User Reviews for lithium carbonate oral

While I have not been officially diagnosed as bipolar, I do suffer from depression related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My adrenaline just didn't want to stop coming and this induced a 'manic' type state. I am on a low dose of Lithium and it is so effective I was beginning to think it was a placebo effect. I have had some trouble with drowsiness about an hour and a half after taking my meds, that makes work interesting, but I work at a VA hospital so it's all good. Overall, this has been the most effective medication I have taken since beginning treatment.Read More Read Less

Works well for me for preventing hypomanic relapse and stablizing my mood in Bipolar Disorder Type 2. Side effects were a concern at the beginning. Dry mouth and weight gain were an issue for the first year. The weight gain was primarily due to having an even, level mood with the same calories and less desire to exercise. Request the extended release versions of lithium carbonate from your doctor, Lithobid or Eskalith to even each day out. This drug gets a bad rap, because forms of lithium have been used for years, but it changed and saved by life.Read More Read Less

I have been on lithium for 22 years, Escalith extended release lithium is the best form. taken once a day you feel more stable and "normal" exercise helps keep the weight off and helps the depression, even walking just 3-4 days a week makes a huge difference. Cardio triggers the bodies natural "feel Good" hormones the endorphines and it really helps push away the clouds. Yes side effects can be bad but the alternative is far worse, and I NEVER want to be locked up in a psych ward again so I'll drink plenty of water, exercise and take care of myself, the depression will still come and temporary antidepressants will get me out of the pit, but there is no magic pill for ANY illness and if you sit around waiting, it wont happen and acting on every impulse will get you in trouble, sleep every night, eat a healthy diet, exercise, stay off drugs and alcohol, caffiene and most cold meds, and you will make progress.(I know easier said than done, but could I say all that if Lithium didnt work?) GOD Bless.Read More Read Less

it help me get through my depression, for the chemical imbalance at times i feel like why me. but then again it happened and i have to hopefully overcome this and hopefully not to be a lifetime, cause it take quite a bit of money to afford this and its not cheap.

I just started a week ago. I am starting too feel a change and I feel so much better than i did.. i was very explosive at people,, exspecially my daughter who is 14 years old and does not understand my disease,, now i can have a desent talk with her and be around her without exploding at her. Yes I still get aggitated, but not as bad.

I was diagnosed with BiPolar Manic-Deression in 1992. My doctor thought I may have been suffering with it for many more years. I Recently had a bad experience with the Lithium. After taking it for 18yr. It became toxic in my system. I lost all my energy, and for about 8 weeks I could not eat anything. My potassuim level was almost at 0. I spent 11 hours in the ER before the doctors figured out what was wrong with me. I was addmitted to the cardiac ward for 4 days. They were pushing a potassium IV for the entire time. They also had me hooked up to a heart monator.The Doctor told me I was just a couple of hours of going on a dialisis machine. They were very worried about the Lithium levels being so High. I also have Sarcoidosis. So I am taking prednisone and the doctors were afraid I would have more problems.For the last 6 weeks before being diagnosed I had also quit taking ALL of my medications, which was not a good idea, but I was to sick to even care!Read More Read Less

I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS DRUG FOR 18 YEARS NOW. I HAVE NOTICED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT I HAVE LITTLE WHITE BUMPS ON MY FACE, ANKLES AND FEET. COULD THIS BE CAUSED BY TAKING LITHIUM FOR MANY YEARS/

I have been seeking help for more than 10 years,been tried on several meds. Finally, lithium has helped with the racing thoughts and anger I use to feel. Thank God. The only thing I hate is the constant blood work for leveling. and decreased sex desire. other than that I feel more stable than I ever have.

my moods have evened out , I don't swing from happy to sad. Or get as angry as I was. But I think it is makeing my legs and feet hurt and hold water.

Lithium is the worst drug I have ever taken. At the max dose, I was taking 900 mg/day. It set me off into a mixed state. It made my insomnia worse, and it really tortured my stomach. I couldn't eat anything, but then about an hour after I'd take it, for the next six hours, I'd be vomiting, and it was usually just bile. I lost 25lbs in three weeks, and while I told my doc about my side effects, he told me to hold out a little longer and see if my body adjusted (i found this semi-reasonable, so i did), and after another week, I had deteriorated to the point, that I had to be hospitalized. PLUS I had to get my blood drawn every week. And according to the blood work, I never had enough of the drug in my system to have any theraputic effect, only enough to cause side effects. Long story short: I felt like I was dying,a nd I will go without meds than ever taking that again.Read More Read Less

I was just taken off Lamictal for a possible benign rash, went through a severe withdraw and now taking Lithium 900mg. NOT HAPPY I have yet to get blood work done but I'm dizzy, confused, and get "down" to often. It hasn't done much for the mania which i still get as well. I have gained 10 pounds in two weeks of taking it! I'm tired and shaky and miserable. I really miss the Lamictal and Prozac combo that worked awesome. Its difficult for me to work because of the confusion and Lightheadedness. I crave salt and retain water! Don't have sex drive. Maybe the levels are too high for me..didn't get checked yet....I much rather take a chance with the rash with Lamictal at this point.Read More Read Less

My mood swings have diminished to almost nothing, however I am having trouble with my menstral cycle being more frequent and intense

I wake up every morning with stomach problems and have trouble eating. It is a pain to use and in simple terms "not fun." But it has worked very well and am happy with the results.

I was put on lithium over 10 years ago, and have been trying to get off ever since. I've literally tried every med out there and lithium is the only one that works for me but the side effects are terrible, I've gained over 100 lbs, it messed up my thyroid and my liver so if you can stand to take it, it works really well

Gained like 45 pounds, jacked up my thyroid, had to have the blood work, still ended up hospitalized. Works for some people though. Had a doctor refer to it as the Model T of Bipolar disorder medications.

I'm very sensitive to most anti-depressant side effects but after trying many and giving them up, found a fair amount of relief with a rather low dose of Lithium, only 150mg daily along with one Ativan later in the day for anxiety. Can still have a bad day if things pile up on me but generally I'm much better and no side effects.

I have gained significant, noticeable weight since I began using Lithium. Is there an alternative that can compliment my Lamictal?