Question 1

how long do you take lithium for mania?

Accepted Answer

Lithium: As long as it is prescribed and closely monitored thru blood work every 3-6 months and it is containing the symptoms.

Question 2

can lithium deficiency  lead to mood disorder i.e. mania ?

Accepted Answer

Unconfirmed: Human diseases possibly related to deficient lithium intake have not been well studied. Still, lithium is probably an essential nutrient present in foods and water supply.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11838882   there is no direct relationship between "low" lithium and mania -- yet it's true that lithium is an established mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder & has antidepressant action too.

Question 3

i am bipolar1. take saphris, (asenapine) lamictal and lithium. a dr. prescribed ultram for pain relief. could ultram cause mania or interact with my psych drugs?

Accepted Answer

Not big risk: Ultram increases serotonin like some antidepressants so it could be a trigger for mania, but if you're on lithium the risk of this is low. Almost all psych drugs are listed as "CNS depressants" meaning they can make you sleepy or reduce brain function in some people. As is Ultram. And adding another one increases the risk of sedation, but in a young otherwise healthy person the risk is low.

Question 4

why is my lithium level so low at 0,35 mmol/l when on 1000mg? taking 3 daily divided doses. now i am bumped up to 1400mg. i started about a month ago due to acute manic episode. i feel like i can't tollerate these side effects.

Accepted Answer

Side effects: Are not named in your post, but if experiencing any your prescriber should be aware so that alternate meds or adjustments in current doses can be made.

Question 5

what are the signs of an overdose with manic depressive medication (such as lithium)?

Accepted Answer

How Many Pills: Please be very careful to take only the prescribed  amount of medication. If you have taken too many pills knowing or unknowingly you should go to the ER immediately. You can also check your pharmacy printout about signs of overdose for lithium.

Question 6

can i go off lamictal and onto lithium at the same time?  i have taken lithium in the past with great success and the lamictal is just not working for my manic episodes?

Accepted Answer

: Prior to you taking any action, discuss with your psychiatrist.  Do not stop Lamictal abruptly, as remote risk of withdrawal seizure.  Do not go onto high dose lithium, but slowly adjust upwards.  Plans to manage these medications will smooth out any intended transition.

Question 7

if the only way people with bipolar ever are happy is when they are manic, why give lithium?

Accepted Answer

I don't: There are two reasons to give medications in bipolar patients. One is to alleviate current symptoms and the second is to diminish the risk of symptoms worsening over time. Untreated patients with bipolar disorder tend to experience progressive worsening of the severity of their depression over time. The only medications fda approved for the depression symptoms are lamictal, seroquel XR and symbyax (fluoxetine and olanzapine).

Question 8

can a mood stabilizer like depakote or lithium for bipolar disorder works only for the manic episodes?

Accepted Answer

Yes: In fact, we have far better treatments for mania than we do the depressed side of this illness. We are all hoping that better treatments for bipolar depression will be found.

Question 9

i told my psychiatrist that i had manic depression tx with lithium 25 years ago, suicidal.  now he said i have cyclothymia.?

Accepted Answer

Questions: From what you have said all that i can say is that, if i were you i would have questions for my psychiatrist. Your story is unusual but not impossible. For one thing, it is possible to have cyclothymia and another mood disorder. This is true if less extreme mood variation preceded a severe episode by several years.

Question 10

my wife was put on litium and she was ok before these meds, can she just stop taking lithium after she has been on it for a year she was functional before meds, mental hospital says she has bipolar, manic depressant etc, but the meds made her sleep all th

Accepted Answer

Hello. : Hello. If a person has  bipolar disorder medication might be required for life. However, if she is having significant problems with lithium she should tell her psychiatrist. That way they can explore other options that are better tolerated. I don't recommend that she just stop medication.

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Doctor answers about:

Lithium and mania

A member asked:

How long do you take lithium for mania?

A member asked:

Can lithium deficiency lead to mood disorder i.e. mania ?

A member asked:

I am bipolar1. take saphris, (asenapine) lamictal and lithium. a dr. prescribed ultram for pain relief. could ultram cause mania or interact with my psych drugs?

A member asked:

Why is my lithium level so low at 0,35 mmol/l when on 1000mg? taking 3 daily divided doses. now i am bumped up to 1400mg. i started about a month ago due to acute manic episode. i feel like i can't tollerate these side effects.

A member asked:

What are the signs of an overdose with manic depressive medication (such as lithium)?

A member asked:

Can i go off lamictal and onto lithium at the same time? i have taken lithium in the past with great success and the lamictal is just not working for my manic episodes?

A member asked:

If the only way people with bipolar ever are happy is when they are manic, why give lithium?

A member asked:

Can a mood stabilizer like depakote or lithium for bipolar disorder works only for the manic episodes?

A member asked:

I told my psychiatrist that i had manic depression tx with lithium 25 years ago, suicidal. now he said i have cyclothymia.?

A member asked:

My wife was put on litium and she was ok before these meds, can she just stop taking lithium after she has been on it for a year she was functional before meds, mental hospital says she has bipolar, manic depressant etc, but the meds made her sleep all th

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