Posted by polarbear206 on October 25, 2002, at 18:41:57
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Lamictal? KathyA » polarbear206, posted by KathyA on October 24, 2002, at 17:56:06
> > > Thanks for the response. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar, I believe it may be considered "soft" bipolar. The extremes are not as pronounced. You didn't say what you were taking Topamax for; can I assume it was for bipolar? I also think I may have atypical depression as I stay a little depressed on Tegretol even after the mood swings even out. I've read that Topamax is sometimes used as a stand-alone antidepressant so thought maybe it would do more than Tegretol. Have you noticed any benefit like that since you've been taking it?
> > >
> >
> >
> > KathyA,
> >
> > I also have cyclothymia with atypical depression features. Have you considered Lamictal? I've been on this drug and it has done wonders for me!! NO weight gain with this drug.
> >
> > Laura.
>
> Laura,
>
> Can you tell me more about Lamictal and its effects on your cyclothymia/AD? Does it let you feel normal? Are you taking anything else with it? Have you taken anything else before and what were the effects? Also, what led to your diagnosis of atypical depression as well as cyclothymia?
>
> My doctor switched me from Effexor to Paxil 4 days ago because the Effexor was making me irritable. Now I feel as dull as a doorknob. I'm so tired of having to switch medicines. Between my cyclothymia and the various meds I'm not even sure what my personality is anymore. Or maybe it's just whatever's in the little pill bottle. Ever feel that way?
>
> Kathy
>
>Kathy,
I feel so much better taking lower doses of my antidepressants in combination with the lamictal. keep in mind that most antidepressants used alone with bipolar disorders can exacerbate your cyclothymnia. Mood stabilizers should be the MAIN medication. If an antidepressant is needed, the dose should be low. I took lithium and depakote in the past. I didn't have the good results with them that I have with lamictal. I feel NORMAL for once. My sleep and wake cycle are also normal. You have to titrate up on lamictal slowly. It has a narrow therapeutic window and it takes time and patience to get there. I take 100mg lamictal with 7.5mg of paxil and 50mg of imipramine. I was on double the dose of both of them prior to lamictal. Did you wein off the effexor slowly while adding the paxil? Whatch out for some withdrawal. Could be why you are feeling bad. How much paxil are you on? I have some good sites with information on lamictal and cyclothymia. Many of us bipolars have atypical depression with our low's.
Laurahttp://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
Scroll down the page to cyclothymia.http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
http://psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
poster:polarbear206
thread:124863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125220.html