Question 1

what are symptoms  of lithium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Lithium toxicity: Lithium can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, muscle weakness, and fatigue.  Also there can be a fine tremor of the hands or legs, muscle twitches, difficulty walking, slurred speech, nystagmus, and seizures.  Management is to reduce dose or temporarily stop the drug.  Lithium levels need to be monitored regularly, and kept in therapeutic range (maintenance .6 - 1 mmol/l).

Question 2

i take 300mg twice a day of lithium &  my bed time pill seems to knock me out (hard) & i find it hard to wake up 2. is that to much litium or toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Probably not.: Since you are taking lithium twice a day and didn't describe drowsiness after the morning dose, i doubt your sense of being "knocked out" at bedtime is coming from the lithium. 300 mg twice a day is a relatively low dose, so probably not too much or a toxic dose unless you have kidney failure.  Toxicity usually causes a hand tremor, diarrhea, trouble walking, and lithium serum level would be high.

Question 3

my 14 yo daughter may have some symptoms of lithium toxicity. how can i be sure?

Accepted Answer

Need a blood test: i assume she is taking lithium? If so, then she needs a blood test asap. Lithium toxicity can be very serious, even life threatening. I would call your doctor/psychiatrist immediately or go to the ER. also, make sure she is well hydrated in the meantime.

Question 4

i may have slight lithium toxicity. is this worth a visit to the er?

Accepted Answer

"Slight"?: If you've taken more lithium than prescribed and are now having nausea, tremor, dizziness, weakness, etc do go to the er.  If you've been taking your normal dose, drink water & call your doctor.  S/he can advise you appropriately.  If you can't reach your doctor and are concerned, go to er and get lithium level.  You may be dehydrated or lithium dose too high.

Question 5

discontinued 900mgs of lithium abruptly on dr's advice because was toxic.now,about a month later, am experiencing depressive symptoms, already?

Accepted Answer

Follow up appt?: When is your follow up appt for a lithium level? It may then be safe to take 300-600mg a day if your level has decreased adequately. Some patients benefit from subtheraputic levels on less lithium, which is safer. Make sure your thyroid function tests and kidney function tests are also checked regularly while on lithium.

Question 6

post chronic lithium toxicity and withdrawal left me with terrible crawling sensations all over my body. is it temporary and is there a treatment?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately: I can't be terribly encouraging about this. Typically with chronic lithium poisoning there is a large body burden of lithium that is difficult to treat. Often this discovered with time or a new medication that alters kidney function or causes dehydration, causing the lithium level to rise. The symptoms you describe are not unusual. Treatment is symptomatic as for other peripheral neuropathies.

Question 7

went for a long hike, rough terrain. not in shape. i take lithium. i got overheated, nauseated is this sign of li toxicity? had lots of water n shade

Accepted Answer

Nausea, dehydration: Nausea can be one of the initial symptoms of lithium toxicity. Getting overheated and dehydrated is often a cause of lithium toxicity. However being on medications like Seroquel (quetiapine) and Lamictal can also make one feel a bit nauseous if dehydrated. It is vital to keep oneself well-hydrated when on meds like these. Glad you are ok now.

Question 8

how can i get someone to review medical records for a negligence lawsuit my husband almost died from lithium toxicity in jail. he has permanent disab. he is now in prison. the medical dept won't review his records so i have a power of attorney and am tryi

Accepted Answer

Typically, : Typically, it's your attorney who sends the hospital (or prison in this case) an authorization to release medical records.  If the authorization is signed by the patient or legal representative (power of attorney), they cannot refuse to provide a copy of the medical records.  They are allowed to charge for copies (in ny, it's 75 cents per page).

If you are your husband's legal representative, you can send the prison a request for record copies yourself without involving an attorney as long as you have a signed authorization with either your husband's signature, or, if you have power of attorney, your signature.  You must attach the power of attorney if it's your signature.  There is a prescribed time by which they must comply with your request (after you pay them).  If they fail to respond to you, lodge a complaint with the ohio state attorney general's office.

The prison medical department has no obligation to provide you with a review of his records or any other interpretation of them.  All they are required to do is provide a copy.  If the prison has an arrangement with one or more medical facilities, such as a hospital, to provide their doctors to cover the prison, or send prisoners to a hospital for care, you should obtain copies of their records as well.  Your attorney will provide a medical expert (for a charge) to review and comment on the records to ascertain if negligence occurred.

Hope this clarifies things for you, and i'm sorry to hear about hubby's injuries.

Question 9

can loud ringing in the ear caused by severe lithium toxicity be cured?

Accepted Answer

Usually goes: Tinnitus, ringing in the ears, is a known side effect of lithium, usually at toxic levels as you've experienced. Most commonly it abates quickly as the lithium is leered r stopped. Sometimes, it can persist, almost always improving, though.

Question 10

took lithium which helped suicidal thoughts disappear.lithium toxic and need a different med. would ziprasidone help? or latuda (lurasidone)?

Accepted Answer

Suicidal thoughts: if lithium is helping you with your suicidal idea, you should stick with it. You need to monitor your blood lithium level to make sure you are getting the right dosage. Trying different medication can be a big problem if it wasn't under strict supervision from your psychiatrist

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Doctor answers about:

Elevated bun in lithium toxicity

A member asked:

What are symptoms of lithium toxicity?

A member asked:

I take 300mg twice a day of lithium & my bed time pill seems to knock me out (hard) & i find it hard to wake up 2. is that to much litium or toxicity?

A member asked:

My 14 yo daughter may have some symptoms of lithium toxicity. how can i be sure?

A member asked:

I may have slight lithium toxicity. is this worth a visit to the er?

A member asked:

Discontinued 900mgs of lithium abruptly on dr's advice because was toxic.now,about a month later, am experiencing depressive symptoms, already?

A member asked:

Post chronic lithium toxicity and withdrawal left me with terrible crawling sensations all over my body. is it temporary and is there a treatment?

A member asked:

Went for a long hike, rough terrain. not in shape. i take lithium. i got overheated, nauseated is this sign of li toxicity? had lots of water n shade

A member asked:

How can i get someone to review medical records for a negligence lawsuit my husband almost died from lithium toxicity in jail. he has permanent disab. he is now in prison. the medical dept won't review his records so i have a power of attorney and am tryi

A member asked:

Can loud ringing in the ear caused by severe lithium toxicity be cured?

A member asked:

Took lithium which helped suicidal thoughts disappear.lithium toxic and need a different med. would ziprasidone help? or latuda (lurasidone)?

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