I'm starting on lithium and wondering what I will feel like when it starts working. Will I really notice any different?
How will I feel when I take lithium?
Question posted by Val12penny on 12 June 2014
Last updated on 31 December 2019
7 Answers
lance938
1 July 2019
I’ve been taking it for over 40 yrs. When I started taking it, the fogginess and depression went away. My hands had slight tremors. I became stable, no highs and no lows. You just have to stick with the same dosage and you’ll be fine.
I’ve been able to function well all my life on it.
indianangel1232
24 Aug 2019
Hi my name is Angel, I am supposed to start on lithium today... I am sooo scared... I have been on lamictal and it made my depression 75 times worse... not sure how that’s possible... I was on antidepressants for 25 years and they always stopped working... I have a lot of health issues due to being on meds when I stop taking them my issues are not so bad.. but I can’t not take anything. I’m scared I wish I could have somebody that has taken it before sitting next to me..☹️
ZiggyWiggy
1 July 2019
You *may* feel a difference. It could be better, it could be worse.
It annoys me when I see people reply saying that it will change your life, or you will feel amazing. No, that's true for those people.
I'll tell you my experience which is just that and not intended to be a predictor of yours.
I was hospitalized in 2007 in a suicidal state after been on Effexor for a decade because of a wrong diagnosis. I came out of the hospital with a new diagnosis - atypical rapid-cycling bipolar II. And my med regimen was changed to the standard lithium + lamictal.
I have just successfully completed a slow process of coming off lithium and here's what I learned:
1. It destroy what pitiful semblance of sleep I already had.
2. I stopped having dreams
3. I stopped having morning erections (I even forgot they existed. There are an important health indicator for men)
4. I got microtremors in my hands. My handwriting became terrible. Sometimes I had to hold my pen with both hands and print about one letter per second. This had a profound impact on my professional life.
5. It left me nearly emotionless
Meanwhile, I started various forms of other therapy (non-drug) which ultimately led me to my current diagnosis of C-PTSD/DDNoS - basically severe childhood trauma. During the tapering off the lithium, I noticed my emotions becoming more fluid and natural. Lithium was preventing my progress at resolving the trauma.
Because of the insomnia, I was also on Lunesta. Actually, I still am but only because withdrawal is too hard. Same is true for the lamictal. My psych wanted me off the lithium first because my blood tests suggested that irreversible kidney and thyroid damage had started.
My BPII wrong diagnosis put me on powerful meds for 12 years that I didn't need. They did serve a valid purpose at first (i.e., to help with an acute crisis).
So, that's just my experience.
Don't assume that just because you have a diagnosis that merits a particular med that it's the right diagnosis.
Lithium isn't benign but the effects are slow and so it seems benign.
panicnomore
11 Oct 2018
I'm starting Lithium today, 300 mg twice a day. Worried.
Lovinglife1
24 Dec 2018
Don't be... it will change your life! Since I was 30 I was misdiagnosed for my depression... be patient I started it a few months ago and I am so much happier... just give it time!! I am on 600 mg but doctor did have to give me valium to stop tremors... it will all even out and you will feel amazing!!!
Ally36
11 Jan 2019
How long have you been taking 600 a day? That’s what I’m prescribed also. I do not want the shakes!!
smileyhappy
31 July 2014
I had a major depression in 2007 and was put on lithium along with Manerix. I had the stakes rely bad for months from lithium. But it went away gradually. I feel great on it. I have no depressions anymore. I can handle anything now. I have great self Confidence. I fell free!
Hope this helps you.
Ally36
11 Jan 2019
When do the shakes start? I’ve been taking 300 mg of lithium going on 4 days now and will soon be bumped up to 600.
Stephen Treloar
31 July 2014
At 1200mg/day (I think) after a while, I developed an almost unnoticable, really minor, shaking in my finger tips. I sadly didn't respond but it was a bit of a long shot anyway; quite some time ago. It caused me no concern or problem then and disappeared upon discontinuation.
Lithium is possibly one of the most benign medications I have ever taken. Except what I mentioned, that was it.
Best of luck and good wishes. Steve
kmlvr9
13 June 2014
I have been on lithium for years. Lithium really does help me! It stabilizes my depression and prevents manic states. Be patient for the results. It can take a week or two to get your levels up enough to feel better. Make sure you get your blood checked by your doctor regularly so that the levels don't get too high. I personally cant take lithium carbonate, so I take Eskalith or litium carbonate ER. ER means extended release. This form of lithium is much better. As soon as your lithium levels get at the right levels, you will begin to feel much better!
panicnomore
11 Oct 2018
I have the MTHFR gene mutation. Is that why Lithium ER is better for you?
Robin3
31 Dec 2019
Thank you for hope
WildcatVet
12 June 2014
Hi, Val! I started lithium about a year ago after decades of no response to other, more *modern* meds and I absolutely love it! I was afraid of it when I started ~ that I'd turn into a zombie, but I had no side effects at all.
How do I feel? Normal. Happy. Motivated.
My severe, rapid cycling mood swings began to *even out* and most important for me, my episodes of violent, aggressive rage disappeared altogether.
I feel much better physically too. I'm sleeping and eating well, and I have my interest in my hobbies and activities back.
I'm not 100% and probably never will be, but 80% feels great!
Best wishes, WCV
Michelley
16 July 2017
My daughter is just starting she's taking 600mgs of lithium, she's almost 17. I'm concerned about her sexual feelings as well as in the future of her having a child herself ove day.
Deeski2000
16 July 2017
I take 150 mg 3 times daily (450mg). 600mg is a high dose, the doctor's over prescribe. Lithium carbonate is toxic, and can cause health problems or death if taken in too large of a dose. My lithium level was 3.2. I have made lithium carbonate myself, which is pure. I know Walgreen's supplier adds talc to their pills, which has been linked to ovarian cancer. Lower doses are better in my opinion. There is also a product called lithium orotate, which is non-toxic (much smaller dose). Lithium should not be taken while pregnant. Also, everyone's brain is different so drugs can effect people differently. For instance, ziprazidone hydrochloride gave me akathesia, yet made another patient sleepy. Doctor's are experimenting with these drugs, and do not know exactly how lithium carbonate works. I have tolerated lithium very well. The anti psychotics are the bad drugs, and I do not recommend that. I currently take cymbalta, lithium carbonate, and zoloft, and feel much better than taking an anti psychotic. Less lithium is better than too much.
Blephen
10 April 2018
I have a comment in relation to deeski2000’s response, 1) 600mg is not a high dose and seems irresponsible to suggest the doctor is over-prescribing 2) The amount of beneficial lithium is different for each person. If done with regular blood work, there may be the same benefit for one taking 600, and one taking 150, 3) you are making universal statements based on your own subjective experience with lithium. That doesn’t work. Everybody’s chemical makeup is different; you can’t just claim to low levels of lithium is better without including you mean “for you.” 4) this mother is concerned about her daughter. Don’t make claims to unsettle her when they have not much logical merit.
Lovinglife1
24 Dec 2018
It's a great feeling isn't it!
Robin3
31 Dec 2019
I am so happy for you. I was just started on lithium 300 mg with Zoloft 50 for major depression and anxiety and I’m so glad to hear getting better is possible
Related topics
depression, bipolar disorder, lithium
Further information
- Lithium uses and safety info
- Lithium prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lithium (detailed)
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