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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 15:31:37
Has it worked for anyone?
I have depression and anxiety and family history of manic depression.
thanks,
:P
Posted by scratchpad on April 4, 2007, at 19:43:05
In reply to Never taken lamictal before, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 15:31:37
> Has it worked for anyone?
>
> I have depression and anxiety and family history of manic depression.
>
> thanks,
> :PHello, and welcome!
Lamictal was very effective for my anxiety at 300mg, but I had a difficult time with side effects. Unfortunately, its mood stabilization properties eluded me :-( When I reached a 400mg dosage, it didn't actually get better. I discontinued taking it in January.I guess I'd have to say I had a mixed response.
Scratchpad
Posted by sunnydays on April 4, 2007, at 20:36:16
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » PhytoEstrogen, posted by scratchpad on April 4, 2007, at 19:43:05
Not sure if it will help me or not. I just started taking it two days ago, so I've just been taking 25 mg a day. I have depression and anxiety and relatives with bipolar disorder as well. I am hoping it will stabilize my moods so the lows don't get so low or happen so quickly. I am also on Lexapro though as an antidepressant. You might want to try an SSRI other than just Lamictal.
sunnydays
Posted by scratchpad on April 4, 2007, at 21:44:23
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by sunnydays on April 4, 2007, at 20:36:16
> You might want to try an SSRI other than just Lamictal.
>
> sunnydaysSorry, I should have said that I'm on 60mg Cymbalta still. Currently managing the anxiety with low dose of xanax, .5mg
Um, I just realized that I don't know if you were posting to me or PhytoEstrogen... pls disregard if I got that wrong...
Scratchpad
Posted by sunnydays on April 4, 2007, at 21:55:54
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » sunnydays, posted by scratchpad on April 4, 2007, at 21:44:23
Sorry, I was posting to you, I just was too lazy to click on your post again. :)
sunnydays
Posted by gardenergirl on April 4, 2007, at 22:29:56
In reply to Never taken lamictal before, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 15:31:37
Welcome to Babble, Phytoestrogen. I think you'll find this a great place for information and support. :)
I take 150 mg as an adjunct to Nardil. I've had good luck with it, though at times with raising the dose I had some pretty significant irritability. That seems to have passed. Dx: atypical depression and ADHD.
Good luck with it. Go slow on raising the dose.
Namaste
gg
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 4, 2007, at 22:47:31
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by sunnydays on April 4, 2007, at 20:36:16
How much Lexapro do you take with your Lamictal? I'm supposed to drop from 10mg to 5mg. I'm starting Lamictal tomorrow.
-Bonnie
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 22:48:21
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » PhytoEstrogen, posted by gardenergirl on April 4, 2007, at 22:29:56
I got a little booklet from my psychiatrist that had samples in it and siad take this day one, and this day two.
it looks like i can manage it. easier than birth control packs, even.
I have one friend on lamictal. he says he gets really irritable if he doesn't take his meds. What dose should I start feeling better on? I've been pretty depressed lately and very anxious.
:P
Posted by notfred on April 4, 2007, at 22:49:24
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » PhytoEstrogen, posted by gardenergirl on April 4, 2007, at 22:29:56
>
> I take 150 mg as an adjunct to Nardil. I've had good luck with it, though at times with raising the dose I had some pretty significant irritability.I had a migrane every time I raised the dose; till I got to 200 mgs. I take it for seizures; the risk of not treating them raises the chance of sudden death 3 to 4 times over normal people. Makes it easy to get over worrying what side effects might happen and what side effects do happen. However, I have no side effects except 3 migranes while titrating up. I do have another side effect; it is an excellent antidepressant.
Posted by notfred on April 4, 2007, at 23:11:47
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » PhytoEstrogen, posted by gardenergirl on April 4, 2007, at 22:29:56
>
> I take 150 mg as an adjunct to Nardil. I've had good luck with it, though at times with raising the dose I had some pretty significant irritability.I had a migrane every time I raised the dose; till I got to 200 mgs. I take it for seizures; the risk of not treating them raises the chance of sudden death 3 to 4 times over normal people. Makes it easy to get over worrying what side effects might happen and what side effects do happen. However, I have no side effects except 3 migranes while titrating up. I do have another side effect; it is an excellent antidepressant.
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 5, 2007, at 0:31:05
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by notfred on April 4, 2007, at 23:11:47
I'm so glad to hear that it's a good antidepressant. I need a little bit of that right now.
I'm sorry that you take it for seizures. Isn't it funny how these anticonvulsant drugs are now approved as mood stabilizers? I don't think lamictal is the only one.
thanks, notfred(thenwhom?)
:P
Posted by sunnydays on April 5, 2007, at 9:02:50
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » sunnydays, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 4, 2007, at 22:47:31
20 mg of Lexapro. I'm not sure it's doing anything anymore, though, since I've been on it for over 2 years now.
sunnydays
Posted by bengi68 on April 5, 2007, at 9:34:01
In reply to Never taken lamictal before, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 15:31:37
all i have to say is lamictal at 300mg . no sides
and it works. depression is gone and use effexor for anxiety too. they work together
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 5, 2007, at 9:58:25
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by bengi68 on April 5, 2007, at 9:34:01
Thanks for the encouragment. I always get scared when I have to take medicine. Even for a headache. I wish life were simpler right now, but seems like lamictal might help me.
I've had bad side effects from SSRI's in the past, so I thought that getting antidepressant relief was not possible.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 5, 2007, at 15:25:42
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » bengi68, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 5, 2007, at 9:58:25
> Thanks for the encouragment. I always get scared when I have to take medicine. Even for a headache.
I get nervous about taking meds too. The worst is when I'm having a panic attack, and I'm so far gone that I can't even take a xanax for fear of... I'm not exactly sure, but I can't take anything when I'm that far gone (which until they make an inhaler of xanax, is a serious problem lol). I'm starting Lamictal today, and I might have to take some xanax just to calm me down about starting a new med. I'm nervous as hell, and I'm probably going to check myself in the mirror constantly for that infamous rash, even though it's not all that common! So, you are not alone in that regard.
-Bonnie
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 6, 2007, at 4:23:18
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 5, 2007, at 15:25:42
Hey Bonnie,
I'm sort of the same as you - when I'm panicking I'm too scared to take my lovely benzodiazapines! Anyway, perhaps you could try this (but you have to make sure the med is suitable for this method) putting it under your tongue for abit then taking it out. I can do this with my oxazepam, and it works well. Just a thought.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 6, 2007, at 7:00:30
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » Bonnie_CA, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 6, 2007, at 4:23:18
so far so good.
Has anyone ever noticed nausea when starting lamictal?
:P
Posted by scratchpad on April 6, 2007, at 8:14:00
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » Meri-Tuuli, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 6, 2007, at 7:00:30
> so far so good.
>
> Has anyone ever noticed nausea when starting lamictal?
>
> :PYes, I felt queasy for a few days with each dose increase. And I had heartburn (unusual for me). Both symptoms settled down pretty quickly.
sp
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 6, 2007, at 14:29:39
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » Meri-Tuuli, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 6, 2007, at 7:00:30
Day 2, and I haven't noticed anything. Hopefully that's a good thing. :)
-Bonnie
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 6, 2007, at 14:31:57
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » Bonnie_CA, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 6, 2007, at 4:23:18
Thanks for the idea. Hadn't thought of that, since I know how nasty and bitter dissolved pills taste. But when I'm paralyzed with panic, I suppose the taste probably doesn't matter. I would say I'll try that next time, but I am hoping (as we all are) that there won't be a next time. :)
-Bonnie
Posted by gardenergirl on April 6, 2007, at 15:02:26
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » gardenergirl, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 4, 2007, at 22:48:21
> I got a little booklet from my psychiatrist that had samples in it and siad take this day one, and this day two.
>
> it looks like i can manage it. easier than birth control packs, even.I started with that pack, too. It sure makes it easy.
>
> I have one friend on lamictal. he says he gets really irritable if he doesn't take his meds. What dose should I start feeling better on? I've been pretty depressed lately and very anxious.I'm not sure about what dose. I take it as an adjunct, and I'm someone who can't take high doses of anything. If I get to a middle level in the dose range, it's usually pretty high for me. I've had some irritability with Lamictal, but it was when raising the dose, not lowering or missing. Serious serious irritability, though. Horrible. And funny, it's worse at 125 mg than 150 mg or 100 mg. That must be the magic nasty number for me. ;)
I hope you're starting to feel better. I find that as my depression wanes, anxiety shows up more. I think it lurks underneath all the time. sigh
Namaste
gg
Posted by pearlcat on April 7, 2007, at 23:11:36
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 5, 2007, at 15:25:42
> > Thanks for the encouragment. I always get scared when I have to take medicine. Even for a headache.
>
> I get nervous about taking meds too. The worst is when I'm having a panic attack, and I'm so far gone that I can't even take a xanax for fear of... I'm not exactly sure, but I can't take anything when I'm that far gone (which until they make an inhaler of xanax, is a serious problem lol). I'm starting Lamictal today, and I might have to take some xanax just to calm me down about starting a new med. I'm nervous as hell, and I'm probably going to check myself in the mirror constantly for that infamous rash, even though it's not all that common! So, you are not alone in that regard.
>
> -Bonnie
Have you tried Niravam? It is a xanax that disolves in your mouth. It even taste like candy. It sure helps when you need it asap!Pearlcat
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 8, 2007, at 22:45:13
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » Bonnie_CA, posted by pearlcat on April 7, 2007, at 23:11:36
Day ? 5 on lamictal. no side effects.
I've been extremely mood-unstable. Part of that is because I was on wellbutrin for 4 days and had such a bad reaction to it that I had to quit it. Pychiatrist was concerned about my lack of sleep and things that he put me on lamictal right away.
I cried for about 4 hours yesterday, and today would have been hypomanic except that it was mostly hypopanic.
Bonnie, how are you doing?
:P
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 9, 2007, at 0:54:18
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » pearlcat, posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 8, 2007, at 22:45:13
> Day ? 5 on lamictal. no side effects.
>
> I've been extremely mood-unstable. Part of that is because I was on wellbutrin for 4 days and had such a bad reaction to it that I had to quit it. Pychiatrist was concerned about my lack of sleep and things that he put me on lamictal right away.
>
> I cried for about 4 hours yesterday, and today would have been hypomanic except that it was mostly hypopanic.
>
> Bonnie, how are you doing?
>
> :PI could be better. I'm on day 4 of Lamictal. I've been very anxious, probably as a result of dropping the dose of Lexapro and being on a tiny dose of Lamictal. I've been using Xanax a lot, even though I'm not actually having panic attacks becaue the akasthia is just bothering me a lot. I envision stabbing my brain to make it stop. With or without Xanax, I've been really tired. I can easily sleep for 12 hours and be up for only 12 hours. My dreams have been vivid and strange. Unfortunately, life doesn't wait for me to wake up. Spring break is over, and I have to go back to teaching school tomorrow, and I'm a wreck. I wish I could take tomorrow off (and the next day, and the next day... LOL) but I have taken plenty of sick days. I need to just try to get through, even if it means taking lots of xanax. I think I'll feel better once I'm on a therapeutic dose of Lamictal, because 25mg of it just doesn't do much. I haven't had any side effects, and the few hours after I take it I feel okay, surprisingly calm at times. Probably a good indicator that I was misdiagnosed many moons ago. I have to take Xanax at night because I'm sure the tiny dose of Lamictal has worn off by then. I have also noticed I've been having some trouble concentrating and typing. Sometimes I lose my train of thought (boy, teaching is gonna be REALLY fun now), and I keep switching letters when I type (right for left, left for right). I'm sure my brain is completely confused right now. Playing piano is going to be complete hell.
I mean, right now, I'm yawning ferociously, and it's only 10:45 PM, and I took a 4 hour nap this afternoon. And I can only drink so much coffee, since too much will induce panic. Blah.
Like I said, I'm optimistic that things will get better with more medication. I'm sure we'll keep each other posted.
-Bonnie
Posted by PhytoEstrogen on April 9, 2007, at 9:22:44
In reply to Re: Never taken lamictal before » PhytoEstrogen, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 9, 2007, at 0:54:18
I'm so sorry that things are rough right now. :(
I' ve been taking about 1mg to 1.5 mg of klonopin a day. I was taking a smaller dose but pdoc told me I needed to take more so that I wouldn't be so anxious and panicked all the time.
One good thing about watching out for the rash is that I've been treating my skin extra nice. One of my friends gave me a 25$ gift certificate to the body shop and they were having a sale so I walked out of there with enough lotions and soaps to start a spa. I've decided that Every Day is Spa Day.
you're welcome to join me, you know. (in your own bathroom, that is!) Some scents, like citrus based ones can be stimulating and uplifting. I have this wonderful pink grapefruit body scrub that is very nice and invigorating.
I also have to watch my caffene intake, because of panic things and stuff like that.
You might want to ask you pdoc about provigil. It is a stimulant that has far fewer side effects than coffee. It helps me with my concentration too. It is a very good drug with low side effect profile and is out of your system by bedtime.
I hope your first day back goes well. I'm returning from taking a break also, so I better get my butt to work. Someone saw my 3 sick days last week and made brownies for me (isn't that sweet) but I couldn't eat them because I was so nauseous. Oh well.
hang in there,
:P
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