Lithium

[Cyclingsarah]

Hi guys,

just started Lithium yesterday. I know it can take several weeks to work, but I already feel it clearing my head a bit.

question tho. Can lithium make anxiety worse in the beginning - like SSRI’s? Because I now find myself very panicky

I am also on lexapro and mirtazapine. 

[mjs190]

I didn't notice any issues with anxiety when I started lithium a few months ago. For me, it didn't help my anxiety but it didn't make it worse by any means.

[Cyclingsarah]

On 8/15/2019 at 4:29 AM, mjs190 said:

I didn't notice any issues with anxiety when I started lithium a few months ago. For me, it didn't help my anxiety but it didn't make it worse by any means.

When did it start working for you? 🙂 the initial anxiety has passed which is great!

[Rabbit37]

you’ll start feeling it in about 5 days. Allow several weeks for full effect. 

I don’t see any reason it would affect anxiety, one way or another. 

[rowan77]

I started feeling calmer and less manic after being on a steady blood level of approximately 0.8mmol/l for a week or so and then bit by bit my mood evened out over the next couple of weeks. It worked really well for me

I took it for 13.5 years but had to go of it to my detriment because I developed stage 3 chronic kidney disease. I'm now on Valproate