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Bill Oddie has claimed he was ‘knocking on Heaven’s door’ for almost a year after getting lithium poisoning.
The writer, 79, took to Twitter on Monday to inform fans of his struggle, saying that he was ‘nigh on comatose’ during his illness.
He first revealed his condition in September last year, but added that he was either ‘depressed or asleep’ after contracting lithium toxicity during lockdown.
Bill has spoken in the past about his depression, which saw him admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009, after he was dropped from Springwatch, while he was treated for by bipolar disease with a lithium prescription

Illness: Bill Oddie, 79, claimed on Monday he was ‘nigh on comatose’ and ‘knocking on heaven’s door’ for almost a YEAR after getting lithium poisoning
Bill gave fans his latest update on Monday, as he wrote on the microblogging site: ‘For nearly a year I have been nigh on comatose. Knocking on Heaven’s door with lithium poisoning. Saved by consultant at Royal Free Hospital.
‘Then months mostly avoiding life and people. Depressed or asleep. Scaring my family and myself. No joy and no hope.’
However things are looking up for the star, as he went on: ‘Then ten days ago everything changed . Energy returned. No longer intimidated by tech, politics ,or the world as it is.
‘Loving the Euros, thrilled by ‘Lady Parts’ on Ch4, revelling in my garden, friends, family and Sandy the dog. How?! Why? Meds, magic , or miracle?’

Unwell: The writer, 79, took to Twitter on Monday to inform fans of his struggle, saying he was saved by a ‘consultant at Royal Free Hospital’

Struggle: Bill said he had ‘no joy’ while he was ill and added that he was either ‘depressed or asleep’ after contracting lithium toxicity during lockdown
According to the NHS, lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser.
Too much lithium in the blood can trigger serious side effects, including causing people to lose their appetite and feel sick, lightheaded, drowsy or confused.
It can also lead to blackouts, shaking, muscle weakness, blurred vision and difficulty speaking.
In September last year, Bill revealed he had been suffering from an ‘almost fatal’ condition during lockdown.

Worry: Bill first revealed his condition in September last year, telling his followers that he has been recovering but was still ‘confused about most things’
At the time, the conservationist and birdwatcher took told his followers he had been ‘very ill’ with ‘lithium toxicity,’ and has been recovering but was still ‘confused about most things.’
Bill rose to fame as a member of the comedy trio The Goodies throughout the 1960s and in recent years has appeared on BBC’s seasonal nature series Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
Bill wrote: ‘Just so you know, I have been very ill most of this summer. Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal!

Scary: According to the NHS, lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser, too much in the blood can trigger serious side effects, including loss of appetite and feeling sick
‘I am still here but very confused about most things! But then aren’t many of us.
‘It fuddles my brain. Confusion. Will I return? I Really dunno. I do hope so. Please wish me luck. XX.’
The TV presenter had last tweeted on June 22, when he bemoaned about struggling to use a mobile phone or a couple.

Funnyman: Oddie found fame in the 1970s as a member of comic trio The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor (R) and Graeme Garden (L)
Bill has previously spoken about suffering from crippling depression, which saw him admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009, after he was dropped from the BBC show Springwatch.
The naturalist has also been open about receiving a bipolar diagnosis while in hospital and being helped by a lithium prescription.
Oddie found fame in the 1970s as a member of comic trio The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.
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