Posted by SLS on January 6, 2017, at 15:23:45
In reply to lamictal+trileptal, posted by Christ_empowered on January 6, 2017, at 13:16:42
> I'm on 1200mgs/Trileptal, 30mgs/Abilify, 400mgs/Wellbutrin SR, and 100mgs/Lamictal. I'm doing much, much, much better than before, and I'm quite pleased with my combination. I also do Orthomolecular with the prescribed drugs. I think the OM reduces symptoms/problems that remain after the prescription drugs and the vitamins seem to prevent some adverse effects I've had in the past (EPS and neuroleptic induced dysphoria, for instance).
>
> I have some lingering depression, and I'm wondering if 200mgs/Lamictal would be a good idea. My psychiatrist said he goes up to 600mgs/Lamictal, which is most definitely not something I'm interested in at this point, but it is good to know I haven't maxed it out.
>
> I just don't "get" Lamictal. Its not an antidepressant, but it helps depression and overall mood stability (?). I don't want to turn into a zombie, but I do want to get some of the obsessive traits and low mood taken care of, preferably by using the treatments I'm already prescribed.Most people with depression or bipolar depression do best at 200 mg/day of Lamictal. I need a full 300 mg/day. As to why it helps with depression remains elusive, last I heard. Personally, I think Lamictal promotes more dopamine being released in limbic structures via disinhibition. Glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens normally inhibits dopamine release. If you reduce glutamate release in the thalamus (as Lamictal has been shown to do), dopamine activity in the nucleus accumbens is no longer inhibited, and is allowed to increase. Whether or not my theory is accurate really doesn't matter too much. It is of esoteric value, perhaps. The main thing is that it produces some measure of antidepressant activity. My guess is that a combination of Lamictal + (lithium or Trileptal) + Wellbutrin is worth exploring.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1093861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20161215/msgs/1093864.html