Posted by colin wallace on October 21, 2002, at 17:31:17
In reply to Re: Answer to Lamictal Irritability..., posted by kaweah on October 21, 2002, at 15:09:35
> Colin,
> Glad to hear that your slow titration is paying off. How long did you take to go from 25 to 50 mg? And how were the side effects during the increase? Other than side effects how is Lamictal helping with your depression, etc?
> I've been using Dr. Phelps advice and taking 12.5mg, twice a day and it seems to help. First dose at breakfast and second dose at lunch. I still feel wired but not maniac. I take 200mg of Neurontin at bedtime to deal with the insomnia.
>
> Good luck.
>
> kaweahHi there,
It was quite strange actually, considering my sensitivity and painstaking titration;it took me around two months to reach 25mg and get comfortable with that dose.After a short while, I suddenly felt some breakthrough symptoms (erratic mood/irritability and dire gloom).This was not caused by the Lamictal itself, rather by my underlying condition trying its luck again.
I added a further 12.5mg and these symptoms literally disappeared within a few hours.This would probably have been enough to keep things in check, but a few days later I tried my hand at 50mg (easier to manage than pill-splitting.)
My erstwhile frazzled brain responded appreciatively, with few of the side-effects I'd experienced during my initial super-slow titration.I've been at 50mg (divided doses) for almost a week, and aside from a slight and occasional slurred sentence (which only I can notice), I feel good : energized, motivated ,even-tempered and clear-headed.I'm even coping with foul weather, which usually renders me helpless and despairing with depression- seems to shut my brain down somwhow.
I think that once you reach a certain point of tolerance with Lamictal, further increases are far less bothersome.50mg seems to suit me quite well.
Gonna try out some Neurontin too, and hopefully reduce my 4mg diazepam.Will start at 200mg, same as you.
Keep plugging away (same to everyone else on this thread).Col.
poster:colin wallace
thread:124239
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124559.html