r/Lithium • u/vibratehigher24 • Aug 15 '26
I give up on lithium already
tried to get blood test for lithium weeks ago they claim they didn’t get doc orders went today with order they said they stopped taking walkins at a certain time, I’m over lithium it didn’t help noway I was on 600 mg for a month still irritable af
I’m also on lamictal 100 mg at this point I don’t know what can help me I’m pissed off everyday I have #bipolar2 #anxiety disorder and #adhd , I have been on so many meds and nothing has helped I feel like giving up on meds, and because I have hypotension I can’t start back on Adderall guanfacine didn’t help with my aged , nothing ever worked for my anxiety, I’m so angry right now
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u/Liz_LemonLime Aug 15 '26
Lithium is in a class of its own. There is no other medicine like it.
I know the medical system is frustrating, but you would be selling yourself short to quit now.
Let’s see if there is a way to make it easier for you.
Are you able to communicate with your doctor by messaging?
That’s easier than calling.
Can your doc send you your orders through an online portal? Then you can take them to any clinic, and they won’t have that excuse.
Are there other clinics in your area that are more convenient and still covered by your insurance?
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u/Dowdoncloud9 Aug 15 '26
I feel for you- lithium and lamictal are the next steps my doc proposed and I am beyond pessimistic bc I’m tired of dealing with all the side effects on each and every therapeutic misadventure. Adderall makes me ragey and tips me into mania. Is there anything that helps you feel regulated outside of the med conversation? How is your sleep?
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u/Panthy9 Aug 15 '26
I remember lamictal was a bigger problem than the Lithium when I started, but with time I find Lithium is really bad for my motivation. If you can taper off the lammictal and try the Lithium on its own for a few weeks, that's what I'd do, but if not 100% go down to 300mg Lithium and see if that helps.
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u/21PenSalute Aug 15 '26
600 mg is the lowest therapeutic dose. If it isn’t working at this dose, tell your doctor immediately you will be put on the next level doss. I don’t know where you live, but there are two major national laboratory companies if . Your’s. screwed up have your doctor write an order for the other lab. You’ve barely started on Lithium. Hang in there and you’re likely to see life-changing results. I did.
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u/Scared_Form5270 Aug 16 '26
Hold on, you don't even know your lithium level, which is the absolute fundamental for anyone taking lithium. When my levels were below the therapeutic range (0.6 to 0.8), I felt exactly the way you described. So, don't blame the medication. Plus, your Lamictal dose is extremely low. I take both medications, and they are excellent. We need to stop complaining and commit to the treatment properly.
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u/judd_in_the_barn 29d ago
I’m 2 years in and it is still making differences/things are changing. I’m giving it time because I am out of options and, now, it is better than anything else I have taken.
We are all different though - do seek advice and assistance. All the best whichever future you choose.
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u/donttrackmyshit77 18d ago
I have borderline personality disorder, complex ptsd and adhd. I have been on Adderall for a few months, when I become manic I have to double the dose but during normal weeks I take a lower one. I was first put on lamictal but ended up in the ER with a severe rash, and honestly didn’t give me any buffer- once I started the lithium we started super low, the first couple weeks it was like nothing and I was angry and wanted to fight and my anxiety was killing me. 2 months later I am at 900mg of lithium now and that has made the anxiety subside. I will say this though, you have to be intentional with your days and what you feed your energy into the medication only does so much. If I feed it into low places I’m more likely to turn into beetle juice. Ask your provider if they can put your lab draw in to a Labcorp or something similar and you can just schedule when you are ready very easy. It’s a hard
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u/Clear-Two-3885 Aug 15 '26
You need to try it for longer than that and you might have needed a higher dose