My son took Lithium for some time; am not sure it helped, but he had to go off it because it gave him diarrhea and a skin condition like psoriasis.  Not fun!

Merely Me, Health Guide

3/ 4/10 4:01pm

Really Judy?  Oh no!  That does not sound like fun at all.  I have always wondered exactly what it did and how it would make someone feel.

 

Thanks for your comment...I hope more people get to talk about their experiences.

I was initially diagnosed as bipolar in 1995.  In 1996 some time, I started taking Lithium.  Almost immediately it made me extremely nauseated.  I remember getting my sister to stop by the side of the road so I could throw up.  So I was switched to Eskalith.  I had to go often (I don't remember how often) to get blood drawn to check the blood level.  That got rather tiresome even though I worked in a medical school and it was convenient to get a blood draw during work.

In 1997, I OD'd on Lithium and Trazodone and had to stay in the county hospital on a regular ward till my lithium level went down.  There was no counseling, no one asked if I was depressed or why I wanted to die.  It took several days.  When my parents came to see me, they couldn't find a single nurse on the whold floor.  Then they discharged me.  This was when I reached my lowest point and had to quit the job I'd had for 12 years and had to move in with my parents.

It never worked for me -- never relieved the symptoms.  If I remember correctly, I did have some bloating/weight gain.  But I have a friend who can't live without the stuff.

Merely Me, Health Guide

3/ 5/10 4:14pm

Hey Donna

 

wow...I had no idea that such side effects could happen due to lithium...thanks for sharing your story.  I would like to hear more about your friend and how she fares on it.  Just goes to show you how very unique we all are.

 

anyways...we appreciate you telling us about your experience.  This is really helpful.