How much lithium are you on? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

salty · 05-20-2003, 08:47 PM

Hi. I was wondering if 900 mg per day that I'm on is the average dosage? I've been on it for many years. Recently I have started to question it because my brother was just diagnosed with a large thyroid goiter (he has the biopsy next week).
I guess I'm just getting worried that 900 mg. over such a long period of time may hurt me in some way. Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you.

HoosierBj · 05-21-2003, 06:52 AM

I've been on 1200 mg of lithium/day for almost 19 years.
Other than some of the usual (slight) side effects (tremor in the a.m., thirst, peeing alot) I've had no problems whatsoever and NO "out of range" manias or depressions - not even when my Dad died two years ago.
I have my lithium level, my creatinin & TSH checked regularly to check for any problems with my kidneys, but I'm planning on having them hook me up to a lithium IV if I'm ever too old to swallow!

salty · 05-21-2003, 09:14 PM

HoosierBj, that was funny!

That's really something that you've never had a depressive episode since you started. That's my biggest problem!

Your message made me feel good. I hope some other people respond too just so I can get a feel of the dosage people take.

Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally posted by HoosierBj:
I've been on 1200 mg of lithium/day for almost 19 years.
Other than some of the usual (slight) side effects (tremor in the a.m., thirst, peeing alot) I've had no problems whatsoever and NO "out of range" manias or depressions - not even when my Dad died two years ago.
I have my lithium level, my creatinin & TSH checked regularly to check for any problems with my kidneys, but I'm planning on having them hook me up to a lithium IV if I'm ever too old to swallow!

u2fran · 05-30-2003, 10:59 PM

Hi u all! I take 900 milligrams of lithobid a day, and have had no thyroid problems, and hardly any side effects at all, except for peeing alot.. Anyway If you drink plenty of water with it I think that helps alot so that it filters through the kidneys.. I have been in a sort of depressive anxious mood lately and I'm glad I take lithium, because it is keeping me from getting manic...

BetsyJ · 05-31-2003, 01:00 PM

Hi,

I've been taking 900 mg for two years now without it affecting my thyroid and I do have a congenital thyroid defeiciency(sp?). YMMV

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