![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mmcasey on May 7, 2003, at 13:33:39
Okay, I am now going off of everything that I am on because they don't help me
and/or I can't stand the side effects. This is what I have so far tried
and failed: Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, Risperdal,
and desipramine. So now my psychiatrist has given me a prescription
for Lamictal. I am going to start that today. Has anyone had
any success with that for unipolar depression (or even bipolar)??
Thanks.
Posted by elen on May 8, 2003, at 15:21:29
In reply to Lamictal success??, posted by mmcasey on May 7, 2003, at 13:33:39
> Okay, I am now going off of everything that I am on because they don't help me
> and/or I can't stand the side effects. This is what I have so far tried
> and failed: Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, Risperdal,
> and desipramine. So now my psychiatrist has given me a prescription
> for Lamictal. I am going to start that today. Has anyone had
> any success with that for unipolar depression (or even bipolar)??
> Thanks.After several meds that didn't help for long, I'm now on Lamictal and have been for quite awhile. I have had great success with Lamictal - it has helped me to feel better and to have a healthy energy level. I'm glad my doctor put me on it.
Posted by Peter S. on May 8, 2003, at 15:23:30
In reply to Lamictal success??, posted by mmcasey on May 7, 2003, at 13:33:39
I wish I could tell you that Lamictal cured all my ills. What I can tell you is that it has helped more than anything else, which isn't saying much. When I first started taking it, it was wonderful but the effect has faded. When I take it now in the morning I get an excellent boost but this fades in the afternoon and I still drop down into a deep pit.
I would recommend it- it I have no side effects to speak of and it definitely has helped. I combine it with Neurontin.
Hope this helps!
> Okay, I am now going off of everything that I am on because they don't help me
> and/or I can't stand the side effects. This is what I have so far tried
> and failed: Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, Risperdal,
> and desipramine. So now my psychiatrist has given me a prescription
> for Lamictal. I am going to start that today. Has anyone had
> any success with that for unipolar depression (or even bipolar)??
> Thanks.
Posted by colin wallace on May 9, 2003, at 4:00:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal success??- Yes, kind of, posted by Peter S. on May 8, 2003, at 15:23:30
> I wish I could tell you that Lamictal cured all my ills. What I can tell you is that it has helped more than anything else, which isn't saying much. When I first started taking it, it was wonderful but the effect has faded. When I take it now in the morning I get an excellent boost but this fades in the afternoon and I still drop down into a deep pit.
Hey Pete,
I'm following in your footsteps here I'm sure!
The Lamictal has brought me back to near normality, however as we both know, the effect is prone to fading.
I've hit 400mg now, and I have to face the sorry fact that sooner or later, to maintain the effect I'll reach a dose that just becomes impractically high. Just as you did. Bummer!
With me, when the Lamictal 'cuts out' and I'm left with a mere 10mg Prozac to get along with, it's nowhere near the mark and the world just crumbles. So I reckon I'm living on borrowed time, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts!!
My contingency plan is to add some valproate(gave me the same sort of background stability, but I was too depressed to tolerate it by itself previously)which should allow me to take half the Lamictal dose due to the greatly reduced Lamictal clearance this combo. will provide.
Then it's time to discuss some monster antidepressant tactics.I see my psych. in a month or so.
Got any innovations up your sleeve for yourself??
Such a damn shame that this 'magical'med. just fizzles out for some aint it?!Keep well, swap strategies,
Col.
Posted by Peter S. on May 9, 2003, at 10:42:51
In reply to Re: Lamictal success??- Yes, kind of » Peter S., posted by colin wallace on May 9, 2003, at 4:00:38
Hey Colin,
It is a total bummer isn't it? To have a taste of something for a while and then poof- it's gone. Right now I'm taking 50mg/day but I've gone up to 600mg before. I've run out of contingency plans. Fluoxetine has faded out and I've tried everything else.
I'd love to hear how things go for you and if you come up with something that actually works.
By the way- how to do make the >> signs in the message subject? I've never figured it out.
Best,
Peter
> > I wish I could tell you that Lamictal cured all my ills. What I can tell you is that it has helped more than anything else, which isn't saying much. When I first started taking it, it was wonderful but the effect has faded. When I take it now in the morning I get an excellent boost but this fades in the afternoon and I still drop down into a deep pit.
>
> Hey Pete,
>
> I'm following in your footsteps here I'm sure!
> The Lamictal has brought me back to near normality, however as we both know, the effect is prone to fading.
> I've hit 400mg now, and I have to face the sorry fact that sooner or later, to maintain the effect I'll reach a dose that just becomes impractically high. Just as you did. Bummer!
> With me, when the Lamictal 'cuts out' and I'm left with a mere 10mg Prozac to get along with, it's nowhere near the mark and the world just crumbles. So I reckon I'm living on borrowed time, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts!!
> My contingency plan is to add some valproate(gave me the same sort of background stability, but I was too depressed to tolerate it by itself previously)which should allow me to take half the Lamictal dose due to the greatly reduced Lamictal clearance this combo. will provide.
> Then it's time to discuss some monster antidepressant tactics.I see my psych. in a month or so.
> Got any innovations up your sleeve for yourself??
> Such a damn shame that this 'magical'med. just fizzles out for some aint it?!
>
> Keep well, swap strategies,
>
> Col.
>
Posted by deli on May 9, 2003, at 11:16:39
In reply to Lamictal success??, posted by mmcasey on May 7, 2003, at 13:33:39
I have been taking Lamictal for 9 months and was feeling pretty good. But lately, I feel I am sinking again. I hate this rollercoaster. I am also taking 80mg Prozac. You'd think this alone should do the trick. I just upped my dosage to 100mg today. I did it on my own. I don't want to see my boring dr. Is this too much Prozac? Should I also up the Lamictal from 200 to 250 mg. I am just asking because many of you know as much or probably more than pdocs. I am going on a big vacation in a week and feel like crap. I don't want to ruin it for my husband and kids. Any ideas?Deli:)
Posted by colin wallace on May 9, 2003, at 11:39:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal success??- Yes, kind of-- Colin, posted by Peter S. on May 9, 2003, at 10:42:51
>>By the way- how to do make the >> signs in the message subject? I've never figured it out
Pete,That made me laugh, 'cos I was fumbling around doing this (---Colin)for ages, and wondering the same thing- Ron told me eventually!!
Anyway, when you post, there's a check-box directly underneath the "subject:" line, saying "add name of previous poster".
Check the box, and the>> sign's will magically appear!!Back to meds for a moment though.Have you tried adding another anticonvulsant to the Lamictal?
Valproate or Trileptal for instance? How about lithium?
Which AD's have you tried? (I've done the whole gamut, with the exception of the MAOI group.
They're a last resort, although I would consider a tentative crack at selegiline.Wellbutrin is only prescribed here in UK ,as Zyban, to quit smoking.I'd like to have tested that one too.
Are you BP11,or 'treatment resistant'? Can't quite remember.
Unfortunately, I can't see my psych. coming up with any startlingly bright ideas, as he's pretty mainstream.He almost choked when he dicovered I'd been sneakily taking Lamictal!!
Been referred to a BP specialist, but don't get to see him for six months.
Another bummer in a sack full of bummers!Still, I have some effexor left over, and they're not bad at all with beer :)
Col.
Posted by Peter S. on May 9, 2003, at 14:22:44
In reply to Re: Lamictal success??- Yes, kind of-- Colin » Peter S., posted by colin wallace on May 9, 2003, at 11:39:46
Wow thanks! I've been posting on this board for years and the mystery has been solved. Maybe I can finally get some sleep now :)Right now I take Neurontin (300mg) with the Lamictal which seems to help with irritability. I've tried Trileptal, Valproate, Lithium, Parnate, Nardil, Wellbutrin and all the SSRIs, Effexor, in various combinations ad nauseum. My pdoc is extremely open to different treatment strategies.
I haven't quite gotten a diagnosis that sums up everything. I would say the first choice would be dysthymia of the atypical variety (since age three). Second might be bipolar II or III since I have had some hypomanic responses to anti-depressants. Definitely treatment resistant!
I prefer to take my Lamictal with scotch and a beer chaser ;)
Pete
> >>By the way- how to do make the >> signs in the message subject? I've never figured it out
>
>
> Pete,
>
> That made me laugh, 'cos I was fumbling around doing this (---Colin)for ages, and wondering the same thing- Ron told me eventually!!
> Anyway, when you post, there's a check-box directly underneath the "subject:" line, saying "add name of previous poster".
> Check the box, and the>> sign's will magically appear!!
>
> Back to meds for a moment though.Have you tried adding another anticonvulsant to the Lamictal?
> Valproate or Trileptal for instance? How about lithium?
> Which AD's have you tried? (I've done the whole gamut, with the exception of the MAOI group.
> They're a last resort, although I would consider a tentative crack at selegiline.Wellbutrin is only prescribed here in UK ,as Zyban, to quit smoking.I'd like to have tested that one too.
> Are you BP11,or 'treatment resistant'? Can't quite remember.
> Unfortunately, I can't see my psych. coming up with any startlingly bright ideas, as he's pretty mainstream.He almost choked when he dicovered I'd been sneakily taking Lamictal!!
> Been referred to a BP specialist, but don't get to see him for six months.
> Another bummer in a sack full of bummers!
>
> Still, I have some effexor left over, and they're not bad at all with beer :)
>
> Col.
>
>
Posted by Peter S. on May 9, 2003, at 16:40:50
In reply to Lamictal fading, posted by deli on May 9, 2003, at 11:16:39
I've gone up to 600mg of Lamictal, but the effect still faded. 100mg of Prozac is a lot- you might want to talk to your pdoc. However originally it was thought that 20mg of Prozac was the most you should use, but there are people who only respond at 80mg. My pdoc's motto is to keep increasing the dose of meds to the limit unless the side effects become too great. Why not?
Hope this helps!
>
>
>
>
> I have been taking Lamictal for 9 months and was feeling pretty good. But lately, I feel I am sinking again. I hate this rollercoaster. I am also taking 80mg Prozac. You'd think this alone should do the trick. I just upped my dosage to 100mg today. I did it on my own. I don't want to see my boring dr. Is this too much Prozac? Should I also up the Lamictal from 200 to 250 mg. I am just asking because many of you know as much or probably more than pdocs. I am going on a big vacation in a week and feel like crap. I don't want to ruin it for my husband and kids. Any ideas?
>
> Deli:)
Posted by delna on May 11, 2003, at 10:07:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal fading » deli, posted by Peter S. on May 9, 2003, at 16:40:50
i am taking 200mg of it combined with 150 effexor, wellbutrin 300. initially it was fabulous- first time i felt that life was worth living and that i had some contol over my actions. but it is now fading after only 2mnths. its soooo depresion when u hv seen the light and then suddenly sink back into darkness
my doctor may add neurotonin -he feels it helps along with lamactil. anyway ......
delna
Posted by deli on May 13, 2003, at 23:26:45
In reply to Lamictal fading, posted by deli on May 9, 2003, at 11:16:39
Thanks to all for your response. I went to see my pdoc and he said it was ok to take 100mg Prozac. He also told me that it is typical of Lamictal to fade its antidepressant effects initially, but if you take it long enough its therapeutic effects will come back. I think I am going to stick with it since I am feeling a little better. I also think that I had to increase my Prozac dosage because I have been drinking more than I should. A couple glasses of wine and a few martinis in the weekends may have slowed down the effects of Prozac. So no more agua ardiente for me.
Greetings
Deli :)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.