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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 ZeldaMae on February 29, 2008, at 11:55:29
I have been on Lamictal for several months for severe depression, anxiety, and newly diagnosed Bipolar2/Mixed Episode Bipolar.
While I felt great for the first couple of weeks on this medication, I have been experiencing major ups and downs, and more anxiety than I have in many months.
My goal in leaving Lamictal behind is to begin an alternative, holistic therapy. Psychiatric meds haven't been working for me, and I'm anxious to try something natural and to detoxify my body.
I have read a few posts here regarding Lamictal withdrawl, but they have all been several years old. Does anybody have any recent info, or recent personal experiences?
Thanks so much
Posted by Phillipa on February 29, 2008, at 12:09:26
In reply to Lamictal Weaning, posted by ZeldaMae on February 29, 2008, at 11:55:29
Lamictal is a mood stabalizer for bipolar 11 . Can you discuss it with your pdoc first before changing the dose? Love Phillipa
Posted by dbc on March 1, 2008, at 11:26:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal Weaning » ZeldaMae, posted by Phillipa on February 29, 2008, at 12:09:26
The most stereotypical bipolar behaviour is refusing to take your meds. Its the number one problem with us.
Posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 13:38:21
In reply to Lamictal Weaning, posted by ZeldaMae on February 29, 2008, at 11:55:29
> While I felt great for the first couple of weeks on this medication, I have been experiencing major ups and downs, and more anxiety than I have in many months.
Are you on a high enough dose? Or too high? Maybe it's not the right drug for you, but you might consider tweaking the dose before you bail. Some people get an initial boost from Lamictal that then fades. They have to then raise the dose again to find a lasting therapeutic dose. It's possible that you might need a different dose, along with something for anxiety. Have you tried many drugs? You might want to have a discussion with your doctor about your frustration with psych meds (I know the feeling well). It can take enormous patience to find the right medicine, but the trial and error paid off for me.
> My goal in leaving Lamictal behind is to begin an alternative, holistic therapy. Psychiatric meds haven't been working for me, and I'm anxious to try something natural and to detoxify my body.
My personal experience with alternative remedies has been negative. I've tried a number of things (which I won't list here) and they were largely either ineffective or made me worse.
Now I realize alternative medicine works very well for some people, and I'm glad such options exist. You may find something that works spectacularly for you. But I would urge you not to rule out trying other prescription meds if your forays into the alternative world don't pan out.
Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) has been shown in clinical trials to be useful for mood disorders. If you're going the alternate route, I'd definitely consider that. Perhaps your doctor has some experience with it (mine recommended it to me).
Should you decide to stop the Lamictal, I'd definitely to it under your doctor's supervision. Let her/him know what you're going to try in terms of alternative medicine to keep the lines of communication open. That way, if you need to go back on prescription meds, she/he will be up to date.
emme
Posted by ZeldaMae on March 3, 2008, at 15:00:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal Weaning » ZeldaMae, posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 13:38:21
Thanks, Emme. We've been slowly boosting my dose over the months, and I've been getting worse with each boost. I've been to two different pdocs, and neither one is AT ALL supportive of alternative therapies. They just want to keep piling on the drugs. I've totally lost faith in this particular branch of medicine.
I'm already taking b-complex vites, fish oils, and GABA. I'm increasing the GABA as I reduce the Lamictal.
If there is some obscure, ridiculously rare adverse reaction to these drugs, I seem to exhibit it. With Seroquel, I became a ticking a-bomb. I was just a hair away from catastrophic explosion every second. With Risperdal, I took a huge nosedive into severe depression, and within 3 days of beginning this med, I was suicidal. My husband was able to keep me from hurting myself until the meds wore off. I have no desire to repeat this sort if experience.
I have come to the conclusion that these docs really have no idea what's going to happen with any particular drug. I'm tired of medication roulette. I'm sick of becoming suicidal when they put me on new meds. I'm sick of being dumbed down and creatively stunted by these meds (I used to make my living with photography, and since I began taking these medications, I have been unable to do so...creativity is gone....I'm just dead inside).
I'm leaving them both behind to save my life.
This is the end of the thread.
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