Generic Name: Lithium for Bipolar Disorder (lithium)
Lithium for Bipolar Disorder Reviews
Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) "I have been on Lithium Carbonate (1000 mg). This might shock you, but I have been on Lithium for 18 years. I am now 37 years old, I was 20 years old when I started. What I've learned is you need to know your triggers. For example, don't drink coffee, that made me shake. Watch what you eat and understand what triggers, which only you know. One major thing to stop doing is looking for answers on Google! Just see a doctor! Lithium saved my life. Yes, I've had the odd ups and downs, but I keep going and made something of myself. If I've come this far, I know anybody can. Smile! I would like you all to know, at the end of the day, you can have so much of anything, so make the most of it and enjoy life. I used to be scared of people judging me, but I finally decided to write this review because there is too much misinformation out there."
"I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II at 18 and I am now 27. Since my teens I’ve had debilitating, mostly 'mixed' depression and with suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors (cutting), and a few hospitalizations from suicide attempts. I tried multiple antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Cymbalta, Effexor), mood stabilizers (Lamictal, Latuda, Depakote), atypical antipsychotics (Seroquel, Abilify), and finally, lithium, which I discontinued after two weeks because I didn’t feel a change. Five years later, I decided to try lithium again as a last resort. I forced myself to stay on it for at least 3 months because I read it takes several weeks to notice a difference. Nine months later, and I’m on lithium 900mg, and I have ZERO suicidal thoughts, no interest in self-harm (completely foreign to me now), no crying spells, low mood, etc. I experienced its full efficacy at 4 months with minimal side effects. Lithium changed my life. For the first time in my life, I feel healthy emotionally."
"Lithium totally turned my sister's life around. She used to cycle, self-medicate with pot, get angry, and at the end, she got into permanent psychosis. She constantly had tormenting voices that were making her very agitated; it was very hard to deal with. This was going on for ten years, and we tried antipsychotics, lamictal, and everything in between, and she hated everything. Lithium made a dramatic difference. Takes a little while to get used to but totally changed things around and made her a different person. One day she decided that she no longer needs meds and she went back directly to the crazy state. It is important that people stick with the medication. The side effects are super minor like thirstiness. I spent years looking online at these review boards hoping for a wonder drug, and then we got lithium. I feel I can now give back to this community and tell our story. Please do not give up. There is help!!!"
"I have been on lithium for fifteen years, and I can honestly say it didn't help all that much, but I stayed on it because it's supposed to be the 'Gold Standard' treatment for Bipolar Disorder. Now that I'm being weaned off from it, I can see that it was actually making me worse. I was on 1200 mg, and I'm down to 600 mg and feeling much better. Gone is my depression, my anxiety, my diarrhea, my lack of concentration, etc. etc. etc. I wish I had known this years ago. I am going off from it now as my kidneys will fail if I stay on it much longer. My previous Psych. Doc. would not use it as he saw way too many kidney failures at about the 15th-20th years while he was a resident. Please know that this drug is not without dire consequences. Eventually, in time, your kidneys will fail. If you don't believe it, see a kidney specialist. Don't let your doctor pooh-pooh this statistic. Please make an informed decision and do what is right for you."
"I can safely say that Lithium has changed my life for the absolute best and has been an absolute miracle pill for me. I'm a whole new person and finally I am always who I was supposed to be. I finally want to live and love life and myself again. I've been taking lithium for around 3 years and started off low with 300 mg, then 600 mg for a long time, and just now going to 900 as my blood tests show I am low on lithium. The only down side is having to get blood tests to check that everything is okay with your kidneys as that is where it is processed, but it's not a big deal at all at the cost of having my life back again. I'm no longer a crazy, mean, suicidal mess and now a nice, loving, stable, and content human being! Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and still deal with a lot but lithium just takes the edge off and makes me be able to tolerate my bipolar II. I also take Prozac at 60mg for depression and Klonopin 2mg for anxiety. So glad to have my life and myself back again!"
"I have only been on this medicine a short while, but all I can say is that I feel extremely balanced and level. I feel like my depressive episodes have eased up quite a bit, which is amazing. Now, my moods hardly ever go into the depressive zone of the Bipolar mood scale. I can actually function again in life and at my job! Plus, my anxiety levels are pretty much nothing now. For me, Lithium works as a mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety, and somewhat of an antidepressant all in one. Lithium is a miracle, and I hope it works for you as well as it did with me. Big hugs to all you other bipolars out there:)"
"I said no to lithium a hundred times to my psychiatrists in the past because of the awful things I've heard about the side effects. Now that I am on it after having so many episodes, all I can say so far after trying it myself and reading all these good responses is that I wish that I tried it sooner. My head feels clearer, I respond faster. It doesn't feel heavy like other psychiatric drugs which makes me feel worried because I think will it actually stop me from being manic again. I am on 400mg going up to 600mg lithium and 350mg clopixol depot injection every week. Trying lithium is the last result as I have tried almost everything else. I have been to prison due to my mania, my mania gets pretty bad so I had to give this a go despite the things I've heard, I don't want to go back there ever again so this is my last hope. Wish me good luck that this will work. I will keep you updated in a couple of months."
"An update from my last review. I was on 600mg for 2 years and it did nothing for my depression, and now my doc put me on 800mg, and oh my, what a difference it's been! I'm more positive, happier, less anxious, and I have the most positive and lovely images in my mind instead of bad memories. Things are really looking up."
"I have been on lithium for a year, and it's made me depressed. I don't feel joy or love, and I am feeling disabled. I hope my psychiatrist does something to help me as I'm suicidal. Nothing works. I'm like a zombie."
Lithobid (lithium) "I started having severe depression in 1971 (suicidal ideations) followed by manic episodes that ended in psychosis, jail, and mental institutions. I held the manic episodes at bay by consuming large amounts of alcohol. After a hospitalization in 1979 for depression, I was prescribed lithium. I quit taking lithium once in 1983 to go natural and wound up in the puzzle house. I have been taking it ever since (1200 mg/day) and have experienced no perceptible side effects. I just had blood work done and have normal kidney and liver function. I did quit drinking and I now exercise regularly. I am now retired after a successful marriage and career. I have lived a good life."
"Taking this medication at a dosage of 300-600 mg per day for the past 6+ (lost count, it's been so long) years has allowed my body to be able to heal itself. I also have no side effects at this dosage range. It is the only medication (I've tried all mood stabilizers, most antipsychotics, many SSRIs, and others) that has enabled me to achieve real remission. Other meds have helped, but they only masked the underlying problem. I have bipolar I and for the first time since my diagnosis 15 years ago, I have been episode free for more than a few months, actually it's been about 2 years now! Even at low therapeutic levels, lithium can help the brain protect and repair itself. This is backed up by scientific studies. It doesn't happen overnight, but with therapy and treatment compliance, lithium can help reverse some of the unseen damage caused by bipolar episodes. Lithium not only saved my life, it helped make mine a life worth living."
"I was so nervous about taking Lithium for my bipolar. I had read far too much, the good, the bad, the ugly. I was worried about what this medication would do to my body, my kidneys, etc., and more superficial concerns about weight gain and hair loss. I have been taking lithium for approximately 1.5 years now. Aside from a very slight tremble when I sometimes drink, the side effects have been minimal. I'd estimate I have put on approximately 1 stone since starting the medication, but that is something that I am in a good mindset now to tackle, and think I can lose. No problems so far with skin and sun sensitivity. The regular blood tests are important and come around quickly, but so far results have been in the normal range. I feel like I have my life back. My marriage was in real danger, I couldn't enjoy parenting my children, now I feel I am back in control. When I think of all the trepidation I felt at the start of this journey, I wish I could tell my earlier self to give it a go, things are going to be okay."
"I've been on lithium carbonate since I was 18 years old, only coming off twice in my thirties for pregnancies. I can tell a major difference when I am off/on lithium. I am 100% sure that Lithium saved my life. 10/10"
"Lithium at a very low dose of 150 mg has stopped the lifelong rollercoaster ride of bipolar two - rapid cycling. Now I know what “normal” feels like! I was misdiagnosed for most of my life and felt like just not living in the last three years and ended up homeless briefly. I was applying for SSDI but now I can work a low-stress full-time job on Lithium. I still get tired but I’m 59 so it might be my age. Lithium, low doses of Gabapentin and Wellbutrin are the winning combination for me. I’m so grateful to have my life back and a functioning, clear mind and peaceful even mood. Lithium made all the difference!"
"Diagnosed as Bipolar II rapid cycling. Tried many drugs before: Seroquel, Tegretol, Depakote, valproic acid and they weren't so effective because of multiple hospitalizations. Been hospitalized 8 times per 1.5 years and had many med changes. During last stay in hospital, pdoc decided to give me Lithium. My blood tests always showed low lithium levels. So I didn't feel anything, was severely depressed, hopeless about everything. But after 3 weeks my blood tests showed good results and I started to notice a change in my mood. I became more socialized, my mood is much better, I joke more, have more energy, less anxiety and better sleep. For the first time in my life, I can say I feel at peace. Lithium made me slower, but I still feel its benefits and all this time I didn't have a mood swing. Don't be afraid of this medication, if it helped me, it'll sure benefit you in some way. It's been a few days since I feel better, but every day I feel better and better."
Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) "I am ADHD High-functioning ASD (Aspergers). Due to this, my severe depression and anxiety have been treatment-resistant for many years. I've tried every SSRI/SNRI antidepressant. I was allergic to Quetiapine & Lamotrigine (resulting in rashes). Then, in March, I tested positive for Covid-19. Following extreme physical illness, it triggered 3 months of solid depression and anxiety. I lost 3 stone, couldn't get out of bed, self-harmed, and had suicidal thoughts. THEN I was prescribed LITHIUM! I've only been on this for a week at a dose of 300mg S/R. I realize it's only early days, but the difference is wow! After 3 days, I was able to get out of bed, dress, eat, and talk to others. I still have improvements to make. No side effects yet. I've got a way to go, but this has given me the most hope I will get better. If you're like me (ADHD/ASD or similar) and have had no luck with traditional meds, CONSIDER LITHIUM. (I also take lisdexamfetamine for ADHD. I live in the UK and have a CMHRS referral). Stay safe all. x"
"Diagnosed bipolar 2 in 2018, took Latuda 30mg and Lamictal 150mg, hated the teeth clenching and the skin crawling feeling. Quit medications in January 2019. Experienced manic episodes lasting 3 months until starting meds at the end of October 2019: lithium 300mg twice daily and Latuda 30mg daily. Lithium side effects include craving salt, slight hand tremors, numb feelings, and little noticeable acne. Lithium took effect almost immediately, and I love it. I was close to destroying my entire life until taking lithium. Don't give up! ♥️"
"I'm Bipolar 1 and my psychiatrist put me on Lithium after my first hospitalization for a manic episode with psychosis. I was really afraid because I have heard horror stories, but I trusted him. It's been almost two years and I have had no symptoms. Seriously. I have a normal range of emotions. I get happy and tear up when I see a cute dog, cry when something really bad happens, but nothing a normal person wouldn't experience. I was afraid I would be a zombie but I'm not at all. Overall I'm very happy. I drink a lot of water anyway so that wasn't a big deal and I haven't noticed any changes in my hair."
"After numerous hospitalizations and medications, I was prescribed lithium. I remember it so clearly while I was in the hospital. After taking it, my brain literally felt like it was in a car accident. I asked my doctor, 'Does this mean it's working?' My brain was literally sore. He laughed nicely and said yes. I could actually hear and process what people were saying without interrupting them. My mind was calm, and my brain was processing everything. I do not know why the medical community does not prescribe lithium more. I started out on 900 milligrams, and now I only need 300 milligrams a day along with 150 of Wellbutrin for weight stabilization and depression. It not only works for bipolar, I also have borderline personality disorder issues like self-harm, drugs, alcohol, etc. Scientists even say we all need low doses of lithium, research it for yourself, and God bless to all who need to be cured."
"My diagnosis is Bipolar I with PTSD. I have a tendency toward mixed episodes and psychotic features. I found relief with lithium when nothing else worked. Other drugs like Lamictal gave me horrible cognitive side effects. I couldn't finish sentences or remember things that happened minutes ago. That was not the case with Lithium. I took Lithium for the first time during inpatient for a severe mixed episode, and the difference was like night and day. It was like taking a painkiller when in severe pain. Within thirty minutes, I felt what I can only describe as RELIEF. I've never had such a rapid and drastic reduction in symptoms. There is a reason Lithium is considered the 'gold standard' in treating bipolar disorder. Everyone is different, and some experience bad side effects with little relief on this medication, however, I would recommend at least trying it if your doctor prescribes it. The only side effect I experience is increased thirst - a small price to pay for getting my life back."
"I have struggled with bipolar depression for a very long time, almost 6 years. I was in denial for quite a long time until I started hearing things and thinking that things I heard or read were about me. After about four years on and off, the issue I had was that I didn't trust medication because I felt there was no such thing as bipolar disorder. Then, I met a great girl, got married, and she helped me take Lithium consistently. Soon after, I had a miraculous transformation with it. I could think clearly, talk straight, listen, and take care of myself. Everything improved dramatically. I wasn't paranoid anymore. Also, the feelings of death and depression went away, and I could see past myself. Lithium has changed my entire life."
Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) "I started on 150mg then switched to ER. I'm at 600mg heading for 900mg now, and I have to say, you HAVE to give this drug time. I was anal retentive and a perfectionist with a lot of anxiety and depression. It was also easy to manipulate me because I had such low self-esteem at the time. I'd constantly find myself befriending those who had just as low self-esteem and those who liked to undermine me. Since I started, I began to grow a backbone, and it scared a lot of the people who had this control on me. I've thankfully removed these toxic people from my life and have gradually brought in people who want the best for me. It really is a good mood stabilizer. What I do feel bad about today is that the friendships I lost because I wasn't on this drug previously to prevent me from doing something stupid."
"I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2 at 18 years old. From then until I was 22, my life was bad. I couldn't remember ever being happy if I wasn't manic. I had an emptiness that consumed me and left me wanting to end it all. I had tried every medicine - with one doctor recommending shock therapy - until Lithium. Lithium gave me my old self back, to the point where I feel no trace of my disorder. The cons: My stomach gets queasy after I take it, so I take it at night. My thyroid has been negatively affected, so I now have to take Synthroid. The pros: I am happy again, I am functional again, and I no longer feel like a burden. Definitely try it, especially if you've tried everything like I have. Feel better :)"
Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) "I've been medicated for over 20 years now. Lithium carbonate ER is the only medication that stops my suicidal ideation and obsessive thoughts. Yes, I deal with side effects. I just have to be careful with my dosage. I've almost been killed by other meds for mania/mood balance. This is more predictable for me. It does cause me to crave sweets and salty foods. Off it, I don't have that issue. Dehydration is a problem. I have so many other chronic illnesses that it's difficult to pinpoint issues to just this medication. It has kept me from suicide many times now. I have tried many times since my suicidality surfaced when I was 6 years old. Forty years of obsessive suicidal thoughts, and this med has helped the most."
"I was diagnosed with bipolar type I 9 years ago and had 3 acute mania episodes during these 9 years. Most of the time, I was very depressed with suicidal thoughts. Anger bursts and high irritability (especially with light and noise). I tried aripiprazole, pregabalin, valproic acid, clopixol, quetiapine, and even CBD, all of them were more awful than each other (except CBD, which is a bit calming but not so efficient after a few days, very expensive, and nothing compared to lithium). Lithium was a revelation and calmed my mind immediately without making me feel like a zombie. I'm a more calm, relaxed person with far less anxiety while being even more focused. Fortunately, I have even stopped cutting the skin under my feet. For me, lithium has been a miraculous drug at 600mg extended release of carbonate. Lithium is a powerful element, it might not suit you but you should discuss this option with your doctor if you feel no other drug works for you."
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