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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 psych chat on October 7, 2009, at 10:27:23
What's it like to try Lamictal for the first time?
My newest PDoc suggests I try it since I've had recent bad luck with (too many) SSRIs and SNRIs after using them over the past decade or so.
I have atypical depression with cognitive problems and its getting increasingly more difficult to be successful in school.
Is trying Lamictal worth the risk while in school? My main concern is that I will be worse off than I am now (regarding side effects) during the trial period. Even a couple weeks of adverse side effects could lead to failing the entire semester....
I won't be taking any other meds during a Lamictal trial, and have mainly been taking ADD meds for the past 6 months.
I'm also under a trial of st johns wort. This actually has given me a very noticable energizing effect - but it only lasts a few hours in the morning and disappears. I'm still experimenting with the time I take it and dosage, so I'll likely try the lamictal in a month if this doesn't work out.
Thanks for any advice.
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2009, at 10:40:31
In reply to What is Lamictal like?, posted by psych chat on October 7, 2009, at 10:27:23
I took it a couple of years ago for a few weeks nothing bad happened but excess salivation forced me to stop it at 50mg. Neither tired or wired with the luvox and valium. I did get angry more? Don't know if the med or not. Phillipa
Posted by delna on October 7, 2009, at 12:14:14
In reply to What is Lamictal like?, posted by psych chat on October 7, 2009, at 10:27:23
> What's it like to try Lamictal for the first time?
>
> My newest PDoc suggests I try it since I've had recent bad luck with (too many) SSRIs and SNRIs after using them over the past decade or so.
>
> I have atypical depression with cognitive problems and its getting increasingly more difficult to be successful in school.
>
> Is trying Lamictal worth the risk while in school? My main concern is that I will be worse off than I am now (regarding side effects) during the trial period. Even a couple weeks of adverse side effects could lead to failing the entire semester....
>
> I won't be taking any other meds during a Lamictal trial, and have mainly been taking ADD meds for the past 6 months.
>
> I'm also under a trial of st johns wort. This actually has given me a very noticable energizing effect - but it only lasts a few hours in the morning and disappears. I'm still experimenting with the time I take it and dosage, so I'll likely try the lamictal in a month if this doesn't work out.
>
> Thanks for any advice.I have been taking it for over 5 years now and I can say it is a wonderful mood-stabalizer. It did nothing for my bipolar depression though- just worked on aggression and agitation which was really life changing. as for starting the drug I had no real side effects worth mentioning (not even sleepiness and everything makes me sleepy) As long as the titration is slow (which it has to be for Lamictal) then from personal experience I can say that there are no real side effects that will make school difficult. But I may be unique in that.
However Lamictal made my cognition worse- i mean people commented on how dumb I had gotten (forgetting words, losing train of thought etc) although I have read a paper or 2 stating that it is good for cognition.
Everyone reacts differently I guess. You should get quite a few replies because many people here are on it.
Take care
D
Posted by zzzz7 on October 7, 2009, at 21:48:00
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like? » psych chat, posted by delna on October 7, 2009, at 12:14:14
I had cognitive problems on it, and I stopped it pretty early as a result It did help depression, though.
Posted by emme on October 10, 2009, at 7:59:50
In reply to What is Lamictal like?, posted by psych chat on October 7, 2009, at 10:27:23
> What's it like to try Lamictal for the first time?
I had lots of startup side effects: headaches, tight muscles, feeling a little fluish. Tylenol and a couple of massages took care of it. None of it was bad enough to keep me from concentrating. It all went away in a few weeks. YMMV of course.
Regarding cognitive side effects, I get spacey at higher doses. I'm at 75 mg now and it's fine. The therapeutic range for Lamictal seems to vary from person to person, though doses of 100 to 200 mg are common. Titrate slowly and stop at the lowest effective dose.
> Is trying Lamictal worth the risk while in school? My main concern is that I will be worse off than I am now (regarding side effects) during the trial period. Even a couple weeks of adverse side effects could lead to failing the entire semester....
>
> I won't be taking any other meds during a Lamictal trial, and have mainly been taking ADD meds for the past 6 months.I find the Lamictal alone doesn't entirely do it for the depression, but again, YMMV. Perhaps the St. John's Wort will work well with it.
Good luck.
emme
Posted by Merge on October 11, 2009, at 12:36:43
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like? » psych chat, posted by emme on October 10, 2009, at 7:59:50
I was on Lamictal several years ago and I don't think it helped me or hurt me - I didn't notice a difference. On the positive side, I found it very easy to tolerate and had no side effects.
Posted by psych chat on October 11, 2009, at 18:17:36
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like?, posted by Merge on October 11, 2009, at 12:36:43
Thanks for all your comments guys!
The cognitive problems are my main concern at this point. I already have memory and cognitive problems from the depression. It's odd how it helps some with this issue but hinders others...
I have atypical depression rather than bipolar - and my symptoms are mostly lack of motivation and concenration in addition to avoiding social contact.
And while Lamictal is prescribed for non-bipolar patients, I am having trouble getting myself to try it.
The St. John's Wort, so far, has been fairly energizing; it has also helped with mental clarity. I think I'm going to increase my dose of SJW and wait a couple more weeks before making a decision.
Thanks again, all.
Posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 1:20:25
In reply to What is Lamictal like?, posted by psych chat on October 7, 2009, at 10:27:23
I would not even bother with Lamictal. Way too risky for what you have. God I hate doctors!!!!!
Definitely stay with the SJW! It should eventually give you a lasting positive effect throughout the day. It is very similar to SSRIs and SNRIs and it take about 4 to 6 weeks to work properly.
Can you describe what your atypical depression is like?
Are you working out and exercising regularly? Intense exercise is the followed by a period of stretching is the best. All you need is 40 to 50 minutes 5 days a week.
Posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 1:25:27
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like? » psych chat, posted by delna on October 7, 2009, at 12:14:14
>from personal experience I can say that there are no real side effects that will make school difficult. But I may be unique in that.
However Lamictal made my cognition worse- i mean people commented on how dumb I had gotten (forgetting words, losing train of thought etc) although I have read a paper or 2 stating that it is good for cognition.
You said that there were no side effects that will make school difficult and turned around and said that people were commenting on how dumb you became. This is exactly why I tell people that do not absolutely need to be on drugs like this to STAY AWAY from drugs like this. They are potentially damaging in many ways. I know some that have had MS like symptoms on Lamictal, including myself. Not worth it.
Posted by delna on October 15, 2009, at 2:21:08
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like?, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 1:25:27
> You said that there were no side effects that will make school difficult and turned around and said that people were commenting on how dumb you became.
Ummm.....I said I was probably the exception since it is actually supposed to improve cognition.
though I do agree that you shouldn't take drugs you don't 100% need.
Posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 21:18:08
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like? » morganator, posted by delna on October 15, 2009, at 2:21:08
> > You said that there were no side effects that will make school difficult and turned around and said that people were commenting on how dumb you became.
>
>
> Ummm.....I said I was probably the exception since it is actually supposed to improve cognition.
> though I do agree that you shouldn't take drugs you don't 100% need.
>
Yeah sorry didn't mean to snap at you like that. I just think it needs to be made clear that these drugs can do as much damage as good.
Posted by delna on October 15, 2009, at 23:28:55
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like?, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 21:18:08
Posted by cactus on October 17, 2009, at 23:42:38
In reply to Re: What is Lamictal like?, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 21:18:08
For the 1st 2 weeks I found it calmed me down without making me numb, foggy or dumb but then it's turned on me and made me quite angry as my pdoc kept upping the dose slowly. He pulled me off it when I got to 125mg. I was also taking reboxetine too.
Together they both made me a very angry man which I'm not at all. Lamictal was not good for me but the combo could have had something to do with that, who knows?
This is the end of the thread.
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