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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3 to 27 of 458. Go back in thread:
Posted by Jack Smith on July 1, 2003, at 12:52:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by HenryO on July 1, 2003, at 3:07:31
> To date the ONLY side effect I have noticed is that if I take it on an empty stomach, like at bed time, I get a belly ache. It has had no negative sexual side effects and no weight gain side effects. Those two things are stupendous. Finally it has worked very well which is also pretty rare. Follow directions, it takes a while to get to a high enough dose. I suffered while I waited to get up to around 100mg before it started working for me. I am maitaining at 200mg. I am delighted with it, and I have tried the gamut. Good luck.
Are you unipolar or bipolar? Are you taking anything else?
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 14:11:10
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
Very appropriate subject for me right now. I'm on lithium 300mg and lamictal 75mg for bipolar II and nortryptiline 75mg, ambien for sleep, occasion benzo for off the charts anxiety. I would LOVE to decrease my med load. I want to do away with the nortryp because of cotton mouth, tremors, weight gain and then work on reducing the others. I had a very good response to Lithium/lamictal at first and then severe depression cause by extreme life stressors convinved me it wasn't enough.
Every trial to increase lamictal made me feel agitated. Anyone have any advice for this? Is agitation something that will resolve in time, or is it a sign that this may not be the right drug. I'm working with a very savvy naturopath who is quite knowledgeable about HPA-axis disregulation and we're targeting that route instead of synaptic reuptake. Eventually I'd like to just be on lithium and lamictal to control primarily mixed states bipolar depression. I'd DEARLY appreciate anyone's experiences with lamictal titrating up, drug tolerance, side effects, beneficial effects, etc. There's nothing much out on the net and I trust you all here more than med abstracts. Thanks. - BarbarCat
> Can anyone tell me of the side effects of Lamictal, or just any benifical info on the med.
Posted by McPac on July 2, 2003, at 15:14:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects » seamus o'noolan, posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 14:11:10
Hi Barb,
Prior to Lamictal, only the SSRI's CAUSED severe anger/temper in me.....I was only on Lamictal a short time when it caused the same anger/temper....I stopped it abruptly for that reason.........it did cause that reaction in me...and there was one other poster here who chimed in and said it caused the same thing in him........of course, as you already know, everybody is unique and I don't recall many/ (any) others here having the anger/temper problem.....you just don't know for sure what any drug will do until you try it out on yourself (unfortunately).........take care & best wishes Barb!
Posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 17:11:41
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects » seamus o'noolan, posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 14:11:10
I have found that less medications are better. Not less medication, fewer medications. I think that it becomes hard to tell what is a symptom of our illness and what is a side effect of a drug and or its interaction with another med or meds. When you start treating the side effect of a med with another med, you're on a slippery slope. It can work well sometimes. I took quite a cocktail for a long time. It was the best thing I'd tried up till then, but it was a messy solution.
I would look at lowering or discontinueing some of these meds before or as you increase the Lamictal. I have not seen people posting much here about Lamictal and aggitation, maybe it is having some interaction in your cocktail.
I think that the Lithium Lamictal mix was the right tack, your depression increased and overwhelmed the meds and you changed tactics. I would lose the other meds, go back to the first plan and increase the Lamictal slowly. 75mg is a lowish dose. I believe 150 to 200 is the usual. It can be very uncomfortable before the Lamictal starts to work, stick with it. Sometimes our depression rises up and pulls us under for a while even on the best med. I have a deep distrust of benzos. I believe they do more harm than good. Have you ever tried Pindolol (a.k.a. Visken) as a temporary augmentation? It is a betablocker. Works for me when my hair is really on fire.
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 18:03:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 17:11:41
Thanks so much. Your words ring true for me. I'm on too many meds. Reducing nortryptaline has been on my mind alot lately and your post has clarified my resolve. But not until I get my physical health stable with the help of my naturopath. I've been through horrific events lately, many deep losses. My body, liver, elimination and nervous system have to be less traumatized before adding the stress of coming off meds. But after I'm on solid ground again physically, yes, I'll be ready. Perhaps I'll titrate lamictal to 100/day to prepare for reducing the nortrip.
No, I've never tried Pindolol. Isn't that a beta blocker? I wonder how it would interact with mood stabilizers in that it too affects calcium channels. I'd be interested in hearing more about your experiences with it. Not that I'm about to add another med, however! But yes, I agree about benzos. I only take them when I'm climbing the walls and then they only work if I take 4 times the dosage (and only for an hour or so).
-- BarbaraCat
> I have found that less medications are better. Not less medication, fewer medications. I think that it becomes hard to tell what is a symptom of our illness and what is a side effect of a drug and or its interaction with another med or meds. When you start treating the side effect of a med with another med, you're on a slippery slope. It can work well sometimes. I took quite a cocktail for a long time. It was the best thing I'd tried up till then, but it was a messy solution.
>
> I would look at lowering or discontinueing some of these meds before or as you increase the Lamictal. I have not seen people posting much here about Lamictal and aggitation, maybe it is having some interaction in your cocktail.
>
> I think that the Lithium Lamictal mix was the right tack, your depression increased and overwhelmed the meds and you changed tactics. I would lose the other meds, go back to the first plan and increase the Lamictal slowly. 75mg is a lowish dose. I believe 150 to 200 is the usual. It can be very uncomfortable before the Lamictal starts to work, stick with it. Sometimes our depression rises up and pulls us under for a while even on the best med. I have a deep distrust of benzos. I believe they do more harm than good. Have you ever tried Pindolol (a.k.a. Visken) as a temporary augmentation? It is a betablocker. Works for me when my hair is really on fire.
Posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 18:20:50
In reply to Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by McPac on July 2, 2003, at 15:14:46
I had the anger/temper thing with Topamax. Lamictal didn't cause irritability, just some anxiety. I recall how 'sparkly' I felt when I first started it and then it diminished but was still working in the background (I know this because I reduced it and really felt its absence). Perhaps with higher doses sparkly becomes anxiety, but maybe will diminish over time.
I've come to mistrust all SSRI type meds, all TCAs, all MAOIs. I'm walking the knife-edge of a mixed states depression from recent stresses. I'll be danged if I'm going to increase the TCA and risk worse side effects from a drug that's counterindicated in bipolar-II. Lamictal helped me alot at first and I'd like to give it another chance. 'This too shall pass' isn't as comforting as it usually is. - BCat
> Hi Barb,
>
> Prior to Lamictal, only the SSRI's CAUSED severe anger/temper in me.....I was only on Lamictal a short time when it caused the same anger/temper....I stopped it abruptly for that reason.........it did cause that reaction in me...and there was one other poster here who chimed in and said it caused the same thing in him........of course, as you already know, everybody is unique and I don't recall many/ (any) others here having the anger/temper problem.....you just don't know for sure what any drug will do until you try it out on yourself (unfortunately).........take care & best wishes Barb!
Posted by HenryO on July 3, 2003, at 16:10:56
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects » McPac, posted by Barbara Cat on July 2, 2003, at 18:20:50
I think of SSRI's as life preservers they save your life when your drowning but for long term everyday wear they stifle you.(I should say me.)
Yes, Pindolol / Visken is a beta blocker. I use it the way you do the Benzo's. I only keep it around for when I end up in terrible pain, which hasn't happend lately.
I hope you keep your doctor in the loop with any changes you are making.
I think the Benzo's cause a lot of rebound. You definately have a high tolerance which may not be the best thing. Be careful with them.
Posted by Dalilah on August 3, 2003, at 12:09:17
In reply to Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by McPac on July 2, 2003, at 15:14:46
I came to this site cause I have been very aggitated/irritated since I began Lamictal. I am only up to 50mg a day at this point and am hoping this unfortunate side effect will subside.
As usual, there is little info about this particular side effect in any official literature and I must turn to others. I'm afraid my doc will think I'm crazy all over again. So I am glad to hear others have experienced the temper. Currently I hate all people, all my friends...
I wish someone out there could tell me if they were able to work through this side effect. I'm taking Lamactil (along with my Lithium) to treat depression because the antidepressants make me manic or just don't work at all.
Dalilah
> Hi Barb,
>
> Prior to Lamictal, only the SSRI's CAUSED severe anger/temper in me.....I was only on Lamictal a short time when it caused the same anger/temper....I stopped it abruptly for that reason.........it did cause that reaction in me...and there was one other poster here who chimed in and said it caused the same thing in him........of course, as you already know, everybody is unique and I don't recall many/ (any) others here having the anger/temper problem.....you just don't know for sure what any drug will do until you try it out on yourself (unfortunately).........take care & best wishes Barb!
Posted by Barbara Cat on August 3, 2003, at 13:52:10
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by Dalilah on August 3, 2003, at 12:09:17
Hi Dalilah,
Are you bipolar? Sounds like your lithium lamictal combo would indicate this. Yes, anger and irritability seem to be fairly common with lamictal, especially when starting or increasing. It's very activating at first. Some people like it, but if you're dealing with some stuck rage it will trigger it. A good opportunity to examine the fury perhaps. It does calm down after a while, but you seem to lose the bright effect. It's still working in the background, just not as tactile. Of course, as you know, bipolar mixed states can cause this kind of depression/rage, so your wondering about if it's triggering hypomania is a consideration. Lamictal is a very good drug, especially in combo with lithium. But it's not a happy pill. None seem to be that for any length of time. It seems that once the paralysis of depression starts to lift, if there's simmering rage, it's going to come up to be dealt with, channeled and lanced. But one has to be in society as well. Someone on this board suggested pindolol as a way of calming down the shortened fuse. Benzos can work, but they have their own problems and fuzziness.I had a recent experience increasing lamictal (I'm also on lithium). I want to get off all TCA/SSRI's because of side effects. Went to up from 75mg to 150 and felt good, no extra jitteryiness like at first. BUT I developed a severe itch that was tormenting, like little bees stinging. It was embarassing to go out because I acted like I had fleas. It was through this site's posts that I learned it was a definite side effect - hadn't heard about it anywhere else, especially from my pdoc who only warned about the rash, not the infernal itching. I had to cut back to 125 and the itching is becoming tolerable. 50mg is not much for the antidepressant effect to kick in and you'll probably need to increase it. Which then, of course, will cause another spike in irritability. The irritability gets integrated and manageable, but let's face it, there's alot to be pissed about in life and a little contempt can be a good thing.
About the hatred thing, I know that well. I've come to trust and care for my friends on this board very much, and a handful of 3-D people I rouse myself for, but for the most part I'm annoyed and saddened by humanity. Sometimes I seriously consider becoming a wolf girl loping about in the wilds. I think this is a product of lingering depression, but also know that mood states tend to sharpen one's bullshit meter so that normal idiocy becomes intolerable. For now I'm all too happy in this retreat phase of life, appreciating simplicity and my own thoughts instead of feeling the drive to accomplish and succeed with some hollow agenda, the popularity contests, etc., which don't seem important anymore. The seclusion will eventually pass and then I'll want to be out in the marketplace taking in the sights. At that point it's time to watch out for hypomania! So my advice to you is to increase lamicatal very very slowly which should help with the depression/irritability, perhaps talk to your doc about a beta blocker to help with the rage, and watch your diet/sleep. But MOST IMPORTANT!!, find a way to work that jammed up energy and pissed-offness OUT OF YOUR BODY through physical activity, even if your hate the thought. It's necessary. Work up to a good grunt, snarl and sweat session. Froth at the mouth, have a righteous rage feast while puffing up a hill or dancing your ass off. For me, that's the best use of these meds, to kick start me into moving the stuck energy. - Barbara
> I came to this site cause I have been very aggitated/irritated since I began Lamictal. I am only up to 50mg a day at this point and am hoping this unfortunate side effect will subside.
>
> As usual, there is little info about this particular side effect in any official literature and I must turn to others. I'm afraid my doc will think I'm crazy all over again. So I am glad to hear others have experienced the temper. Currently I hate all people, all my friends...
>
> I wish someone out there could tell me if they were able to work through this side effect. I'm taking Lamactil (along with my Lithium) to treat depression because the antidepressants make me manic or just don't work at all.
> Dalilah
>
>
> > Hi Barb,
> >
> > Prior to Lamictal, only the SSRI's CAUSED severe anger/temper in me.....I was only on Lamictal a short time when it caused the same anger/temper....I stopped it abruptly for that reason.........it did cause that reaction in me...and there was one other poster here who chimed in and said it caused the same thing in him........of course, as you already know, everybody is unique and I don't recall many/ (any) others here having the anger/temper problem.....you just don't know for sure what any drug will do until you try it out on yourself (unfortunately).........take care & best wishes Barb!
>
>
Posted by Dalilah on August 3, 2003, at 16:42:44
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects » Dalilah, posted by Barbara Cat on August 3, 2003, at 13:52:10
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am bipolar. I definately feel the rage and just this morning I was telling myself I need to work out to work some of this anger out. And I convinced myself to go out for a bike ride. See, I am a fan of excercise and did it regularyly until this last year of total depression. So finally I couldn't bring myself to carry my bike down the stairs, let alone walk out into the sunlight. This failure (as I saw it) spun me straight into more horrible depression and tears.Also, I've been going through the itch and scrath thing. I figured it was the Lamictal (considering the big rash) but it's nice? to know others have it too.
I've actually been on Lamictal before (without the Lithium) and it landed me straight in the psycho ward with killer depression. And I do mean killer. So let's hope it works better this time. Adding it to the lithium may be the key. Glad it's working for you. And yes I do already understand there is no happy pill. Wish others would get that.
Glad to know you're out there and that there are others like me. I like what you said about BS detector and normal idiocy being intolerable. It's quite true and sad that that's about all I can find in this world. Then I think it's all my problem.
Thanks,
Dalilah
> Hi Dalilah,
> Are you bipolar? Sounds like your lithium lamictal combo would indicate this. Yes, anger and irritability seem to be fairly common with lamictal, especially when starting or increasing. It's very activating at first. Some people like it, but if you're dealing with some stuck rage it will trigger it. A good opportunity to examine the fury perhaps. It does calm down after a while, but you seem to lose the bright effect. It's still working in the background, just not as tactile. Of course, as you know, bipolar mixed states can cause this kind of depression/rage, so your wondering about if it's triggering hypomania is a consideration. Lamictal is a very good drug, especially in combo with lithium. But it's not a happy pill. None seem to be that for any length of time. It seems that once the paralysis of depression starts to lift, if there's simmering rage, it's going to come up to be dealt with, channeled and lanced. But one has to be in society as well. Someone on this board suggested pindolol as a way of calming down the shortened fuse. Benzos can work, but they have their own problems and fuzziness.
>
> I had a recent experience increasing lamictal (I'm also on lithium). I want to get off all TCA/SSRI's because of side effects. Went to up from 75mg to 150 and felt good, no extra jitteryiness like at first. BUT I developed a severe itch that was tormenting, like little bees stinging. It was embarassing to go out because I acted like I had fleas. It was through this site's posts that I learned it was a definite side effect - hadn't heard about it anywhere else, especially from my pdoc who only warned about the rash, not the infernal itching. I had to cut back to 125 and the itching is becoming tolerable. 50mg is not much for the antidepressant effect to kick in and you'll probably need to increase it. Which then, of course, will cause another spike in irritability. The irritability gets integrated and manageable, but let's face it, there's alot to be pissed about in life and a little contempt can be a good thing.
>
> About the hatred thing, I know that well. I've come to trust and care for my friends on this board very much, and a handful of 3-D people I rouse myself for, but for the most part I'm annoyed and saddened by humanity. Sometimes I seriously consider becoming a wolf girl loping about in the wilds. I think this is a product of lingering depression, but also know that mood states tend to sharpen one's bullshit meter so that normal idiocy becomes intolerable. For now I'm all too happy in this retreat phase of life, appreciating simplicity and my own thoughts instead of feeling the drive to accomplish and succeed with some hollow agenda, the popularity contests, etc., which don't seem important anymore. The seclusion will eventually pass and then I'll want to be out in the marketplace taking in the sights. At that point it's time to watch out for hypomania! So my advice to you is to increase lamicatal very very slowly which should help with the depression/irritability, perhaps talk to your doc about a beta blocker to help with the rage, and watch your diet/sleep. But MOST IMPORTANT!!, find a way to work that jammed up energy and pissed-offness OUT OF YOUR BODY through physical activity, even if your hate the thought. It's necessary. Work up to a good grunt, snarl and sweat session. Froth at the mouth, have a righteous rage feast while puffing up a hill or dancing your ass off. For me, that's the best use of these meds, to kick start me into moving the stuck energy. - Barbara
>
> > I came to this site cause I have been very aggitated/irritated since I began Lamictal. I am only up to 50mg a day at this point and am hoping this unfortunate side effect will subside.
> >
> > As usual, there is little info about this particular side effect in any official literature and I must turn to others. I'm afraid my doc will think I'm crazy all over again. So I am glad to hear others have experienced the temper. Currently I hate all people, all my friends...
> >
> > I wish someone out there could tell me if they were able to work through this side effect. I'm taking Lamactil (along with my Lithium) to treat depression because the antidepressants make me manic or just don't work at all.
> > Dalilah
> >
> >
> > > Hi Barb,
> > >
> > > Prior to Lamictal, only the SSRI's CAUSED severe anger/temper in me.....I was only on Lamictal a short time when it caused the same anger/temper....I stopped it abruptly for that reason.........it did cause that reaction in me...and there was one other poster here who chimed in and said it caused the same thing in him........of course, as you already know, everybody is unique and I don't recall many/ (any) others here having the anger/temper problem.....you just don't know for sure what any drug will do until you try it out on yourself (unfortunately).........take care & best wishes Barb!
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Barbara Cat on August 4, 2003, at 2:49:50
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by HenryO on July 3, 2003, at 16:10:56
Hi Henry,
I always appreciate your insights so hopefully you can shed some light on this. When I went up from 125 to 150mg lamictal I got an itchy itch all over my body, even inside my ears and nose. Checked for rashes and no rash, no crawlies from my cats, no scabies. Up half the night scratching without ever finding the itchy place, fearing some microscopic yuckies, not ever associating lamictal. Did some surfing and son of a gun, it's a lamictal thing. My pdoc suggested going back down to 125 and the itchies have subsided. But what the heck is going on?I did some reading up on itching and it's a fascinating and quite involved mechanism that no one understands very well. I just wonder, does it happen frequently with lamictal and what about it causes this? Hah! Maybe it works by distracting us out of depression. And why would the itching ever stop? What is it that we eventually get used to? It just doesn't seem safe. I can't help but wonder if someting this tormenting isn't affecting some necessary body part? - Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cat on August 5, 2003, at 23:04:49
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by Dalilah on August 3, 2003, at 16:42:44
Dalilah,
Wow, you're brave to try to carry a bike down the steps when you're depressed! That's when I get totally clutzy and even walking is a major challenge. Maybe try something besides bike riding for the exercise? Although, once you're on it, it feels so wonderful and free. Actually, it's what got me out of a recent bad funk. So, maybe walk for a few days until the biking isn't so intimidating? Anything to get out of bed or off the couch. Thank God, I'm past the everyone is an asshole stage, so it can be done (although I still avoid humans)! Wish you the best. - Barbara
Posted by HenryO on August 6, 2003, at 2:00:49
In reply to Lamictal side effects - itch! » HenryO, posted by Barbara Cat on August 4, 2003, at 2:49:50
I don't think I can help much. One thought, did you get a lot of sunlight at or around the same time? That seemed to set my sister off iching madly with Lamictal. Maybe it's a coincidence. I haven't had any iches yet. But I'm increasing my dose so who knows.
Posted by lesliekay on August 7, 2003, at 5:22:03
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects - itch!, posted by HenryO on August 6, 2003, at 2:00:49
I was on 300 of Lamictal for 2 years...awesome drug...zero side effects except for a slight hand tremor that I controlled with Klonopin....
Posted by Lorien on August 9, 2003, at 6:51:48
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
After trying ECT and loads of meds, Lamictal was the only thing that worked for bipolar/depression. I went from being in my room most of the time to being able to work over a period of several months, and have been a lot better (but not great) for six years. However:
I had to go up to 600mg - really high.
I got incredibly sun sensitive.
I threw up a lot (now I am OK if I eat with this med)
I talked non-stop - blah, blah, blah (embarassing)
I get dizzy and confused and stumble about if I forget to take it, and fall asleep, but if I accidentally take it twice, I am miserably sick and have to spend the day in bed.
Some side effects are reduced after all these years, but lowering the dose has not worked.It is worth it to me, though.
Posted by maryhelen on August 10, 2003, at 20:03:15
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects - itch!, posted by lesliekay on August 7, 2003, at 5:22:03
Hi lesliekay:
You mention that you were on Lamitcal for 2 years. Are you taking another med now? Also, besides the Klonopin, were you augmenting another med or did you just take the Lamitcal?
Thanks,
maryhelen
Posted by lesliekay on August 11, 2003, at 2:14:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal, question for » lesliekay, posted by maryhelen on August 10, 2003, at 20:03:15
my base meds were Topamax 200...Lamictal...Klonopin...Celexa, I then had a really severe rapid cycling episode that landed me in the hospital and they dc'd the celexa and added Risperdal. I then cycled again and landed in the hospital this last jan. and they dc'd the Risperdal and put me on Abilify. It worked so well that we wanted to see if I could actually do monotherapy. I came off the Lamictal ok, but I got severe anxiety coming off the Topamax. So now I take...
Abilify 15
Topamax 100
Cogentin .5 BID
Klonopin 1mg in am
Ativan 2mg PRN
Zyprexa 10mg PRN
I don't have a single side effect anymore and I haven't had a mood change in 6 months. Leslie
Posted by sc_girl on August 25, 2003, at 13:33:45
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
> Can anyone tell me of the side effects of Lamictal, or just any benifical info on the med.
****
I have a question. I take 20mg Celexa/and 75 mg Luvox. I was recently diagnosed at BP NOS. (I think I fall much more along the lines of BP type II, the only hypomania I get is definitely DYSphoric).
So, which that diagnosis (which I have actually had in the past, just never treated for it) I was put on lamictal by my pdoc. I am up to only 37.5 mg, and I have to tell you - I don't know of it is that or what - but I have to sleep almost constantly. I slept a great deal on the weekend, and here it is Monday, and I could NOT get out of bed to go to work. This is horrible, when I go to work I barely manage through the day and when I get home directly take a nap. This is really no way to be.Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for me? They would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by Dalilah on August 25, 2003, at 14:05:26
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
I'm sorry I don't know about all the side effects and sleep was not one for me, though I'm quite sure it's possible.
I am up to 150mg of Lamictal now. It seemed like it may have been helping to curb some of the depression. My lithium has removed my hypomania (sadly I feel sometimes.) Anyhow, the last 3 days I have sunk back into the deep hell depression that I know so well. Cry Cry Cry death death death. When will this lamictal work? Will it send me back to the hospital? Is it all a cruel joke? Do I have to live like this forever? Do I just have to accept that I'm down most of the time?
Help. Any thoughts? Words of wisdom? Suicide plans? OK, I know that's not funny.
-Dalilah
Posted by BarbaraCat on August 25, 2003, at 17:46:25
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by Dalilah on August 25, 2003, at 14:05:26
Oh, Dalilah, I'm so sorry you're going through this! I know the cry cry cry, death death death thing so well and nothing seems to soothe it. You get so attuned to the suffering of the world in this state. Sounds like you added lithium - good. That will potentiate the lamictal. After my Mom's death in December I went through an awful downturn even though I was doing pretty well on lithium and lam. Nothing I did helped the panic and utter despair. My pdoc said that the TCA's helped with this particular kind of depression and put me on nortriptyline. It helped greatly. Although I didn't like the side effects, I was willing to live with them for the relief I got. Once I stabilized with an increase of lamictal to 150mg I slowly weaned myself off nortriptyline and my stable mood has remained and I am doing very well.
There's also another very heated thread on this board about ECT and it's effectiveness in stopping a depression like you are having dead in it's tracks. Apparently, the current Scientific American is devoted to the many treatments for depression/bipolar and ECT is reported in a very positive light. I'm going to definitely get it. I was pleading my pdoc for ECT when I was feeling so bad and he convinced me to try the nortrip first and if it didn't work, ECT was the next step. Hang in there, sweetie, and don't give up. Bummer chemicals are the pits but they're just confused molecules that time will make right. - Barbara
> I am up to 150mg of Lamictal now. It seemed like it may have been helping to curb some of the depression. My lithium has removed my hypomania (sadly I feel sometimes.) Anyhow, the last 3 days I have sunk back into the deep hell depression that I know so well. Cry Cry Cry death death death. When will this lamictal work? Will it send me back to the hospital? Is it all a cruel joke? Do I have to live like this forever? Do I just have to accept that I'm down most of the time?
>
> Help. Any thoughts? Words of wisdom? Suicide plans? OK, I know that's not funny.
>
> -Dalilah
Posted by Dalilah on August 25, 2003, at 20:21:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects » Dalilah, posted by BarbaraCat on August 25, 2003, at 17:46:25
Thanks Barbara,
Big sigh. It is so difficult. Thanks for your response. I was very close to getting ECT but my doctor insists I try everything first, even trying somethings twice (like Lam. and Zoloft which doesn't work.) Seems I've tried it all. Maybe I think ECTs are the answer and they won't be and it'll make it hurt more. I don't know, but I'll check out the site. I've been on Lithium all along. This drug I like.
Thanks,
Dalilah
Posted by BarbaraCat on August 26, 2003, at 12:35:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by Dalilah on August 25, 2003, at 20:21:58
Dalilah,
Check out this thread. He's been talking about the wonders of Pindolol for a while as far as breaking up those hellish black holes. I'm going to ask my pdoc for some just to keep on hand.http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/254235.html
> Thanks Barbara,
> Big sigh. It is so difficult. Thanks for your response. I was very close to getting ECT but my doctor insists I try everything first, even trying somethings twice (like Lam. and Zoloft which doesn't work.) Seems I've tried it all. Maybe I think ECTs are the answer and they won't be and it'll make it hurt more. I don't know, but I'll check out the site. I've been on Lithium all along. This drug I like.
> Thanks,
> Dalilah
Posted by HenryO on August 27, 2003, at 4:31:14
In reply to Pindolol, a thread » Dalilah, posted by BarbaraCat on August 26, 2003, at 12:35:23
I would love to hear how Pindolol works for other people. For me it takes the edge off, no wonder drug stuff just definitely better than horrible. I'd really like to hear from those who try it. Thanks.
Posted by Dalilah on August 27, 2003, at 11:57:52
In reply to Re: Pindolol, a thread, posted by HenryO on August 27, 2003, at 4:31:14
I will ask my pdoc about Pindolol next time I'm in. It seems like I use seroquel for the same effect. I do take a small dose of seroquel regularly and can't sleep without it. But when I am hysterically depressed and can't think of anything but dying and hurting myself, I've been instructed to pop a seroquel. I take varying doses depending on the severity of my situation. It usually works within a 1/2 hour to 1 hour, unless I'm so far gone that it takes 2-3. It calms me down and ultimately puts me to sleep which is a very welcome thing during these times.
By the way I'm back on the up-swing and still amazed how my mood can go like a pendulum. And everytime I'm convince whatever state I'm in will last forever.
-Dalilah
Posted by ChINA on August 28, 2003, at 18:38:42
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
Hopefully someone can give me some valuable advise! I'm currently taking Moclobemide, 300mg. This antidepressant belongs to the group of reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A (RIMAs) which are a newer group of antidepressants that have had much less impact on clinical psychopharmacology than another contemporary class of medications, the selective serotonin reuptake-inhibitors (SSRIs). The RIMAs agents are distinguished from the older monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) by their selectivity and reversibility.
Anyhow, about 2 1/2 weeks ago I began taking Lamictal due to a recent hypermanic episode. I'm now taking 50mg lamictal which I've been on for the last 10 days (I began on 25mg). The first week was great. I still felt energetic without the usual manic-obsessive thoughts. Yet I became very sleepy in the afternoon and had to take a nap after returning home from work. However, since about a week ago (or less) I've had a sore throat and my eyes have been sort of dry. Last Sunday I discovered a "cyst" like thing on the left side of my neck. I became somewhat terrified. The next day I found out that it's (only) a swollen lymph node. My throat still felt sore and thick. It felt like I was coming down with a cold but at the same time not really. This week I've also had severe headaches. Lately I've also experienced vaginal problems (vaginitis?). Today the common rashes slowly began. Apparently, all of the above are symptoms of hyper sensitivity and uncommon side-effects (often not even listed). I've also been very sensitive to any BS (which is not necessarily a bad thing..) Should I discontinue or is there a possibility that these side-effects will disappear? I have no health insurance and am not able to see an MD unless I feel it's unbearable and need to go to the ER.I guess I'll decrease the dose to 25mg for the time being. I'm curious to know of any similar experiences or just your thoughts.
thanks !
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