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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2003, at 18:36:43
In reply to Lamictal, posted by Ty1 on August 1, 2003, at 17:53:23
> I've been taking Lamictal 150 mg./day for approximately two months now. I have noticed a significant change in my mood, but my "good" days only last for six days or so. For example, I typically experience six or seven consecutive "good" days followed by seven or eight "neutral" days. "Good" is a 9/10, whereas "neutral" is a 5/10. I know that I am not manic during these good times because I feel normal(not too good). My doctor suggested that I see her in November, but should I see her sooner? Should I ask her about experimenting with my daily dose? Believe me, I am grateful for those good days, but I am curious as to why they do not last. If anyone has had similar experiences with Lamictal, I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks!
Posted by HenryO on August 2, 2003, at 0:12:07
In reply to Lamictal « Ty1, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2003, at 18:36:43
I think if you are experiencing days that are a 9 on a 1-10 scale 50% of the time you are doing fantastically well. I have a question about these neutral days. You aren't in any emotional pain at all?
My suggestion is take Ritalin on those neutral days. It has a strong AD effect. Its fast acting and of short duration. It works better long term when you take it intermittently. It may have a tendency to be abused but I doubt you'll be in it for the buzz. It will brighten your day.
Posted by HenryO on August 3, 2003, at 0:37:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal « Ty1, posted by HenryO on August 2, 2003, at 0:12:07
I have been thinking about my last post. Another idea I have is that you might increase your dose of Lamictal. I go by the theory that we have a level of depression which if graphed would travel a typical zig zag line, up and down across the graph. Then we have a level of medication more like a straight bar horzontally across the graph at a given hieght. If the disease goes up and down, as it will, below the level of the medication all is pretty good. But It can spike up through the medication level, like islands poping up in the sea and at those places the disease overwhelms the med and we are depressed or in pain. That's my concept. So maybe you need to raise the medication bar a bit higher. I am under the impression that 150mg of Lamictal is not a very big dose. Is my theory loopy?
Posted by HenryO on August 3, 2003, at 1:06:06
In reply to Lamictal « Ty1, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2003, at 18:36:43
I did not know that you partook of psychoactive drugs. I thought maybe we posters were being studied by a group of grad students at an academic clinical distance. I have wondered what similar traits we all unknowing revealed. Well, I'm not sure I actually thought about it as much as that. Have you tried many other meds? Are you into this profession because of your own experiences with depression? Am I being too nosey, or just off topic? Am I going to be redirected to psycho-social-babble?
I did not mean to sound flip when I recommended Ritalin. It is a pretty good mood brightener. It has been unfairly maigned.
Posted by HenryO on August 7, 2003, at 4:41:37
In reply to Re: Lamictal « Ty1, posted by HenryO on August 3, 2003, at 1:06:06
Not even one word?
This is the end of the thread.
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