Follow
Share

Hi Everyone. I wanted to know if Lithium is commonly prescribed for Dementia, and if so, what your experience has been. My mother-in-law has suddenly declined since Thanksgiving when we saw her last in-person. She's now hunched over and can barely lift her head up, and she's having bad insomnia. My husband drove over to CA to help, and texted today that she apparently was on Lithium. We had no idea. Aside from this, we're pretty sure she's in Stage 5 LB Dementia now, but I'm just wondering about the Lithium issue. Should she get off of this?

Find Care & Housing
He should have taken her to the ER. She could get tested for certain meds and help sort this out. Obviously she was not in a safe environment
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to MACinCT
Report

There comes a time when certain meds for Dementia will not work anymore then its time to stop them. I would review her med list. Google is great for this. I found my Mom was on a drug to slow down her heart. That was good when Graves desease was found but once on proper meds, there was no need for it. An extra pill for Blood pressure given when she was in extreme pain. That problem was corrected, no need for that med. Cholesterol meds, no need for them in the elderly. My Moms were effecting her liver enzyme level so they were stopped.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

You need to discuss this with her doctor. Could it be she was put on it years ago and no one thought to remove it from her daily meds? Sons don't always know what meds their moms are on throughout their lives.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to JustAnon
Report

Sometimes, Micro doses of lithium are prescribed for early Alzheimer's patients as those doses are thought to both ward off AD and slow it down.

Google "lithium for dementia " to read about it as we are not doctors here on Agingcare. Do question your MILs doctor thoroughly about your concern, however, and ask what dose she's being given and his thought process behind the Rx.

I read a recent study showing that many people are low in lithium (which is found in many foods we eat) which is thought to be causing many mental health issues.

Good luck to you.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

There are no true drugs for moderate or worse dementia. Drugs are used to manage symptoms—ie seroquel for delusions, ssris for depression. Atypical antipsychotic/anti bipolar mood stabilizers like rexulti for those symptoms. Lithium is an extremely old med, why would they pick that one?
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter