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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by terrics on September 12, 2004, at 17:37:20
I had to come off lithium because I fell 4X in a week, and lost LOTS of hair. My pdoc wants to try lamictal in its place. [Mentally I did very well on the lithium.] Does anyone know if lamictal is a good mood stabilizer, and does it help with rage? I am yelling already without the lithium.
Thanks. Terrics
Posted by Ann1983 on September 13, 2004, at 8:54:44
In reply to lithium vs lamictal, posted by terrics on September 12, 2004, at 17:37:20
Hi. I was too scared to try Lithium once I read up on it. I have been taking 200mg of Lamictal for several months combined with 10mg Lexapro and Xanax. Honestly, I have not noticed any difference in my moods... So, I am going to wean off the Lamictal with the help of my pscyh. I hate taking so many medications.
Posted by HappyGirl on September 13, 2004, at 11:46:48
In reply to lithium vs lamictal, posted by terrics on September 12, 2004, at 17:37:20
Hi:
First of all, 'rage' is a part of 'manic' side of Bipolar. Without the Lithium, one of Bp symptoms started to surface. In my knowledge, Lithium is good for 'mania' on both Bp I/physhotic and delusitional and Bp II/hypomania. On the otherhand, Lamical works well for 'depressive side' of Bipolar. Then, if your Bipolar is mostly 'mania/hypomania,' then Lamical does NOT work as well as the Lithium. In my case, I take Zyprexa and Lithium combo. which is really helping me dysphoric/a part of mania and rapid cycler. Then, if your mania is quite bothersome, a small dosage of Seroqeul and Lamical might be a good solution on the dysphoric. However, I have no idea of whether Lamical and A.P. goes well. Also, other form of mood-stabilizer using Parkison's disease could ease the dysphoric side, however I just cannot remember a name of this med. Talk to your pdoc. about other 'good' replacement for the Lithium.
H.G.
Posted by terrics on September 13, 2004, at 15:04:21
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by Ann1983 on September 13, 2004, at 8:54:44
Are you bipolar? I am not. I'm borderline and the lithium was wonderful. I stopped yelling. I am afraid of the lamictal. thanks for your input. terrics
Posted by terrics on September 13, 2004, at 15:06:33
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by HappyGirl on September 13, 2004, at 11:46:48
Hi, thanks for the info. However I am not bipolar. I'm borderline. I should have mentioned that. Have you taken lamictal? terrics
Posted by HappyGirl on September 13, 2004, at 21:18:12
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal » HappyGirl, posted by terrics on September 13, 2004, at 15:06:33
Hi:
In my knowledge, Borderline and Bipolar has very similarities as to characteristics/symptoms and particularly med. regimen. One lady I know has Borderline and her meds. are VERY similar to mine. Her med. consists of Ability, Trileptal and anti-depressant and doing well on this med. combo.Then, I wouldn't be surpirsed to know that your pdoc. did rx the Litium andthen was trying Lamical. I never had Lamical, because my Bipolar has both ratio, depression and hypomania. Besides, ultra rapid cycler on top of Bp, it's truly hard to have found a good pdoc. who is my current one.
Good luck on finding a right med.
H.G.
Posted by terrics on September 14, 2004, at 21:23:29
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by HappyGirl on September 13, 2004, at 21:18:12
Glad you have a good pdoc. Mine is good too. I'll let you know how thelamictal works out. terrics
Posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:02:11
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by HappyGirl on September 13, 2004, at 21:18:12
I have been taking Lamitcal 400mg for about 10 weeks. It has been good, but I still go up and down. My pdoc introduced Neurotin and I just got to 1200mg. However, my research pdoc told me that she though that maybe Seroquel, Abilify (sp?) or even Lithium might be the additive to Lamitcal to even me out.
Any one heard of or tried Lamictal and Lithium?
Posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:03:21
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:02:11
I meant Lamictal and Lithium taken together.
> I have been taking Lamitcal 400mg for about 10 weeks. It has been good, but I still go up and down. My pdoc introduced Neurotin and I just got to 1200mg. However, my research pdoc told me that she though that maybe Seroquel, Abilify (sp?) or even Lithium might be the additive to Lamitcal to even me out.
>
> Any one heard of or tried Lamictal and Lithium?
Posted by HappyGirl on September 15, 2004, at 21:15:43
In reply to lithium AND lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:03:21
Hi:
Yes, ... I heard/read about Lamical and Lithium combo. and some of Bpers are really happy about its results. However, in my guess, not everyone. Because, Lithium has strong side-effects, such as 'tremor,' 'intense thirst' due to 'salt' substances, and more lists to go on.I just wonder why your pdoc. didn't put you on the Litium first, because Lithium is more 'mood-stabilizer' property/effectiveness. Most of cases, when Lithium does not offer enough relief on your symptoms, then Lamical added. However, this is purely your pdoc.'s discretion.
In my case, at the beginning of dx with Bp, I was on the Depakote and Lithium combo., however due to my 'ultra rapid cycler,' this combo. didn't help me on this part. Afterwards, I got the Zyprexa which did 'turn the corner' to get 'true relief.'
As to two mood-stabilizer combo., such as the case of mine, one of M.S.s, Depakote stopped working. For this, I believe the Lithium over-powered Depakote. Then, there seems 'a chance' in which two M.S.s do not cooperate each other. Then, if you're looking for a long-term solution on your Bp, probably one mood-stabilizer, anti-depressant and one of A.P.s, such as Seroquel(if your Bp is milder form), Zyprexa and Risperdal(moderate to severe form of Bp) and few more A.P.s.
However, if your pdoc. suggesting you this combo. Lithium and Lamical, then you'd try it first. If this combo. does not offer, you can ALWAYS search for other combo. with your pdoc.
H.G.
Posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 23:09:56
In reply to Re: lithium AND lamictal, posted by HappyGirl on September 15, 2004, at 21:15:43
> I just wonder why your pdoc. didn't put you on the Litium first, because Lithium is more 'mood-stabilizer' property/effectiveness. Most of cases, when Lithium does not offer enough relief on your symptoms, then Lamical added. However, this is purely your pdoc.'s discretion.
>It was my choice not to go on the first line for personal reasons. Weight gain is a major side effect for both Lithium and Depakote. As is, I am severly overweight (greatly due to the habitual binge eating for emotional satisfaction) and fearful that the extra pounds might push me to where I would be at risk for diabetes.
The truth is that if I cannot find a good cocktail soon, I may just dump the Lamictal and go with either of the two. I know it's just not that easy, that everyone struggles to find the right meds, but I am tired. I work for myself, don't have insurance. When I am not doing well, I can't get on the phone and generate work. If I don't work, I can't afford my treatment. Without my treatment, I can't work.
I know I am not the only one, but my frustration is getting the better of me.
Posted by HappyGirl on September 16, 2004, at 7:33:22
In reply to Re: lithium AND lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 23:09:56
Hi:
>>> don't have insurance. When I am not doing well, I can't get on the phone and generate work. If I don't work, I can't afford my treatment. Without my treatment, I can't work. <<<--- I truly understand your dilemma and frustration due to this, mental illness.
However, you need a proper treatment to feel better, or at least NOT to get the things into aggrevating state.In my suggestion, try to go to the 'County Mental Facility' nearby your residence. Or, visit Social Security Buldg. in the region where you live. You may need to pay a VERY small fee if you have some income, but this is to be 'sliding scale' basis on which you pay according to your income. Some paying just $1.00(one dollar) for each prescription. So does other expenses, such as seeing a pdoc. and psycho.-therapist(if they regard you need one). Furthermore, if you need to apply for an SSI and SSDI some down the road(not happen, but just 'in case'), without pdoc.'s documents/signature you won't be able to get the papers processed. For these 'two' major reasons, you certainly need to see a pdoc. and get a tx right.
H.G.
Posted by terrics on September 16, 2004, at 7:47:47
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:02:11
I have never taken them together, but pdoc said if I run into trouble with raging she will add a little lithium to the lamictal. I truly wish I did not get the side effects from the lithium. It is a really useful drug. terrics
Posted by terrics on September 16, 2004, at 7:53:39
In reply to lithium AND lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:03:21
P.S. If your pdoc is agreeable I'd try the lithium first. Not everyone gets side effects and most are not so bad.[Mine were: I kept loosing my balance and fell 4 times in a week.] Also I should mention I am alot of other meds. Lithium ,as far as I am concerned, is a great mood stabilizer. terrics
Posted by terrics on October 2, 2004, at 20:46:56
In reply to Re: lithium vs lamictal, posted by prodgirl on September 15, 2004, at 16:02:11
Now I have tried lamictal with a low dose of lithium. They work fine together but my hair is REALLY falling out. Terrics
This is the end of the thread.
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