Posted by Donna Louise on July 10, 2006, at 20:51:50
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by iamme2 on July 10, 2006, at 14:33:13
> Donna,
>
> I noticed in your post that you take lamictal as well as Emsam. I've been given lamictal to try along with Emsam, but doc and I agreed to start with the Emsam first to see how that goes. So far (at about day 11, 6mg patch) it is not working well at all. I feel physically ill (like I have the stomach flu), tired and groggy, and am a raving bitch to those close to me. I'm thinking I should start lamictal sooner rather than later. Can I ask what dosage of lamictal you started with? And, I'm wondering if I just haven't given Emsam enough time to start working. Geez, I just hate feeling so miserable!
>
> Thanks for any help!
> MI am sorry you are feeling so lousy. I know exactly how it feels. Especially when you first start a drug you have high hopes for and it fails to meet the expectations. My expectations were way to high, I had waited so long for it..Anywya, no, you haven't given anywhere near enough time. And even after you do give it enough time at 6mg, you may have to go to 9 or 12 and then give that strenght enough time too. I am at 12 and that is working for me.
I did not start the lamictal until I had been on the patch about 6 weeks. It was working pretty good except for alot of irritability. That is the reason for lamictal addition. Which helped almost right away. Later, 6mg was not enough for the depression and neither was 9mg but 12 is good. And with the lamictal no more irritability either. I think both contribute to that.
When you start lamictal you should get a starter pack which has you on 25mg for two weeks, then 50 for two weeks, then 100 for two weeks and then from there you and your dr. decide whether to go higher. Each time you go up, you have to do it slowly or the risk of the Stevenson-Johnson rash gets higher. I have one more day of 50mg then I go to 100mg. I have had no side effects at all, another good reason to start low and go slow.
Try to be patient, I know it is hard because you don't want to be miserable a moment longer but that is just the way it is. And you may be richly rewarded if you don't quit before the fat lady sings...no slight intended to fat ladies. It is just a saying..
Hang in there and good luck.donna
poster:Donna Louise
thread:661128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060709/msgs/665883.html