Are there any long-term permanent side-effects associated with lithium for bipolar disorder?
Lithium is a great medication. It works for about 75% of those with bipolar, and 50% with nearly no side effects. The person above would fall into the 25% who have untenuable side effects. I didn’t gain weight and most who stay on it don’t. Lithium is the most neuroprotective of the stabilizers. What’s more, there is increasing research which indicates that not only does it protect your brain, it might also help heal some of the damage. That’s a big plus as far as I’m concerned. Probably for this reason, Lithium seems to work better the longer someone is on it, at least according to everyone I’ve talked with who has been on it for a few years or longer. It is a very good antimanic and has antidepressant properties as well. I also take Lamictal and know that it is supplementing Lamictal’s antidepressant’s action in addition to doing it’s own thing. Scientists are even starting to look at it for other neurological disorders like Parkinsons if that gives you an idea of the meds new found
