Anyone on lithium?

[MonstranceClock]

I’ve been taking it for a week now, was feeling good until today, where I feel majorly depressed and suicidal again! If this normal? Is this something I just need to ride out?

Can I ask what diagnosis you have. The reason I ask is that lithium is mostly used for manic depression but also as an augment for anti depressants, and that's why I take it 20 mg per day. What other meds are you on. As for the ups and downs of depression I'm afraid that is not uncommon ,and for no reason. I am not a medic but I would doubt that lithium has altered your mood, Maybe see your GP,

Bipolar. I’m on 400mg. I don’t take any other meds.

I take 800mg of lithium and I have noticed that it only prevents highs and mixed states. I need to take antidepressants for depression.

I’m also on lithium 800mg, which I’ve been on for about 10 months now. I take it to prevent mania. From what my psychiatrist told me, it only has a small antidepressant effect? I’m not sure though, as everyone reacts differently. I take lamotrigine for the depression side of things which has worked well so far

It’s still early days, so I wouldn’t imagine it would be having much of an effect at the moment. Maybe you’re still a little bit depressed?

My partner is bipolar and when he was prescribed lithium was also on Prozac for the depression. Lithium is to balance the mania between highs and lows not anxiety or depression. It did work and he is no longer on it however, I hope your blood is tested regularly for kidney and liver function. Lithium can affect them adversely so do take care.

I’ve had 2 blood tests cancelled since I started taking it so I haven’t been monitored yet which makes me anxious. They didn’t mention anything about taking anti depressants. Maybe I should go back to my doctor.

Some people with bipolar do take antidepressants in conjunction with a mood stabiliser or antipsychotic, so it’s worth mentioning, especially if your predominant symptom is depression. Your psychiatrist will know best though. There are other options like I said in my previous post, lamotrigine for example is very effective for bipolar depression.

I would definitely chase up about your blood tests. It’s very important, especially in the early stages. You should be getting them at least monthly when you first start taking it

I’m feeling so peculiar. Not liking this at all. I have pins and needles in my hands and mouth and just feel so strange and floaty.

Please go to your doctor ASAP. I remember my partner getting pins and needles too.

Why were your blood tests cancelled? They are of paramount importance when taking lithium. Best of luck and do let us know how you get on

I’ve been my doctor tried to get blood but as I wasn’t expecting them today I couldn’t have them done (massive needlephobe!) he’s told me to stop taking the lithium for a week, see how I feel and then we’re going to start them again next Friday with regular phone appointments. He’s pretty brilliant my gp.

Glad you've seen him but has he really told you to 'just stop taking them'? Normally you need to take yourself off gradually.

Regular phone appointments are really not the answer - blood tests illustrate what is going on, not relying on symptoms. I understand your needle phobia - I have tiny veins and also find blood tests a real trial - I look away every time a needle comes near me and the nurse uses the finest needle she has!

What did GP say about an anti depressant? Unless I'm much mistaken most people are only prescribed lithium for bipolar and other meds for depression by a psychiatrist who is a specialist in these illnesses.

Phone appointments as well as weekly blood tests. Nothing about anti depressants yet, as he wants to rule out my change of mood being a result of lithium build up first. That’s why he’s told me to stop taking them today and he will phone me on Tuesday to see how I’m feeling, with the aim of starting lithium again next Friday.

Good! Fingers crossed you feel better soon. It really is a case of trial and error we found x