My Experience with Lithium for Mental Health

Before Lamictal, i was self medicating with lithium orotate suppliments. It saved my life. I still take it on high symptom days.

@marinav i have gastroparesis, basically my stomach doesnt break my food down or move it through due to damage. Already had it but lithium worsens that exact thing. Ive tried 25+ medications all psychiatric and lithium was the only thing that stopped the bipolar but at a bad cost. I have really harsh reactions to anything I take so i use thc and cbd to stop the episodes and its as relieving as lithium while also helping my chronic illnesses. If there are any illnesses or genetic susceptibility to GI issues lithium has a big risk there unfortunately. So many meds do

I could never reach a therapeutic level with lithium it just made things worse. I went too seroquel for my bipolar and it worked wonders. Only problem is you have too worry about a little weight gain.

@jadie, what chronic illnesses do you have? I’m currently on lamotrigine and it’s been working well but have heard good/bad side effects with lithium

I was on it and before the side effects became noticeable it was so helpful. Once i reached the right dose i felt much more in control of my life and could slow myself down better emotionally as I was not being affected by the swings. Its strong and effective for bipolar however it is so worth paying attention to risk factors with any medication and for me personally it worsened two chronic illnesses in undoable ways. Anyone with GI or nervous system issues be careful and look up side effects before taking, as everyone should do with every medication. If i didnt have those illnesses and didnt find something else to replace it then I would be wanting to get back on it.

I have to be honest I hate the idea first but after a while taking in, is no so bad