What should you monitor when taking lithium?
What should you monitor when taking lithium?
Calcium levels: A serum calcium level should be checked yearly as lithium may cause hypoparathyroidism. Kidney tests: A BUN and creatinine (kidney function tests) should be drawn at the beginning of treatment, regularly during treatment, and if any symptoms of kidney disease become evident.
What are the main side effects associated with lithium?
What are possible side effects of lithium?
- Headache.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness or drowsiness.
- Changes in appetite.
- Hand tremors.
- Dry mouth.
- Increased thirst.
What to expect when you first start taking lithium?
Fine hand tremor, frequent urination, and mild thirst commonly occur during lithium initiation. Sometimes these effects may persist throughout treatment. Nausea during initiation is common but usually subsides with continued administration.
How do I know if I have lithium toxicity?
It is worth noting that lithium toxicity signs do not often conform to the measured lithium level[18]. Symptoms of intoxication include coarse tremor, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, and ataxia. Patients often show varying consciousness levels, ranging from mild confusion to delirium.
What happens when your lithium levels are too high?
Too much lithium may lead to unwanted effects such as nausea, diarrhea, shaking of the hands, dizziness, twitching, seizures, slurred speech, confusion, or increase in the amount of urine. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur.
How long does it take to recover from lithium toxicity?
Patients with whole body stores and an acute ingestion (acute-on-chronic toxicity) or chronic toxicity often take days to weeks to completely recover clinically. Neurotoxicity may be irreversible after acute or chronic toxicity. Elimination half-life in toxicity varies widely (average 12.9 – 50.1 hr).
What is a good replacement for lithium?
Divalproex has become a commonly used alternative to lithium, but it also is ineffective or poorly tolerated in many patients.
What are the long term effects of lithium on the body?
Over the long term, lithium can cause the thyroid gland to grow (goiter) or, less often, to become underactive (hypothyroidism), which is more likely to occur in women over age 45. It can also adversely affect kidney and cardiovascular function.
What is the best mood stabilizer for bipolar?
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be the most effective mood stabilizer for depression in bipolar disorder, but is not as helpful for mania. The starting dose of lamotrigine should be very low and increased very slowly over four weeks or more.
Does CBD help with bipolar?
Through these effects, CBD is widely regarded to be able to effectively reduce the severity of bipolar disorders and assist those affected to sustain more stable moods throughout the day.
What is the best medicine for bipolar?
Medications may include: Mood stabilizers. You’ll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control manic or hypomanic episodes. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
Does Bipolar get worse as you age?
Bipolar may worsen with age or over time if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
What should you not say to someone with bipolar?
9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder
- “You’re Just Overreacting Again”
- “Anything That Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger”
- “Everybody Has Mood Swings Sometimes”
- “Everyone Is a Little Bipolar Sometimes”
- “You Are Psycho”
- “You’re Acting Like a Maniac”
- “I Wish I Was Manic so I Could Get Things Done”
Can bipolar go away?
Although the symptoms come and go, bipolar disorder usually requires lifetime treatment and does not go away on its own. Bipolar disorder can be an important factor in suicide, job loss, and family discord, but proper treatment leads to better outcomes.
Who is a famous person with bipolar disorder?
Carrie Fisher Known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movie franchise, Fisher got diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 24. She wrote her 1987 novel, Postcards From The Edge, in rehab after a near-fatal drug overdose.
What is the life expectancy of a person with bipolar disorder?
Researchers at Oxford University calculate that individuals with bipolar disorder have a longevity rate 9 20 years less than optimal. So if a populations average lifespan is 75, a person with bipolar disorder is expected to live between 55 and 66 years.
Can bipolar people tell they are bipolar?
So no, not everyone who has bipolar disorder knows they have it. There are lots of reasons why someone with bipolar disorder might not realize it—or why they might deny having it even if they do.
What are bipolar people like?
People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania – overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions. The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.
Can people with bipolar work?
There are many challenges related to having bipolar disorder and keeping a job. However, experts say that work can actually be quite helpful to people with bipolar disorder. Work can give people a sense of structure, reduce depression, and increase confidence. This may help to enhance overall mood and empower you.
Is bipolar considered a disability?
Bipolar disorder is considered a disability under the ADA, just like blindness or multiple sclerosis. You may also qualify for Social Security benefits if you can’t work.
Can a bipolar person love?
Can someone with bipolar disorder have a normal relationship? With work from both you and your partner, yes. When someone you love has bipolar disorder, their symptoms can be overwhelming at times. But it is possible to work past this mental health condition in your relationship.