Stopping lithium?

[babyt2020]

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.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t having some metabolic impact. Just means it isn’t at optimum range yet. You still need to let your medical team know you’re planning to stop a drug and check with them how to safely do it.

Also loads of different things can impact the levels and just because it was lower one day doesn't mean it's always that number

I was also at that level when I stopped (gradually) taking it. It still had a very obvious impact.

Sorry for the double post, but what do you have to lose by reducing it over 4 or 5 weeks, rather than straight away?

Can I ask what impact it had on you?

The main things were-—

-constant nausea
-unsteady on my feet
-constant thirst
-emotionally blunt
-shaking

It didn’t do anything for my mood, but coming off it still triggered an episode that landed me in hospital. I know some people swear by lithium, but it was awful for me.

It's important to consult your doctor before stopping lithium, especially with the side effects you're experiencing. Although your lithium levels are low, stopping abruptly could still have risks. Share your concerns about fatigue and the lump with your healthcare provider they can guide you on the safest course of action.

I’m a psych nurse. Just a question, when you were inpatient were you under section, how long have you been out for and are you currently under the crisis team/CMHT? Bear in mind that if you were under section and this is all very recent, they will likely seek readmission if they feel you’re not complying with medication. Please please talk to your medical team, even if you think they’ll disagree. Just going ‘cold turkey’ has the potential to make you really unwell. You’ve done so well to come this far, don’t sabotage it now. How do you feel that your mood is?

Thankyou, I’ve spoken with my very nice nurse today and I’m going to stay on them cos the lithium

I too am taking myself off Lithium after 6 years being on it.
Put on 50lbs partly due to the meds, partly due to being sedentary due to total mental breakdown (which the meds didn’t prevent). Now have physical health probs due to my weight.
No-one (GP, HCA, CPN, psych) seem interested in my with struggles or resultant physical health issues and impact on my self-esteem or identity (can no longer play my sports etc).
Therefore, only option open to me is to titrate myself off Lithium so I can pay privately for weight-loss injections (they are contra-indicated with lithium).

No use consulting with any of my care team as they’ve already demonstrated how flippantly they take my weight problem