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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peacewanted on September 14, 2009, at 0:29:48
My husband is on a trial of Lamictal and is up to 150 mg. His depression is worse than when he started it! He started at 25 mg and then doubled the dose every two weeks. Target dose is 200mg, which he will get to on 9/24. Question: does anyone think that the 50 mg from 150 to 200 will really make a difference? He has an appt this week with his pdoc and I am looking for what others have to say that have been on this med. He is also on:
Pristiq 100mg
Xanax .5 mg
Abilify 10 mg
Gabapentin 1800 mg
Testosterone shots
Arimidex (to lower estrogen)
Levothyroxine .150
DIM, DHEA, Calcium, B vitamins, Fish Oil
150,000 of Vitamin DThank you for any thoughts you can give!
Posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 9:03:21
In reply to Lamictal Trial, posted by Peacewanted on September 14, 2009, at 0:29:48
Hi, welcome to Psycho Babble!
I tried Lamictal and I got up to 150mg and my depression was much worse. I had to slowly come off it because it was making me suicidal. I guess some people react to it that way. I hope your husband finds the right med.
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2009, at 10:55:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial » Peacewanted, posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 9:03:21
I wonder if it has anything to do with being or not being bipolar maybe mood stabalizers arent needed. Just a though? Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 15:39:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial, posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2009, at 10:55:18
I'm bipolar and it made me depressed. Plus it is often prescribed just for depression.
Posted by Peacewanted on September 14, 2009, at 17:06:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial, posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2009, at 10:55:18
So far he has been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression with a side of anxiety. Lately the pdoc is thinking he may be on the bipolar spectrum..and thus the use of mood stabilizers. He has tried many,many different meds - just like a lot of people on this board. Thank you for your responses - I really appreciate the time people put into this board. I have been reading on it for years now...I feel like some of you are friends!
Posted by bleauberry on September 14, 2009, at 21:05:58
In reply to Lamictal Trial, posted by Peacewanted on September 14, 2009, at 0:29:48
There are different ways to look at this topic. Mine is, just opinion for whatever it is worth, he has gotten more depressed with increasing doses of Lamictal and, well, need say more? Do I think yet another increase will turn this around into a miracle? No. He'll probably deteriorate more.
Depression as a result of Lamictal DID happen in clinical studies. It IS listed as a possible side effect. Or perhaps reworded correctly, a direct effect. This happened in a minority of cases, but did happen. Lamictal is not either neutral or good, it can also be bad. Depends on the individual person's biochemistry.
The high Vitamin D dose caught my attention. Long story, yellow flag.
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2009, at 21:31:12
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 15:39:59
Maxie that's what it was prescribed for me as an adjuct to the luvox for depression. Wierd side effect excess salivation was spitting even out the car doors was horrible. To BB below had Vita D levels tested by endo and they are very good probably from all the years in the sun 23/7 a day since a little kid. Phillipa
Posted by Peacewanted on September 15, 2009, at 7:21:04
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial, posted by bleauberry on September 14, 2009, at 21:05:58
I am interested in the "yellow flag" about the vitamin D. He originally tested way below the norm...and now he within the middle of the "normal range" with this dosing. Anything we need to be worried about?
Posted by Maxime on September 15, 2009, at 13:52:03
In reply to Re: Lamictal Trial, posted by Peacewanted on September 15, 2009, at 7:21:04
A lot of people are low in vitamin D these days. They say it's from using too much sunscreen so the sun doesn't give you the vitamin D. Other than that I don't know what it could be from.
This is the end of the thread.
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