I have bipolar disorder but I'm afraid of lithium. What other medicine can help me?
Do you mind if I ask why you don't want to take Lithium? The only reason I ask is because I want to be able to answer your question and have it be applicable to your life.I was diagnosed with Bipolar II about 6 years ago and was prescribed Lithium. When I was compliant with my meds the Lithium worked wonders for me. When I decided to tell my doctor to go "take a hike" (a nice way to put it) I would spiral out of control until I grew tired of feeling miserable and would take the Lithium again.In terms of effectiveness, you can't do any better than this old school medication. With so many new medications available today, there's a reason why Lithium is still prescribed. I had to stop taking it due to other unrelated medical problems, and nothing else I've tried can even compare. I was prescribed many different doses of Abilify, tried different variations of adding other mood stabilizers (such as Buspar and Lamictal) and am now taking Latuda as part of a medication cocktail that I continue to struggle with in terms of effectiveness.This brings me to my next question. Are you not wanting to take medication of any kind to treat a mood disorder? If this is the case, I can tell you now from YEARS of refusing to take any type of psychotropic medication because of the stigma that went along with it. This is true for Lithium in particular. There are so many false beliefs about Bipolar disorder and Lithium out there. It is not (and I absolutely despise this term) a "crazy person" medication or illness. It's a chemical imbalance in the brain that happens to require the help of both pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy. My only regret is not starting treatment sooner.
Do I feel like this because of the Lithium?
Taking lithium with food can help decrease or avoid stomach upset. Lithium may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially when first starting the medication. Make sure you know how you react to the medication before you drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that may be dangerous if you are not alert. Patients taking lithium should not start a low salt diet without talking with their healthcare provider, since low sodium blood levels can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Lithium should not be taken with coffee, tea, or cola since caffeine can decrease lithium levels in your body. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs. The level of lithium can be measured to ensure safety and effectiveness. High blood levels can result in more side effects, and low blood levels may not treat symptoms well. Lithium tablets or capsules are usually taken 2 or 3 times daily, however, lithium may be taken once daily as long as a person tolerates the possible stomach upset. Your healthcare provider will determine the dose that is right for you based upon blood level and your response. While many people take 900–1200 mg/day, you may need higher or lower doses. Use a pillbox or calendar to help you remember to take your medication. The loss of too much water or salt from your body can lead to serious side effects from this medication. Make sure you drink enough water in hot weather, during activities that cause you to sweat (exercise, saunas, hot baths), or when you have the flu and are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms that may occur in an overdose: confusion, difficulty concentrating, sluggishness, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination, tremor, and muscle weakness or twitching. In severe cases, people can develop seizures, respiratory difficulty, coma, and death is possible. People who are taking lithium should consult their doctor before taking or discontinuing the following: Diuretics may increase the amounts of lithium in the body, Antipsychotics may increase or worsen the side effects of lithium, Anti-inflammatory drugs may increase the amounts of lithium in the body, Antihypertensive drugs may increase or worsen the side effects of lithium, Carbamazepine may increase or worsen the side effects of lithium. For lithium to reach its maximum effectiveness, two to three weeks are often required.
Which is the more effective mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, lamictal or abilify?
I've been switched to abilify because depakote was elevating my ALT serum levels and causing weight gain. However, abilify appears to have some nasty side effects such as ongoing nagging head ache and shortness of breath (I never feel like I can get a full breath). I've been on Lamical in the past but can't remember how effective ti was. I understand that this question is contextual to the person taking the medication but I'm looking for feedback from other people experienced with both.
Lithium For A Girl's Name?
I don't like it. It is the name of a drug they gave to people with mental issues and i don't like the song with that name either.
Why are there so many songs titled Lithium?
I remember my sister telling me this, but I forget the bands she told me had the song title (already knew about Evanescence). I don't get it. Why is Lithium such a popular song title? Another question: What is the Evanescence song, Lithium, about?
Would you consider Lithium a serious drug?
It's a very serious drug because it requires constant monitoring of the lithium levels in your blood to make sure that it isn't high enough to kill you or make you sick. However, I have had nothing but good effects from lithium and am thankful that I am on it. It has helped with my flashbacks and rage and is helping with my psychotic problems. Just make sure you get your blood tested at least once a month and everything will be fine, I get my blood taken once every two weeks and haven't had a problem in the months that I've been on it. It took about two months of them raising my does little by little before it started working for me. Good luck!