rachael Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I'm currently on Valproate, but my pdoc has suggested a switch to Lithium at my last visit, he asked me to consider and read up and I think I want to give it a try since the Valproate is not doing very well with my depression, it also at times makes me sluggish. The next doctors appointment is coming up soon and I was just wondering what experience people have had while going on Lithium. Have you had any specific issues while getting used to it? Did you get changes in cognitive function? What can I expect? How long is the time it takes for it to level out in your brain? I'm a bit worried about how it will affect my functioning to change meds (I have a rather stressful fulltime job). The pdoc is new because of a move, he seems great. I'll make a list with all my questions, but it would be nice to hear some opinions from people on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterJoshua Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I have taken lithium for my bp I foraboutsix years. I find that it really squished any mania, but doesn't do much for my depression so I have to take Geodon to help stabilize my moods. When my lithium levels have been too high, I have experienced tremors and mental fogginess. When my levels are okay I have no side effects at all. It is the easiest med I've ever taken, aside from the occasional blood draw. I also have a very demanding job, and I find that it doesn't interfere with my ability to get the work done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thank you. another quick question: did you have any trouble when starting? I felt on Depakote/Valproate I had a few weeks period until my brain caught up with me again (though that might also have been because I came down from a severe manic episode). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I was on lithium for a while before my kidneys acted up (genetic) and I had to come off it. Lithium is excellent for depression. I didn't notice any cognitive difficulties. It works fairly quickly. It has some side effects, but about the same as depakote/epival. You do have to get blood draws for levels, but if your levels are fine, they'll space them further and further apart. The most common side effect is a mild tremor. They usually start at a lower dose, and you might get some nausea. That goes away. I found after a little while at my "good level" (0.8mmol/L) of 900mg (varies person to person) I had no side effects except my hands shook a bit. I was doing electronics engineering at school during this, and it didn't interfere me doing stuff like drilling, using a dremel, and so on. You may retain water, but it doesn't cause weight gain itself. You might lose weight from Depakote. Drink a lot of fluids, but try to cut down a bit on caffeine, if you drink a lot. You do have to stay away from use of NSAID's, like ibuprofen. Once in a while is okay, but it can raise levels if you use them a lot. It works fairly quickly, once you hit the blood level you need, so about a week or two at most I noticed it fairly fast. It doesn't tend to cause drowsiness. I never noticed a cognitive disturbance, and I took it throughout college. I found it the best mood stabilizer. I'd take it again if I could, but my kidneys won't let me, which is extremely rare, so don't worry about that. Stupid genetics. A regular blood test is about monthly for the first little while, then every 2-3, then every 6 months. It's one vial. Your GP will check your thyroid more often, some peoples thyroids slow down. Mine did not. Sometimes your pdoc will include thyroid in the blood test. No big deal. If your thyroid is off, they'll just add something for it. If your levels are off they'll adjust the dose a bit. Starting it, I didn't notice much until it built up to the proper blood level. Maybe a bit of nausea and extra trembling. It didn't make me drowsy or anything, or dopey. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterJoshua Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 It takes about two weeks for me to really feel it kick in. I've been off and on it a few times, and its always about the same length of time. I did get really manic one time while waiting for it to work and all I could do is wait. I know lithium really varies from person to person, so it would probably be different for you depending on how quickly it builds up in your system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shesellsseashells Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It took a few weeks for Lithium to kick in with me, and then some subsequent adjustments were made until I was at the right dose. I did not experience any cognitive side effects. One side effect I noticed was that I was extremely thirsty and had to pee often. Lithium kept me pretty stable overall. Lithium helps many people, which is what I wish for you, along with a smooth transition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeremonyNewOrder Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 I had some cognitive troubles when I took lithium initially. I had trouble with word recall and short term memory but this went away in a couple of months. The only side effect I have now is increased thirst. I think lithium is a fantastic medicine and should be considered first line for mood disorders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Starting lithium was not a very big deal for me. I had mild nausea that lasted quite a while. That was it. No cognitive impairment or drowsiness. I'm not sure how long it took to begin working as I wasn't manic/mixed when I started taking it. I was depressed but lithium didn't help that on it's own. I needed an AD. It did decrease my suicidal urges. I can't remember how long after starting it I noticed that change. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeremonyNewOrder Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Yes I agree. The capsule form of lithium made me so sick to my stomach that I puked. I did not have that problem on ER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies. I already feel slightly less terrified. I'll make sure to ask about the type of Li since I have a very sensitive stomach anyway (I also had problems on non-ER Valproate). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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