Lithium Ups and Downs

I started lithium a few months ago. It has been over fifteen years since

I last tried the drug, so this was a big decision.

 

My bipolar (the bipolar- what do you call your bipolar?) has steadily gotten worse over the past five years. It's a downward curve that I constantly try to straighten. Thus the lithium. I started out with a typical dose and waited and waited and when that didn't work, I went up to a higher dose. Within a week, I felt like I was living life under water. All I wanted to do was eat (a lot), watch European soccer and get into bed.  It was truly awful.  I stopped working on creative projects and had trouble focusing.

Interestingly, I was still very able to do the coaching I love, meet my work deadlines and hang out with friends- but everything else was a fog.

One day I thought- oh no! It's the lithium! Pretty dumb that it took me that long. So I went back down to the original dosage and the underwater feeling is gone. I am still on lithium.  It helps with the big down swings. I need it, but it's always a trade off between medications and side effects. How are your meds? Or the meds of the person you care about? IS THE DOSE CORRECT?  

 Julie

 

Related posts:
Bipolar Disorder and Medications: Lithium, Zoloft, Celexa, Lamictal
Trileptal and Lithium Reader Question
Over the Top and Below the Norm – Bipolar Ups and Downs