lithium???????????????????

Question

has anyone ever taken lithium? and if yes, did it work and how long did it take to get into ur system?

Answer 1

Lithium is a potentially-fantastic drug. Like all drugs, though, results vary from person to person. In any case, the good results of lithium do not show quickly. It takes at least 4-6 weeks of theraputic levels to really show effect, which includes taking it every day.

I noticed the side-effects almost immediately. I spent nearly a month with extreme nausea, tremors, and a lot of the other common ones like headache that were less extreme. Most of my suffering was due to the fact that I did not comminucate properly with my doctor. When it was reduced, I still had some, but my body became used to lithium.

Don't take this to mean that I think that lithium is bad, not at all. No other drug has been so kind to me in the long run. Since I've taken it regularly, it has not only helped stabilize my incredibly volatile moods, I have been able to function as a normal human being. It was not so with many of the other drugs I was on. The antipsychotics, for example, reacted with my system to cause near-constant sedation. If I stopped standing, it was over. I was alseep. They worked a little for the mania, but not enough and I was barely able to make it to my classes, let alone pay attention to them.

I'm not saying that they're bad drugs, either. However, they're called major tranquilizers for a reason: thre's the potential for a lot of sedation. Some people get it, some don't.

I had a lot of side effects when I first started on lithium, but I managed to continue taking it enough for it to work and for the side effects to mostly dissipate. When I do get them now, they are irritants, not something that shuts my life down.

Stay in close communication with your doctor. Be as consistent as you can with diet and exercise, especially your sait intake. Several different things can affect your lithium levels, including diuretics (like caffeine and alcohol which cause you to eliminate lithium, to say nothing of their mood-altering effects), anti-coagulant drugs or drugs like ibuprofen and asprin that thin the blood (these cause you to eliminate sodium and thus drive up your lithium levels).

Aside from regular lithium usage, I'd say the most important thing is to be aware of your own moods. It can be incredibly difficult, but the fluctuations you will feel on lithium can usually be managed with sleep, exercise, meditation, and similar tactisc. It may help to make a list of traits you have when non-balanced, as well as what friends and family notice, to help you learn to know your moods.

Answer 2

I've been on it for over 15 years. I did get toxic a couple times, but it was partly my fault that I ignored the warning signs that my levels were getting too high. Stopped taking it until it emptied from my system and restarted at a lower dosage. It works great. I've never had any problems with swelling, weight gain, adverse reaction with other drugs, or anything else like that.

Since I've been on it so long I don't remember exactly how long before I felt the effects, but it seems that it didn't take very long.

For awhile I was going every two weeks for blood work because we were adjusting the level. Now that I'm stable I go once a month.

If you're just beginning a course of lithium, you would be wise not to trust others who have been on it--whether they've had good results or not. Everyone is different. Talk to your doctor about what to expect, possible side effects, interaction with any other drugs you take, any question you may have. There is any number of books on bipolar disorder (I'm assuming you have this since lithium is most commonly prescribed for this disorder) that you can read that will give you information on it--everything from the chemical compound makeup to basic Q&A.

One thing you definitely don't want to do is drink alcohol or use street drugs while taking lithium.

Just remember, lithium is like any other drug--it may work for some people, not for others. You're just as likely to hear someone swear that Tylenol relieves their headaches while another says only use Advil. You and your doctor are the best judges of what you need.

Answer 3

Lithium, if properly monitored, is an excellent medicine for bipolar disorder, which often manifests itself a unipolar depression so the absence of a manic phase does not rule out the possiblity that lithium could be very effective. Like any drug, there are side effects, but lithium is safer than many other psychotropics. When it works, and it usually does, patients are very pleased.

Lithium has been the drug of choice for bipolar disorder for decades. A new medication Zyprexa shows a lot of promise, but personally, I would try Lithiuim first. I've seen a lot of success with it. I'm assuming that the person involved has been diagnosed with some variant of bipoar disorder, has been prescribed Lithium by a physician, and will be returning at the proper intervals for physician visits and blood tests.

Answer 4

Yes, I take lithium every day, and it works great for me. No side effects to speak of. I had been on it before years ago, and have been on it this time for about 6 months. They will take a blood test to check your lithium levels (mine is currently .7, which is fine). It took a few weeks to feel I was stable, but drugs work differently on everyone. Good luck.

Answer 5

I started out on lithium along with a couple other medications and took it for 2 1/2 years. That was 14 years ago. When I told my doctor that I could no longer tolerate the huge weight gain, and tremendous constant thirst, she told me that I should've told her much sooner because there are so many other medications available which have less side effects and are easier to monitor. It did work quickly as I remember, within 3 weeks I felt noticeably better but the side effects were too bad and they never lessened but kept increasing.

Answer 6

i took lithium for 2 weeks and had to immediatly had to stop taking it ,it made my legs,feet and ankles swell out of control as far as if it worked it was stating to help control my moods but then the swelling took over and i had to stop. lithum contains a lot of salt and if you have factors where salt may be a problem then this is not the drug for you

Answer 7

I've never taken it before, but I think whether it works or not depends on your body chemistry and what you're being treated for.
I know it's supposed to be the most effective drug for bi-polar disorder (unless my book is outdated), and that some of it's side effects can be very serious.

Answer 8

lithium is a tricky med, but works well. Does help lower suicide risk if that is a problem for you.

Watch out for weight gain, thyroid impairment, kidney impairment.

Answer 9

Lithium is a bad choice of med for anyone.
Long halflife
many side affects
Better with another type

Answer 10

yes I take it regularly...it takes about 3 to 4 days to get to theraputic levels in your system........and yeah, it works well for me.