Lithium Carbonate and bipolar

Hi, I'm rapid cycling bipolar. I was taking 300mg of lithium a day and it helped a lot. Then started the crying and paranoid feelings again. I also took venlafaxine 150mg. My psych doc increased the venlafaxine to 225mg time released and the lithium to 300mg twice a day. I have really bad headache that make me sick to my stomach. Bad hand tremors, weight gain, extreme thirst, dry mouth, constant urination, confusion, memory loss, bad concentration, heart palpitation that are very scary and problems with my balance. I've been taking these meds for a year now. I'm hoping that I just need to get used to the new dosage. On the plus side mentally I'm great, it's just the physical aliments that are getting me. I have an appt. with my doc on the 13th. I'm hoping that he'll have some answers for me. Hang in there I know how you all feel! please tell me if anyone else has these same symptoms. Thanks,

Strangely, I have noticed a decrease in my arthritis on lithium. I'm 58 and since a year ago I had started showing symptoms of arthritis, such as swelling of my finger joints and, even more distressingly, constant pain in my knees. I have taken Lithium Carbonate for less than a month, and the arthritic bump on my right thumb is significantly smaller. I look forward to it disappearing altogether. Wouldn't it be great if lithium could solve my bipolar problems AND sort out my arthritis! However, it's early days; I could still lose my hair and pile on weight I guess, even though I eat less these days and have lost a few kg, probably because of less water retention. But so far, so good.

Oops, I realize that BPD stands for Borderline Personality Disorder. Not the same thing as Bipolar Disorder as all. Sorry if I offended. Wish I could edit my previous posting ...

I am up at this moment, because my stomach is hurting from the lithium. I've been on it now for about a year, but my stomach just started hurting at night after about an hour after taking it for about three months now. Is anyone else experiencing this? I read one post above about it, but that's all. There is no vomiting, but just upset stomach. It keeps me awake. I'm on lithium and lamictal, and Topomax. If you experience this, is anyone taking anything for the nausea? Thank you! And everyone hang in there! You're in my prayers! Don't give up!

I am taking lithium with a 800mg dosage of sodium valporate for my bipolar.But i cant sleep most nights cause i wake up every hour to wee and my throat is so dry.so thirsty.I also have acne which from my teens i never had any.i also have terrible headaches.I seriously feel like stoping as i dont even see a differences in my condition.

I have been on Lithium for almost 7 months....I didn't start taking it till after I stoped breast feeding my baby. I only gained 20 pounds while I was pg with her and as soon as I had her I lost all the weight. I started out at 177 pounds when I started the Meds and now i'm almost 200 pounds and the thing is I have been walking like the doc says and O still gain...plus I'm tired all the time and have really bad headaches. and you just can't do that when you have a four year old and a 9 month old......welcome to the club or bipolar

I've been taking litium for 2 years for being Bipolar.Taking this pill has made me gain weight.I wieghed 120 and now 225.