Posted by shoebox on January 25, 2005, at 7:54:19
In reply to Re: Need information concerning meds before next appt, posted by stresser on January 24, 2005, at 19:43:43
Hi there. I am BPII also, and after years on the let's-try-it-and-see-what-happens carousel, my pdoc and I hit a successful combination: Lamictal and Prozac. Obviously, there is no way to predict whether or not this combination will work for your daughter, but I have two friends who are BPII and are on the same combination, and feeling just about "normal" now. I've been on this combination for around a year, and so far so good.
Lamictal does not cause weight gain, generally, and you do have to start low and titrate up, but the incidence of rash when titration is gradual, is tiny.
Lamictal *can* interfere with certain cognitive functions, at least at first, and it made me "fuzzy" for a while--I had trouble thinking of words I wanted to say in conversation, for example--but it stabilized after a few months, and now with the Prozac added in, I'm in very good shape for the first time in many years.
I also have been on a few ADD drugs (pdoc still isn't sure whether the ADD is symptomatic of the depression, or if it exists on its own, but he treated me for it anyway). Provigil would be my first choice if you want to bring it up with your doctor. It is not an amphetamine, and it is compatible with the other drugs I mentioned. I have only been off it because my husband and I are trying for a baby right now. Even without the Provigil, I am feeling pretty good, thanks to the Prozac.
***It is *vital* that any SSRI your daughter is put on be combined with a mood stabilizer, to minimize the risk of a hypomanic reaction.***
Though it was great for treating mania and anxiety, Geodon made me fat and lazy, so after I was out of the woods with a hypomanic episode I 'd suffered, I ditched the Geodon and moved on to something else. That was the beginning of a string of Lamictal + [antidepressant] "experiments", all of which failed. Having run out of options, we went back to good old Prozac, which I'd taken years ago. With lamictal added, Prozac has not caused hypomania, or anything close. I'm even sleeping like a baby for the first time in years.
Sorry to go on so long! I have a LOT of experience with drug combinations as a BPII patient, and would love to be able to help, and save others the trouble and legwork that I went through. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. :-)
> Her dosage was started at 25mg in Sept. and just now at 400mg. She went up very slowely, and was having problems with her grades long before that. Her trouble with grades falling began around her freshman year of high school, she is now a junior. I think I may aske the doctor about the Zonegran tomorrow....I have done some research on that and read some posts about it. Thanks so much for your imput everyone! You are very helpful and much appreciated. -L
poster:shoebox
thread:446758
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050124/msgs/447290.html