Posted by Lin on August 27, 2000, at 10:06:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by JohnL on August 27, 2000, at 4:55:26
Thanks so much for your response -- it was really helpful. Did you have any weight gain on lamictal? I am on lithium, as you know, and also on zyprexa and klonopin, so I don't want to gain any more weight (the zyprexa really packs it on). I'm happy to hear that there were no negative sexual side effects -- that is another thing I was going to ask. How about sedation? I know you said that it gave you restless sleep, but did it make you feel drugged and/or sedated? Thanks for your input,
Lin
> > Has anyone used Lamictal for a mood stabilizer? How is it different from lithium in terms of efficacy and side effects?
>
> I have taken Lamictal for mood problems. I have to admit, it did stabilize me very well. The only side effect I had (125mg) was restless sleep. Lamictal didn't seem sleep-friendly. I experienced an increase in sex drive. Now THAT was a pleasant surprise.
>
> But mood stability wasn't my problem. I was trying to treat the core symptom of my depression--anhedonia--for which Lamictal was not much help. But I did notice a much smoother mood without ups, downs, or bumps in the road.
>
> In general I think Lamictal seemed to me to be just as good as Lithium, actually probably a lot better, without any of the nasty side effects of Lithium.
>
> The one tricky thing about Lamictal to be aware of is dosing...there is a dangerous skin rash (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) that can happen if the dose is raised too much too quickly. This risk is nearly eliminated by increasing dose no faster than 25mg per week, with 25mg as the starting dose. The skin rash is serious, sometimes requiring hospitalization, and can even cause death, so sticking to the 25mg rule is safe and wise.
>
> For mood stabilization I would personally choose Lamictal very strongly over Lithium. There's always a drawback in any choice in life. The one drawback of Lamictal...it's rather expensive. Lithium is dirt cheap. But I liked Lamictal much much better.
> John
poster:Lin
thread:43786
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000822/msgs/43825.html