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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ExcellentCamper on January 18, 2008, at 11:04:30
Hello fellow travelers,Going to try this again with a twist:
Pdoc has started me on rise from 150 mg Lamictal to 200 today, going up to 300.
He may want me to augment later. High-dose Remeron (45 mg) or Wellbutrin (450 mg) are options. I had difficulty waking up on Remeron in the past but think I was only at 30. Wellbutrin at 300 was like water for me; no side-effects, but also no effect.
So, any success stories about finding more motivation, clarity, and energy at higher doses of these drugs? (Restful sleep is also a concern. I frequently am an early morning awakener.)
A good weekend to you all, Will
Posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 13:57:57
In reply to High-dose Lamictal, Remeron or Wellbutrin helpful?, posted by ExcellentCamper on January 18, 2008, at 11:04:30
I guess it's no surprise to hear that I have had good luck with Wellbutrin, at 450mg. Wellbutrin is my good and trusted friend, as I've said before.
Since Wellbutrin had no side effects for you, it might be worth trying. Then again, since it seems to have had no beneficial effects, either, it might be a waste of time. The only way to know is to try it.
As for Remeron, the trouble awakening may go away at a higher dose. Did it have any beneficial effects for you? If it did, I think I'd try that before trying Wellbutrin.
Or there's the option of considering Ritalin...
Hope that helps.
Posted by CareBear04 on January 18, 2008, at 20:24:43
In reply to High-dose Lamictal, Remeron or Wellbutrin helpful?, posted by ExcellentCamper on January 18, 2008, at 11:04:30
Hi-- I definitely encourage going up on the Lamictal. I don't think the studies show more effectiveness at doses higher than 200 or maybe 300, but when I increased up to 400mg, I had more energy and my mood improved. As for which AD to add, I agree with Racer that Wellbutrin at 450mg can be effective. At doses lower than that, I didn't feel anything, although, even at 450, I don't think it had an effect on my mood. It was mostly a first-line treatment for ADHD before turning to the stimulants, and it did help me focus. As for Remeron, I've never been on a dose higher than 15mg until now. I started it last week and am up to 30mg. I think the sedation and weight gain are supposed to decrease at higher doses. I think my pdoc initially prescribed Remeron for sleep without considering it as an AD, but he seems now to be aiming at both ends. If I notice anything good, I'll let you know.
CB
Posted by ExcellentCamper on January 21, 2008, at 10:34:18
In reply to Re: High-dose Lamictal, Remeron or Wellbutrin helpful? » ExcellentCamper, posted by CareBear04 on January 18, 2008, at 20:24:43
Thank you both with your feedback. Remeron helped with sleep and anxiety before, and depression, too, to a certain extent. I'll be up to 250 Lamictal by Friday and 300 the Friday after that, so I'll report back on that effect.Hope Lamictal isn't contributing to hair loss. I just read that as one of the possible side effects. I've definitely been losing over the last couple of years, but it could just be genes and the years adding up. And I guess happiness trumps hair anyhow.
Another possibility is adding Effexor, which gave me exceptional clarity in short bursts. Urinary retention, leading to prostatitis on one occasion, has been a major issue that has made me stop twice in the past. But maybe with the aid of a good urologist, I can work that out.
> Hi-- I definitely encourage going up on the Lamictal. I don't think the studies show more effectiveness at doses higher than 200 or maybe 300, but when I increased up to 400mg, I had more energy and my mood improved. As for which AD to add, I agree with Racer that Wellbutrin at 450mg can be effective. At doses lower than that, I didn't feel anything, although, even at 450, I don't think it had an effect on my mood. It was mostly a first-line treatment for ADHD before turning to the stimulants, and it did help me focus. As for Remeron, I've never been on a dose higher than 15mg until now. I started it last week and am up to 30mg. I think the sedation and weight gain are supposed to decrease at higher doses. I think my pdoc initially prescribed Remeron for sleep without considering it as an AD, but he seems now to be aiming at both ends. If I notice anything good, I'll let you know.
> CB
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