Lithium

This is supposed to be the wonder drug for bipolar... but one of its possible side-effects is kidney damage.

After a year of iffy readings on my blood tests, the GP sent me off for renal ultrasounds and to the specialist. He has booked me into hospital in two weeks' time (because there's space, rather than a dire urgency) to have a kidney biopsy.

The procedure sounds fine, although I'm surprised at the recovery period he estimates (2-3 days of bed-rest). However, I'm petrified that the results (5 May) might show some problem.

I didn't think there was really any alternative to lithium, so what does that do for my mental health? How long will it take to stabilise on whatever other solution there might be?

The what-ifs are driving me into depression, slowly and surely. The last few days have been enough to make hubby sit up and take notice that this is knocking me around - and while he's not oblivious, he doesn't normally address my feelings, just my irritability. But I've shut down - no irritability or anxiety, just the nothingness and almost-tears.

Well, I'm in for the biopsy tomorrow. All my research to date still says the same thing: lithium is the way to go unless you're one of the unfortunates who can't tolerate it.

As I read, I'm psyching myself up to the assumption that I'm one of those people:
--I have developed a goitre since going on lithium.
--I've put on 10kgs or more and can't budge it no matter how hard I try - though starvation or count-the-kilojoules diets bring out the most irritable monster in me, so aren't worth trying.
--My renal signs are many of those indicated in what I've read.
--The tremor I put down to lamictal may in fact be the lithium... or maybe it's just the aggregate.
--I get dizzy and off-balance sometimes, especially noticeable on the stairs or standing still for a while on the one spot (feels like a train is going underneath me - sense of vibrations, instability in the floor).

Gosh, it sure is easy to talk yourself into something!

I take lithium as well, it seems to me like everyone who has bipolar is on this drug. I can't go near the recommended dosage because my body acts as though its toxic when its not onthe other hand if its too low it doesnt work. My doctor recently started me on abilify and is slowly taking me off of my lithium. I have the shaking, dizziness, and unsteadyness as well. it seems to have went away a little bit over time but at times i still feel it. I wish you the best of luck.