What should I know about taking Lithium and eating salt?!
Question: I am starting lithium tomorrow.
Also, what should I know about having 3 or 4 drinks while on lithium.? Will it kill me?
Answers: I am starting lithium tomorrow.
Also, what should I know about having 3 or 4 drinks while on lithium.? Will it kill me?
Lithium is a salt and so your level can vary if you drastically change either your sodium, potassium or your fluid levels. For example, if you get dehydrated from exercise or throwing up your lithium level can be so affected that you can have some serious problems. Keep your salt level moderate and keep it stable. As far as the three or four drinks... don't even think about it. First it will make Lithium less effective. Second, it can affect your fluid and electrolyte balance (example: having to pee a lot after drinking). Will it kill you? Not definitely, but it will raise the marginal probability. Only you can determine if it is worth it.
I can't answer your questions for fear of liability. I will tell you that lithium really works well. Better than anything out there. There are going to be some side effects that you aren't going to like and you may focus on the side effects and not how well the medication is working. A lot of people quit taking it and end up hospitalized. Many a professional actor, artist, writer, engineer are taking lithium and have been taking it for many years.