I have a friend who is taking the drug Lithium. And I called her today to wish her a Merry Christmas and she told me that she had an episode of where she hullicnated that she saw bugs crawling on her. Could her med levels be toxic? Does she need to get emergency treantment for this or can she wait and call her doctor after Christmas? She told me she also has been sick. I don't take this med myself so i don't know much about it, I just saw a documentary where someone got toxic levels. And it came to my mind when she called me. Thanks for any advice.

Ripplegirl99

It sounds as if your friend needs their lithium blood levels checked.

She should get checked if she's still experiencing these problems with feeling "sick" and having hallucinations today.

I'm sorry I can't tell you more but I have no experience with that drug. You could try asking in the Bipolar Forum though.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...s/a681039.html
MedlinePlus - Lithium

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Thanks for your help. Sorry I did not even realize that there was even a fourm for Bipolar Disodar I am Blind Use a screen reader so some how my soft where must have missed that fourm when I was reading all of them. So if for some reason by accident I would some how post in the wrong place again please let me know and I will post in the right place. I always get e mail notify on my posts.

Thanks again for your help.
Ripplegirl99

Hi,

You didn't post in the wrong place.

I just thought some of the members in Bipolar might know more about it.

I did forget to leave you the link I'm sorry.

Here it is if you need it.

Bipolar Forum

I hope your friend is doing better.

Hi Ripplegirl99,

Your friend should have her Lithium level check approximately every 6 months. This is a simple blood test. The blood test can be ordered by her prescribing Dr.

It is through regular blood work to check Lithium levels that the prescribing Dr. knows if the Lithium dosage should be lowered, increased or keep it where is currently is.

Hi Ripplegirl99

The therapeutic:toxic ratio of lithium as treatment for Bipolar Disorder is quite narrow.

That means that too little won't help and too much is potentially toxic.

I suggest that you encourage your friend to get her doctor to arrange for regular measurements of her blood lithium levels (frequently if she has only been on it for a short time, less frequently if she has been on it for a while).

Depending on the results of those measurements, it may be necessary to change her lithium dose up or down, keeping its blood level in the therapeutic range.