Lithium Toxicity

I agree that people need to be informed about lithium toxicity. However the “vanishingly small” window has not changed in over 30 years. That window blood level is .8 to 1.2MEQ/L. The level needs to be checked twice a year. The thyroid needs to be checked as well.
The newer drugs that are used to treat depression and bipolar have worse side effects. There are no drugs totally free of side effects. Some have more than others. I have been on many, but have aways returned to lithium because it works for me and has the least amount of side effects. There needs to be even stronger warnings for mixing such drugs like Paxil, Seroquel, and Klonopin. These drugs cause SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH. How is that for a side effect? Soldiers being treated for PTSD were given this coctail and 3 of them died in their 20s from sudden cardiac deaths. This happened in 2009. We can do better by informing the public of all the drugs that are causing deadly side effects. Can Lithium toxicity happen. Yes, but not in every case and if it is properly monitored, it can be corrected.
By the way Dr. Redfield stated that “LITHIUM IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER. ” I was at that conference too. Dr. Redfield has been on lithium for over 20 years as have a lot of other people. The public needs to know that there are many many worse drugs to be on than lithium. Many of the newer drugs use inner city poor consumers or the military for their lab rats. Lithium has been around for a long time. It may not be sexy or exciting, but the side effects are much less. There are many more deaths now being attributed to the combination of Seroquel and Klonopin. That is a fact or side effect those drug companies would rather no one know. Yes, report aobut lithium toxicity and report ALL of the other toxic drugs out there. The public has a right to know.

I nearly died of lithium toxicity July of 09. In my case, alcohol and short gut also played a role in both nearly killing me and actually saving me.

I’m on a lot of different meds and dose low and several times a day. I have a highly responsible and ethical doctor who gives me a place in my treatment. If I need clarification — and even though I’m taking education in medicine, I don’t assume I am always certain — I call and ask. If I feel like in having a strange reaction off something, we talk about it and adjust as needed.

I guess … It’s hideously important to have competent and compassionate caretakers; it’s also important for patients to be partners in their treatment as much as they can … honest and carriers of impressions to help the doctors.

I am one of those people who will eventually be poisoned by anything. I took Depakote from 1998 to 2011 when my ammonia levels went through the ceiling. Because of fear of liver damage, my psychiatrist talked me into lithium. I was barfing my insides out, among other symptoms, by the fifth day. I’m taking zyprexa now and at 16 mg x day and at that level I sleep all the time so I’m back to 10 mg, cheerfully.
My point is that people should follow the directions of their pdocs but have their levels taken religiously and respect their own physical reactions.;

I know how dangerous lithium can be. Last September I was hospitalized with a 2.6 level, and had to have emergency dialysis. I had no idea I was toxic. I went into the hospital for another reason. I drastically cut my lithium dose, and am relatively stable. I fear the day my pdoc tells me no more lithium because I do not tolerate anti seizure or anti depressant meds. Lithium is the only thing that works for me. It is imperative that you be vigilant about keeping up with your blood levels, and knowing the signs of toxicity. I learned the hard way.

Lithium brought me out of my psyhosis whn I was first diagnosed w/Bipolar. I did well on it! Seven years into taking it I developed hypo thyroidisim. I’ve been taking since syntroid since then. Three years ago I began to have too much protein in my urine. Twenty three years of Lithium caused me to develop mid kidney disease. I’ve been off of it for almost two years. Lucki;y it appears I probaly won’t have to undergo dialysis anytime in the near future. I’m being treated by a kidney specialist. Having done so well on Lithium for so long its been quite a loss. It did a wonderful job controlling the symptoms of the Bipolar. I’ve remained on Depakote. Last year I was put on tegretol which actually often lowers one’s Depakote level. Defeating the purpose of taking Depakote. I’m now in the process of being weened off of tegretol. I wish so much that I could go back on Lithium. I can’t though!! Its a great drug that’s helped a lot of people. It has too amny side effects though. In undergrad school I had a friend who was on Lithium. One night at a party she drank way too much. She ended up dying of Lithium toxicity. Alcohol and Lithium can indeed be deadly.

My doctor put me on lithium after trying 2 or 3 others that didn’t work.I was put on a “moderate” dose and within a few days I talked to my doctor and said that I didn’t think this was working but instead he increase my dose and then we’ll see.I was extremely lethargic,my stomach always hurt,especially after eating,I just felt like a walking zombie,even the people around me knew something was wrong.
So after about a week of this I called my doctor and said I had had enough and wasn’t taking it anymore and we would have to find something else.
But I know my body better than anyone else and was very firm with him.

I no longer have a thyroid because of lithium and not being checked. I no longer have anything I would call a quality life at all. If you are taking Lithium I would urge you to feel your neck daily. Daily. Then you will know if there is a change. I wish I had known that. Good luck.

Janell, please visit http://thyroid.about.com (About.com’s Thyroid site) for ways to improve your quality of life without a thyroid.