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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ozzy on October 10, 2001, at 17:53:58
Hi Psycho-Babble's users, i'm a newbie here :o)
Recently i have been diagnosed as being bipolar II after several years of treatment for the unipolar-depression. Like many of you i tried many antidepressants and anti-manic/anticonvulsants drugs.
I have tried Lithium. Not very effective for an ultra rapid cycler like me. Moreover i developed hypothyroïdism :-(
I have also tried Epival (Depakote). Relatively effective BUT too many side effects: sedation, weight gain and elevated liver enzymes.
I also took Neurontin. Zero effect or side effect. Real sugar pills.
And NOW for 2 weeks i have been taking Lamictal 75 mg a day. I take also Effexor XR 150 mg a day. Good news, i feel more alert, my memory is quite good and my depression seems gone.
However, i feel highly anxious and irritable. I sleep only 2 hours a night. Despite these symptoms i do not have the impression that i'm hypomanic (racing mind, many projects, etc...).
***First of all, is this normal to feel like that with the Lamictal? If yes, do these side effects lessen (see vanish) with time? Suggestions?***
p.s. please be indulgent with my english, i'm a french speaker :o)
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Psychopharm Nut on October 10, 2001, at 18:25:42
In reply to I'm on Lamictal... (side effects) Help!, posted by Ozzy on October 10, 2001, at 17:53:58
How long have you been taking the Effexor?
Posted by Ozzy on October 10, 2001, at 18:48:53
In reply to Re: I'm on Lamictal... (side effects) Help! » Ozzy, posted by Psychopharm Nut on October 10, 2001, at 18:25:42
> How long have you been taking the Effexor?
2 years! Effexor is great for my depression side and anxiety. Btw, i have tried all the SSRIs and SNRIs available here in Canada. Effexor XR seems to be the best for me... with Paxil. The others are too stimulating, dixit Serzone which i consider a zombie drug :o)
Thanks!
Posted by Jane D on October 10, 2001, at 23:32:13
In reply to I'm on Lamictal... (side effects) Help!, posted by Ozzy on October 10, 2001, at 17:53:58
> And NOW for 2 weeks i have been taking Lamictal 75 mg a day. I take also Effexor XR 150 mg a day. Good news, i feel more alert, my memory is quite good and my depression seems gone.
>
> However, i feel highly anxious and irritable. I sleep only 2 hours a night. Despite these symptoms i do not have the impression that i'm hypomanic (racing mind, many projects, etc...).
Ozzy - You get 2 hours sleep a night and you are anxious and irritable. This sounds like it might be hypomania to me. I think you should tell your doctor about this now. Even if you are not now hypomanic the lack of sleep may cause you to become hypomanic. - JaneBy the way your english is great. I wish my french were half as good.
Posted by Ozzy on October 11, 2001, at 0:40:31
In reply to Lamictal causing hypomania? » Ozzy, posted by Jane D on October 10, 2001, at 23:32:13
> Ozzy - You get 2 hours sleep a night and you are anxious and irritable. This sounds like it might be hypomania to me. I think you should tell your doctor about this now. Even if you are not now hypomanic the lack of sleep may cause you to become hypomanic. - Jane
>
> By the way your english is great. I wish my french were half as good.Thanks Jane for the compliment :o) I do my best.
Yes i'm begining to question myself a lot about these side effects. Slight hypomania? May be... Anyway i'm going to call my pdoc tomorrow.
I understand now why they call Lamictal a "very stimulating" anticonvulsant :-( I wish i won't switch back to Depakote but i won't play my sanity due to side effects. May be Depakote ER is more manageable?
Posted by JohnX on October 11, 2001, at 20:14:24
In reply to I'm on Lamictal... (side effects) Help!, posted by Ozzy on October 10, 2001, at 17:53:58
> Hi Psycho-Babble's users, i'm a newbie here :o)
>
> Recently i have been diagnosed as being bipolar II after several years of treatment for the unipolar-depression. Like many of you i tried many antidepressants and anti-manic/anticonvulsants drugs.
>
> I have tried Lithium. Not very effective for an ultra rapid cycler like me. Moreover i developed hypothyroïdism :-(
>
> I have also tried Epival (Depakote). Relatively effective BUT too many side effects: sedation, weight gain and elevated liver enzymes.
>
> I also took Neurontin. Zero effect or side effect. Real sugar pills.
>
> And NOW for 2 weeks i have been taking Lamictal 75 mg a day. I take also Effexor XR 150 mg a day. Good news, i feel more alert, my memory is quite good and my depression seems gone.
>
> However, i feel highly anxious and irritable. I sleep only 2 hours a night. Despite these symptoms i do not have the impression that i'm hypomanic (racing mind, many projects, etc...).
>
> ***First of all, is this normal to feel like that with the Lamictal? If yes, do these side effects lessen (see vanish) with time? Suggestions?***
>
>
> p.s. please be indulgent with my english, i'm a french speaker :o)
>
>
> Thanks in advance!It could be that the lamictal changes the effects
of the effexor. It is not a controlled experiement
since you are taking 2 meds.I have been consistently on Lamictal for quite a
while but have tried adding in various other meds.
Sometimes when I add in another med, I get side
effects that are more consistent with lamictal than
the other med. You may be experiencing something
similar but in reverse (where effexor was the
control med and lamictal was the add on).Lamictal is generally more likely to be stimulating
than sedating. But I have a feeling that it is
somehow changing the workings of the Effexor and
that is causing the problem.Just my 2c.
-John
Posted by Ozzy on October 11, 2001, at 20:40:03
In reply to Re: I'm on Lamictal... (side effects) Help! » Ozzy, posted by JohnX on October 11, 2001, at 20:14:24
> It could be that the lamictal changes the effects
> of the effexor. It is not a controlled experiement
> since you are taking 2 meds.
>
> I have been consistently on Lamictal for quite a
> while but have tried adding in various other meds.
> Sometimes when I add in another med, I get side
> effects that are more consistent with lamictal than
> the other med. You may be experiencing something
> similar but in reverse (where effexor was the
> control med and lamictal was the add on).
>
> Lamictal is generally more likely to be stimulating
> than sedating. But I have a feeling that it is
> somehow changing the workings of the Effexor and
> that is causing the problem.
>
> Just my 2c.
>
> -John
Yes probably John. And since we all know that Lamictal acts on NMDA receptors and therefore indirectly on dopamine, the mix of Effexor XR and Lamictal can become highly stimulating. Thus may be too much for me. Just a thought...So i anticipate to reduce the Lamictal and add a "soft" mood stabilizer like Topamax which i have never tried before.
Thanks for your feedbacks!
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