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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lin on September 13, 2000, at 15:22:23
Does anyone know anything about the cognitive side effects of lithium?
I recently started taking lithium and started law school. Although I have been out of school for awhile and am a somewhat older student, I find that I am struggling beyond belief in law school. I can't seem to retain what I read, I'm having a horrible time synthesizing information (because I can't remember what I am reading), and paying attention in class is also a challenge. I have NEVER had problems in school before. Luckily, academics have been the one area of my life that were never messed up or chaotic. I've always excelled, and now I am barely getting by. This is so frustrating and embarrassing (they teach with the socratic method so we get "called on" in class without warning) that I cry my way home every day.
Is lithium known for these side effects, or could they be due to another drug in my arsenal: Klonopin, Zyprexa and Wellbutrin?
I appreciate any information you can provide.
Posted by allisonm on September 13, 2000, at 20:06:23
In reply to Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- please help, posted by Lin on September 13, 2000, at 15:22:23
Lin,
You don't mention what your diagnosis is. I was given lithium to augment Remeron for my depression two years ago. I found no side effects such as what you describe.
However, your description of symptoms were a vivid reminder for me about what my depression was like when it was really bad. I could not absorb information. I had to read things over and over. It took forever just to accomplish tasks that used to take me no time at all (I am an editor). I wept for no reason at the drop of a hat. Could it be the cause and not the cure?
Just some thoughts.
Best wishes,
Allison
Posted by Janice on September 13, 2000, at 22:51:38
In reply to Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- please help, posted by Lin on September 13, 2000, at 15:22:23
Hi Lin,
yes lithium is known for this side effect, especially when you first start taking it. I experienced not being able to read for about 4-6 weeks. Like you, I was unable to retain what I was reading, and then after about 5 weeks, my reading ability quickly resumed itself back to normal. This is not such an uncommon side effect. Kay Jamieson also talked about not being able to read on lithium in her biographical book she recently published. I believe she was on too high a dose and when she lowered her dose she was able to read.
Something to think about - is your dose a little high? Or maybe a month or two will do the trick for you.
Good luck with the lithium, Janice
Posted by Sigolene on September 14, 2000, at 16:24:23
In reply to Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- please help, posted by Lin on September 13, 2000, at 15:22:23
If you want to study, I advise you to avoid medications containing benzodiazepines and also the anticholinergics ones. THey have both effect on memory, but benzo more than anticholinergics.
You can ask your doctor if it's the case for the meds you take. There is always oter possibilities (other meds).
Sigolene.
Posted by AMenz on June 8, 2001, at 1:01:54
In reply to Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- please help, posted by Lin on September 13, 2000, at 15:22:23
Having similar problems, If you still on the thread tell me what happened and what info you have discovered.> Does anyone know anything about the cognitive side effects of lithium?
>
> I recently started taking lithium and started law school. Although I have been out of school for awhile and am a somewhat older student, I find that I am struggling beyond belief in law school. I can't seem to retain what I read, I'm having a horrible time synthesizing information (because I can't remember what I am reading), and paying attention in class is also a challenge. I have NEVER had problems in school before. Luckily, academics have been the one area of my life that were never messed up or chaotic. I've always excelled, and now I am barely getting by. This is so frustrating and embarrassing (they teach with the socratic method so we get "called on" in class without warning) that I cry my way home every day.
>
> Is lithium known for these side effects, or could they be due to another drug in my arsenal: Klonopin, Zyprexa and Wellbutrin?
>
> I appreciate any information you can provide.
Posted by KarenK on June 9, 2001, at 9:07:37
In reply to Re: Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- Linn, posted by AMenz on June 8, 2001, at 1:01:54
>
> Having similar problems, If you still on the thread tell me what happened and what info you have discovered.
>
> > Does anyone know anything about the cognitive side effects of lithium?
> >
> > I recently started taking lithium and started law school. Although I have been out of school for awhile and am a somewhat older student, I find that I am struggling beyond belief in law school. I can't seem to retain what I read, I'm having a horrible time synthesizing information (because I can't remember what I am reading), and paying attention in class is also a challenge. I have NEVER had problems in school before. Luckily, academics have been the one area of my life that were never messed up or chaotic. I've always excelled, and now I am barely getting by. This is so frustrating and embarrassing (they teach with the socratic method so we get "called on" in class without warning) that I cry my way home every day.
> >
> > Is lithium known for these side effects, or could they be due to another drug in my arsenal: Klonopin, Zyprexa and Wellbutrin?
> >
> > I appreciate any information you can provide.***My son is 17 and complains about this constantly. Now that his dose is down to 600mg of lithium carbonate he says he thinks better. He has trouble with word retrieval. He says it makes him stutter and as he puts it when he has to read out loud he now sounds like a "retard" tripping over all of his words. It also blurs his vision when the dose gets too high.
KarenK
Posted by AMenz on June 9, 2001, at 12:09:54
In reply to Re: Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- Linn, posted by KarenK on June 9, 2001, at 9:07:37
What's the solution. To deal with the problem I am so low on lithium it cannot stabilize the moods. (552 mg. achieved by cutting tablets of 450 into quarters)
Has your doctor suggested anything?
Thankx for reply. BTW the stability is not worth it at the price of your mind.
> >
> > Having similar problems, If you still on the thread tell me what happened and what info you have discovered.
> >
> > > Does anyone know anything about the cognitive side effects of lithium?
> > >
> > > I recently started taking lithium and started law school. Although I have been out of school for awhile and am a somewhat older student, I find that I am struggling beyond belief in law school. I can't seem to retain what I read, I'm having a horrible time synthesizing information (because I can't remember what I am reading), and paying attention in class is also a challenge. I have NEVER had problems in school before. Luckily, academics have been the one area of my life that were never messed up or chaotic. I've always excelled, and now I am barely getting by. This is so frustrating and embarrassing (they teach with the socratic method so we get "called on" in class without warning) that I cry my way home every day.
> > >
> > > Is lithium known for these side effects, or could they be due to another drug in my arsenal: Klonopin, Zyprexa and Wellbutrin?
> > >
> > > I appreciate any information you can provide.
>
> ***My son is 17 and complains about this constantly. Now that his dose is down to 600mg of lithium carbonate he says he thinks better. He has trouble with word retrieval. He says it makes him stutter and as he puts it when he has to read out loud he now sounds like a "retard" tripping over all of his words. It also blurs his vision when the dose gets too high.
>
> KarenK
Posted by Bill L on June 11, 2001, at 7:47:00
In reply to Re: Cognitive Side Effects of Lithium -- Linn, posted by AMenz on June 9, 2001, at 12:09:54
I take Celexa. Since I am calmer, I can learn better. It may also make me forget. But on balance the first effect is greater than the second. A few months a go I added Ginkgo Biloba to my Celexa (120 mg twice per day). It has helped me to retain information. Ginkgo improves circulation to the periphery including the brain. A lot of college students use it to help in studying. There are no known side effects unless you have or develop bleeding problems. Check with your doctor. Ginkgo is also recommended by doctors to counteract sexual side effects from SSRI's such as Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac.
> What's the solution. To deal with the problem I am so low on lithium it cannot stabilize the moods. (552 mg. achieved by cutting tablets of 450 into quarters)
>
> Has your doctor suggested anything?
> Thankx for reply. BTW the stability is not worth it at the price of your mind.
> > >
> > > Having similar problems, If you still on the thread tell me what happened and what info you have discovered.
> > >
> > > > Does anyone know anything about the cognitive side effects of lithium?
> > > >
> > > > I recently started taking lithium and started law school. Although I have been out of school for awhile and am a somewhat older student, I find that I am struggling beyond belief in law school. I can't seem to retain what I read, I'm having a horrible time synthesizing information (because I can't remember what I am reading), and paying attention in class is also a challenge. I have NEVER had problems in school before. Luckily, academics have been the one area of my life that were never messed up or chaotic. I've always excelled, and now I am barely getting by. This is so frustrating and embarrassing (they teach with the socratic method so we get "called on" in class without warning) that I cry my way home every day.
> > > >
> > > > Is lithium known for these side effects, or could they be due to another drug in my arsenal: Klonopin, Zyprexa and Wellbutrin?
> > > >
> > > > I appreciate any information you can provide.
> >
> > ***My son is 17 and complains about this constantly. Now that his dose is down to 600mg of lithium carbonate he says he thinks better. He has trouble with word retrieval. He says it makes him stutter and as he puts it when he has to read out loud he now sounds like a "retard" tripping over all of his words. It also blurs his vision when the dose gets too high.
> >
> > KarenK
This is the end of the thread.
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