Posted by BGB on July 20, 2008, at 2:45:11
In reply to Lamictal combinations, posted by bidatheraptor on July 6, 2008, at 22:42:35
I used to take Lamictal 200mg with Depakote ER 2,000mg, which kept the mania at bay for almost 10 years. I have been extremely depressed and suicidal for quite a while now, so I wanted off of the Depakote as I read it could cause suicidal thoughts. I switched to Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), which is a newer relative of Tegretol (carbemazepine), which BPP mentioned. It is available as a generic now, although it is still quite expensive (almost $400/mo).
The Trileptal is equally as effective as the Depakote in keeping the manic episodes at bay, and I haven't noticed any side effects at all from it. Unfortunately, it has had no effect on my depression or suicidality. I still think of killing myself every waking second.
But, at least I am not crazy and homicidal. I tried to go off of the Trileptal (without my doctor's consent or knowledge) and almost murdered someone--literally. The Trileptal has been wonderful for keeping my thoughts of murdering people at bay...now I just want to kill me again and not other people, which I think is kind of important. ;)
By the way, I also take 60mg of Cymbalta and 400mg of Wellbutrin SR for depression. I was on 120mg of Cymbalta, 600mg of Wellbutrin SR, 60mg of Remeron, and 75mcg of Cytomel for my depression (even though my thyroid levels were all in the "good" range). Cytomel made me homicidal and manic, by the way. If your doctor recommends adding a thyroid hormone to augment your antidepressants, even if you have a normal thyroid level, be careful and go slowly. A lot of people really benefit from this augmentation strategy, but my doctor gave me too much too quickly and that really messed me up big time. I'll never f*** with my thyroid ever again!
I didn't notice any worsening of my depression dropping the Remeron and reducing the Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. I may in fact feel a teeny, tiny bit better, although not enough to make a real difference. My point being that more and more and more antidepressants doesn't necessarily bring more relief. Question your doctor if s/he just keeps upping your doses and adding on AD's. If it's not helping then there's no reason to keep on doing it.
Best of luck to you! I know you must be in hell right now. Keep us updated on how you are doing and what you are taking.
poster:BGB
thread:838531
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/840953.html