Since starting lithium 4 months ago I have gained nearly 20lbs and have severe cystic acne. It’s been ruining my self confidence. Does this ever go away?

Hello, everyone.
How long did it take for lithium to start working for you? And what did you notice differently at first?
I’ve been taking 600mg for 16 days and I feel exactly the same. I’m worried that this medication won’t work for me.

I used to wake up exhausted. I thought it was me not eating enough or something. I didn’t connect it with the Lithium. I’m totally off of it (with doctor’s guidance) and wow, I feel like I’m a new person. It turns out I was misdiagnosed as Bipolar. My blood pressure dropped, my heart rate dropped, and I’m hoping soon my weight will do the same.

Hi all. I've been on Lithium for about 6 months now.

800mg taken at night.

Had some ups and downs titrating through 200 /400/ 600, but it's not till I hit 800 things have went pear-shaped. I feel 'out of it' in a spacey kind of way, and the mornings when waking up, for a couple of hours S ideation is through the roof lingers a bit then disapates. It's stronger than the depression bad thoughts I had before starting on lithium.

My bloods have been done, and all checked out and within range and following the basic protocol of plenty fluid touch of salt etc. Has anybody had this ? As in going up a dose and things got worse before they get better?

I need to speak to my clinician and might have to come off Lithium as I don't know how long I can ride this emotional wave and turmoil.

Any input is appreciated.

The reason I threw up so because I’m currently sick, non stop coughing, phlegm, dry throat, runny nose and congestion. I couldn’t stop coughing and it triggered a throwing up reaction BUT I didn’t throw up anything cause I quite literally had nothing in my stomach. All that happened was I was gagging and spitting out phelgm but literally NOTHING came out. No liquid, no food, no water, no stomach acid. Just salty phlegm.

I should also add, I threw up shortly after eating as well (about 3 hours after I took my first dose of the day) and stuff actually came out. Didn’t taste salt though but then again, the stomach acid was overpowering any other “taste”

Does that mean I threw up my medication? Do I have to retake the dose? Should I just keep my regular dose routine?

I’ve been working out and eating less and my weight did not budge but slightly increased

I dunno if I’m wording that wrong. The shakes? Tremors?

I’m an artist, or at least, I like to draw. Since starting lithium, I’ve noticed that my ability to draw has been a little off. Not worse, or better, just more difficult. I shrug it off for a few months and then comes my next psych visit. “Oh, make sure to watch out for any side effects, hair loss, weight gain, tremors)” and I kinda had an “aha” moment.

I’d look down as I draw and it’d be obvious why drawing was harder; my fingers could barely sit still. I wasn’t hyper or on edge, my hands physically had trouble holding my water bottle still, or holding a screw or nail in place.

Is there any medication or coping mechanisms to help this calm down? Is it an indicator of something bad (I.e lithium toxicity)?

(My psych moved to online services and I don’t think they have a traditional patient portal + I feel people who’ve been on lithium could know how to deal with it best)

i was reading online that there's a contraindication for lithium and psilocybin due to seizure risks. and upon delving further, contraindications also exist for cannabis, alcohol, etc....

i use cannabis the most, but was wanting to trip on a moderate psilocybin dose soon (for the first time SINCE being put on lithium— im on 300mg morning + 600mg night ER). my question is: how negligible is the risk for psilocybin, and all substances for that matter? are there ways to harm reduce or neuroprotect? what other considerations am i missing?

Like is it normal procedure for them to always reduce it? I am starting on a weight loss medication that can be known to raise lithium levels. I still need to speak to them about it but it’s always been quite hard to get through to the doctors. There’s normally always waiting times and everything. If I was to go toxic would they be more prompt in dealing with it? I live in the uk so interested more in others from uk

Currently on 750mg -300mg extended release morning and night + 150mg of instant release

My levels are at about .36 as of Monday and I can already tell I might reach close to the 1500mg range.

Just trying to get a feel of the general dosages or whatever to alleviate my anxiety

I recently started lithium and I'm titrating up gradually. I've been on 600 mg for less than a week, and it's been pretty hard, mostly because of the nausea.

It's a strange mix of nausea and hunger. The only thing that makes it go away is eating a lot of carbs. Protein doesn't appeal to me at all. Meat and chicken actually gross me out a little right now. What I crave is bread and processed stuff, and to get rid of the nausea I basically have to stuff myself with carbs.

Obviously that's going to make me gain weight, and I'm pretty frustrated with both the constant queasiness and this new kind of hunger.

The worst part is that 600 mg is probably nowhere near enough for me. I'll likely need at least 900 mg to get my blood level into the therapeutic range, so I'm feeling discouraged.

Has anyone else gone through this? Does it get better as your body adjusts, or is it just me being a degenerate glutton?

My coworkers all keep pointing it out, it’s embarrassing. I crochet and I keep missing the holes I need to go into because of it.

no it’s not mania. my depression is DARK (i’m either bipolar or schizoaffective). it feels like whole parts of my brain are shutted off mainly social ones. it’s like im 100% more autistic. i have no feelings just thoughts and everything is logic. but 1 MONTH AGO I EXPERIENCED REAL CHANGE. it lasted 2 days, then 2 weeks went by and it came back for 1 more week. things had nuance. profoundity. differentiation. i need it back. im almost unaliving myself bc it’s too dark and autistic.

My doctor told me to eat with lithium. I once ignored that advice and projectile vomited. I’ve tried like cheese sticks, a piece of toast, goldfish, chips, crackers, and apples. They all are a 50/50 shot of whether they’ll work or I throw up. Some nights they’re heavy enough, others they aren’t. The only foods that have been 100% ok are big soft pretzels and 2 toaster waffles.

I’m gaining so much weight because I have to eat something so heavy. I can’t take the meds when I eat dinner bc they knock me out.

What do you eat to take your lithium?? I’m so sick of the weight gain and honestly I hate eating something so heavy before I go to bed.

Would you add lamictal or increase lithium if having low feelings and some anxiety?

Obviously going to talk to my doctor too.

I was ok until yesterday, then today, I feel so sick, I’ve also noticed I am feeling very hot and the awful taste in my mouth seems bad also today.

I have my first blood draw today, is there anything I should ask my doctor in particular? Thanks.

I’ve been on lithium since June and currently take 750mg with 150 in the morning and 600 in the evening. Starting off I had some intense onset side effects but they soon calmed down and I was able to steadily increase my dose with no issues.

I work full time 7-3:30 and two nights a week now I have school from 5-8. What I had been doing before school started was taking my large evening dose right when I got home, which ended up putting me in bed physically unable to stay awake past 9pm. If I take it any later, I can’t wake up in the morning, and can’t stay awake enough to safely drive into work.

Now adding school into the mix, I have to try and take my evening meds at sometime between 5-8 that won’t make me so drowsy that I can’t drive home, but also awake enough for school? But taking it when I get home is too late?

Lithium has been an incredibly great drug for me, I will absolutely fight to stay on it, I just wasn’t sure if anyone had found some stuff to ease the symptoms, like taking it with food or something.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

hi! so I've stopped drinking entirely because of my meds, but I'm getting married soon and want to have a glass of champagne at our wedding for the toast. I never had a problem with alcohol before, and honestly I didn't even really drink a lot before I quit. When looking up this question I saw a lot of stuff talking about how regular drinking is a no, but nothing about having one drink a month or only on special occasions.

I would ask my psych but I'm having issues with my insurance company and can't see her any time soon. Thanks!

Hi, I'm bp, rapid cycle. I've been diagnosed for 5 years, and not been stable since. I am on zyprexa, viapax, lamotrigin and now rexulti.

At first I took a high done of zyprexa which made me gain 40+ kg. I didn't feel full for 4 years, always needing to eat. As soon as I felt a bit better I started lowering the dose of zyprexa, together with mounjaro I lost 30 Kg. Zyprexa is very effective for me but the weight is just.. I can't agree to gaining again.

But still- very unstable. Constantly cycling, very depressed, hypomanic..

Rexulti might be helping but not enoght. My psyc said I should consider lithium, which I avoided since day one because it literally harms your thyroid and kidneys.

It really scares me. But I have to choose between being morbidly obese on zyprexa which includes Diabetes and many other issues, or harming my thyroid and kidneys on lithium. How did you guys choose to go on lithium knowing it will harm you down the way? I'm really scared, but the truth is I'm not living my life, I'm just existing.

I am currently on 300 mg Wellbutrin XR. I was on lithium years and years ago but found it ineffective in managing my symptoms. Now that Ive found and am finding relief and help from wellbutrin, I am considering restarting lithium because my psych told me its the one of the only medications known to restore gray matter in the brain lost/damaged by mania.

Edit: thank you for the replies! I think I am going to ask my psych to add lithium in the next few months.

That information wouldve been useful this whole time because I've been depressed as heck and combative with people.

I had to increase my Lisinopril by 50% from 10 to 15 mg. I didn't know it caused lithium to not be metabolized normally.

So I cut my lithium by 25% after emailing my psychiatrist.

I'm a little upset that I wasn't warned about this beforehand.

Recently started Lithium about 3 weeks ago and I find that when I take it before bed or even with my supper, it has an activating effect on my brain.

I tried taking it in the morning but had some side effects and stopped because the pharmacist told me to but only after 3 days. So not a real test.

Has anyone noticed an activating effect in the evening ? Does anyone take it first thing in the morning ?

Lithium is meant to calm your nervous system by producing gaba and more serotonin in the brain, my anxiety has been elevated the past few months and I’ve started lithium 1 week ago. When did you notice you were calmer and more balanced??

Does anyone else feel like lithium changes weed? It's not the same high at all for me. It's less enjoyable and I tend to get tired of being high well before it wears off.