Bipolar Disorder Support Group

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too much lithium

JennS
JennS
Yesterday, at my regular dr.'s appt. she saw how my lithium was on the high side. she thinks that's what was giving me alarming reading to my labs, bp, heart rate, etc. She said that my white cell count was up and that lithium can cause that. I have very shaky hands, muscle twitches and I've been extremely thirsty. I took the smaller dosage starting today.

Can having too much lithium cause you to feel depressed? Can it also make you feel anxious?
am613
am613
Hi Jenn,

Are you drinkinhg enough with the Lithium,
the side effects are supposed to be much worst without enough fluid.
It can also cause kidney damage.......

Hugs,
AM613
JennS
JennS
I've been drinking stuff like it's going out of style. I've drink water, juice, soda pop and some milk.
bookmaven
bookmaven
i went toxic on lithium, they had to cut it out of my med regimen completely. but while i was on it i was constantly warned to increase my water intake - water only, other fluids don't really help. something like 72oz. of water a day minimum. i hope you start feeling better and if you don't talk to your doctors soon about switching you off lithium.
tommymott
tommymott
Lithium toxicity can be fatal so I hope you get things evened out. Besides drinking a lot of fluids while using lithium it's also important to maintain a regular sodium/salt intake. I've used lithium for a long time with no problems besides hand tremor. Oh well.
JennS
JennS
thank you.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
It's important to drink water while taking lithium... Ask your doc or pharmacy about how much

I was Lithium toxic once and was violently ill... I'm glad you're okay sweetie..x
JennS
JennS
thank you everyone. I've heard of lithium toxic but I didn't know how common it is.
Hugs
dancingd
dancingd
I was very stable while on Lithium.

But I went toxic on it.....twice !

Soda isn't a replace ment for good old plain water

Watch your levels.

I sustained permanate kidney damage from Lithium
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