For those of you on lithium, what is the shortest time you're on it before getting some relief?  I read that it can take up to a week or two, but what's the shortest time?

I started it for the first time three days ago or so, and have been relatively PF for a couple days now.  I'm just wondering if it could be the lithium, or maybe the cycle is petering out.

For me it's like a minimum of a week, but it's hard to say for sure as I start it at the begining of a cycle, where I will go pain free as many as 3-5 days at a time. So is the lithium kicking in faster or is it just the low point in the cycle? My guess is it would take at least a week to build up the levels in your blood that you need. Good luck. I hope it works as well for you as it has been for me.

Joe

Generally 7-10 days from when your system reaches therapeutic serum levels.

Because of the relatively sharp line between beneficial levels and lithium poisoning, dosing should be titrated while monitoring blood work. Unlike many of the drugs we take, DO NOT jump ahead of what your doctor instructs you to take.

Marc

Marc makes a great point: Lithium poisoning can be very ugly.

Hmm...  That's about what I was thinking, more the 7 to 14 day range. I wonder if maybe my cycle is winding down sooner than usual...

That'd be a pleasant suprise huh?? Fingers crossed for you.

Joe