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Author
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DaveyJones
Grand Member
Registered: September 2005
Location: Big Orange Country
Posts: 814
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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works great, inexpensive, minimal side effects
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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none
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Still the best mood stabilizer there is...it has had such a positive impact on my life!
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bigdog1263
Member
Registered: September 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 23
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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has had the biggest impact in my treatment
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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none
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only drawback is constant labs & posisbility for liver damage
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eskielover
Magnate
Registered: October 2004
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2332
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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shaking hands & shaky body
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This med was tried on my during a hospitalization. After taking it, my hands started shaking so bad that I couldn't hold a glass of water without dropping it. The shaky feeling was throughout my body. It was only given to me one time & stopped immediately. I think that for me, it was an inappropriate medication for the depression that I was dealing with which is why I had such an intense reaction.
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darkeyes
Moderator
Community Support Team
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6552
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Excellent medication for Bipolar disorder. Is non-drowsy,and daily functioning is possible.It has worked miracles for my brother,family members and so many other people I have met. Has the longest track record,than other meds being used as mood stabilizer
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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I can't think of any negatives,except having bloodwork 3 times a yrs. If titrated properly any begining side effects will diminsh for many. All medications can have side effects.
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I highly suggest Lithium for anyone DXed with Bipolar-I,even Bipolar-II,it really helps tremendously.
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JudyNky
New Member
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Sat September 23, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Just started taking last month. Has helped some
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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get crying spells for no reason,but not as many
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Just found out I was bipolar last month. I had a week of very severe lows.Couldn't get out of bed. Was put on Lithium.Was already on a drug called Lamictal, which is also a mood stablizer. But, have been battling depression for 20 years. I am just wondering if I have been bipolar all along. I really think I have.
I am gald to join all of you. Been looking for people to talk to.
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Suzy5654
Poohbah
Registered: May 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1129
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Review Date: Sun September 24, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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helped pull me out of a deep depression & increased my energy & enthusiasm for life quickly
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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impaired kidney function (had to get off it due to that), hair loss, weight gain
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Due to impaired kidney function on lithium, I had to discontinue it. It definitely lifted my depression (bipolar I)& increased my enthusiasm for life.
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WeepinChild
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2006
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Review Date: Fri October 13, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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It has evened out my life internally
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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it doesn't control the outside world
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I have been on Effexor for so long, only due to a new doctor was i diagnosed bipolar. I feel lost a little deeper in my own world cause i have had to do this on my own all along with no one who understands only try to help. But i found this site...so i'm hoping it's a good thing.
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Meta
Member
Registered: July 2006
Posts: 272
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Review Date: Sat October 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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perhaps evened out my moods
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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very tired, sluggish, hair loss, weight gain
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Would not recommend for mild bipolar==I think I have mild bipolar disease--unlike others in my family who have more severe mood swings--not sure if its best when disease is mild. I think I have only been hypomanic and side effects are as bad if not worse than the mood swings
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Yoda
Member
Registered: October 2006
Location: Appalachia
Posts: 186
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Review Date: Mon October 30, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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inexpensive
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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Got lithium toxic when doctor did not monitor blood levels; side effects did not mention severe itching
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I was taking 300 mg/day and had few blood levels drawn. After being unable to sleep at all for 5 days/nights and severe vomiting/diarrhea I was admitted to a hospital where my lithium level was 2.9 (norm = 0.5-1)
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crazymusiclvr
Member
Registered: January 2006
Posts: 70
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Review Date: Sat December 2, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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A life saver. I've been stable on it for 3 years now
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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possible weight gain
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Lithium has helped me control my bipolar disorder. It has helped control the mania and the depression. It's inexpensive. I know people who've been taking it for 20 years.
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deebonetti
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2007
Location: woodtsock ny
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Review Date: Sun February 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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My fathher said this is the best drug to use if u have bipolar disorder, its not gonna chaneg ur personality its gonna balance it....
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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You have to drink alot of water , and i hheard if u use ithe drug to long u can have health risks but that only rare cases
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i think its the best and only drug to use if u have bipolar disoder..my father swears by it . its doenst change ur personlity it balances it ..it dont make u feel like a fuicking zombie..like alot of the otehr meds do.
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jattitude74
Member
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 124
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Review Date: Wed April 4, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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helped control my moods,
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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none so far, besides blood work, and more blood work!! hand tremors
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1200 mg per day, moods aren't so dramatic, still have mood swings just not as bad, been taking for 3 mo. now we will see!!!! Dose was just increased to 1500mg/day. Blood levels have been closely monitored and doc says my mood swings should be going away.Waiting game again!!! Update---lowered dose back to 900mg because of hand tremors. Couldn't even write! Doing better now,added seroquel to the mix along with the lithium. All is good for now.
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savinmyself
New Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Fri April 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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helps to keep my mania's from being out of control
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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tremors in hands but it out ways positive affects
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I guess when you have severe mania's and severe depressions another med has to be added i'm also on lexapro and the 2 combined have givin me a "normal" ground
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Psychotic_Phil
Veteran Member
Registered: February 2007
Location: Seattle WA USA
Posts: 302
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Review Date: Fri April 27, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Relieved some weird mood swings
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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Made me a zombie, had hand tremors
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Lithium is ties with Abilify as the worst med ever. This horrifying piece of crap med is equivalent to having your brain chopped into little pieces, then taped back together. My opinion? Stay away from Lithium andd all mood stabilizers in general.
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Murren
Junior Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Tue May 8, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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It works really well. Success since diagnosis 10 years ago.
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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Hardly any...avoid caffeine tho...I am certain that a high caffeine drink caused a relapse.
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Has worked really well for me through major life events and remained stable for 10 years...but i do feel that problems with high caffeine drinks and lithium are under published.
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MOJO3
Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Earth
Posts: 248
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Review Date: Thu May 31, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Stopped manic behaviorisms...more balanced...still me...but better than the alternative....mostly manic always with little depression...hardly notice it at all if taken properly
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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blood test...blood test...low levels... trembling when started...adjustments to medication make you naseaus...taken for 5 years...rather be with than without. It is inexpensive.
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Had to adjust the amount of salt in my diet, I increased it and lowered my caffine intake in order to adjust the level of lithium im my system...bottom dropped out at .3 needs to be at .9 to work for me...taking 900mg per day now...blood work...twice a year. It is working, I am still stable and working. I also take one asprin everyday because I have read that it increases the effects of lithium.
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dreamrunner
Veteran Member
Registered: May 2007
Posts: 340
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Review Date: Sun June 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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seems to help minimize suicidal/self harm thoughts
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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blood pressure up a little/doesnt help too much with depression/nausea
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450mg daily dosage
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ChrisM
Member
Registered: June 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 21
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Review Date: Tue June 19, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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This med seems to be the only one that has helped me so far!~~
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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I do feel a little dazed ( which could be cool) lol
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I really think I should of been put on this med 2 years ago~! I am finally feeling a little better.
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bat7777
Newly Joined
Registered: September 2007
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Review Date: Fri September 21, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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cheap, few side effects for me
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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the stigma of a mood stabilizer, sometimes shakey hands
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well, lithium might make some people into zombies... but i take 1350mg daily and i am not one. was diagnosed bi-plr-1 two years ago, and for most of that time have been on a mix of antidepressents, atypical antipsychotics, and benzos. all in all had remained mostly depressed or manic until lithium was put into the mix. was a bit ambivalent about starting a mood stabilizer - thought i would get fat, bald, and tired. none of the above occured. i feel better and would recommend some of you fellow nutjobs give it a go...
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102riley
New Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Southeast Alabama
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Wed October 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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really controlled my mood swings and slowed me down
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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feel a little dopey, mostly headaches, GI, and nausea
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I finally am on the lowest dose possible, 150 mg. I could not handle the major side effects I was experience. I even tried to go back up to 300 mg after some time on the very low dose, but the symptoms came right back. I would recommend this to any bi-polar patient; don't let the internet scare you or the side effects, they do lessen with time.
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st0rmy
Junior Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: China + UK
Posts: 16
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Review Date: Thu October 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Haven't been on it long enough to know...
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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Over tired,irritable,no energy and dizzy spells
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I am on prozac and doc gave lithium,convinced that I have Bipolar but I'm still not sure.Was that dizzy that hubby had to help me balance,could not lift my head from the pillows or even tolerate the lights.Hope no one got it as bad as me...
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Barbarian
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Inexpensive; very effective mood stabilizer
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Negative aspects of the product (cons):
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You'll probably gain weight, but usually maxes out after a couple of months.
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For the price, I recommend this drug over any other for mood stabilization. However, if you have the money then I'd invest in Lamictal for both mood stabilization and depression; moreover, I'd suggest combining this drug with another for anti-depressant properties (such as the HIGHLY recommended drug Lamictal -- especially for depression). You cannot lose with this wonderful combination of Lamictal and lithium for bipolar disorder.
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biplr4me
New Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Thu December 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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