#lithium bipolar

[that-bipolar-mood]

I just discovered I am bipolar, and I started taking lithium last week. But also, since last week I've been experiencing weakness (even walking up stairs I have to support myself somehow) and tremors. Do you think it could be from the lithium? And if so, is there a way to keep taking it or some other medicine that works just as good? I'm scared because I really wanted to give it a shot and see if I get better, and since it's only been a week I haven't even had any effects yet 😭😭

Sorry for the long ask, and if you can't answer it it's totally fine as well!

Hi,

thank you for stopping by.

First of all, take it easy. I mean, this is huge news. Utterly life-changing. And since you were immediately put on lithium, I can assume you had an intense episode at the very least.

So, with that, lithium definitely causes tremors. But other side effects may take time to develop and time to disappear (tremors included). Mine went away with proper hydration and return when I'm dehydrated.

Of course, everyone is different, and I'm a huge lithium advocate, but it's worth saying that whatever meds you take, you need to wait at least a couple of weeks, or months in the case of lithium.

If you are just freshly out of an episode, I'd consider the weakness as a result of said episode. For example, I experienced fatigue when stable after a manic episode, always. And, of course, even mild depression triggers weakness.

So, this is valid, and I advise you to bring it up with your psychiatrist, ask about the dose, and share this concern. Unfortunately, there is a period of adjustment with any medication. Lithium is notoriously hard to get adjusted to, with an array of possible side effects.

I know we all want a med that works, yet comes side effects free. But it's virtually impossible. And the more meds you take, the more uncomfortable side effects you risk. Though there are instances when a medication is introduced to combat side effects like acne, nausea, tremors...

I really wish I could offer more, and I am truly sorry you have to go through this mess. I felt the exact same way in the beginning, and I cannot put in words the unbearable need to just feel normal again. Please urge your doctor to help you find a solution and remember to take it easy and be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is stability.

Best of luck to you, and if you need anything else, let me know. You are a fighter, be proud.

<3

[that-bipolar-mood]

I've said this ages ago, behold, the lithium post.

"Isn't that like a battery? Is it drinkable?"

Why don't we leave the science of it behind a bit, mostly because the majority is speculation.

1. Lithium is an element, one of the original elements if you'd like. It is found in nature and even in a class of stars (how poetic is that?)

Lithium salts have been used as long ago as ancient greece, in the form of baths, where they put manic patients. It's important to understand that the greeks sometimes had a funny (try googling Plato on mania) and sometimes quite accurate view of mental illness. Also, they were pretty tolerant and humane to those affected.

Around the 1950s, it was popular again and used in the treatment of melancholia and mania. It is still considered the best in terms of effectiveness.

2. The downside, although, is that lithium is most effective in patients with mania and especially classic type. For those with bipolar 2 or rapid cycling or even mixed episodes, another stabilazor or antidepressant is generally used.

The fact that lithium is monitored by blood plasma is a good thing and a bad thing. Doctors can easily tell its effectiveness, as your body and dose are adjusted to maintain the perfect level for you. Of course, the problem is lithium intoxication, which means that the concentration of lithium in your blood surpasses the optimal levels. Basically, it becomes toxic.

This can happen when you take too much, but not necessarily. When you build up lithium levels in your blood, even as little as exercise or slight dehydration cause the levels to rise. That's why the most important thing you can do is to stay hydrated and learn about the early signs of toxicity.

3. Side effects most people experience are excessive or pronounced thirst, which goes with frequent urination. This happens because your body is trying to "wash out" the foreign substance in your blood. Followed by tremors that have a range from mild to severe. It has to be noted that in some cases, additional medicine is prescribed if the person's job requires steady hands (for example, pianists).

(Some gain weight, there's evidence of acne connected with lithium, thyroid dysfunction or malfunction that usually happens after a long periods of time, coordination problems, night vision or vision in general problems, lower libido, and plenty plenty more...)

The modern form of lithium has reduced the majority of side effects. Lithium used to be notoriously bad for tolerating in terms of side effects. This is why people nowadays are still prejudiced. Ironically, it had the least side effects for me, none from the former paragraph.

4. The dose you are on matters and should be expected to change. For instance, when you have symptoms of mania, the doctor will up the dose, and once you are back to stability, they might lower it again to avoid depression.

Probably due to toxicity, lithium has a scary reputation. What helped me in the early days was trusting the history, because it was effective for not decades, but centuries. And the memoire An Unqiet Mind, where dr. Jamison tells her journey of how lithium saved her life.

It can also be a nuisance to have your blood levels checked, especially in the beginning, as it has to be more frequent.

Overall, I'd love if you could add your experiences with lithium, your own, or someone you know, to maybe help the narrative and those looking for answers.

[that-bipolar-mood]

Hi I read your post on lithium. Do you have any thoughts on how lithium might help the depression side? I have mixed episodes and less classic mania but my doctor wants me to try it mostly for depressive episodes and suicidal ideation. I'm very very hesitant to try it so I'm looking for all the information I can get. Love your blog btw.

Heya,

thank you for the compliment:)

and keep in mind, I'm not a professional.

So, depression and lithium are kind of a gamble for most. Usually, (and that really says nothing) depression isn't treated with lithium. When patients on lithium experience depression, another antidepressant can be introduced.

BUT. You can find info for yourself, many with major depression and treatment-resistant depression find lithium literally life-saving. And the reason for that lies in this... superpower... this amazing ability that lithium has...

It is the number one treatment for suicidal ideation (which usually follows MDD and similar disorders)

Honestly, the majority of people with bipolar aren't on one medication alone. The standard is some sort of cocktail of mood stabiliser or antidepressant with antipsychotic.

In conclusion, it may work for you. If you're patient enough, you may find yourself rid of a clinical, resistant mindset of suicidal ideation. And I vouch for that. You may also find yourself stable. However, I believe the most common approach for cuties like you, with mixed depression, is a mood stabiliser (aka lithium) and another antidepressant (or if you can't tolerate them, antipsychotic).

If I were you, I'd give it a shot for a few weeks. Worst case scenario, you quit and go back to cocktail combo hunt.

Best of luck to you, stay safe and hold onto yourself <3

If you need anything else, DMs are always open