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Bipolar Type II Support Group

Bipolar Type II Support Group

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Bipolar II Forums › General & Support › Low dose lithium for improved learning and memory?
06/24/2010 08:17 PM
stablemind
Posts: 9
New Member
Hippocampal atrophy is associated with BPII which I believe is the reason I can't remember anything. I noticed a symptom of ADHD is short term memory issues- well I have both short AND long term memory issues so I believe the issue cannot really be pinpointed.

After some research, there is a lot of evidence pointing to lithium's ability to reverse stress/depression induced damage to the brain, and induce neurogenesis in the hippocampa region.

Has anyone experienced improvements in declarative memory, specifically episodic memory? It feels like I cannot tell my life's story if my life depended on it because my head feels so empty.
Reply

06/24/2010 11:17 PM  Top
FatherKarras
FatherKarras
 
Posts: 3261
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate
I don't know. I'm on 900mg of lithium, but I haven't noticed any improvement. I have horrible short-term memory and nothing I'm taking helps one way or the other.

Guess my memory is just shot. Sad

Patrick

Is all that we see or seem, but a dream within a dream--EA Poe

Nobody loves you when you're down and out; Nobody sees you when you're on cloud 9--John Lennon

And in the end; the love you take; is equal to the love; you make--The Beatles

Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man--Friedrich Nietzsche

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all--Emily Dickinson

Current drugs:
Effexor 150 mg
Risperidone 6 mg q am
Klonopin 1 mg tid

06/24/2010 11:50 PM  Top
MissStacey
MissStacey
 
Posts: 14847
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate
I couldn't answer that because I suffer from several other medical conditions that interact with my brain so even if that were true my other conditions interfere anyhow. Good luck! Wink
I suffer from Rapid Progressive MS, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Epilepsy, Migraines, Neuropathy, IBS, Narcolepsy, Arrythmia, Arthritis and too much more complete list on profile.

"Just because we have the right to disagree with a person, does NOT give us the right to disrespect that person."

I'm not currently active due to many personal and medical issues. I will not be participating in MDJ for awhile, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone. I hope everyone is well and I appreciate all of the thoughts, kind words and messages. I have tried to respond as much as possible and apologize if I have not gotten back to everyone. Love & Hugs, Stacey

Previous discussions I participated in:
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I have only one word...

06/25/2010 07:44 AM  Top
Joy75
Joy75
 
Posts: 15645
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate
I don't take lithium, but I want you to know that I support you and hope that it gets better for you. Stay strong. Hugs
Joy, 37 years old

Blog:

http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com

Email:

simplyjoyful75@gmail.com

Bipolar type 2 and ADD

300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify

I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. – Carrie Fisher

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Joy75!!!

06/25/2010 03:20 PM  Top
NicoleLynn
NicoleLynn
 
Posts: 784
Member
I have never taken Lithium, but that is interesting information to know. I have long term memory problems but I am not sure if it is a long term effect from the ECT treatments I had in 2006. Please keep us updated and let us know how it works.

Nicole

Serenity and Peace
Nicole

Schizoaffective Disorder - Bipolar rapid cycling type
Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Borderline PErsonality Disorder
Self-injury
Alcohol abuse


Current Medications:

Risperdal 3 mg 2x a day
Abilify 15 mg daily
Wellbutrin 300 mg daily
Remeron 15 mg @ bedtime

*Never be ashamed of the scars that life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you.*

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou

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06/25/2010 03:51 PM  Top
brandib811
brandib811
 
Posts: 3546
Senior Member
I tale lithium and I still have short term memory issues, but I think I'm on a low dose. My other meds could interfere though. As for long term memory I don't notice a difference. Interesting study.
Meds:
Geodon 160mgs daily
Tegratol 300mgs daily
Klonopin 1-2mgs prn
Synthroid .100mcg daily
Protonix 20mg daily
Hydrocodone 5/350mg prn

Previous discussions I participated in:
Scared
Medications
New to the whole thing.

06/25/2010 08:47 PM  Top
jenigood1
jenigood1
 
Posts: 3313
Senior Member
Jeni

Lamictal
Abilify
Cymbalta
Trazodone
Vyvanse

"Remember - when you fall on your face, you're still moving forward!"
My advice is free, completely anecdotal, and comes from my own experience. Always talk to your doctor before you change anything.

06/25/2010 11:38 PM  Top
Tommy100
Tommy100
 
Posts: 903
Senior Member
I was just starting Lithium when I had my meltdown. It seems a very fast worker, as I just took a few and when my pdoc asked me to taper them i dropped them.. LOL! Silly twit! Anyway, when my withdrawal "shock" state was at it`s worse I popped one! MAN!!! Shiny lights.. Magical Mistry tour. It was super fast with me.

So.. If. I go back to meds, I will definitely start with Lithium. But on a very low dosage. As in Loooooow! LOL!

Um... Oh yes.. Why am i babbling here??

Its the memory thing.. Good luck?

PLEASE PM me if it helps?

I have a really bad short term memory.

Hugs.

Tommy.

Any advice or comment from me is just my personal opinion.
Please talk to a Professional for assessment and medication.

07/11/2010 10:11 PM  Top
hedap
 
Posts: 2009
Senior Member
great info. what is your source? I have fibro and just dx'd so any meds that would help w/memory sound exciting to me. hedap
Savella 50 mg 2x daily
Lortab 10's 4x day
Tramadol 50 mg 4x day
Nuvigil 123 mg day
Klonopin o.5 mg 4 doses daily
Aplenzin 348 mg 2x day
Abilify 5 mg day
Lamictal 50 mg 2x day

Misc.
Levothyroxine 150 mcg 1x day
Vitamin D 50000 IU's 1x weekly
Pravastatin 10 mg day

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