I haven't taken Lithium, but I work in a mental health facility where it is prescribed quite often. I know that you do have to have your Lithium level in your blood checked quite often, but I also know that the folks who take it say it is well worth having blood taken so often.

I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

XOX

i tried lithium for about 2 months. i absolutely hated it. i felt like i was in some drug induced state constantly almost to the point where i couldn't function. it also made me break out alot too. i hear alot of people are very successful with it and are on it for years.... just didn't work for me.

rapid cycling... almost feeling a different emotion every second. someone asks how you are and you can't even get it out before your mood changes again.... it'll be like that for a few hours than die down and i'll be extremely depressed, then my head will start spinning out of control again....
those are my bad days. on good meds (like the cocktail i'm on now) the "bad days" happen fewer and farther in between.

was that too crazy confusing???

I've been on it for 22 years. I think it's the easiest drug to take. Side effects only in the beginning. (for me at least). I wish I was only on that!

Actually nope that made perfect sense!!! I think I'm a rapid cycler too. Take today for example. I wanted my hubby to yahoo me. He didnt. I went through about 10 mood swings within 30 mins time. Couldnt focus on anything!

I took Lithium---HATED IT!!!!! You do have to have routine thyroid testing and blood work. Docs still use it because it's old school and works for many. In my opinion there are better drugs.
Rapid cycling is when you don't seem to stay in the depression or manics too long. It is like a yo-yo. I'm prone to depression and hypo-mania. I cycle rapidly with both at times, but generally stay in the depressions longer. I hope this helps.
Christi

I'm taking lithium now and tomorrow is my first blood check. I think it needs to be checked a few times a year. I have been told that Lithium is the #1 treatment for BP. It is a natural substance and i am hoping for great things. I think alot of the alternative meds have come about throught the pharmacudical co's. Lithium has always been the first choice of treatment for BP.

I am on lithium and have been on it for a while. You just have to watch your salt intake and drink a lot of water and be ready for blood testing every few weeks. It's a good drug. There are some drug interactions like Advil and you can't eat grpefruit, my favorite, but other than that it's not bad. I take the Lithium ER, I'm not sure what you're on, but I've never had any side effects or anything.

im rapid..lithium was only thing to even touch it..it is a poison,(rumoured to have killed Rasputin) so blood levels monitored closely..i started on 200mg, an been going up by 200 every 2/3 months - at 1000mg now, still havnt scrapped the lower limit..it makes me feel numb and aloof, but better than i felt before! rapid cycling is exactly as says..like being on a rollercoaster..delerious/sad/angry/sorrowful all within the hour..Ive been plotting my moods for doc recently, i actually reel in shock at how quickly i change and to what extreme..rapid? should be called thunderbolt or something..