Lithium

[DiamondDoris]

Anyone on Lithium? Seeing the doctor next week re bipolar medication. Not sure what to try first! Of course I'll discuss options with the doc but the list the pdoc sent me of medications all sound rather similar. Does it make you put on weight by itself or does it increase appetite? Thanks

I do lithium (800mg) and depakote (2000mg). Used to do quetiapine too but thankfully got rid of that. I didn't find lithium caused weight gain, but the quetiapine did hellishly, plus it was sedating. I've been on lithium now since 2005. It seems to do the job - haven't done anything ridiculous since 2004!!

Casablanca - That's good! Yes, I don't want anything too sedating. Might give Lithium a go at least. Quetiapine doesn't appeal from the literature I've read, but of course works for some.

Hiya, I was on lithium and it was fab!! I felt totally 'normal' and calm. Unfortunately I had to come off it as one of the side effects is that it brings on flare ups of psoriasis if you are already a sufferer which I am!! My whole body was full of red, scaly skin!!
I was gutted because it was working so well on my mood but I couldn't stand the effect on my skin!
I'm now on quetiapine and as you have said I am craving food like mad! Especially sugar!
I think my consultant will roll his eyes when I tell him I want to come of it!!
Oh well see how goes.
I'd love to brave going cold turkey but worried!
Anyway good luck to you!! x

I'm on Lamotrigine. It doesn't seem to have any side effects, and does work, but not as strongly as I would like.

I'm not allowed Lithium (scared of needles and they don't trust me to turn up for blood tests)

I have previously been on anti psychotics (aripiprazole and rispridone) which were very very sedating, made me put weight on and didn't seem to keep me stable.

Everyone is different, obviously.

I do want to try something else though - I really don't feel stable enough atm.

I was on 1g lithium, until October when I came off the ttc dc2 (now 11 weeks). I found it fine, and plan to go back on after birth.

I found it made me more thirsty, but no weight gain.

Lithium was.great for me,a "wonder drug"