Discussion Lithium

[Suicidio 2 chance]

Does anyone know what lithium does to your body and what people use it for?

 

[LittleJem]

It's used for Bipolar and also for depression. Maybe other stuff too, idk.

I know it makes you more thirsty.

I know for some people it's life& saving.

I think the risks are monitored.

 

[BPD Barbie]

It's used for Bipolar and also for depression. Maybe other stuff too, idk.

I know it makes you more thirsty.

I know for some people it's life& saving.

I think the risks are monitored.

Yeah you need to get kidney function checked regularly if I remember correctly. Probably best not to self dose if that's what you're thinking of doing.

 

[Suicide_vampire]

Yeah you need regular blood tests on lithium maybe every 3 or 6 months not sure on frequency

 

[CuddleHug]

Lithium saved me. Tried so many different drugs and most of them just made me feel worse, but with lithium there's a remarkable difference. It keeps me from going into my lowest lows, and my desire to CTB is close to gone. I mean, I'm still thinking about it a lot, but I have no urges anymore.

I'm still in a very bad place mentally, but I don't know which medication causes what. Out of all the drugs I take, lithium is the only one I feel like I will never stop taking because it helps so much.

I've heard that lithium in combination with anti-depressants boosts their effect, but I don't think it's scientifically proven yet. It's a bit controversial since it's viewed kinda negatively already.

 

[Jean4]

Lithium is a salt, and can work miracles. I can no longer take it, and I notice the difference without it.

 

[LittleJem]

Lithium saved me. Tried so many different drugs and most of them just made me feel worse, but with lithium there's a remarkable difference. It keeps me from going into my lowest lows, and my desire to CTB is close to gone. I mean, I'm still thinking about it a lot, but I have no urges anymore.

I'm still in a very bad place mentally, but I don't know which medication causes what. Out of all the drugs I take, lithium is the only one I feel like I will never stop taking because it helps so much.

I've heard that lithium in combination with anti-depressants boosts their effect, but I don't think it's scientifically proven yet. It's a bit controversial since it's viewed kinda negatively already.

@CuddleHug may I ask your dose for Lithium. I'd love to take a low dose of it - maybe 150mg or 300mg, but not sure if that is ever effective. Maybe I'll be put on more of it in due course. I know I need something.

 

[CuddleHug]

@CuddleHug may I ask your dose for Lithium. I'd love to take a low dose of it - maybe 150mg or 300mg, but not sure if that is ever effective. Maybe I'll be put on more of it in due course. I know I need something.

I'm not really comfortable talking doses, because it's very individual. It's a kind of salt, so it is filtered differently depending on genes, diet, exercise, water intake etc. What I was told when I started was that a person half my weight could need 8 times my dosage, because I only need a relatively low dose. What you need to look for is the concentration in your blood and adjust dosage from that.

 

[Sensei]

It's used for Bipolar and also for depression. Maybe other stuff too, idk.

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but this sounds very strange to me. In my country, lithium is only prescribed for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is only prescribed for bipolar disorder and epilepsy. (This is according to the offical and very detailed guidelines for medication.) Yet, I've encountered many people here who get lithium and lamotrigine for unipolar depressions. Admittedly, psychiatrists are rather restrictive when it comes to prescribing psychotropics in my country; for instance, when I asked for sedatives, I was given antihistamines instead of benzodiazepines. I don't know if any conclusions can be drawn from this, but I get the feeling that someone is doing it wrong.

 

[LittleJem]

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but this sounds very strange to me. In my country, lithium is only prescribed for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is only prescribed for bipolar disorder and epilepsy. (This is according to the offical and very detailed guidelines for medication.) Yet, I've encountered many people here who get lithium and lamotrigine for unipolar depressions. Admittedly, psychiatrists are rather restrictive when it comes to prescribing psychotropics in my country; for instance, when I asked for sedatives, I was given antihistamines instead of benzodiazepines. I don't know if any conclusions can be drawn from this, but I get the feeling that someone is doing it wrong.

Different countries do different things. It's weird isn't it. I know people prescribed Lithium and also Lamictal for depression.

 

[Sensei]

Different countries do different things. It's weird isn't it. I know people prescribed Lithium and also Lamictal for depression.

It's tempting to assume that depressed people who respond well to lithium and lamictal in fact suffer from bipolar disorder II or at least are in the bipolar spectrum. The first episode is usually a depressive one, so there's no history of hypomanic episodes; hypomanic episodes can sometimes be mistaken for normal energy and optimism; the ratio between hypomanic and depressive episodes may be as extreme as 1:40; and so on. I may of course be completely wrong about this.

 

[k75]

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but this sounds very strange to me. In my country, lithium is only prescribed for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is only prescribed for bipolar disorder and epilepsy. (This is according to the offical and very detailed guidelines for medication.) Yet, I've encountered many people here who get lithium and lamotrigine for unipolar depressions. Admittedly, psychiatrists are rather restrictive when it comes to prescribing psychotropics in my country; for instance, when I asked for sedatives, I was given antihistamines instead of benzodiazepines. I don't know if any conclusions can be drawn from this, but I get the feeling that someone is doing it wrong.

I'm not bipolar, but I have major depression and am prescribed 900mg lithium along with an antidepressant. It does not do anything for the depression by itself, but it helps with my suicidal ideation. When I'm not on it, my urges get almost irresistible.

My psychiatrist says it also is supposed to enhance the effects of my antidepressant, but I don't notice a difference.

I've also been on an antidepressant/lamotrigine combo in the past, but I had bad side effects from that one.

 

[Sensei]

I'm not bipolar, but I have major depression and am prescribed 900mg lithium along with an antidepressant. It does not do anything for the depression by itself, but it helps with my suicidal ideation. When I'm not on it, my urges get almost irresistible.

If it works for you, excellent. I just find it peculiar that there are so different practices in different countries.

My psychiatrist says it also is supposed to enhance the effects of my antidepressant, but I don't notice a difference.

Never heard that it could, but I'm not a psychiatrist.

 

[k75]

If it works for you, excellent. I just find it peculiar that there are so different practices in different countries.



Never heard that it could, but I'm not a psychiatrist.

It's weird to me, too. So many medications can do different things just based on a dose change. So many rules. It's no wonder people have such a hard time finding a combination that works for them.

 

[faust]

Sorry, I have never been on Lithium, I will just leave the song there

 

[Slow85]

I take 800mg of lithium . Lithium is a mood stabiliser and I take it for schizoaffective disorder.
I have regular blood tests to ensure my lithium level is stable ( under 1 is safe I think? )

 

[LittleJem]

I'm always self-medicating - and just started myself on 250mg of LIthium Carbonate this evening. I know it's really really low. Am going to add some Lithium Orotate too. I am seeing a psychiatrist soon on the NHS hopefully, and obvs they won't be impressed by all my self medicating (don't know whether I'll tell them) but I am just trying to get through teh days - was so bed ridden today - so hoping LIthium will help. Will report back OP

 

[Slow85]

I'm always self-medicating - and just started myself on 250mg of LIthium Carbonate this evening. I know it's really really low. Am going to add some Lithium Orotate too. I am seeing a psychiatrist soon on the NHS hopefully, and obvs they won't be impressed by all my self medicating (don't know whether I'll tell them) but I am just trying to get through teh days - was so bed ridden today - so hoping LIthium will help. Will report back OP

How will you manage your lithium levels with self medication? I was started on 200mg first and then titrated up based on my lithium levels - lithium toxicity can happen on pretty low levels?

 

[BPD Barbie]

I take 800mg of lithium . Lithium is a mood stabiliser and I take it for schizoaffective disorder.
I have regular blood tests to ensure my lithium level is stable ( under 1 is safe I think? )

I think this is the answer to a couple of questions on its usage. It is a mood stabiliser, as is lamotrigine, they are supposed to keep your mood up so I can see why it's being given for things other than bipolar.

 

[Slow85]

I think this is the answer to a couple of questions on its usage. It is a mood stabiliser, as is lamotrigine, they are supposed to keep your mood up so I can see why it's being given for things other than bipolar.

I don't see mood stabilisers as keeping my mood 'up' so to speak. Mine is used to keep my mood level as I have bipolar type schizoaffective and my mood is up and down in cycles and the lithium is used to try and keep it steady..... obviously I don't speak for everyone but I work in mental health and don't see a lithium used as a main treatment for depression in the UK - it might be attached to an antidepressant or for someone with strong suicidal feelings .
Everyone is different though and responds differently to different medication and what works for one doesn't for another sometimes !

 

[LittleJem]

How will you manage your lithium levels with self medication? I was started on 200mg first and then titrated up based on my lithium levels - lithium toxicity can happen on pretty low levels?

Don't k know tbh. Am going to add Lithium Orotate in the mornings. I guess I will confess it to psychiatrist (maybe) or doctor more likely. I think it's too low ATM to need monitoring, but will look into it. I am crazy/desperate. Nearly took megadose of LSD, but had lost my LSD. LSD is dangerous with Lithium, so I guess this current self medication is the sensible route ;)

 

[Slow85]

Don't k know tbh. Am going to add Lithium Orotate in the mornings. I guess I will confess it to psychiatrist (maybe) or doctor more likely. I think it's too low ATM to need monitoring, but will look into it. I am crazy/desperate. Nearly took megadose of LSD, but had lost my LSD. LSD is dangerous with Lithium, so I guess this current self medication is the sensible route ;)

Sorry I didn't mean to question you- I take lithium and it's a nasty drug if not monitored properly is all! If you feel its to low a dosage to be monitored then it's pointless taking it really.... you need a lithium level of between 0.6 -1.2 (considered safe ) though most UK docs don't like above 1, and they tend to titrate you on a level when you start to feel an improvement coupled with your bloods. It's a tricky one to just manage yourself .....

I hope you can get the strength to talk to a doctor about it and they will Listen x

 

[Sensei]

Don't k know tbh. Am going to add Lithium Orotate in the mornings. I guess I will confess it to psychiatrist (maybe) or doctor more likely. I think it's too low ATM to need monitoring, but will look into it. I am crazy/desperate.

If I understand it correctly lithium orotate is weaker than regular lithium. I take 168 mg a day, so maybe that can serve as an indication, but medicines have good effects on me even at low doses.

Nearly took megadose of LSD, but had lost my LSD. LSD is dangerous with Lithium, so I guess this current self medication is the sensible route ;)

Are you referring to the studies that claim that lithium amplifies the effects of hallucinogens? Judging from my own limited experiences of hallucinogens, I think these studies may be correct.

Sorry I didn't mean to question you- I take lithium and it's a nasty drug if not monitored properly is all! If you feel its to low a dosage to be monitored then it's pointless taking it really.... you need a lithium level of between 0.6 -1.2 (considered safe ) though most UK docs don't like above 1, and they tend to titrate you on a level when you start to feel an improvement coupled with your bloods.

Where I live, the upper limit is 0.9 and they never go past that.

It's a tricky one to just manage yourself .....

Well, it can be done. You just have to wait until you get sick as hell. :P When I got a too high dose in the initial stage, it was like having a very nasty flu and I lost six kilos in a week.

I hope you can get the strength to talk to a doctor about it and they will Listen x

That would no doubt be the best course of action.

 

[LittleJem]

I love all your replies, and they have also brought a (faint but still there) smile to my lips. Think the word for this kind of smile is wan! I don't mind being questioned. My self-medicating ways are a little silly. But I also don't trust doctors that much and I'm not really sure anything will help - so at the moment till I see another psychiatrist, I am my own guinea pig. I need to give myself a guinea pig name - any thoughts welcome!!!

Re Lithium and LSD - it is a very dangerous combination that can cause seizures. It also causes very bad trips. I read up on it a while ago - perhaps when I was taking Lithium Orotate. Here is a snippet from Reddit on the combo:
So - not recommended at all -very dangerous.


Lithium Orotate is meant to cross the brain/blood barrier easier - so am going to try combining LC and LO. It will probably do nothing at this low dose (or maybe even at a high one!) - but you never know, I could be lucky.

 

[Sensei]

Very interesting article! Hallucinogens have an interesting effect on me: even sub-threshold doses usually lift my mood and make me feel perfectly stable for several days. Maybe the trick is to take small doses.