Lithium, Diet, and Hydration Tips?

[Brishen]

.

[Anna]

All I know is salty foods make me feel better on lithium, and I consume a lot of liquids, espcially if it's warm.

Anna

[dedoubt]

I haven't changed my diet appreciably since I've been on it, though I did notice that I have been wanting less salt than I used to. When I first started (this last round, 11+ months ago), I had months of a terrible taste in my mouth, so that water tasted like poison. That made drinking enough water difficult, but I forced myself, and drank other things (like soda) until the taste went away. Taking my lith. with milk was what got rid of the nasty taste in my mouth AND stopped the horrible pain and burning I get after taking my pills.

Now I drink about 80 ounces of water a day, the only times I try to drink extra water are when I am feeling kind of off. If I feel kind of dizzy, can't think straight, um... there's more, but there are some symptoms I get that I associate with not drinking enough water & it seems tied to being on lithium. I haven't been overly worried with keeping a steady blood level, because I figure that taking the same amount every day at the same time will keep it steady.

[Brishen]

.

[Cattitude]

Dizziness can be a symptom of dehydration, so yes I'd recommend drinking a glass of water if you feel that way. I was told by my pdoc to minimize caffeine intake, as it's a diuretic, but I like my coffee so I have 2 cups. You can further reduce caffeine by cutting coke, mountain dew and other caffeine sodas out of your diet. To stay hydrated I always have a glass or bottle of water nearby and sip it every so often. You get used to drinking more water after a while. The biggest indicator of dehydration is the colour of your urine. If it's dark it means you're dehydrated. Clear or pale is a good thing.

[DamselODistress]

Gatorade is a luxury for me right now... I have to be near-dead before mom will pick some up. (I've been out of work, or I'd get it myself before it was an issue.)

I drink a ton of tea. I would only be kind of joking if I said I think I drink nearly my body weight in tea every three days. I keep the black teas early in the day, because there's a little caffeine. The white and green teas, I really go to town. If you saw my assortment, you'd think I was the crazy cat lady of tea.

I do drink a lot of water still, and various juices. It's apple cider season! I drink a gallon of that in about two and a half days. Orange juice and lemonade are also short-lived in the fridge. I've noticed that I can't drink most sodas now. The flavor has just gotten vile. I can drink Ginger ale and green river, and that's it.

I was in a manic episode last week, and like an idiot, didn't hydrate nearly enough. I'm slowly recovering from that dehydration, and yep. It makes me dizzy and nauseous until I drink something.

[bpladybug]

I have water continually available. I have a bottle of water with me at all time. I keep a case in the trunk of my car. Staying hydrated is vital for me. And I do like salt things like cashews nuts, at times. Even though that is probably not good for my blood pressure.

Unfortunately I was in the hospital last week with Lithium Toxicity. I created this suffering by adding a Non Steriodal Anti Inflammatory ANSAID to my regime. A prescription strength antiinflammatory. There was a drug interaction and my lithium blood level went higher than normal. I was very sick. The reason I am writing about this is because it is important to understand drug interactions when you are on Lithium. It is important for your own safety.

I am recovering and back on a low therapeutic level of Lithium. I love what it does for my brain. But respect it. After a number of years on Lithium I took it a little for granted I think. Lithium needs respect, I would say.

[Brishen]

.