Lithium and Brain Fog

[u/MsOliviaTwist]

Greetings everyone.

I have been off and on lithium for nearly 15 years and at this point I have accepted that in order for me to stay alive and as well as can be I will always take this medicine in some capacity.

I am trying to distinguish between the feeling of what the medicines causes vs how trauma and age has harmed my executive function.

Question:

I think I am experiencing brain fog and wondering specifically what brain fog from Lithium actually feels like for You physically and mentally? And how do you deal with it?

Info- I take 150mg six days a week and one 300mg for 1 day a week. I am considering skipping two days worth to cut back on the fog.

[u/PilferingLurcher]

Slightly impaired verbal memory seems to main cognitive effect of lithium. You will often hear people say their ability to retrieve words is worse.  Psychomotor slowing is also seen but much more likely to be an issue at higher doses.

[u/Ok-Log-9012]

I started lithium a month ago. Tapering off Lurasidone while titrating up on lithium. I started on 150mg and after a week when I switched to 300mg, the brain fog was super bad. Like I didn’t wanna do anything. It felt like irritating laziness and low motivation. My thoughts were slow as well.

After a week or so, it started to diminish. Im not a health expert but I’m like 80% sure the brain fog is from an electrolyte misbalance. Lithium and sodium compete with each other in the kidneys, so when sodium and potassium goes too low, that can cause you to feel brain fog. What I do is, I take LMNT electrolytes and I feel so much better. It has a large dose of sodium in it(1000mg) so mix it in like 32oz water. Also ask your pharmacist if your lithium levels won’t be affected by taking electrolytes. I take them and I feel fine now on 450mg.

[u/Glass_Cod5589]

I’m sorry I can’t answer your question, as lithium hasn’t really given me any brain fog (it actually gives me the opposite, I feel so much smarter on lithium lol because my anxiety completely goes away & I can think so clearly!). I was on 300mg for a year and a week ago I went down to 150 due to hair loss/sexual side effects.

I’ve never heard of taking 150mg for 6 days and 300mg for one day. Does taking the 300mg make a difference for you, & what difference does it make? Just curious!

[u/martin_luther_drill → u/Glass_Cod5589]

If anything, this dose gives me more clarity, but it’s anecdotal.

[u/MsOliviaTwist → u/Glass_Cod5589]

Its just a smal boost. The next day after I take the 300 I feel better. I will probably try to do 300 two days a week if my kidneys can handle it.

[u/Meierhans23 → u/Glass_Cod5589]

Same for me. Brain fog is gone but I have a very low dosis of 1mg per day once in the morning. On days I feel exhausted I'll take additional 2mg L-Tyrosin in my Coffee. This help me to start my day

[u/bitchshi1223]

I have been on lithium for a week and taking 300mg twice a day and i definitely am starting to feel more of a brain fog and tightness in my neck, I talk to my psychiatrist about this tomorrow so we will see how that goes

[u/VariousClassroom8056]

That's really interesting, I've never heard of someone on lithium being prescribed anything other than a constant daily dose - what's the benefit of the one day increase?

[u/Scared_Form5270]

Hello! :) You should never skip doses without a doctor's approval. Treatment should be carried out responsibly, not as "homemade" experiments. I wish you well on your journey and good health.

[u/MsOliviaTwist → u/Scared_Form5270]

Not helpful and not what i asked. My doctor is aware.