Chelly - Lithium isn\'t like other drugs. Once your on it (say a week or two) you will not notice any zombie feelings. Your body will adjust on its own. I\'ve been on it since 1985 and it saved me life. Took me 2 weeks to adjust and get constant blood levels but after that it\'s a walk in the park. Let me know how you\'re doing, if you started it yet.

I wont be starting it until sometime in January. that is when I go back to my pdoc. I only get to see him once every 6-8 weeks so thats when we make changes with meds. thank you for the insight.

Never worked for me but my doctor swears that what I am on now, Lamictal and Abilify, are the keys to my success. Not quite sure of that yet. Thanks for letting me share.

if you have sleep issues then your doc should accompany the lithium with something for sleep. that\'s all i take. but i think we all must remember the level of self care that goes along with managing this illness: regular sleep patters, regular exercise, a diet high in omega 3s, limiting stress, being with friends, limiting caffeine and alcohol etc. i think that as much as the drugs do, a lot of keeping the episodes away has a lot to do with our own health maintenance behaviors.

I appreciated your post very much. My husband has been taking 1200 mgs of lithium in total, twice a day..BUT he also gets very sleepy during the day. He is taking a time released lithiuum, so I wonder if he took all 4 pills at night, it would do the same thing as morning and evening. He has also gained weight, and is very self conscious about it. He\'s in consulting work and is in front of people all the time. Not being able to look or feel as good in his clothes is really bothering him. IT IS WORKING THOUGH!!! Thank the Lord. He went cold turkey off of caffiene, and it changed the whole dynamic of the lithium in his body. I can\'t say enough good about it now!

QUESTIONS....

How many hours are you sleeping a night? And how much water do you drink per day? How do you deal with the demands from those around you who don\'t necessarily understand what you are going through and how you need to live in order to stay balanced? We\'re dealing with all these issues.

Thanks for any reply you have time to give...much appreciated! Blessings,
Sharalee

I appreciated your post very much. My husband has been taking 1200 mgs of lithium in total, twice a day..BUT he also gets very sleepy during the day. He is taking a time released lithiuum, so I wonder if he took all 4 pills at night, it would do the same thing as morning and evening. He has also gained weight, and is very self conscious about it. He\'s in consulting work and is in front of people all the time. Not being able to look or feel as good in his clothes is really bothering him. IT IS WORKING THOUGH!!! Thank the Lord. He went cold turkey off of caffiene, and it changed the whole dynamic of the lithium in his body. I can\'t say enough good about it now!

QUESTIONS....

How many hours are you sleeping a night? And how much water do you drink per day? How do you deal with the demands from those around you who don\'t necessarily understand what you are going through and how you need to live in order to stay balanced? We\'re dealing with all these issues.

Thanks for any reply you have time to give...much appreciated! Blessings,
Sharalee

Lithium made me lethal. I was so hyped up and strung out it was pathetic. I actually took myself off of it and that was a dangerous thing to do. I don\'t recommend that to anyone. I just could not handle the effect it had on me.

Lithium...I wouldnt be here without it. Funny how a mineral that occurs naturally could be such a Godsend. Lithuim, is the NATURAL choice.

I have been on lithium since 1990, it has been a constant in my med routine. I have trouble getting to a theraputic level, why,I don't know. I also take lamictal and abilify, lithium alone doesn't do it for me. My thyroid function is still good but I have lots of small nodules in my thyroid gland. I take all of my lithium at night (1200 ex. release) this has helped with sleepiness but I still have a great deal of problem with sleeping to much, sometimes as much as 20 hrs. per day. But I am also taking other hard hitting meds that cause sleepiness. All in all I guess lithium is a greater help than not. I still have my times that I want to drop all meds and start over.

well i take 1200 all at night with sleep meds too. i'm more manic than depressed so sleeping is an issue. but in the morning i walk 3 or 6 miles (its a 3 mile loop) to wake me up, get my mood going and keep off any extra weight the meds are likely to put on. exercise is something us BPD types cannot live without. 32 days ago i was suicidal and i ran/walk 6 miles with tears running down my face and it didn't entirely go away but it sure is a mood booster. it also wakes you up and gets rid of drowsiness. i throw in one cup of coffee and the day is set. much less drowsiness than i used to have. i make it very clear to my doc what i require in terms of functionality and we work hard for me to maintain what i need. i will work. i will parent alone. i will have a social life. and if i have to acupuncture, yoga, stretch, walk, run, omega 3, call a friend my way to that i will. with no apologies or explanations to anyone. cancer patients get chemo, their hair falls out. no explanation needed. this is my cancer.

Since I have been diagnosed back in 1999, Lithium was prescribed, and I have been taking it ever since. It was not until recently that the dr. decided to add lamictal. I did gained a lot of weight, but I have been working hard on that matter.

Lithium has literally saved my life and its the first med I never forget to take because its practically becomes as important as breathing for me.After the everlasting nasty aftertaste with everything I ate wore off after several months, I have no significant side effects of lithium besides randomly puking a lot more than I ever did before. I hate getting my levels taken all the time though because it makes me feel paranoid that somethings going to be wrong with me. I know its worth it though

I wanted to know what were to side affects were.

any sexual side affects for males. I dont want to deal with side affecet like that.
Special diet, sleepyness, concentration problems, ect.

Lithium changed my life. My whole frame of mind changed olmost immediatly after i started taking it. I feel good!

I just started my lithium today and i am hoping its going to work. I think it will have taken it before several yrs ago. I know there is a short window for toxicity and am a bit nervous.