Just started the Lithium

Well, I took the Lithium for the first time a couple of hours ago. It feels like it was just a couple of minutes ago though. I just feel weird. Earlier I was really manic, now, I feel like I'm made of Jello. Do you really feel the effects of Lithium this quick? I feel like I'm on the verge of being depressed and on the verge of being manic, but I'm on pause. I am not really going any direction. I am just not really sure how I feel.

I have been on lithium almost two months. I feel like I have finally hit a good stride, and I currently attribute it largely to the medication. At first, Li made me feel sleepy, and then giddy. It made me very hungry and thirsty. I also experienced spaciness, and still occasionally have to search for a word. It also made me feel "flat", but being "on pause" might be another way to describe it. Over the weeks and now months the side effects are mostly gone and I just feel...stable. Sometimes I feel so stable that I think I don't need to be taking it, but then remember that it is probably the meds helping me to feel so stable.

I did feel the effects quickly, but they seemed to be more side effects and the therapeutic effects came later. I also have slight hand tremors that seem to be here to stay, but they are so minor that only I notice.

I would say give it a few weeks and see if you stabilize. Good luck!

Thank you onewithhope, I will definitely give it time. So far so good though. No major moods swings today. I've had small ups and downs but nothing like it was even just yesterday. The only negative side effects that I have noticed so far are having to tinkle ( he he he) a lot and feeling dehydrated.

I just started it a few weeks ago. My mood was normal for a few days, but now I'm depressed again. Of course, the depression is not as bad as before. I probably just need a higher dose. I'm pleased to have no hypomanias. My bank account is looking good!

It makes me really thirsty too. If i don't drink enough water these horrible headaches will come on. Feels like my brain is being pulverized. Gave me restless leg syndrome too but Lamictal then took it away.

Purpletears: Was that your FIRST time ever taking Lithium? Did you take it on an empty stomach? When I took my first dose (on 11/30/2010 on an empty stomach, and I was extremely manic) I was still manic (still talking loudly, energized, talkative, etc) but I felt like I was drugged...it was kind of a haze, but a very aware haze....does that make sense? It was almost relaxed...anyway, that ended after the very first dose, after that I was done and okay after that.

I hope you feel better. If you still have issues, I'd talk to your pdoc.

I just started Lithium Monday of this week. When I took the first dose, I took it on an empty stomach. Felt like I was floating! I now remember to take it with food in my stomach. hehe I've been feeling dehydrated A LOT and feel like I have to pee every 30 minutes, even though it's not really that short of a period of time.

I've noticed that I'm feeling a lot less depressed. Not manic though. More like I'm at a baseline that I haven't been at in a really long time. I don't have the hand tremors. If I get them, so be it. Beats being depressed to the point of wanting to make an attempt.

When I took them last night, it was a few hours after I had eaten. So that is probably what it was. I have felt somewhat "normal" today. I have had a few little ups and downs but nothing serious. I feel so different than I did even yesterday. My anxiety and irritability have been moderately low. I just hope my moods stay somewhat stable.

I started lithium about a week ago and it really did a number on me. I was taking 600 mg once per day. I felt numb, nervous, nauseous, dizzy had muscle twitches. You name it, I had it.

Went back to my dr. and told him. He cut it to just 150 mg per day. Even on that I have a nervous feeling and tingling. I just don't think I can take it.