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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 18:08:33
I am becoming either pathetic or obsessed with learning all I can about these meds. Before long, I'll be put on meds for OCD. You just wait.
Anyway, about Lamictal, does it do anything to help with anxiety as well as depression/mood swings?I can't figure out if the anxiety is the trigger for the depression or vice versa.. But I *think* the anxiety is the KEY.
I notice when I don't feel edgy or my stomach is in knots, I don't feel as depressed.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 19:56:54
In reply to yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 18:08:33
Spriggy, I think you're right. I've always thought this about myself. Control the anxiety and the depression disappears. Since I started the valium I seem to be doing more. Like the Melaleuca. I finished signing up today, and placed my first order. I can't wait! They had a special and if you sign-up in March you get $50 off your products, and $25 off for two more months. I saved a bundle. Anyway I think I would like to know the answer to your question too. It does get confusing. From now on Spriggy The Lamictal Queen! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 7, 2005, at 20:32:11
In reply to yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 18:08:33
> I am becoming either pathetic or obsessed with learning all I can about these meds. Before long, I'll be put on meds for OCD. You just wait.
>
> Anyway, about Lamictal, does it do anything to help with anxiety as well as depression/mood swings?In your post 2-3 days ago you asked about Lamictal and I think I replied then about my experience, but just in case I forgot: I am BP2 and OCD. I also spent over a year trying to figure out whether my depression caused my anxiety or my anxiety caused my depression. I'm trying to accept the fact that it's kinda a chicken-and-egg sort of problem, and the important thing is to just get on with my life. Find a combo that works.
I was on Lamictal for 6-8 weeks and it was brightening my mood, but about the time I had to get off it (I got a rash), I started wondering if it might be "activating" me and/or making me a bit agitated or anxious.
If you think you might be bipolar, I don't think Lamictal alone is gonna work for you. You can try it -- some have had success with it as a monotherapy -- but you may have to look for a combo of a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. Try the Lamictal. Maybe it will work for you, but if it doesn't, may I suggest Trileptal? I used Depakote for 2-3 years, and it did a good job on my depression, at least at first, but I gained so much weight on it that THAT started to make me depressed. I switched to Trileptal and slowly started losing the weight. Unfortunately, Trileptal doesn't work as a monotherapy for me (not for many, I think), so I have to take an AD too.
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 20:47:18
In reply to Re: yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 7, 2005, at 20:32:11
Thanks Phillipa and Minni,
Mini ha ha- may I ask what AD you have found to work for you??
I've tried Paxil (waay back- made me zombie like), Wellbutrin (made me feel like I was on crack), and I've tried Lexapro (made me go insane).
So all those 3 are big "no no's" for me. The doctor at the hospital mentioned Cymbalta but I'm concerned becuase it also messes with seratonin.
Anyway, we sound similar so maybe what helps you, would work.
Don't you wish there was some test we could take to KNOW what works???
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 22:42:12
In reply to Re: yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 20:47:18
Yes I wish there was a test. Cymbalta is supposed to be really strong. It is compared to Effexor. It affects both serotonin and norepinephrine. I took it up to 60mg and my old pdoc couldn't believe it. The only thing it helped was my back pain. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CrazyCO on March 8, 2005, at 9:55:10
In reply to Re: yes... another question: Lamictal » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 22:42:12
Spriggy
I take Lamictal 200mgs and Cymbalta 60mg and it is the BEST combo of meds I have ever been on. I have BPII and OCD. With these two meds I am more functional than I have been in years.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 8, 2005, at 21:02:07
In reply to Re: yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 20:47:18
> Mini ha ha- may I ask what AD you have found to work for you?
Since I was DXd Bipolar Type 2, the only ADs that have worked for me were ones I took with a mood stabilizer at the same time. Originally Effexor with Depakote, but I gained a lot of weight on that. Now Cymbalta with Trileptal. I am gaining a little weight (though it seems to be the Cymbalta, not the Trileptal.) I just started augmenting the Cymbalta (which I had to decrease 'cause it raised my blood pressure a little) with a very low dose of Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin), which I can't say much about yet 'cause I only added it a little over one week ago. But the Cymbalta/Trileptal combo was working very well for my anxiety and depression (and accompanying insomnia and nausea).
> Anyway, we sound similar so maybe what helps you, would work.Have you given up on staying on the benzo (was it Klonopin?) to see if addressing your anxiety alone helps your depression? Some say it works, but it didn't for me (though I took very low doses -- I tried Ativan and Klonopin). You just have to ride out the side effects -- like being groggy -- for a few weeks, like when you're starting up an AD. If you've given up on that, maybe try Lamictal (start up VERY slowly and be ready to wait 3 weeks or more for significant results). If that doesn't work, I would suggest starting up on an MS like Trileptal, and after you've been on it a couple weeks, then start up on an AD. (I guess you could start up on an AD and add an MS if you get anxious, manic, etc, but if you really believe you're Bipolar -- and considering what you've been through with other ADs -- why put yourself through that?) If you have a tendency to get manic, agitated, anxious, whatever on ADs alone, a mood stabilizer is probably the answer.
> Don't you wish there was some test we could take to KNOW what works???YES!!! I still hope before I die they actually have tests to tell you what you've got (what your brain-chemistry imbalance is) and how best to treat it. In the meantime, it's trial and error, which I'm only recently beginning to accept.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 8, 2005, at 21:05:20
In reply to Re: yes... another question: Lamictal, posted by CrazyCO on March 8, 2005, at 9:55:10
> I take Lamictal 200mgs and Cymbalta 60mg and it is the BEST combo of meds I have ever been on. I have BPII and OCD. With these two meds I am more functional than I have been in years.
Maybe that's an option for you, Spriggy? Try Lamictal and if it doesn't make you anxious, but doesn't quite help your depression enough, maybe add Cymbalta?
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