the highs which were leading me to high risk with drugs, sex, and alcohol. Lithium has helped me recognize bad habits and remove myself from them. I still have a couple of glasses of wine once or twice a week, but wash it down with loads of water. I am generally more thirsty and need to wee more, but in the grand scheme of things, I can’t see this as being such a bad thing. Sex drive is still there, but I feel more likely to think about consequences rather than going off impulse. Emotions are still strong, but in a good way. I am feeling real emotions instead of depression and mania."