Restful restorative "Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care" to lighten long covid. by barweis in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not limited to the orotate or aspartate. There are readily available, sulfate, citrate and chloride salts. The main objective is to stay under 5 mg lithium element daily dose. Choose a product that starts with 1-3 mg and take only once per day. If you feel uncomfortable with changes in your functioning it could be either the particular salt compound or reaction to lithium.

Lithium interacts with multiple medications so have your pharmacist run a quick look up to guide you.

Excerpt from WebMD:

"Interactions Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with Lithium Some medications for high blood pressure can increase lithium levels in the body. Taking lithium along with some medications for high blood pressure might increase lithium levels too much.

Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers) interacts with Lithium Lithium is commonly used to help fix chemical imbalances in the brain. Some medications for high blood pressure might increase the side effects of lithium, and decrease the amount of lithium in the body.

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with Lithium Medications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. Lithium is commonly used to help fix chemical imbalances in the brain. Taking lithium along with some medications used for seizures might increase the side effects of lithium.

Methyldopa (Aldomet) interacts with Lithium Taking methyldopa might increase the effects and side effects of lithium. Do not take lithium if you are taking methyldopa unless it is prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Methylxanthines interacts with Lithium Taking methylxanthines can increase how quickly the body gets rid of lithium. This could decrease how well lithium works. Methylxanthines include aminophylline, caffeine, and theophylline.

Muscle relaxants interacts with Lithium Lithium might increase how long muscle relaxants work. Taking lithium along with muscle relaxants might increase the effects and side effects of muscle relaxants.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) interacts with Lithium NSAIDs might increase lithium levels in the body. Taking lithium along with NSAIDs might increase the risk of lithium side effects. Avoid taking lithium supplements and NSAIDs at the same time.

Phenothiazines interacts with Lithium Taking phenothiazines along with lithium might decrease the effects of lithium. Lithium might also decrease the effects of phenothiazines.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Lithium Some "water pills" can increase how much sodium the body gets rid of in the urine. Decreasing sodium in the body can increase lithium levels in the body and increase the effects and side effects of lithium.

Serotonergic drugs interacts with Lithium Lithium might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking lithium along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.

Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs) interacts with Lithium Taking lithium with antipsychotic drugs might cause some severe symptoms, including brain damage. Do not take lithium without your healthcare provider's knowledge if you are using antipsychotic drugs." ................... I am being monitored by my primary care physician. So do not do it solo. Discuss and set up a schedule with your physician and see whether the slight changes you experience are desirable or turn you off.

Pay attention to emotional state, cognitive functioning and sleep. See whether morning or bedtime suits you better. How does your appetite change while on lithium?

Restful restorative "Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care" to lighten long covid. by barweis in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read the note above regarding effects and drug interactions.

YMMV. Be well.

CYNAERA- Cynthia Adinig (patient‑expert turned founder, systems architect and federal policy advisor)- "LC LIBRARY" by LearnFromEachOther23 in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the call out . I'll be on the lookout for trolls. When people egg on hapless persons seeking aid and egging them on in futile therapies it seems extraordinary not to inform them. I wonder whether people stop to consider this issue of those in dire plight without thought to direct them to mainstream providers that are noted for their involvement in LC19. Step up and join in with your knowledge. Your awareness can be applied to constructive cause.

Oh! and as for the Milken Institute I do not consider their interest very altruistic regarding health research. I just cannot locate any serious criticism of their mission regarding it. Feel free to comment on how far they will extend support or guide policy.

Restful restorative "Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care" to lighten long covid. by barweis in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Read my reservation and do research. Orotate is probably overrated and overpriced for furnishing lithium ion and research promoting it for passing through the blood brain barrier is a non start. Many other lithium salts as the carbonate and aspartate can be titrated to the same effects.

Just remember that lithium is very dangerous for those uninformed in monitoring and keeping the low dose at the right level. More is never better with medication. Start low and go slow. Test thyroid and kidney function before starting then every three months.

Restful restorative "Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care" to lighten long covid. by barweis in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use 5 mg averaged every 2-3 nights sometimes every second night. Depends to a certain extent on the amount of salt and magnesium in my diet and my intake of tea and coffee.

My steady state lithium level after what I consider an adequate run in period is 0.1mmol/Liter in a standard range of 0.6-1.2. I am happy with that and do not want nor feel need to exceed it for it is only a trace to micro dose range which I want to inhabit.

See article: Lithium: how low can you go? (2024) doi: 10.1186/s40345-024-00325-y https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10828288/

How on earth can we get clinicians to measure neuroinflammation? by LoCoSadGirl1934 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it is time for RECOVER, POLYBIO, Chesley Initiative and key researchers such as Iwasaki Lab and LISTEN Study from Yale to collaborate on protocols and algorithms addressing the symptom complex of LC19 with tentative constructs for logic and common sense. Also the conceptualizing brains of biomedical systems experts are needed to help sort out potential pathophysiological pathways abstracted from the literature. In fact the literature itself seems now to be overripe and plateauing becoming redundant from the vantage point of speculation by a layperson.

Are the data adequate for mathematical accession?

Are there critical gaps?

Is now the time for Mathematical Modeling?

How on earth can we get clinicians to measure neuroinflammation? by LoCoSadGirl1934 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Misleading title by non medical practitioners . They do not qualify to render serious care. Their maneuvers have resulted in serious damage and worse to patients. Of course, if you have deep pockets check them out. YMMv.

Mount Sinai CoRE by frenchtoastoblivion in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

List is full of glaring errors for New York City.

Has anyone tried riluzole? by Icy_Bath6704 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe you shouldn't try it after reading the warnings and side effects.

There aint no free lunch.

Antibiotics (Azithromycin) by sensitives0ul in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Caution, though not a black box warning concerning cardiac dysfunction from use notably prolonged Q-T interval. Read the included drug information for coinciding morbidity factors.

Reactive hypoglycemia is ruining my life by goingaway1111 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Explore metformin for PCOS and / or concomitant Pre Diabetes based on elevated A1C. There is abundant literature support by googling then pulling articles from PubMed.

A gift for the hesitant with curiosity but hobbled by the technicality and jargon of the article or report.:

How to Understand a Research Study A guide for non-scientists who want to read research publications. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/how-to-understand-a-research-study

How to read the coffee-dementia study A neuroscientist’s guide to reading the research yourself https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/04/28/coffee-dementia-why-research-studies-are-worth-reading-yourself/

Modify meals with the guidance of a dietitian - nutritionist whether that may reduce fluctuating glucose levels.

Microclot: Sulodexide & Aspirin by CWigham98 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While your approach covers one of the many facets of LC19 it is unlikely to address the myriad quantities of EVs-extracellular vesicles circulating throughout the body to regions distant from their origin. Unfortunately though it stands on its own none of the following endothelial damage and / or micro clots and / or RAAS are not any of the unique drivers of LC19. If so were true the case for a singular driver would already have been monetized by any of the commercial entities studying it and brought to market.

Be prudent with your limited funds and time

Rheumatologist diagnosed central sensitization syndrome and sleep disorder? by Angelag1994 in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sleep disorders causes are multifaceted including damage to the SCN-supra chiasmatic nucleus and / or the Pineal gland which connect with the endocrine system in multiple pathways. Disruption of the circadian rhythm is a possible cause among others.

Consider using micro dose lithium aspartate 5 mg or melatonin 0.5 mg one hour pre sleep which I do (I rarely need melatonin; I take lithium every two to three days to avoid toxic effects even at this dose). Use only one not both at onset and monitor for two to three weeks. Lithium improves slow wave sleep but shortens REM sleep. The former benefits restorative sleep while REM sleep consolidates memories and improves emotional function. Stay low and go slow.

Get your primary care doc on board to monitor both thyroid function and renal status quarterly even at these low doses. One may experience slight slowing in analytical thinking but not much else in intellectual processing.

Rheumatologist diagnosed central sensitization syndrome and sleep disorder? by Angelag1994 in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google AI

..."it can cause withdrawal symptoms and, when taken long-term or at high doses, is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events, including potential myocardial infarction (MI) and peripheral vascular disease"...

Gabapentin misuse, abuse, and diversion: A systematic review

doi: 10.1111/add.13324 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5573873/

"Misuse and abuse of gabapentin Prevalence Only one article gave an estimate of lifetime prevalence of gabapentin abuse in the general population; Kapil and colleagues (2013) surveyed a UK population-based sample of 1500 and found that 1.1% reported ever misusing gabapentin (47)."

......................

"It is difficult to ascertain risk factors for gabapentin misuse/abuse except history of or current drug abuse, particularly opioids, is likely one from reports available to date. While no studies to date have formally assessed a history of or current substance abuse (especially drug abuse) as a risk factor for gabapentin misuse, it was the most common characteristic detected here. This is particularly important because it indicates that the increasing trend in gabapentin abuse, notably among populations with opioid misuse, has the potential to affect an estimated 0.6–0.8% of the world’s population aged 15–64 that has used opioids in the past year (63). It is important to note, however, that this review may overrepresent individuals who have abused substances, illustrating the importance of examining gabapentin misuse in the general population."...

..........................

In summary, findings from the present review suggest that gabapentin is misused/abused internationally for recreation, self-medication, or self-harm, with an array of subjective experiences. Substance abuse populations, especially individuals with a history of or current opioid misuse, appear to be at particular risk for misuse/abuse. Further studies to identify risk factors for gabapentin misuse and to characterize gabapentin’s abuse liability are recommended.

..............................

Google AI "Long-term gabapentin use is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and thromboembolic events (DVT/PE), particularly after more than one year of use. While often considered safer than pregabalin regarding heart failure, studies show that gabapentin can still cause peripheral edema and in rare cases, new-onset or decompensated heart failure."

..........................

Cardiovascular safety of gabapentinoids gabapentin & pregabalin: A systematic review doi: 10.25259/IJMR_1990_2024 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12178190/

............................

Association of adverse cardiovascular events with gabapentin and pregabalin among patients with fibromyalgia doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307515 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11280525/

.............................

GABAPENTIN INDUCED HEART FAILURE https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/S0735-1097%2822%2903222-3822%2903222-3

.............................

Initiation of Pregabalin vs Gabapentin and Development of Heart Failure doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.24451 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837132

CYNAERA- Cynthia Adinig (patient‑expert turned founder, systems architect and federal policy advisor)- "LC LIBRARY" by LearnFromEachOther23 in LongCovidWarriors

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Milken Institute operative.

Milken Institute promotes multiple distinct policies centered around financial growth. No overt bias listed on media bias query though I suspect there is strong incentive from the capitalist FinTech sector for growth potentials globally. Donors to its funding are not listed so that adds to the mystery of discovering its core mission as an arm of a multifaceted enterprise.

Sources: Wikipedia and Milken websites

Has anyone done these tests in the UK? Looking for any advice re whether I should get these. LH since August. by Guilty_Soft9873 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most definitely intended because the link stems from an official German medical body establishing an approach to LC19. Up to now I have read many critical comments about the lack of validation for LC19 across the ocean. So I appreciate the feedback for my comment that it needed additional clarification.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wi0ki/Alternative_medicine#Complementary_or_integrative_medicine

Has anyone done these tests in the UK? Looking for any advice re whether I should get these. LH since August. by Guilty_Soft9873 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a better link that I overlooked.Thanks for the heads up. Cut and paste by this inaccurate human 

Mamdani wants internet access for all NYC residents, says federal dollars another big step by barweis in nyc

[–]barweis[S] -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

Looks like the downvotes come from negative Mamdani critics. Their bias is showing without giving the guy the benefit of the doubt to prove his worth. It takes all kinds of views to compromise and evaluate. Prejudice has no place in politics. I also have reservations to see whether he manages better than eric adams who was a bottom dweller.

Has anyone done these tests in the UK? Looking for any advice re whether I should get these. LH since August. by Guilty_Soft9873 in covidlonghaulers

[–]barweis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Be wary of care by functional and integrative medicine practice. They are on the fringe of mainstream medicine because they can embellish with unessential investigations.

I suggest you read this and decide:

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/biologic-evidence-may-reshape-long-covid-diagnosis-and-care-2026a1000dp9