Lithium and slow racing?

[Xila31]

Friday night I went up to the full 600 mg dose of Lithium finally. So, this is day 3, I guess.

Today I feel like I'm racing but in slow motion. I know that sounds weird. I feel like I'm racing on the inside like I would if I'm manic, but I feel like I'm moving through syrup. It is hard to explain. I don't feel steady. It is hard to think. I'm guessing this is the lithium kicking in trying to fight off the hypomania? Or maybe I'm just mixed. I've been having some crazy rapid cycling for a couple months now.... So maybe I'm just exhausted.

[Xila31]

I see, thanks! Yeah, I have my next blood test coming up in about a week and a half. I read the shakiness is a side effect of lithium. I've been drinking water to make sure. I have to be careful with my kidneys.

[moonpanda]

I've definitely experienced what you're describing, it's quite odd and irritating. It could be a mixed state of some sort, with manic mood and thought but depressed activity, or it could be related to the dosage change. I'm assuming your doctor is monitoring the concentration of Lithium in your blood, but if the therapeutic level hasn't been reached yet, then you might still feel some of these breakthrough manic symptoms like ILADVOCATE said. Good luck!

[Xila31]

The racing is my normal mania. Like, I just feel like my insides are going too fast. Rapid repetative thoughts, pressured speech, pacing and restlessness, confusion, distracted, no concentration, lots of fidgeting and giggling and it is annoying. It is always unpleasant feeling. When I was a teen I was that hyper girl, joking around and bouncing off the walls. But, I think it has mutated.

I've been on 300 mg of lithium starting first week in December. First 2 weeks in January  I felt normal. I could get things done. I could think. Then boom, it all went bad. I've been waiting to go up in dose since then.

This slow mushy feeling with the racing thoughts sure does feel funny. I am having some physical side effects, though. I've noticed a good deal more trembling in my hands. All these things I will bring up, for sure.

[ILADVOCATE]

I would say the lithium is not at a working dose yet so it will take a while for it to build up to a proper blood level even when it is at a working dose. Give it some time. Lithium may also especially when used in combination with an antipsychotic cause some minor motor restlessness and that may feel mental but it is different and can be treated with a side effect pill. Ask your psychiatrist about that.