Lithium how do you feel
It's important not to change to a different type unless your doctor has recommended it. This is because different types are absorbed differently in the body. Lithium carbonate comes as regular tablets and slow-release tablets — where the medicine is released slowly over time.
Lithium citrate comes as a liquid. This is usually only prescribed for people who have trouble swallowing tablets. Doses vary from person to person.
Your starting dose will depend on your age, what you're being treated for and the type of lithium your doctor recommends. If you have kidney problems your doctor will monitor the level of lithium in your blood even more closely and change your dose if necessary. You will usually take your lithium once a day, at night. This is because when you have your regular blood test, you need to have it 12 hours after taking your medicine.
You can choose when you take your lithium — just try to keep to the same time every day. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water or juice. Do not chew them. You can take lithium with or without food. If you're taking liquid, use the plastic syringe or spoon that comes with your medicine to measure the correct dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as you will not get the right amount. When you start taking lithium, you will get a lithium treatment pack usually a purple folder or book with a record booklet.
You need to show your record booklet every time you see your doctor, go to hospital, or collect your prescription. The treatment pack also has a lithium alert card. You'll need to carry this card with you all the time. It tells healthcare professionals that you're taking lithium.
This can be useful for them to know in an emergency. When you start your treatment you'll need to have a blood test every week to make sure the level of lithium in your blood is not too high or too low. Your doctor may change your dose depending on the results of your blood test. Once the doctor is happy you'll have a blood test every 3 to 6 months to check the level remains steady. Once you find a dose that suits you, it will usually stay the same — unless your condition changes, or your doctor prescribes another medicine that may interfere with lithium.
Do not stop taking lithium suddenly or change your dose without speaking to your doctor first. It's important you keep taking it, even if you feel better. If you stop taking it suddenly you could become unwell again very quickly. Infections and illnesses like colds and flu can make you dehydrated, this can affect the level of lithium in your blood. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
This is because very high amounts of lithium can cause problems with your kidneys and other organs. It can cause symptoms such as:.
If you're on the right dose and the level of lithium in your blood is right, you may not have any problems taking this medicine.
However, some people find lithium slows down their thinking or makes them feel a bit "numb". These are usually mild and go away by themselves. They are more likely to happen when you start taking lithium. Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get worse or do not go away after a few days:. The level of lithium in your blood is checked regularly.
But rarely, you may get side effects because there's too much lithium in your blood. These are signs of lithium toxicity. Lithium toxicity is an emergency. Stop taking lithium straight away. It's important not to reduce your salt intake suddenly.
Talk to your doctor if you want to reduce the amount of salt in your diet. Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are doing intense exercise or in hot weather when you will sweat more. Drinking alcohol causes your body to lose water. It's best not to drink too much as it's likely to make you dehydrated, especially in hot weather when you will sweat more. Always tell any doctor or pharmacist that you are taking lithium before you take any new medicines.
We do not store any personal or identifiable data. Everybody responds to medication differently. This blog only represents the author's experience. For more information, have a look at our medication pages.
For medical advice, always speak to your doctor. You have protection, a barrier. But as my mood began to swing more rapidly and my life crumbled a bit more and a bit more, I began to realise I needed a little extra support. And that actually stubborn mindedness may not really be the solution right now. After trying several types and combinations of medications, I ended up being placed on lithium, an interesting drug that I never really appreciated until after I stopped taking it.
My mood, which was swinging rather violently at the time, became more manageable, and the scarily fast pace of life I seemed to be living, did appear to slow down. Lithium is most often prescribed for people who need a long-term strategy to manage bipolar depression. Use of oral lithium puts you at risk of serious side effects, which makes it less popular than other treatment options.
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