Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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How long Lithium takes to work?

deleted_user
deleted_user
how long?
I want to start weaning off this junk.
I have been on 300mg for a month, then 600mg for two weeks.
So 6weeks all together and still feel depressed.
this medicine is a mess of side affects,tired all time, take with tons of water, take with food, get blood tests, piss all the time, drink at least 1L water a day.
beckyp
beckyp
Sounds like you should have sstarted feeling the effects of it if you've been on it for 6 weeks. But talk to your pdoc before you stop taking it, please.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's worth persevering until you see the docs.Tell then everything you mention here in the same way.ASK them and they will see what's going on.
deleted_user
deleted_user
They may add another on top etc or try a new one altogether.
deleted_user
deleted_user
for me it took 2 weeks... I should say that the average dose is between 900-1200 mg q/d for me I tke between 300 and 600 mg qd I am hypersensitive to ALL drugs ... I am feeling very low now and can't get anti depressant to get through it.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
You need to be up to the therapeutic dose for it to have an effect. I needed to get up to 800mg before I hit the jackpot.

I feel less depressed now.

(they don't sling you on a higher dose to start with as they may over do it and it becomes toxic).
deleted_user
deleted_user
If your not taking the sustained release tablets you may be flushing it all out of your system. On top of that your on a very low dosage. Its not an antidepressant...just a mood stabalizer. So dont expect that "I feel pretty, oh so pretty!..." feeling from it.

I think that was My Fair Lady...but Im not sure.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was on 600mg a day then got bumped to 900mg a day. For me, Lithium has just taken the edge off the extreme lows.
dobiedots
dobiedots
the average is 1200mgs. You've got a ways to go.
dobiedots
dobiedots
My lithium has stopped working all the time. It no longer prevents breakthrough of depression when the depression is very severe. So now I'm on Lamical also. Seems to be working well.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Okay I'm CON-fused. One person says it doesmt help depression others say it takes edge off. My dr said it wd help with my low mood and rage moments. Sustained release means i don't have to drink water? I want to shit myself cause this was supposed to WORK, my life is almost over and I'm still trying to not feel suicidal and depressed every day. :(
deleted_user
deleted_user
West Side Story ?
deleted_user
deleted_user
? yes my life is a drama full of dance and knife fights
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