Lithium Carbonate and dehydration

I have been taking 300 mg lithium for a few months. For some reason I never even considered it to be the reason that i feel terrible and throw up a few nights a week.

As for my weight, I lost 10 lbs when I started wellbutrin last december. So when i started the lithium i may or may not have lost a few more pounds. The scale has said about 111 the whole time, but everyone keeps telling me more and more how great I look as time goes by. Probably the lithium is causing me to lose water weight. Though I now carry a water bottle with me at all times!! Actually, I started to doing that with the wellbutrin and my cottonmouth has improved since the lithium. I use to wake up in the middle of the night over a nightmare about dying of dehydration because I was so thirsty.

I guess I am very lucky with regards to side effects of drugs. There are other bummers, like I dont drink anymore, and there is definitely a STIGMA attached to lithium. Even thought I technically have not been diagnosed as bi-polar. In all of 2005 I was extremely depressed and even jumped off a second story window and shattered my sholder. Then I went bankrupt. All I ever did was think about dead all the time.

I was so happy (and shocked) when Wellbutrin allowed me to stop thinking about death. Then we added lithium to keep me from crying all the time. Well my point is

1. Wellbutrin can counter the weight gaining effect of lithium (Or at least it did for me)

2. Does anyone else get sick at night all the time? How about HICCUPS?

3. I agree with the previous posting... I dont care if my family and friends think I am crazy or if I start to gain a lot of weight when I get a little older, I never, EVER want to be that sad ever again.

Best wishes to everyone reading this. I understand your pain. If anyone ever gives you a hard time such as because "others have it hard too", or "it's all in your head" tell them that I said for them to shove off. This is our only life, no one should have to be unhappy.

I know I wrote a lot. But hopefully at least one person finds this helpful. I use to spend hours on the computer trying to find answers. (The depression was so bad I couldn't leave the house to work.) I check ******weekly if anyone has any additional questions.

Lithium apparently causes organ problems, as well as dehydration, so you should be very careful that you drink alot of fluids, avoid heavy sweating(exercize, saunas, etc.) I had'nt been told that the main ingredent was salt, so thats can be a problem for others as well, ibprofin is BAD while taking lithium, as it raises blood levels.So basically im telling what I had to learn the hard way, so be particular, and aware of what NOT to do wlile taking this pill.although the LISTED side effecs are few, this effective medication can be harmful in many ways, so educate yourself!

I've read some of the other postings here, and thought I might beable to help with some of those symptoms described. Lithium is probably the most widely used drug for bipolar disorder, mostly because of it's effectiveness in many cases. You must drink as much water as you can and avoid dehydration. Lithium can be hard on your liver, but the more you know about this drug the better, ask your pharmacist for in-depth info, that's what they are there for. People on Lithium should have their thyroid checked at least once a year for hypothyroidism. This condition will cause the hair loss, adult acne, fatigue, and weight gain. Again, something the docs don't tell you. Lithium will make it more challenging to keep excess weight off, but this is one side effect that is so common in so many drugs, one should not be so surprised. Eat more fruits and veggies and try to keep active, or learn to love your new body. Lithium was the first mood stabiliser I was put on, and it works great as long as you take your doses EXACTLY as prescribed and get your blood work done at least every 3 months. And as for the new 30 pounds I have, well that's life! I'd rather be happy and stable then skinny any day of the week! Good Luck to all of you.