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[color123]

Has anyone had to deal with the issue of stop taking the drug, Lithium, to delay dialysis or decided to stay on Lithium until her kidneys were destroyed, but felt a little better mentally in other ways? Lithium was a drug that helped me tremendously in my life, but in the end is destroying my kidneys. (I am Stage 4)

[Hidden]

After three agonizing years with undiagnosed bi-polar, finally I was prescribed lithium at about age 35. I self-diagnosed after reading the book, "From Sad to Glad." About age 65, a nephrologist to whom I was referred by my psychiatrist, determined that lithium was beginning to have a harmful effect on my kidneys. The psychiatrist told me: "I seriously doubt you will need at your age to deal with mania, but let's put a safety net in place to protect against depression," so I began bupropion HCL 300mg-XL. I'll be 80 in Oct. No depression ever since. This may or may not be helpful.

[color123 in reply to Hidden]

Curious if you stopped taking Lithium altogether after starting the buprobion?

[jazz--]

My son was on lithium and that is what caused his kidney failure. He ended up the hospital and is now on peritoneal dialysis. He is 42. He now takes depakote in place of the lithium. Lithium can and will cause harm to the kidneys. Your doctor needs to monitor your depakote levels with blood tests. I wish his doctor had been more careful and tested more often. The first sign of trouble was his tongue swelled, he had trouble breathing and was loosing his balance. I hope this helps.