Lithium

[recoveryishard]

So after 6 months of instability, drinking and having a generally miserable time, I have now been prescribed lithium. I'm scared of the side effects, of how long it will take to work and what if it doesn't? I have literally taken everything else there is and it's my last shot. I had a complete breakdown last night, had to be restrained by my dad and he called an ambulance. Then the police turned up, then my ex pulled up! He has taken the kids for as long as I need which maybe a couple of weeks which is killing me. I also have suspected glandular fever so am feeling pretty shitty. This is also likely to end up at social services attention and after my accidental overdose last week I'm scared of what will happen (Altho I've not heard from ss about the overdose and though I would have by now?!). I'm exhausted and fed up, miserable and know I need the break, my ex is being supportive but as he was abusive I don't trust him and worry he may take them (especially after my daughter said something about his gf being her new mummy!). He hasn't before, and no one else said he can/will but I'm a worry wart.

I'm also concerned about everything I'm taking, lithium, Lamotrigine, Duloxetine, quetiepine and diazepam + the strong pain killers and antibiotics for my throat/illness.

Uugghhh its all such a mess, I just want to sleep and wake up in 6 months and to feel better and be running again and be healthy.

What's lithium like, does anyone get on with it?

Sorry things have been so difficult 💐 as far as lithium is concerned I’ve only had good experiences- started it about 20 years ago with occasional breaks, at one time was taking it with lamotrigine and quetiapine like you. Currently (and mostly overall) lithium alone works well for me, sometimes take a small dose of olanzapine if needed.

It’s not well understood precisely how lithium helps some people regulate their moods and achieve stability, but it’s well established and there’s every reason to hope it does the same for you x

That's sounds positive! I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster and I'm so angry and frustrated. How long did it take to work for you?

It took a while to fully kick in, it’s not the fastest acting drug in the world, but I was in hospital on a high dose of chlorpromazine at the time and regular hits of lorazepam until it started working. I felt quite nice on that combination at the time 😀

Wow, with all that going on, you must be feeling really rough. Glandular fever alone is enough to level most people. No matter what happens, you'll start to feel better than this pretty soon.

Yeah I feel pretty shit but I have got some strong painkillers and diazepam which are helping me sleep at least. I'm also thankful that I'm getting a rest. It's just hard to relax while my kids are away, even tho I can't cope with them at the moment.

My mum is on lithium, it was the last resort and it was amazing. Before she wasn't like my mum and afterwards it was like she was back. It took a little while to kick in but not more than a week to see a difference. I know she has some side effects but she's on medications for a number of conditions so it would be a miracle if she didn't have any. For her it was life changing. I really hope it works for you.

Me 2, I'm feeling terribly guilty for letting my children see me a mess, causing stress to everyone around me. I've been messed about with meds so much the last 6 months I do t know which way is up?! Just taken my first dose, scary 😬 I miss my babies. Scared of social services, scared I'll have the bad side effects and scared I won't get better. It's just been such a long road, I'm frustrated and angry that it's taken so long to even get the diagnosis and don't feel I get enough support from the mental health people.

My DH takes lithium and has done for 27 years. It took a while to take effect but has helped him enormous and overall has been positive.

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time at the moment and I hope you are felling better soon. It will get better.

Were you prescribed lithium for depression x im on quet and lamotrigine and whilst they control the highs im struggling with low mood and cant take ssris

TBH I don't know what's what! I'm on quetiepine, Duloxetine, lamotrogine, Diazepam and now Lithium! Apparently the idea is to finally take me off everything and just keep me on Lithium to control the highs and lows. I struggle mostly with the depression but have had some signs of mania lately, especially Thursday night which ended in me being restrung my dad before and ambulance/police were called 🙄
I am really confused about everything, I have the drs Friday so will talk to them then. Also means lots of blood tests which aren't my favourite thing! Xx

Yes i know it sounds hard but i am thinking of asking for lithium am sick of the depression x

You have to have tried everything else and I have lol. It's a scary drug but if it works I'll take it! No harm in asking your psychiatrist x

I was given the choice of that and lamo. Lamo works but not on depression for me

It was the very first psych drug I was ever given, except for a few days on something else (haloperidol maybe?)

I've literally tried everything else, I didn't want to go on it but I feel I have no choice, I need to be stable for my children. Parents have met with my ex and he has assured them he will not be taking the kids and will keep them until I'm better 😊 I really hope Lithium works, could take a few weeks tho 🙄 x

And apparently bipolar depression is notoriously difficult to treat- exercise helps me but I'm ill and have no motivation at the moment- all these painkillers and diazepam make me really sleepy 😑 hoping to get back out in a week or 2. Hoping I don't have to start from scratch again! X

Yes. At the same time tho hun and i know its hard, no men and no booze lol x

Yes I know, no booze or men for me. It's not easy tho when I feel so low. The men should t be hard but the booze is more difficult. Altho now im on Lithium it can be fatal if i get dehydrated so drinking isn't really an option anymore, which is good, should keep me on the straight and narrow! X

Lithium has been the best med that I have tried. Recently I was unwell and tried to go to higher dose but I had to go back after a week because I felt so nauseous all the time.

I haven't had any big problems with lithium.

Did you pile weight on? Imo nothing can be worse than quetiapine

Pit on the 1/2 stone since being on quetiepine- Lithium also causes weight gain so I think that's just something I'll have to live with 🙄 hopefully if I can get back running it shouldn't be as bad, hopefully will maintain if not loose a bit. Can't be as bad as olanzapine!

I had some weight gain with lithium but it wasn't as massive than with pregabalin or olanzapine. The weight did not continue to increase either.

That's good? I'm sure i can control it when I feel better. Get back on weight watchers and running!

How’s it going? Lithium never caused me to gain weight (other drugs did at times plus being naturally quite a greedy person) if anything whenever quite high levels were needed it made me nauseous and put me off food

It's going ok I think. Not having the kids here is a blessing but also upsets me. My daughters first day at her new school tomorrow and I'm going to miss it 😢 also still bloody ill but it's not glandular fever which is good! Think it's just a nasty virus, it's wiping me out! I do feel calmer in general but that could just be because I'm resting?! Really need to try and go out tomorrow, not left the house or got dressed for days! Slowly slowly, but I'm finding not drinking really hard 🙄