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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by T_R_D on March 24, 2004, at 14:22:17
Hi Lamictal Users :)
I'm just curious about who is using it in monotherapy, who is using it as an adjunct and with what...what your experiences have been and how things are going. I'm thinking of talking to my doc and giving it a try. Currently my Tegretol (400CR) stops my manias in their tracks but my depressive symptoms are still dragging me down. I'm also taking Wellbutrin and Effexor (150SR and 75XR respectively) but I'm not getting the lift I need. Thanks!
Posted by Angel Girl on March 24, 2004, at 23:18:49
In reply to Lamictal, posted by T_R_D on March 24, 2004, at 14:22:17
> Hi Lamictal Users :)
>
> I'm just curious about who is using it in monotherapy, who is using it as an adjunct and with what...what your experiences have been and how things are going. I'm thinking of talking to my doc and giving it a try. Currently my Tegretol (400CR) stops my manias in their tracks but my depressive symptoms are still dragging me down. I'm also taking Wellbutrin and Effexor (150SR and 75XR respectively) but I'm not getting the lift I need. Thanks!Hi TRD!
I was taking 1500mg/daily of Depakote but decided I didn't like the side effects and wanted to wean down or possibly eliminate altogether, although I'm getting much resistance of eliminating it from 3 different shrinks.
I'm currently taking 250mg/AM and 500/mg PM of Depakote along with 112.5/mg Lamictal, and Effexor 75mg/AM and 112.5/mg PM. I take a number of other meds as well.
The Lamictal was increased extremely slowly to avoid the rash that is associated with it and the Depakote was weaned accordingly with the dosage of the Lamictal I was taking so that with luck I would be getting the same amount of mood stabilizer until the desired dosages of each is obtained. There is a drug interaction between Depakote and Lamictal and that means that the dosage of the Lamictal in my case can only be 1/2 of what somebody who is not taking Depakote can take.
Anyway, I haven't noticed any side effects from the Lamictal and to be honest, this is the ONLY med that I can honestly say that about. I'm very happy with it. If I have to be on anything, this is the one I would pick. :) However, I do still have depressive periods. I think in my case the only thing that is going to help me with that is therapy. I don't seem to be able to deal with the curve balls that life throws at you. I will say though, that mood stabilizers have been a Godsend for me. I don't ever want to get to where was my lowest point of depression before when I was extremely suicidal. Haven't felt like that since starting mood stabilizers.
I hope this rambling helped you somewhat. ;)
Good luck!
Angel Girl
Posted by Viridis on March 25, 2004, at 3:01:04
In reply to Lamictal, posted by T_R_D on March 24, 2004, at 14:22:17
I take Lamictal (100 mg/day) along with Klonopin, Adderall, and occasional Xanax. I'm planning to move to 200 mg/day. I titrated up gradually (as usual), and the only side effect was slight activation at the very beginning (this disappeared quickly). I find it a very mild, benign med, but it seems to improve my mood and overall stability in a subtle way. I recommend it highly.
Posted by redmaryjane on March 25, 2004, at 22:02:54
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by Viridis on March 25, 2004, at 3:01:04
Verdis, how long did the activation last for you? I just hit 100 mg and feel extremely agitated. I don't know if I should go back down to 50mg or give it a few more days. My pdoc just prescribed klonopin to help ease things. Should I wait it out? It's been less than I week since I went from 50-100.
Posted by Viridis on March 26, 2004, at 4:17:10
In reply to Re: Lamictal » Viridis, posted by redmaryjane on March 25, 2004, at 22:02:54
For me, it was only a couple of days. But we all react differently (for example, I totally freak out at the tiniest doses of Zoloft, Prozac etc.). So, just go slowly and see how you feel. DO NOT let the doctor dictate your dosage -- only you can determine what's best for you, and some people do better with less of any given med than the "official" amount.
Take charge of your situation -- be polite to your doctor, but don't allow him/her to push you beyond your limits. If 50 mg of Lamictal works, then stick with this. The tablets are easy to divide, so, maybe try 75 mg before 100. You''re in control; of course you need a doctor's advice, but as long as you don't exceed what they recommend, experimenting with less is perfectly safe.
Posted by redmaryjane on March 27, 2004, at 8:18:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal » redmaryjane, posted by Viridis on March 26, 2004, at 4:17:10
Thanks Virdis. My doc was cool and we went down to fifty and added klonopin. I'm experimenting a bit though, today I am trying 75 and lowering my paxil from 25 down to 12.5. I am hoping to lose some of the side effect from paxil and gain more benefits from the lam. We'll see. If I feel worse, I'll go back to the scheduled dosage.
Thanks.
This is the end of the thread.
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