lithium side effects
What are side effects of Lithium and how long do they last?? I have been on Lithium 500mg only 2 weeks but am feeling nausea, dizzy, very tired sleeping a lot, and very slow mentally.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 11 years ago, at 36, but new there was something quite wrong with me from about the age of 18. My latest suicide attempt was very nearly successful so my meds have been changed, but i feel like crap...how long will this go on??
Hi, Kathryn. Two weeks is too long to be feeling this way. Two possibilities: 1) Lithium could be the wrong med for you. 2) Lithium could be the right med but the wrong dose.
It's best to call your pdoc right now and work out a solution. Often, pdocs fail to get feedback from their patients. With your lithium prescription, your pdoc would have instructed you to go for a blood test. This way, your pdoc can calibrate the dose. Proper lithium dosing is based on blood levels. I don't pretend to understand the technicalities, but the dose range as related to your blood count should be in the neighborhood of .6 to about 1.0. Perhaps even lower. Mgs are pretty much irrelevant as a measure when it comes to lithium.
If you're still having problems in the low dose range, then you may need to find a different mood stabilizer, but this is a matter between you and your pdoc. Hope this helps.
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Hi John;
I have been feeling heaps better, the doc thought i may have had a virus. My lithium level is only .4 so at this stage the doc is leaving it at that. I must say I think it is definately helping and it feels so good to FEEL GOOD again!!!! :0)
Thanx for ur feedback.