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    Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.

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  • April 8, 2009

    Lithium medication: Reliable treatment for depression

    By Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.

14 comments posted

Lithium medication has been around for years and is often used to treat depression.

Need more help?
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Lithium medication can also be used as a mood stabilizer for treating bipolar disorder. Lithium medication can be used together with other antidepressants to make them more effective. Those taking lithium need to have their blood tested periodically.

Possible lithium medication side effects include:

  • Increased urination
  • Tremors or shaking
  • Dulling of one's thinking
  • Nausea
  • Sedation
  • Kidney and thyroid disease

Lithium can interact with some medications, and not everyone is a candidate for lithium therapy. Talk with your health care provider for additional information, and share with the group if you've had success with lithium.

14 comments posted

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  • October 23, 2009 2:14 p.m.

    I have seen too many side effects with this in my friends who have been depressed. It seems like a later resort type thing. Just my opinion.

    - Snowday

  • September 18, 2009 1:03 p.m.

    I take Lithium together with Risperdal and am very well.

    - CHRIS

  • September 9, 2009 8:38 a.m.

    my bloke has been on lithium now 6 month and is still constantly tired not been outside for weeks when will he be back to normal anyone answer me on that one

    - sam

  • August 19, 2009 1:43 p.m.

    When are we going to stop with the bandaids and find the cause and cure? I firmly believe this is a result of how much money the drug companies would stand to lose should a cure for mental illness be found. Give the masses just enough to keep them going but not the cure.

    - constance

  • July 17, 2009 2:13 a.m.

    my gf is currently voluntarily in a bsu in a hospital they have recently told her that they are takeing her off prozac and putting her on lithium and she is scared from all the horror storys and being a zombie she also has a child as do i to take care of is this a good idea or should we seek another opinion and get a different med any advice would be very much appreciated as i to am afraid for her i dont want my gf to be a freakin lithium zombie shes bad enough with the seriquil and prozac she takes now

    - loverofbipolargirl

  • June 2, 2009 6:32 a.m.

    My dad has been on Lithium for 20 odd years now. Though it has been helpful for most part one constant reminder of his problem for the immediate family is his agressive behaviour which surfaces from time to time. This shows up atleast half a dozen times a year sometimes lasts a few days & at times stretches to a fortnight/month. Also I have noticed that one other unfortunate side effects:tremors in his hand in the last couple of years. Anybody else notoce the same symptoms & would a cocktail of drugs help to reduce the flare-ups of aggressive behaviour? Any cure of the hand tremors which now getting worse?

    - Krish

  • May 1, 2009 Noon

    I have been on lithium for a long time,900mg a day. We have a natural health drug person in town and he wants me to be on Lithium Orotate. He said its more natural of a form of Lithium and less harmful on the body in the long run. However for me to equal my doseage, I would have to take 9 pills a day instead of 3, and the orotate form is not recognized by my health ins. I basically have to pay out of pocket, and yes its more expensive than the pharmacy form. What are your views on this subject.

    - Confused Okie

  • April 28, 2009 8:03 p.m.

    Lithium, I was put on it a couple years ago. Its NOT helped me. But then yall are not locked away in an Assisted Living because your brain Annie embarrasses your mother.

    - sILVER bELLE

  • April 22, 2009 9:40 p.m.

    I have taken lithium for 34 years for bipolar disorder. This year I was diagnosed with a tumor on a parathyroid gland causing elevated calcium levels and many symptoms. The tumor was caused by long-term use of lithium. Those who have used lithium for 10-15 years may have a 40% chance of developing this condition. The tumor is easily removed by a surgeon who is an expert in this area. Many doctors have no knowledge of this. I am having the non-invasive surgery in a few days and expect to feel much better. In general, lithium has been a good drug for me.

    - Margie

  • April 16, 2009 5:53 p.m.

    Lithium almost killed me. It made me suicidal. No one would listen to me, including a specialist at an ER. During this time, a bit later a nurse wouldn't believe me and insisted and watched me take each and every pill. I finally got out of the hospital and stopped the evil drug and was fine. I hate lithium and do not beleive in it at all. I had no one to turn to during this nightmare. I was isolated. I fell down alot. Could not function w/daily care. Talking w/a health careprovider was useless. Now I am on the RX's I need after a year of pure hell. 4/16/09

    - mary

  • April 14, 2009 8:04 p.m.

    I've been on 300mg of lithium 2xday for six years. My hair is white, but I'm 61 and white hair is in my family. Weight gain has been the main downside. I think the mood stabilizing benefits outweigh the side effects. What lithium dose (mgs) are you on?

    - Mehetebel

  • April 14, 2009 6:55 p.m.

    I "gave in" to lithium in 1983, after the lows got intolerably low and the hypomanias got not so hypo. Been on it 26 years now. Recently retired, most of my lithium years I was a top researcher and grants manager. My hair turned black, then white, I gained weight. Same thing happened to relatives my age not on lithium. I have had to take synthetic thyroid hormone all this time. Just now some mild damage to my kidneys is showing up in lab tests -- from lithium? I spent 20 years after my first bipolar diagnosis saying "I am not sick, I am not taking meds for the rest of my life." Comparing my life before lithium and after, I think any side effects have been well worth it.

    - ken

  • April 10, 2009 9:09 a.m.

    You are right about that . It made me dizzy and shaky. There are a lot of "Natural" things that can kill you too. As you say, they all suck and I would love to get off them, but depression sucks too.

    - akmacdo

  • April 8, 2009 8:41 p.m.

    This may sound far fetched. I may be depressed but I am not delusional. I think lithium also made my hair curly and strengthened my nails. Not worth the side effects though. Anyone else experience this?

    - akmacdo

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