Posted by JahL on August 22, 2003, at 18:20:09
In reply to Lamictal: withdrawal, poop-out, effectiveness, posted by Bela on August 22, 2003, at 12:23:54
Hi Bela.
Can you tell me your diagnosis? I ask because SSRIs and indeed all antidepressants are notorious for inducing cycling (yr mood swings)in Bipolar patients. I can personally attest to this. Antidepressants should be avoided when possible with Bipolar, though this is not always practicle.
>The Lamictal was added this past January 2003 to stabilize daily mood swings and hopefully help maintain the efficacy of the SSRIs. It doesn't.
*If* the SSRIs are causing the cycling then it might be wise to cease these first so that you may judge whether the Lamictal alone dampens yr mood swings.
>I want to get off all of them but very, very slowly because I think the drugs are creating much of the problem.
Slow downwards (and upwards) titration is always advisable. Just one point; I have read a few times (anecdotal stuff) that individuals lowering their Lamictal dose sometimes need to then take a higher dose to recapture any previous benefits. I am now on 600mg daily (previously 200mg) precisely because of this phenomenon.
I should explain that when I first started Lamictal I experienced mild hypomania and Lamictal is still not first-line when it comes to mood stabilization, though it is considered particularly helpful where depression dominates.
I'm not trying to make an amateur diagnosis, just firing a few thoughts in yr direction.
Best,
Ta,
Jah.
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>
> Questions: does anyone have any thoughts or experiences on Lamictal dose reduction, withdrawal and relapse, its effect on SSRIs, etc? Does anyone else suspect that these drugs actually have exacerbated their problems? If you can shed ANY light on this rather frustrating matter, I would be greatly appreciative.
> Bela
>
>
poster:JahL
thread:253110
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030818/msgs/253242.html