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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I'm not on lithium never have been but I do have a question or two about it. As I understand it you have to have blood work done every so often. How much blood do they take and how often do you have your levels monitored? Is it like cumadin checks where they check you more often at first then let you go longer in between checks if your level has been ok for a while? Just curious.
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Bllood tests once a week for 4 weeks...then once a month for a year.I on 1200 mgs a day.
I have to see my pdoc once a month and gp once a month to check me and my levels.
Its draining doing so many medical apts....pain in the ass.
I have been on Lithium for almost 3 yrs. Been the wonder drug for me. Every time I take it it gives me a nausia feeling shortly after...but I take it before bed and this seems to knock out the side effects. I'm on 800mg...Starts on 1200mg and took myself down a dose as too powerful. Doc was ok with that.....don't be afraid to tell your docs when your bodie's aren't coping with meds....after all we're all different beings!! I intially had a blood test about monthly....just to see you levels stay within the healthy levels of 0.5 - 1.0. Over this this medicine is toxic and can be fatal. I hover about 0.6 which is constant for me and I'm fairly stable. Now I take a blood test every 6 months. You have to keep your own dates for tests because I've found GP's rarely come chasing you for it! It is our responsibility....but just like diabetes etc....you get used to it. I find it minimal fuss for a good outcome. :) Alli