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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cindylou on October 14, 2001, at 17:10:54
Well, I finally started my Lamictal trial. I started at a very low dose -- 12.5 mg. I've only taken it for three days. But I have been extremely volatile -- very irritable, angry, short-tempered.
It is PMS, and I'm not on an SSRI for the first month in a long time, so I don't know if PMS could be the cause. It feels too severe for PMS, but who knows?
In addition to the Lamictal, my pdoc suggested taking 50 mg of Provigil for energy, since I had been so fatigued. It seemed to help with the energy for a couple days.
But today is a different story. Today, I have gone beyond anger and irritability, and I am more depressed than I have been in ages. All I want to do is cry, but I can't even do that because I need to be somewhat together in front of my 2-year-old.
To recap, I've been on 12.5 mg Lamictal + 50 mg. Provigil for three days. So ... am I getting worse before I get better? Is it a "good" sign that I am at least "feeling" now, and not a fatigued zombie? That's one thing I can say, the fatigue is not so intense now.
Does anyone know if low doses of Lamictal could bring on this kind if anger/depression? I'm wondering if things will get worse or better when I increase up to 25 mg. I don't want to quit yet ANOTHER med.
Sorry to bug everyone with this. It was either you or my pdoc, and since it's Sunday, you guys are the lucky ones. I hate bothering my pdoc so much as it is.
Thanks in advance for your help.
cindy
Posted by Hattree on October 14, 2001, at 19:23:00
In reply to Can Lamictal make you worse?, posted by Cindylou on October 14, 2001, at 17:10:54
In my experience, anything that supposed to make you feel better can make you feel worse.
But with PMS, going off an SSRI and starting a mood stabilizer and a stimulant, I don't know how you would know what to blame. Either the Provigil or the Lamictal could make you edgy.
If it were me I'd drop them both, wait a few days, and then start one at a time. Or lose the Provigil. Lamictal might be activating enough by itself after awhile.
Hope you feel better tomorrow.
> Well, I finally started my Lamictal trial. I started at a very low dose -- 12.5 mg. I've only taken it for three days. But I have been extremely volatile -- very irritable, angry, short-tempered.
>
> It is PMS, and I'm not on an SSRI for the first month in a long time, so I don't know if PMS could be the cause. It feels too severe for PMS, but who knows?
>
> In addition to the Lamictal, my pdoc suggested taking 50 mg of Provigil for energy, since I had been so fatigued. It seemed to help with the energy for a couple days.
>
> But today is a different story. Today, I have gone beyond anger and irritability, and I am more depressed than I have been in ages. All I want to do is cry, but I can't even do that because I need to be somewhat together in front of my 2-year-old.
>
> To recap, I've been on 12.5 mg Lamictal + 50 mg. Provigil for three days. So ... am I getting worse before I get better? Is it a "good" sign that I am at least "feeling" now, and not a fatigued zombie? That's one thing I can say, the fatigue is not so intense now.
>
> Does anyone know if low doses of Lamictal could bring on this kind if anger/depression? I'm wondering if things will get worse or better when I increase up to 25 mg. I don't want to quit yet ANOTHER med.
>
> Sorry to bug everyone with this. It was either you or my pdoc, and since it's Sunday, you guys are the lucky ones. I hate bothering my pdoc so much as it is.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> cindy
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2001, at 1:36:30
In reply to Can Lamictal make you worse?, posted by Cindylou on October 14, 2001, at 17:10:54
Hi Cindy.
I would be inclined to discontinue the Provigil immediately. A few people have experienced a worsening of depression after showing an initial improvement. In addition, the type of anxiety Provigil produces might make you feel suicidal. If Provigil is the culprit, you are likely to feel better within 48 hours of your last dose.
I think it makes sense for you to continue with Lamictal. If it works, you will most likely experience an increase in energy.
Of course, my inclinations might be wrong.
I hope everything works out.
- Scott
Posted by Cindylou on October 15, 2001, at 6:02:10
In reply to Re: Can Lamictal make you worse? » Cindylou, posted by SLS on October 15, 2001, at 1:36:30
Thank you both for your advice. That was my first inclination too -- to stop the Provigil.
The same thing happened to me with Adderall and Ritilin -- I felt really good for the first couple days, then CRASHED and had horrible fatigue and depression. My pdoc said Provigil wasn't supposed to give this kind of backlash. I'm encouraged to hear that it could be the Provigil making me feel so horrible -- at least there is something I can do, and I don't have to give up on the Lamictal.
Thanks again,
Cindy
> Hi Cindy.
>
> I would be inclined to discontinue the Provigil immediately. A few people have experienced a worsening of depression after showing an initial improvement. In addition, the type of anxiety Provigil produces might make you feel suicidal. If Provigil is the culprit, you are likely to feel better within 48 hours of your last dose.
>
> I think it makes sense for you to continue with Lamictal. If it works, you will most likely experience an increase in energy.
>
> Of course, my inclinations might be wrong.
>
> I hope everything works out.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Hattree on October 15, 2001, at 8:21:03
In reply to Re: Can Lamictal make you worse? Hattree, SLS, posted by Cindylou on October 15, 2001, at 6:02:10
A lot of people seem to have a different experience, but to me, Provigil is just another stimulant.
> Thank you both for your advice. That was my first inclination too -- to stop the Provigil.
>
> The same thing happened to me with Adderall and Ritilin -- I felt really good for the first couple days, then CRASHED and had horrible fatigue and depression. My pdoc said Provigil wasn't supposed to give this kind of backlash. I'm encouraged to hear that it could be the Provigil making me feel so horrible -- at least there is something I can do, and I don't have to give up on the Lamictal.
>
> Thanks again,
> Cindy
>
>
> > Hi Cindy.
> >
> > I would be inclined to discontinue the Provigil immediately. A few people have experienced a worsening of depression after showing an initial improvement. In addition, the type of anxiety Provigil produces might make you feel suicidal. If Provigil is the culprit, you are likely to feel better within 48 hours of your last dose.
> >
> > I think it makes sense for you to continue with Lamictal. If it works, you will most likely experience an increase in energy.
> >
> > Of course, my inclinations might be wrong.
> >
> > I hope everything works out.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
Posted by Cindylou on October 15, 2001, at 12:53:44
In reply to Re: Can Lamictal make you worse? Hattree, SLS, posted by Hattree on October 15, 2001, at 8:21:03
Just an FYI that I didn't take the Provigil today, and I am feeling 99% better.
I also cut down my Lamictal dose to 1/4 of a tablet (6.25 mg) just to be safe!
We'll see what happens tomorrow.
Thanks,
cindy
This is the end of the thread.
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