Low dose Lithium to prevent dementia in Parkinson’s

[SGlass]

I have been prescribed low dose , 180 mg, Lithium as a prophylactic for dementia in Parkinson’s. I wondered if anyone has heard of or has experience with this medication for this or knows of references to research. I’m being cautious because of the potential of making my chronic kidney disease worse. Would appreciate any information.

[CaseyInsights]

Have a look here -healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[chartist]

Very low dose lithium orotate can give significant benefit at less than 21 mg / day as discussed in the link below. This is available over the counter and has a very good safety profile compared to pharmacological dosing levels which have a poor safety profile with multiple known side effects :

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

Typical products :

amazon.com/s?k=lithium+orot...

Some people start as low as 5 mg/day and test upward from there.

Art

[MarionP in reply to chartist]

I would challenge, LO has little to zero known established benefit, and there is no real science backing up particular claims, including safety. More like infomercials to me. Pig in a poke I think.

Now LiCo3, lithium carbonate, may have some benefit prospect but yes, there is a kidney risk, and you've not mentioned what other medical issues you have that could matter, so really a critical, very sober look at safety should be done against the potential for benefit. Was this the prescribers idea or yours? Did you pressure the prescriber or is the prescriber pitching something? If the prescriber did not thoroughly undertake discussing risks v. Benefits with you, since you have kidney disease already, then you should firmly drive that discussion and push on justification and downside risk...there are many other ways to try to prevent or forestall dementia. What are the odds of kidney failure and a need for transplant, for example? Is that worth the possible benefit compared to other treatment approaches? What other illnesses or problems do you have? Are you talking to a nephrologist, someone who specializes in kidney function? If not, why not?

[bassofspades in reply to MarionP]

Nobody wants to be on dialysis for the renal failure! Or the transplant waiting list.

[MarionP in reply to bassofspades]

Indeed. Anybody who has ever been around dialysis, and much worse, been on it, knows you spend most of your time being nauseous, sick, exhausted, and wishing death would come very soon to relieve the horrible suffering involved when you have to go on dialysis, much less the horror that nearby people undergo who are forced to watch. To voluntarily hasten its arrival is what we psychologists called sado-masochism...the pleasurable appetite in the patient to experience pain, combined with delight in seeing the nearby loved ones having to watch.

But, some people like to live dangerous, and think that constant nausea, throwing up, and horrible weakness and exhaustion that dialysis causes are fun, along with the enjoyment of having tubes stuck in you and exchanging your fluids 5 hours a day three times a week. What's not to like? Especially if masochism is more fun than actually getting the good info, which does take some work...usually worth it, except for those who enjoy pain. Darwin knocking on the door to give somebody his award, or more kindly put, nature winnowing the flock. Someday the rest of us will appreciate the calories...because, after all, Soylent Green is...

The point being: don't hasten suffering through insufficient critical study, for the sake of those you care about, at least. Lithium orotate? A waste. Lithium for symptom relief in someone with damaged kidneys? Better have an expert and a sense of proportion, otherwise have your affairs in order, and we'll see you on the other side.

[bassofspades in reply to MarionP]

I worked with literally thousands of dialysis patients. It ain't no picnic!

[MarionP in reply to bassofspades]

👍

[LAJ12345]

That doesn't sound low dose? is it lithium orotate or carbonate?

[lbrussell]

Dr. Mischley wrote a thesis on the use of low-dose lithium for Parkinsons. You can read it here. digital.lib.washington.edu/...

[NRyan]

Dr Mischley told me last week that Lithium Orotate is neuroprotective and I should be taking 20 mg a day.

[bassofspades]

If you have chronic kidney disease, i would suggest kicking it down to 10mg to 20mg lithium orotate per day. In my experience, this little dose did wonders for my own mental clarity. In 2 weeks at just 10mg per day, I went from frustrating chronic brain fog to some people who I considered to be very smart telling me that I was the smartest person they know . Several people. That blew me away and I have been an advocate for lithium orotate supplementation even since.

[Astra7]

Last week I was told there is a strong relationship between Parkinson’s and bi-polar. It made me wonder if it was worth trying a lithium supplement. (Along with all the others!).

[parkie13 in reply to Astra7]

Yes, it really lifts your mood.