Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amandafran on August 12, 2007, at 15:09:01
When you just start out on Lithium...what kind of things can I expect to feel? DOes it make you feel out of it...like a zombie...does it make you feel euphoric...Im so scared about trying it but Im at my last resort. Any advice, comments, stories, etc..would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by linkadge on August 12, 2007, at 16:04:27
In reply to Just starting out on Lithium, posted by Amandafran on August 12, 2007, at 15:09:01
The so called "zombie side effects" of lithium are not predominant in those who tollerate it. Individuals who do respond well to lithium report simply feeling more normal.
When you start it you are not going to feel whacked out or euphoric, you will probably notice that it takes the edge off both extremes.
You may start sleeping better and being more capable of engaging in daily activities.
Lithium doesn't work for everbody. Those who choose to continue lithium generally find the side effects tollerable.
Sometimes spreading doses out can help side effects.
If you can tollerate the side effects, you will probably notice that you feel more stable after a few weeks, although it may reduce the worst of the swings fairly quickly.
Best of luck. The worst that can happen is that you do not tollerate the med and have to discontinue.
Linkadge
Posted by gardenergirl on August 12, 2007, at 17:09:00
In reply to Just starting out on Lithium, posted by Amandafran on August 12, 2007, at 15:09:01
I noticed a lift in my depression almost immediately. The only real side effect I noticed was a feeling of internal shakiness, sort of like feeling weak or like the shakes that come with low blood sugar. It persisted for quite awhile, so I lowered my tiny dose from 600 per day to 450 per day, and that seemed to keep them at bay. Making sure I drank enough water also helped. Recently I was able to raise my dose back to 600 mg, and the shakes haven't come back.
It's been a very good adjunct to my other anti-depressant meds for me. I hope you find positive results as well.
gg
Posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2007, at 20:02:02
In reply to Re: Just starting out on Lithium » Amandafran, posted by gardenergirl on August 12, 2007, at 17:09:00
The relatives I know who take do very well and my ex was on it for awhile and his Dad. Only side effect Shakiness. Good luck You should do well. Love Phillipa
Posted by James_glasgow on August 16, 2007, at 9:13:07
In reply to Re: Just starting out on Lithium, posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2007, at 20:02:02
I was also very worried when I tried it, I thought it was going to knock me out like say Largactil (I beleive it is called Thorazine in the US), but woke up feeling just the same the next morning. Over the next 3-4 days my periods of being high got shorter and were interspaced with periods of "normallity", until by day 5 I was completely on the ground. I did not feel out of it just well, and I was really surpised at the speed it worked and just how much it calmed me and gave me the ability to look as objectively as one can at one's own life. Good luck with it. Take care. James
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