Posted by Craig on July 7, 2000, at 2:21:56
In reply to Lamictal and Lithium combo, posted by Wallabee on July 7, 2000, at 0:22:17
I'm on Lamictal 350mg/day and just added lithium 450mg/day last week. I'm having bloodwork later today and most likely will increase lithium to 900 mg/day. As to concerns about thyroid, I was told that when taking taking Synthroid, your lithium dosage can be as high as necessary because Synthroid can be adjusted and balance the effect of lithium. I'll have to keep you posted about the Lamictal and lithium combo - it's too soon to tell. I also take Wellbutrin, Paxil, Zyprexa, Klonopin, Synthroid and Cytomel. (I joke with my pharmacist and say it's amazing that I'm able to walk upright!)
> I'm new to this site, neat tho. Diagnosed Bipolar at 19, now 33. Until last year had been on Lithium (900 - 1800mg daily, depending . . .) in combo with other meds (benzos, tricylics, wellbutrin and after the worst, the major tranqs). With treatment successfully avoided repeat psychotic episodes, but I was never satisfied with the stability of my mood or its range and period (usually depressive on Li - may post diff thread). For these reasons, and concerns about my thyroid, switched to lamictal six months ago. Made the switch very gradually, while monitoring my mood closely using markers such as sleep, libido, appetite and "disposition to life". I am now completely off of lithium (desirable from a side effect standpoint), but noticed along the way that my mood was actually most stable (and more stable than it is now) when I was on a Lithium Lamictal combo, in my case 300mg lithium daily plus 150 - 200mg Lamictal. If, over the next year, I am not satisfied with results on lamictal alone, I may accept the (presumably reduced, with a lower dose of Li) risk of thyroid probs and go back on the combo. Has anyone else observed optimal benefit from a combo of Lithium and Lamictal?
poster:Craig
thread:39627
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/39637.html