Can bipolar patients become stable with Lithium?

[Talaqat]

My son who is 26 years old was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was just 17.  He was diagnosed with this disorder because his behaviour was very strange and he was also suicidal. He has been on anti-psychotics for 9 whole years. Sometimes he was ok but sometimes he still got aggressive despite the medication.  About 3 0r 4 months ago he got very high and aggressive again and the psychiatrist told me that he is in a mania and he told me it's not schizophrenia that he is suffering from but bipolar. I was relieved because i knew that bipolar is less serious than schizophrenia. When i asked the psychiatrist if he is sure that its bipolar he told me that it is 100% because bipolar sufferers develop mania from time to time. He cut off all anti-psychotics and other medication and put him on Lithium (Priadel). He is also taking Rivotril with them. He said that with the Lithium my son will become stable. Does anyone have any experience or someone in the family who is similar to my son please? And does Priadel also gain weight? I would really appreciate if i hear other experiences.

[feffy53]

I took lithium for 12 years. Make sure the doctor does regular blood test for kidney function. I ended up with damaged kidneys. Make sure he drinks plenty of water. My doctor never told me about this. I read about it in a book on medication. Do not worry. It works good and probably does not hurt a lot of peoples kidneys. I just was one who it did. I hope the best for you and your son.  Take care

[BG52]

Lithium affects thyroid function.
The thyroid gland should be monitored while taking lithium.

Google shows many links describing how it affects the thyroid.

[Talaqat]

Thank you for your comment. You gave more courage now.
Do you know of other side effects of Lithium (Priadel)?

[ILADVOCATE]

  Yes lithium can be very helpful for some people. Schizophrenia
and some forms of bipolar have psychosis as part of this which does need an antipsychotic (for example I have schizoaffective disorder, there is also bipolar with psychotic features} to treat the psychosis. However only a psychiatrist can  make a full decision about this within their clinical discretion. But it would be worthwhile to ask them specifically why they believe psychosis or any related concerns might not be occurring and why lithium alone will be  able to help. Also it would be important afterwards
to insure that stability occurs because (this is also from  personal experience) lithium takes a while to build up to a proper blood level and
the dosage can only be raised at specific intervals until this happens>

[thatquietgirl]

Perhaps, but many people need more than a mood stabilizer.  Anti-psychotics are usually a go-to for severe mania because it makes you tired and therefore can help prevent things from going worse.  Your son's psychiatrist will surely be following him closely through this episode to make sure medications don't need to be adjusted.  Be sure you ask when your son needs his first blood test to check his kidney function as he will need that every few weeks.  He needs to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine.

Just as anti-psychotics can cause weight gain, so can lithium.  It didn't for me.  I managed to lose weight while on it (purposefully, as I was exercising and changed eating habits).

[Bubulous]

Yes Lithium may stabilize him.  I am surprised that Lithium was the first choice for someone so young but it is the gold standard for bipolar medications.  It can also cause wight gain but not in everyone.