Posted by Ritch on February 25, 2003, at 23:20:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Pre-emptive Strikes, posted by catmint on February 25, 2003, at 15:42:48
> Colin, Ron, and Ritch,
>
> I have had a mini breakdown, but it's nothing unusual. I am feeling at my wits end on Lamictal, I have had to increase the dose weekly, only to have any effects wear off. I am moody all the time, I'm pretty sure it's lack of Seratonin,
> Like Colin, I have tried the SSRIs and would only take them as a last resort.
> I am having a lot of thoughts running through my head about adding Lithium or Trileptal as well. Ron, please, I like your opionion. Have you gained any weight on the low dose of Lithium? I am meeting with my pdoc on Thursday and will mention both to him. I was a lot less irritable on Depakote, but I don't want to combine it with Lamictal.
> Ritch, does Trileptal work for irritability?
> I am really having a bad day-life, whenever I tell someone I have bipolar, they are like, Ohhhh...(feel sorry for me).
> Last night I was so fragile, I get so hopeless. Col, I can totally relate to how you feel, I sometimes want to run away, but I have a child. By the way, I have been so judgemental of myself
> and can't even feel love for him. I wake up really irritable, and send him off to school,feeeling guilty about my feelings.
> I upped my dose to 50 mg. and yes, am feeling that Lamictal buzz, headachy, energy, slightly more optimistic, racing thoughts, but hey, it's the best AD so far.
> I am so glad I have you guys to talk to about this.
> Hope to hear from you,
> ::Amy
Amy, feeling "moody all the time" is a drag. It seems unfortunate that Lamictal may not work well "on its own". No news flash here-because I can't see Depakote working "on its own" for me either (for depression). Lithium thus far, has been the only one that comes close to accomplishing that, but it also has its shortcomings. I hate AP's, so they are OUT, too. So, the "two mood stabilizer combo" or 2 AED's comes to mind. I found Trileptal to be helpful only for depression and reduced cycle frequency (that's it). Depakote wins hands down for irritablity over anything else (even AP's). I still am convinced that thyroid augmentation (T3+T4) would work greatly (but can't get my pdoc to overcome paranoia about it). I read a poster here (I hope they jump in and help out) that mentioned being very stable on low-dose Depakote with low-dose Lamictal +thyroid. That's what has got my interest, I must admit.
poster:Ritch
thread:203376
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/203869.html