I have been on llithium for over 20 years recently diagnosed with kidney disease is there medication I can take or would coming off lithium be an option as I’m so well
Hi Cluck, good to have you here.
Sorry to hear about your kidney disease diagnosis, it’s a lot to take in and process.
Specific questions about medication choices are always one to check with your GP or renal team as they will be able to advise on your personal situation and options.
You might also want to read this article on our website too:
Managing your medications - Kidney Research UK
Hope you find lots of support and are able to link in with the community here as you navigate your kidney journey.
I took Lithium for many years and it damaged my kidneys. I always went with the thought that the damage was irreversible so I might as well just keep taking it. When I was in hospital with kidney issues I was seen by a psychiatrist and he suggested I stopped it as my kidneys could no longer process it properly and the levels were going to get too high. I knew that I was getting a therapeutic reading whilst on only 200mg and that convinced me to stop. I had told him that when he started to talk about stopping the lithium my answer was no but what he said made sense and I agreed to stop it. That’s just me, but I thought you should know. You need to speak to your GP or psychiatrist about what’s right for you. Also I take lamotrigine which is another mood stabiliser, but again you need to speak to your GP or psychiatrist about whether they think it would help you. Hope that helps