I have begun to taper off my Sertraline since Lithium can affect serotonin levels in a multiplying way - risking serotonin syndrome - a bad thing. I don’t have severe depression so i will do ok without Zoloft and possibly get a mood boost from Lithium. I may also need to throttle back on Magnesium L Threonate. Both the Mag and Lithium can influence sleep. The only other thing I have read is to manage caffeine - be consistent about amount and timing. So here is hoping that a double espresso every morning can survive the Lithium
I have been trying for years to do the things that might make a difference, but my family history is profound for Alzheimers - and the clock is ticking. I have the APOE4 gene and evidence of disease based on blood work and neuropsych testing .
So I am taking the opportunity that seems constructive and may actually slow down the big “A” train. Maybe i get a promising result - maybe not. But I am taking a low risk shot.
Perhaps lithium can be obtained from healthy foods? Such as a Mediterranean or other diet with legumes, plants, whole grains, fruits? The good nutrition thought to help avoid dementia, as well as providing a bit of lithium?
Reference- search on dementia prevention, nutrition, and either Mayo Clinic or Harvard Nutrition Source.
Great idea but i do not think it will be enough. As a frame of reference, a therapeutic dose for bipolar is 300-600mg. I will be taking 5.
But to your point there is a large European study looking at populations in areas where lithium is contained naturally in the water source. And they have much lower rates of Alzheimers. There used to be a place in Georgia - name of town was Lithium Springs. But most of the spring is dried up now and what there is seems privately owned. And they bottle it for sale by the quart as I recall - at a ridiculous price.
Great idea but i do not think it will be enough. As a frame of reference, a therapeutic dose for bipolar is 300-600mg. I will be taking 5.
But to your point there is a large European study looking at populations in areas where lithium is contained naturally in the water source. And they have much lower rates of Alzheimers. There used to be a place in Georgia - name of town was Lithium Springs. But most of the spring is dried up now and what there is seems privately owned. And they bottle it for sale by the quart as I recall - at a ridiculous price.
5mg might be safe, agreed it's a low dose.
I think I read, ,but can't find the reference now, 1 or 2 mg for a limit as the most suggested (by James Greenblatt MD?) before involving your doctor in the decision?
Any supplements should be reported to your doctor(s), of course.
If you are willing to report how things go, it would be interesting, hopefully no adverse effects at a low dose.
5mg might be safe, agreed it's a low dose.
I think I read, ,but can't find the reference now, 1 or 2 mg for a limit as the most suggested (by James Greenblatt MD?) before involving your doctor in the decision?
Any supplements should be reported to your doctor(s), of course.
If you are willing to report how things go, it would be interesting, hopefully no adverse effects at a low dose.
I have been completely transparent with my primary and neurologist that while I appreciate a conservative stance, I am not medically illiterate and simply do not have time to wait for for someone to get funding in this environment for full blown double blind human studies. In my case, I am 75 so time is critical. The multiple international longitudinal studies, NIH animal studies, and anecdotal evidence are good enough for me to give it a go. I am starting with 3 mg and intend to go to 5mg. Normal dosage for bipolar is 300-600 mg. So a 5mg dose is not a loaded gun providing I monitor eGFR and TSH levels- and both tests are a BAU part of my semiannual physical.
My diagnosis after NeuroPsych testing, specific blood work including genetic testing, and other imaging diagnostics are collectively termed Cognitive Impairment at this point. If I am to avoid the fate of so many in my family, I am availing myself of every option to slow the Alzheimer’s train. It is an extremely low dose supplement. If people were dying from it, we would know. I am trained in Neurophysiology so am confident if something goes south, I will recognize that. While I would prefer to partner with my Docs in this endeavor, I am nonetheless proceeding.
I have been completely transparent with my primary and neurologist that while I appreciate a conservative stance, I am not medically illiterate and simply do not have time to wait for for someone to get funding in this environment for full blown double blind human studies. In my case, I am 75 so time is critical. The multiple international longitudinal studies, NIH animal studies, and anecdotal evidence are good enough for me to give it a go. I am starting with 3 mg and intend to go to 5mg. Normal dosage for bipolar is 300-600 mg. So a 5mg dose is not a loaded gun providing I monitor eGFR and TSH levels- and both tests are a BAU part of my semiannual physical.
My diagnosis after NeuroPsych testing, specific blood work including genetic testing, and other imaging diagnostics are collectively termed Cognitive Impairment at this point. If I am to avoid the fate of so many in my family, I am availing myself of every option to slow the Alzheimer’s train. It is an extremely low dose supplement. If people were dying from it, we would know. I am trained in Neurophysiology so am confident if something goes south, I will recognize that. While I would prefer to partner with my Docs in this endeavor, I am nonetheless proceeding.
5mg might be safe, agreed it's a low dose.
I think I read, ,but can't find the reference now, 1 or 2 mg for a limit as the most suggested (by James Greenblatt MD?) before involving your doctor in the decision?
Any supplements should be reported to your doctor(s), of course.
If you are willing to report how things go, it would be interesting, hopefully no adverse effects at a low dose.
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You and me both. I’m soon to be 76. The proof will be in the pudding in less than 5 years to see whether I have at least delayed the big A.
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4 ReactionsI have begun to taper off my Sertraline since Lithium can affect serotonin levels in a multiplying way - risking serotonin syndrome - a bad thing. I don’t have severe depression so i will do ok without Zoloft and possibly get a mood boost from Lithium. I may also need to throttle back on Magnesium L Threonate. Both the Mag and Lithium can influence sleep. The only other thing I have read is to manage caffeine - be consistent about amount and timing. So here is hoping that a double espresso every morning can survive the Lithium
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI have been trying for years to do the things that might make a difference, but my family history is profound for Alzheimers - and the clock is ticking. I have the APOE4 gene and evidence of disease based on blood work and neuropsych testing .
So I am taking the opportunity that seems constructive and may actually slow down the big “A” train. Maybe i get a promising result - maybe not. But I am taking a low risk shot.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsGreat idea but i do not think it will be enough. As a frame of reference, a therapeutic dose for bipolar is 300-600mg. I will be taking 5.
But to your point there is a large European study looking at populations in areas where lithium is contained naturally in the water source. And they have much lower rates of Alzheimers. There used to be a place in Georgia - name of town was Lithium Springs. But most of the spring is dried up now and what there is seems privately owned. And they bottle it for sale by the quart as I recall - at a ridiculous price.
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Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions5mg might be safe, agreed it's a low dose.
I think I read, ,but can't find the reference now, 1 or 2 mg for a limit as the most suggested (by James Greenblatt MD?) before involving your doctor in the decision?
Any supplements should be reported to your doctor(s), of course.
If you are willing to report how things go, it would be interesting, hopefully no adverse effects at a low dose.
Best wishes
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3 ReactionsI have been completely transparent with my primary and neurologist that while I appreciate a conservative stance, I am not medically illiterate and simply do not have time to wait for for someone to get funding in this environment for full blown double blind human studies. In my case, I am 75 so time is critical. The multiple international longitudinal studies, NIH animal studies, and anecdotal evidence are good enough for me to give it a go. I am starting with 3 mg and intend to go to 5mg. Normal dosage for bipolar is 300-600 mg. So a 5mg dose is not a loaded gun providing I monitor eGFR and TSH levels- and both tests are a BAU part of my semiannual physical.
My diagnosis after NeuroPsych testing, specific blood work including genetic testing, and other imaging diagnostics are collectively termed Cognitive Impairment at this point. If I am to avoid the fate of so many in my family, I am availing myself of every option to slow the Alzheimer’s train. It is an extremely low dose supplement. If people were dying from it, we would know. I am trained in Neurophysiology so am confident if something goes south, I will recognize that. While I would prefer to partner with my Docs in this endeavor, I am nonetheless proceeding.
Thanks very much for your interest
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12 ReactionsReport back with any results you notice and good luck.
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4 ReactionsThanks. I hope to have an updated neuropsych test to use as a baseline..
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3 ReactionsI’m reading 10mg as a start. I know that seems low but I’m hoping we’ll all get more direction soon. Yes, I’ve spoken with my Doctor and he approves.
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3 ReactionsI will report back.
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