What does lithium feel like when on it?

Answer 1

I'm on a level where it is .8 in my blood, the therapeutic dose range goes from 0.5 to 1.1 or 1.2. So my description my vary.

To me, on most days I generally don't notice how it feels. I've been on it and will say I have always felt average with it such as I was previously on a normal day. I do feel mentally constrained at time when I try to express myself and think I am a lot more skittish while taking it where the slightest thing will make me jump. Also, I feel as if I think slower mentally, like functioning at 90% so not bad. Also I've noticed that the physical/mental sensations of physically feeling stress in my brain are greatly diminished.

From the outside view of myself, I am a lot more contained. Bursts of outrage or anger are subdued, and I would say they are down at least 75% from where I was earlier. Also, I don't have the sudden bursts of energy and want to talk or do something anymore which I hate. The external presentation of me on a daily basis is of my average self where one may see me irritated, energized, or average over the course of the day.

The only side effect I've noticed is maybe a little more acne than before. I've had no problem losing weight while taking this med but I run a lot (30+ miles a week) and also take Wellbutrin which will do a little bit to aid in weight loss for some people.

In my experience taking Lithium and Depakote in general make me subdued and dulled me down to the point where I was noticeably depressed. Therefor it's a combination of Wellbutrin and Lithium which even me out and I feel almost normal on. After taking it for 4 months, I've come to see it as maybe a necessary thing, but I want to break away from it just to have my wilder old self back.

Answer 2

Like a governor on a Golf cart.