I really need your help to make an extremely important decision in my life. I have been bipolar for 7 years. I went from doctor to doctor, from medicine to medicine, nothing worked. I lost all my jobs and I had real bad depression phases, suicidal behavior and other scarry things I cannot put up with anymore. Luckily, I started taking Lithium last year and things got so well, now I feel good in my mind and life. Unfortunately, I feel like hell in my body. I started having acne, my hair was falling out, my weight was climbing up and I have aches all over all the time. I know lithium has many side effects and newer meds are available, but I can't afford these. So I need to know from those living on Lithium and those who have experienced it, what is your best advise? Should I drop it? Should I stick to it, hoping that it will all get better someday? How do I live with so much change in my physical health?Is there something I can do to alleviate the weight gain and acne and hair loss...?
2006-11-15 01:14:31 · 7 answers · asked by Changed by Lithium 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have been on Lithium for 10 years and it really has helped. I do have acne and my hair has gotten really coarse. I tried Lamictal but it did not work for me and it is much more expensive. I am also on Depakote, which helps alot as well.
Some things you can do to help with the side effects of Lithium:
1) Drink lots of water for the acne
2) Wash your face a couple times a day
3) Use strydex or other cleansing pads every day
4) Talk to your hairdresser about the change in your hair (They actually know alot about things to help)
Have you been drinking alot more since being on the Lithium? Sometimes the weight gain is associated with drinking more sweet drinks. Try water.
Ask your doctor if your blood lithium levels are too high!!!!
High levels can increase the side effects!
The older "mood stabilizers" which include Lithium, Depakote, and Tegretol are cheapers and work for most people. Talk to your doctor about trying Depakote or Tegretol.
Good luck!
2006-11-15 03:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry that you're not feeling well.
I've been diagnosed bipolar/bpd and I've taken Lamictal and Depakote. The Depakote is working really well, where I take 2000mg daily. Unfortunately, Depakote is also known to produce hair loss in women. I've heard some great things about Lamictal and know a few people who've had great success on it. Lamictal has been around for a long time as well and is available in generic form, so it won't cost you too much.
As per the side effects of Lithium - There is no reason to live like this. I would be assertive in expressing these views with your Dr. and ask them if it would be a good idea to switch to Lamictal.
Good luck
2006-11-15 01:30:43 · answer #2 · answered by Altruist 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi! I've been on Lithium now for two years. In addition, I use Risperdal. I can really relate to your struggle because I recently dropped Risperdal due to side effects. I felt I was getting better and therefore wouldn't miss it. But in the three months that I was off the Risperdal I had a real crisis. I got worse than before. I had really severe obsessive thoughts which escalated into anxiety and panic attacks. Because of this, I decided to go back on the Risperdal. The benefits clearly outweighed the risks, in my case.
My side effects were mainly hormonal but I have decided to live with these. I do also have acne (I am 40 and never had it before), but I never realized this could be ddue to meds. I am willing to put up with acne if it means I can live in peace.
If I were you, I would talk to my psy doc about it. Tell him that cost is an issue for you. You might be able to go to a lower dose of Lithium in conjunction with another drug (Risperdal costs me $30 for a months supply of 1 mg tablets). Or taper down off the Lithium and taper up on another drug. I took Depakote for a while and it wasn't that expensive. One thing to definitely think about is where you are in life right now. Is this a very stressful time? If so, wait a few months before you consider changing meds.
Hopefully your doc will listen and work with you. Good luck!
2006-11-15 01:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by wackadoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you know the answer about stopping lithium. Don't do it unless you have another mood stabiliser, or you will lose it again.
The side effects of Lithium are what they are. You might try asking on http://www.crazyboards.org to see if any of the inmates there has a suggestion to counteract the sucky side effects.
Conversely, you could look to different meds - I owe my life to Lamictal. It is no way as cheap as lithium, but you can at least get generic from Canada now, and again some of the crazyboards folk know other ways to get meds cheap/free.
2006-11-15 03:26:30 · answer #4 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Lamictal if you haven't already. I gained 35 lbs. in a short time on lithium, it affected my thyroid functioning and I was put on Synthroid to correct this. Lithium is murder on your kidneys. I had to pee every ten minutes. It's toxic at levels too high and requires blood tests. Lithium interacts with too many other foods and medicines. You shouldn't be stuck on lithium because of the cost of the newer and better drugs. Talk to your doc about Lamictal and how to get help paying for it. I have no side effects on Lamictal and it is well documented as being as effective as lithium without the annoying side effects. There's a RARE fatal rash that can occur, but they start you out on low doses to avoid this risk. One doc refused to take me off lithium when I asked her for Lamictal so I found a better doc.
2006-11-15 03:06:58 · answer #5 · answered by Debra D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi there, well many of you are probably going to scream in horror but i was on lithium for 5 yrs when one day i got this manic thought that i was going to cure myself and throw away my pills its a good job the kids phoned the hospital up when i went crazy i have refused point blank to go back on lithium i was getting like a fat barrel i take tegrotol retard, lamotrogine cyprilex I'm OK at the minute i take it you are American i am English so the advice on affording a more expensive drug is unknown to me so i wont give bulls*it advice i have read your first answerer's advice (altraist) many times and my god he is good look at his answerer's and questions
2006-11-15 07:33:30 · answer #6 · answered by no nonsence 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try crack
2006-11-15 01:42:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋