Hi Sarah, I just read your excerpt about extreme anxiety/panic attacks. I've suffered from the same kids of panic/anxiety attacks. I get to the point where I can't swallow, and then I can't catch my breath. If I have an attack in the night, I begin to feel as if I'm going to have a heart attack. All of that said, I've been on Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks for some time. A friend, who is a naturopath, recommended Lithium Orotate during a time when I was weaning myself off of Zoloft to begin another treatment. I take 4 120 mg. tabs of lithium orotate daily and it's been amazing. I feel better than I ever have! I haven't had an anxiety/panic attack for months and I sleep soundly at night. I don't feel sluggish or drowsy, but well rested. I can't tell you how long it's been since I had a good nights sleep that left me rested. I don't know what others have experienced with Lithium Orotate, but for me, it's been great. Sincerely, Alana
I was prescribed as Bi-Polar back in 1995 and was prescribe Lithium Carbonate. My whole life changed for the better because for the first time in my life, I was able to hold a job down without getting frustrated and quitting or getting fired within a year or so. It was around 2002 that I discovered Lithium orotate as an alternative to the much more expensive prescribed carbonate. The first thing I noticed was that the effect was much quicker to kick in the the carbonate and there by I was able to control my mood swings quickly if I forgot to take a pill. The other thing I notice is that I don't have the roller coaster efect I was getting from the Time released Lithium Carbonate, because of its slower uptake and faster burn rate requiring a lot more lithium. ALL in all, I won't look back and choose to stay with Lithium Orotate over the the carbonate. Less noticieable mood swings, faster rresponse, and less lithium dosage required. Oh.. the cost is considerabley less. A $20 bottle of 200 tables last me 3 mos at 2 per day. Calcium Carbonate at my prescribed levels was $38 for one just month supply.
Jun 02, 2010 Rating
Mood swings by: Anonymous
Hi. I have been a heavy meth user for 15 years. I quit using 49 days ago, cold turkey. My mood swings were unmanagable, until about three weeks ago when I started taking Litium Ortate. I take 2 130mg a day and I feel almost normal. If anyone is trying to escape the hell of drug addiction, I highly recommend trying this product. It has helped me get my life back.
May 10, 2010 Rating
Calming but lithium orotate makes me sleepy by: Anonymous
I have been trying L.O. for 3 days now. So far it is very calming. The only problem is I slept 5 hours this afternoon which I never do. I am so sleepy it is very very unusual for me - but I am totally relaxed. I have never had depression problems only a highly active brain (mania?).
Apr 22, 2010 Rating
Take every day for Bi-Polar by: Christopher
This stuff really works! If you drink caffeine, then up your dosage. If you smoke you better take more LiOr as well. This works for bipolar, but make sure you take the right dose or you could end up in the hospital. PEACE OUT!
Jan 30, 2010 Rating
Amazing by: Kim
I have suffered from anxiety and depression for about 25 years. I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and given a RX for Lamictal and Klonopin. The Lamictal did NOT help and though the Klonopin did, it comes with it's own problems (can be addictive, only a short term help, makes me sleepy). So I started working on finding a better alternative. I had doubts about the Lithium Orotate, but was willing to try it since most people reported no side effects. Within 2 days I was feeling sooooo much better emotionally, but had a killer headache every day. My therapist said to give it a full two weeks, so I did....and by the end of that 2 weeks the headaches stopped. YAY!! I am only have to take one tablet every morning and I feel more normal than I ever have. Never feel depressed or hopeless or overwhelmed anymore. My family can tell a huge difference, too.
If only I had known about this years ago.....
Jan 05, 2010 Rating
So far so good for us by: Anonymous
Hi. Regarding the safety of lithium orotate as compared with the carbonate form: I don't know for sure, but it appears to me that most of the web search hits on lithium toxicity at therapeutic doses, are citing lithium carbonate toxicity data, not lithium orotate. This seems to occur even when the article in question refers over and over to lithium orotate.
Not sure, but that's how it appeared.
I have only been using lithium orotate for a couple of days, but so far so good. I was basically freaking out for the week before, about a lot of family stuff, and was having so much anxiety that I felt like I was about to trigger a major colitis attack or something. I actually had bought 2 bottles of lithium orotate to give to friends who might be interested. But then I decided to try it out on myself and my 18-year-old kid.
The effects have been pretty astounding. Two days ago I was barely functional -- totally stressed out, and my nephew has been very edgy and distant lately. We took it yesterday and today and on both days the time we have spent together has been delightful. I have been able to stay calm very consistently, and he has been very agreeable, cooperative, conversational, and seemingly quite focused. Time will tell, but it has been great so far.
He is also taking high-EPA fish oil, and I have also been taking magnolia officinalis.
Good luck to everyone.
Dec 21, 2009 Rating
Lithium Bicarbonate by: ANH
I take lithium carbonate tables and I take 900 miligrams a day and I know that seems like a lot but if it gets the job done. Lithium has been the reason that I have been able to not only be a normal teenager but procede into normal adulthood as I just turned 19 Friday.
Dec 21, 2009 Rating
Lithium orotate can be dangerous by: T.B.N.
Didn't someone die recently (2008? 2009?) from taking too much lithium orotate? Maybe it can be effective and a good alternative to some of the medications, but it is still lithium and toxic if you do not monitor the dose.
Dec 21, 2009 Rating
Lithium orotate for bipolar by: Jeff
Hi Folks
After reviewing all this info I started taking lithium orotate, along with fish oil and folic acid and my moods have evened out to the point where I actually feel normal. I understand what Sarah is saying on bipolar-lives.com about the evidnce being lacking or contradictory, but I am glad I discovered this option. Works for me!