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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on September 17, 2012, at 20:49:38
I have been taking Lamictal for 5 weeks. I'm up to 75mg this week and next week I go to 100mg. I have stopped lithium and Trileptal and reduced Klonopin to 2mg a day.
Lamictal is great for depression but it makes me so hyper I can't sleep and feel like I'm on speed. I've even added seroquel for sleep and it doesn't knock me out like it used to. I've had to add melatonin to the seroquel!
The doc said he's never heard of this happening and to keep taking it preferably 2x a day. But if I take it after 2:00 in the afternoon I have no hope of sleep.
Will this hypo mania from Lamictal stop eventually?
I feel OCD too. I didn't feel this way on Trileptal and lithium. Trileptal just suppressed my appetite and made me a little depressed. I think I felt more stable.
I am trying to give Lamictal a fair shake, but I need to calm down. At what dose does that happen?
Anyone ever combine Trileptal and Lamictal?
I hate this but will stick with it.
Also, even a tiny drink of alcohol makes me sick. I can't even enjoy an occasional glass of wine.
Advice? I don't see doc again until October.
Posted by Phillipa on September 17, 2012, at 23:43:58
In reply to Flying high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 17, 2012, at 20:49:38
Maybe this med is not for you? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 0:25:38
In reply to Flying high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 17, 2012, at 20:49:38
> I have been taking Lamictal for 5 weeks. I'm up to 75mg this week and next week I go to 100mg. I have stopped lithium and Trileptal and reduced Klonopin to 2mg a day.
>
> Lamictal is great for depression but it makes me so hyper I can't sleep and feel like I'm on speed. I've even added seroquel for sleep and it doesn't knock me out like it used to. I've had to add melatonin to the seroquel!> Advice? I don't see doc again until October.
Did your doctor recommend that you reduce and discontinue your other medications?
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 6:22:34
In reply to Re: Flying high on Lamictal! » Sheilac, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 0:25:38
Scott - yes, doc took me off lithium and Trileptal. I understand maybe lithium because I couldn't get higher than 300mg without side effects. But at least Trileptal seemed to help keep my feet on the ground. Trileptal made me depressed, but never hypo manic.
I like Lamictal as an antidepressant, but I miss feeling normal.
I'm wondering about adding back either Trileptal or lithium or both.
He took me off everything and reduced my Klonopin. So not only am I hyper, I am obsessive with a project, but the hypo mania gives me tons of creativity. Probably something all bipolars are familiar with.
I don't know if I should give 100mg a chance or make an appointment with doc to see about adding something? I just don't know what you can combine with Lamictal?
My doc doesn't understand why Lamictal makes me hyper. Kind of frustrating.
Posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:18:57
In reply to Sls - Re: Flying high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 6:22:34
You might be a candidate for using an antipsychotic at full therapeutic dosages.
You could use higher dosages of Seroquel. That's probably where I would start.
Abilify and Lamictal makes a good combination, but I imagine you would experience greater anxiety and insomnia with it.
I don't think you should have reduced the Klonopin at this point. Too many changes. Insomnia and anxiety might be withdrawal effects.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:31:40
In reply to Re: Sls - Re: Flying high on Lamictal! » Sheilac, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:18:57
> Abilify and Lamictal makes a good combination, but I imagine you would experience greater anxiety and insomnia with it.
I forgot to mention that these side effects often dissipate within a week. However, akathisia is a real possibility with Abilify.
If you are in an emergency situation, you could use Zyprexa temporarily until you and your doctor figure out a plan of action.
> I don't think you should have reduced the Klonopin at this point. Too many changes. Insomnia and anxiety might be withdrawal effects.
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 12:38:01
In reply to Re: Sls - Re: Flying high on Lamictal! » SLS, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:31:40
Abilify made me anxious and eat out of control. Usually seroquel makes me irritable. I also gain weight at 100mg or more of seroquel.
Not sure. I guess I can load up on Klonopin.
It's odd, I felt very hypo manic on geodon too.
I'm gunna stick with Lamictal. I just feel like I'm on speed.
Posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 12:49:51
In reply to Flying high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 17, 2012, at 20:49:38
I called doc and he is very strict. He said 100mg is only 25% of Lamictal dose. He said he wants me to stick with it and start taking 100mg twice a day by this weekend. He seems to think it will calm me down. I'm seriously doubting this guy, but I will do it.
He said not to add anything. Yikes. I really miss Trileptal's calming effect.
I'm scared taking 100mg at night will keep me awake.
Will this stuff really calm me down at 200mg? I don't know.
I have to take 50mg seroquel plus melatonin to sleep now.
He wants me to just do it and see him in 3 weeks. He said some people need 400mg. Is that right?
Help. Any info please. Losing faith and feeling high.
Posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 18:49:57
In reply to Called doc! high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 12:49:51
> I called doc and he is very strict. He said 100mg is only 25% of Lamictal dose.
That is a bit too aggressive, in my opinion.
> He said he wants me to stick with it and start taking 100mg twice a day by this weekend.
This is reasonable as long as you don't have any sign of developing a rash. Most people respond best at 200 mg/day.
> He seems to think it will calm me down.
It might. However, Lamictal has been known to activate mania in some people. I don't know that anyone has estimated the rate of its occurrence.
> I'm seriously doubting this guy, but I will do it.
It might not be such a bad idea to listen to him on this one. Are you going to take 150 mg/day for a few days?
> I have to take 50mg seroquel plus melatonin to sleep now.
You do what you gotta do.
> He wants me to just do it and see him in 3 weeks. He said some people need 400mg. Is that right?Yes, but this represents a minority. The problem is that higher dosages of Lamictal can affect memory and cognition. Although this doesn't happen with everyone, it is not uncommon.
Try to take things week-by-week rather than day-by-day. Having patience is difficult, but necessary.
Can you explain in more detail what you mean by feeling "high"?
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 19:37:49
In reply to Re: Called doc! high on Lamictal! » Sheilac, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 18:49:57
I guess what I mean by feeling high is that by noon I feel full of energy and buzz around the house doing all kinds of things. It's hard for me to sit still and relax.
I also tend to get a little more aggressive easier. A little too wound up about situations and issues. I don't want to come off as a hot head.
I will go up from 100mg to 150mg then 200mg.
He is adament about me taking 100mg 2x a day. I will try it, but if I get to the point of not sleeping I will have to rethink this plan.
My first doc years ago stressed how very important sleep is with mood disorders and I totally agree.
Also, the smallest amount of caffeine makes me super hyper and the smallest amount of alcohol makes me sick. Guess its the nature of Lamictal.
By the way, no rash but sometimes my gums itch. Weird.
Posted by Peter S. on September 19, 2012, at 15:59:46
In reply to Scott -Re: Called doc! high on Lamictal!, posted by Sheilac on September 18, 2012, at 19:37:49
Hi Sheilac,
I have exactly the same response to Lamictal- I've been taking it for 10 years and it has been a life saver. I just take 50mg in the AM and gives me a boost of energy for about 4 hours then it goes away. I've tried to increase the dose, but I just feel too wired. It also acts to some degree as an anti-depressant. There must be a small subgroup of people who respond in this way
> I guess what I mean by feeling high is that by noon I feel full of energy and buzz around the house doing all kinds of things. It's hard for me to sit still and relax.
>
> I also tend to get a little more aggressive easier. A little too wound up about situations and issues. I don't want to come off as a hot head.
>
> I will go up from 100mg to 150mg then 200mg.
>
> He is adament about me taking 100mg 2x a day. I will try it, but if I get to the point of not sleeping I will have to rethink this plan.
>
> My first doc years ago stressed how very important sleep is with mood disorders and I totally agree.
>
> Also, the smallest amount of caffeine makes me super hyper and the smallest amount of alcohol makes me sick. Guess its the nature of Lamictal.
>
> By the way, no rash but sometimes my gums itch. Weird.
Posted by sheilac on September 19, 2012, at 18:06:56
In reply to Re: Scott -Re: Called doc! high on Lamictal!, posted by Peter S. on September 19, 2012, at 15:59:46
Peter, is there anything else you take besides 50mg of Lamictal?
Posted by huxley on September 22, 2012, at 5:54:18
In reply to Re: Scott -Re: Called doc! high on Lamictal!, posted by Peter S. on September 19, 2012, at 15:59:46
Im went up to 400mg of lactimal.
At every dose increase, I would get a period of Mania (never had mania before).
It would generally last for a day or two and I remember being very dissapointed when it went away.
This is the end of the thread.
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