Posted by linnette on October 15, 2003, at 0:15:54
This is my first post to this board. I have learned that you folks have loads of knowledge and hopefully I can get some feedback as to what is happening. Here goes: I have been diagnosed with bipolarII that my pdoc says is AD induced. My first major depressive episode as an adult happened at age 23. I have been on many, many meds and combos of meds. I don't think my depression is AD induced, because I remember having hypomanic episodes as a child, and my 1st major depression at age 8, but my doc hasn't questioned me at length about any of this. She also had indicated that I may just be treatment resistant.
My current meds are lamictal, (I'm on 75 mg/day on day 30)m 2 mg xanax, 35 nortiptyline, 50 mg zoloft. We added the lamictal because I just don't feel that life is worth the trouble anymore. I'm not suicidal, but just just don't care about much anymore. Waking up thinking about every wrong I've ever done, guilt ridden. Just hard to face each day. I also may mention that contrary to many opinions about benzos, xanax has been a lifesaver for me, and I have been on the same dose for many years, and am really religious about my dose timing, so as not to experience rebound effects.
At first the lamictal was stimulating, and I was hopeful. Then it levelled off, and although I find that I can now follow through on many things much better, such as work, I am going from feeling very depressed and teary, to just plain irritable to the point that I could just scream. Last week, for 1 or 2 days, my ears were ringing and I had some depersonalization, confusion, that seemed to be alleviated by dropping the zol by 25 mg.. I've also had to all but eliminate my caffeine consumption.
My question is, could the lamictal be making me feel worse before I feel better? I know some AD's have worked that way for me. Is this just part of the adjustment process with lamictal or should I give up on it? My doc wanted me up to 100 mg, but I haven't been able to get to 100 yet. I really want off the zoloft, since I have experienced more cycling when on it. I really am hoping that lamictal can be my main medication, but at this point I doubt it. Any feedback is appreciated.. I am really impressed with the knowledge on this board, and sorry about the lengthy post.
poster:linnette
thread:269540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/269540.html