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Original poster

Stopping lithium?

35 replies

babyt2020 · 17/01/2026 08:32

So I’ve just spent 3 months on a psych ward after a suicide attempt. It was the most horrendous experience of my life. During my time there they tried me on mirtazepine which was titeares up to 45mg then stopped as it wasn’t effective. I am also on venlafaxine which has been titeares up to 225mg. Then for some bizarre reason they thought it was a good idea to add in lithium, I never wanted to take this as it just sounds like a scary medication that is potentially dangerous but I was so desperate to get home I went along with it.

I last had my bloods done 2 weeks ago and my lithium levels were 0.33 so way under the therapeutic level of 0.6-1. I had my bloods redone on Friday and the results will be back Monday. So my question is do you think it’s safe to stop the lithium? I can’t see it having an adverse effect on my mental health, given that it wasn’t at a therapeutic level anyway. Since the lithium was increased to 1000mg every night Ive had severe fatigue and developed a huge painful lump on my neck which I’m convinced is due to this medication ! I’m still on 225mg of venlafaxine which I’m happy to stay on but really really don’t want to be on lithium.

OP posts:
SingedSoul · 17/01/2026 12:07

CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 08:53

Sadly no. But I was told I was a ‘rarity’ with how I was on quetiapine, and that is generally works well for most. X

Show quote history

Thanks for your response. It made me hugely drowsy, but I might try it again x

hopeyouknow · 17/01/2026 09:19

Please see a doctor about the lump on your neck. Tell the doctor what medicine you are on. Best to get the lump checked out

Blueuggboots · 17/01/2026 09:17

You’ve clearly been quite unwell. Do not stop ANY of your medications without close supervision from your psych team.

CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 09:11

babyt2020 · 17/01/2026 08:55

I’ve never had quetiapine and the team seemed baffled as to a diagnosis, they said ‘treatment resistant depression’ I didn’t take the lithium last night so have missed one dose, I just think because it wasn’t at a therapeutic level anyway it shouldn’t affect me? I don’t understand why a metal found on batteries was even ever approved as a bloody medication! 🤬🙄

Also, to put you on the ‘big gun’ meds and not really have a diagnosis is pretty poor.
My diagnosis is bipolar type 2, but it didn’t help much. It’s such a shit process, I’m so sorry OP x

CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 09:09

babyt2020 · 17/01/2026 08:55

I’ve never had quetiapine and the team seemed baffled as to a diagnosis, they said ‘treatment resistant depression’ I didn’t take the lithium last night so have missed one dose, I just think because it wasn’t at a therapeutic level anyway it shouldn’t affect me? I don’t understand why a metal found on batteries was even ever approved as a bloody medication! 🤬🙄

I know and I’m cross to have ever taken it myself now but I’m always worried about them coming at me with non compliance.
Regardless of how therapeutic it is please don’t stop this cold turkey. Maybe take half the dose for a week, then half of that for another then stop, mine was about 6-8 weeks coming off. X

Original poster
babyt2020 · 17/01/2026 08:55

I’ve never had quetiapine and the team seemed baffled as to a diagnosis, they said ‘treatment resistant depression’ I didn’t take the lithium last night so have missed one dose, I just think because it wasn’t at a therapeutic level anyway it shouldn’t affect me? I don’t understand why a metal found on batteries was even ever approved as a bloody medication! 🤬🙄

OP posts:
CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 08:53

SingedSoul · 17/01/2026 08:50

Have you had a positive experience of quetiapine?

Show quote history

Sadly no. But I was told I was a ‘rarity’ with how I was on quetiapine, and that is generally works well for most. X

SingedSoul · 17/01/2026 08:50

CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 08:47

I was on lithium for 3 years, it’s a brutal medication! To come off of it, you have to be “weaned off” it’s quite a slow process from what I remember. They also like to overlap this with another antipsychotic drug too.
Lithium made me feel so horrendously numb. Emotionally constipated. I totally understand why you don’t want to take it, it caused issues with my kidneys too that were fine until taking it.
Please speak to your MH team and be honest, there’s loads of other drugs they can try. Have you been on quetiapine before? Do you have a a MH diagnosis?
Hope you’re feeling a little better 🙏🏻 x

Have you had a positive experience of quetiapine?

CaffeineAndChords · 17/01/2026 08:47

I was on lithium for 3 years, it’s a brutal medication! To come off of it, you have to be “weaned off” it’s quite a slow process from what I remember. They also like to overlap this with another antipsychotic drug too.
Lithium made me feel so horrendously numb. Emotionally constipated. I totally understand why you don’t want to take it, it caused issues with my kidneys too that were fine until taking it.
Please speak to your MH team and be honest, there’s loads of other drugs they can try. Have you been on quetiapine before? Do you have a a MH diagnosis?
Hope you’re feeling a little better 🙏🏻 x

SmotYci · 17/01/2026 08:42

Absolutely do not stop taking the medication without advice from the psychiatrists. It could mean a relapse and back to hospital. If I was you, I would ask your team to arrange an appointment with the pharmacist to answer your questions, and look at what other options are available to you.

If you dont want to take it, the consultant and the rest of the team should be happy to have a conversation about this. You need to be happy with what you are taking, and know the pros and cons of the different types of medication.