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asierra831

New Member

Joined : Apr 2012

Posts : 1

Posted 4/3/2012 11:16 PM (GMT 0)

Hello! I am new to this forum, and hope it will help me. Today I start lithium for the first time and am petrified! As well as will be taking an hour later ativan...any input on putting my fears at ease would be great! Thank you!

Living Well

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2011

Posts : 1276

Posted 4/3/2012 11:53 PM (GMT 0)

hi sierra,

Welcome to HW.

I think Lithium might be one of the safer mood stabilisers?? with less side effects than most?? I think with regular serum tests it is quite safe??

I don't know the "usual" experience. I only know mine - and Lithium improves bipolar for me.

People get scared of trials. Even in the WORST case scenario all you have to do is stop taking it (in consultation with your doctor) and see what else might work.

I do understand that we often start trialling medication at our most desperate and don't feel like we can afford feeling worse!

Lithium builds up and works fast, you will know if it suits you relatively soon.

Statistically I think Lithium is one of the more tolerated mood stabilisers for most mh patients.

Let us know how you get on.

Jade x

tortoise11

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2010

Posts : 2896

Posted 4/4/2012 12:21 AM (GMT 0)

Lithium has more tolerable side effects than most. You might feel thirsty, a little shaky. You'll have to drink more water than usual. The tremors will go away over time, but if you get a tremor with anxiety or an adrenaline rush it will be more pronounced.

I like lithium because there is a blood testing to make sure you're at a therapeutic dose - and not tooo much.

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