Posted by Wallabee on July 7, 2000, at 17:51:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Lithium combo, posted by SLS on July 7, 2000, at 12:06:56
And how was the lamictal on its own scott (or were u on other stuff)?
I found it got me out of the general lethargy that characterized my twelve years on lithium, and my rapid cycles are gone, even on this low dose (150mg/day). Nevertheless I feel a bit more vulnerable to and nervous about an upswing (what the lithium seemed to take the edge off of) which is why I'm nervous to take anymore of the lamictal. I also had, just last night, some really nasty anxiety laden "dreams" as I was falling asleep (meeting a strange creature attacking me in the bushes, feeling trapped under a large unidentified heavy object that was falling on me) only ever had that happen to me before years ago on Melleril, and I came off of it right away.
Was wondering if those had to do with the clonazepam I had taken (for fear of not sleeping at all) but resisted for a bit too long because I was here going through postings = )
I did find I could get by on a much much lower dose of lithium - 300mg (yes, the blood levels were low - .4 - but it still felt like it made big a diff, and aren't our feelings what its all about = ) when I was taking both.
The only side effect I've noticed with the lamictal was coordination - or to be more specific, a dulling of my proprioception and ability to orient myself spatially - I have a much harder time tying a tie now, and not because my fingers are clumsy; and I find it a bit harder to park a car straight.
> > 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.
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> Lithium use can also produce thyroid tumors, goiter, and occasionally, hyperthyroidism.
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> - Scott
poster:Wallabee
thread:39627
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/39720.html