Bipolar Disorder Support Group

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Lithium shakes?

rappciteeinblue
rappciteeinblue
I think that the doseage was about 300 mgs of Eskalith that the doctor prescribed when I got out of the hospital.

I have the shakes, so he is taking me off of the ESKL for three days and then I am to take a smaller tab (didn't specify doseage) after the three days. Then, if I still shake, I come in for an eval.


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tommymott
tommymott
To me that's a light dose and indicates that you're in a toxic zone. Dump the lithium and try another stabilizer. Not all people can tolerate lithium.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
I had bad shakes when I first went on lithium, by the time I got up to the full dose they had largely gone.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been on several levels of lithium and still get the shakes off and on. When it was really bad the doctor put me on Cogentin which seemed to help. Everyone's body handles medication differently so do what is right for you. Be specific with your doctor and tell him/her what is happening.
dancingd
dancingd
It's been years since I was on Lithium

I stopped taking it a long time ago.

I still have residual essential tremors

That's the way it works sometimes
Autumn111269
Autumn111269
I'm on 900 mg's a day and I have slight tremors. They aren't too bad but sometimes they get on my nerves. However, the way I understand it is that they do that to some people. The fact you are only on 300 might mean you can't tolerate it and need to try something else. If you can't take a high enough dose to get to a therapeutic level in your blood serum levels then there is no point in taking it. I would talk to my pdoc and tell him exactly what's up if you still have them. Good luck.
jimlucky1
jimlucky1
You can be at a toxic level as Tommy said . Which can feel awful .

I couldn't stand the shakes hands and whole body at times .

Drink lots of water stay hydrated .
KatLin
KatLin
Your doc may be just seeing if it is the dosage before pulling you off. If he sees an improvement since starting it I'm sure it makes him reluctant to just stop it.

I am on quit high dosage of lithium. With each increase I went through a period of shaking but it stopped for most part. If I am not hydrated or if I am exhausted/stressed I do have it until the situations improve. I tend to have crazy eating and sleeping patterns when I have stuff going on......yea I know welcome to bipolar lol.

talk it out with your doc if you don't want to even try the dosage dance with it tell him, make sure you can back up your wishes with logic and knowledge. I personally have been taken more seriously since stabilizing and taking an informed approach to every med change.
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