Ok, so I've bin diagnossed with Manic-depressive illness. My psychiatrist wants me to take Lithium, and listed about 12-16 side effects. Now, other then the fact that I'm terrified of these side effects, such as, groggy, drained feelings, mental confution (with high levels in the blood), and tremors, muscle twitching (which I already get once in a while), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst (which I always seem to be, and never seem to get enough water, even if I drink 5-10 (tall)cups a day). Wieght gain I'm not too worried about, on account I'm pretty small, mind you if I start to get fat I'll be very depressed because I like to keep fit, but don't have a lot of time for activities such as working out, or exercising. This, conserns me a lot, because to be honest, I think I'd rather be depressed and not suffer, then feel level and suffer.

I mean really, I have my days, and I have my days. In other words some times I feel good others I feel bad. But at least I'm not in pysical pain, other than my headaches I get from stress. I have bin told that lithium makes people feel kind of spaced out, and cloudy minded. I've bin on anti-depressants that make me feel like this alread, and they really started to piss me off. To the point I becase very aggressive and irrational. (this conserns me deeply.) I like being able to think, I'm actaully addicted to it, that's why I get depressed I think. I can't control my thoughts and they keep bringing up sad depressing things, like old relationships, bad grades, inabilities to understand something's (usually school related.) and such.

I was on a stimulant, and rather then being all tired all the time I felt energised, even if I didn't get a lot of sleep. Though lack of sleep was bound to catch up with me someday. I did feel good, but maybe a little too good. I was put on the stimulants to see if I had ADHD, see if that's what I had I'd beable to focus and do things, but if I wasn't then I'd get really high. (manic) I would every day get a feeling of intense fear, only for a moment or so, one minute at the most. But I could control myself better, so I didn't really alow it to take hold. It used to be I'd just start Catastrophizing, that's when you think of all the bad what if possibilities to any given situation, kind of paralizing.

Some one please give me some good news, about lithium, I could use some hope. Thanks.

Lithium is a natural mood stabilizer. I have heard people say it is the best thing they ever took and others that said they hated it. The psych's told me that finding the right psycho tropic drug for a person is a guessing game because each person is different so you have to keep going back and changing the meds or the levels until you find one that is right for you.

Here is a good article on lithium
Lithium - the first mood stabilizer for treating manic depression / bipolar disorder

A healthy balance of everything, I just hope this lithium helps. I know stimulants put me in a state of mania, so maybe lithium can put me in a state of normalcy. Only one way to find out.


"too much glutamate in the space between neurons causes mania, and too little, depression. There has to be more to it than that, since antidepressant medications, for example, work on the receptors of other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine." - Lithium - the first mood stabilizer for treating manic depression / bipolar disorder

You can always give it a try for a couple months and go back to the doctors if it doesn't seem to be helping. BUT you do have to keep very aware of how it is effecting you.
With psycho tropic drugs people don't see the drug taking over their mind and then they end up doing something they really shouldn't and weren't even aware.

I have been on lithium,and just about every other mood stabilizer known to date.

Lithium made me want to drink more so that was replaced by Depakote,This drug makes me sleepy but the thirst is not there,although weight gain is a problem, it brings on a ravishing feeling which needs satisfied or great side effects result(passing out ,etc)

All drugs have some effect other than their original design but most will pass as you get acclimated to the drug,I know been there, done that.

Good luck and let us know where you go with this.

Ken

I would recommend that you try lithium for stabilizing episodes of mania. My brother took lithium, and it really helped him control his mania. He took other meds as well.

He kept his looks; that was no problem. He did have slight tremors in his hands, but it wasn't a disability. He was very intelligent, and he was still mentally quick as could be on medication.

Lithium helped him a lot. :)

People suffering from anxiety, panic, stress and depression should consult a specialist and only then should use the medicine, as there can be various reasons behind the disorder. Medicines used to cure such disorders are habit forming and should be used for small duration. As per my personal experience, I have used Xanax and it helped me in getting over my panic and anxiety disorder. You can even have cheap xanax online, as there are various pharmacies which can provide you online prescription. Along with medicine, the concerned person should take a break from his/her regular schedule, go out and take good sleep.

I took lithium for years. For awhile I took it with other meds (klonipin, and an antidepressent). I was diagnosed bipolar. I had more of a negative feeling with the klonipin and antidepressent. I then started taking the lithium alone and changed my eating habits. (im hypoglycemic). And the lithium stabilized my moods. Its evened me out. I didn't feel dead or numb. Slightly tired, but with the change of my eating that went away. Weight gain was hardly anything. Grant it, everyone is different. But... lithium is an old school drug. And a natural substance, sodium if I remember correctly.

I would give it a try. The only downfall was the bloodwork I had to keep getting done to monitor my liver. I liked it, it made a big difference. I highly recommend it.

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for ten years and I have been on Depakote.
This medication does not have that number of
Side effects. I think maybe you should discuss it with your psychiatrist. You should not have to go through all of those horrible problems with Lithium.
One problem with Depakote is that you can possibly lose a small amount of your hair.
Sue51
New Member
6:59PM
Wednesday
October 21, 2009