![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:29:39
The new pdoc is also having me go on LITHIUM (in the form of sustained release LITHOBID) -- I'd really like to hear anyone's experiences on LITHIUM.
I'm currently not on a mood stablizer, although I had been on Lamictal with some success (or so it felt). However, I've heard that DEPAKOTE is a good choice of mood stablizer so if anyone has anything to say about Lithium versus Depakote or Lamictal, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks very much.
Posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 16:57:16
In reply to Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:29:39
I don't follow. You were taking Lamictal and liked it (as a lot
of people on this NG do), so why a motivation to switch?How did you find yourself in a position of swapping
pdocs and having all your meds changed? (I've gone through
a few pdocs, so I know it sometimes good to find someone
else you click with better).best,
John> The new pdoc is also having me go on LITHIUM (in the form of sustained release LITHOBID) -- I'd really like to hear anyone's experiences on LITHIUM.
>
> I'm currently not on a mood stablizer, although I had been on Lamictal with some success (or so it felt). However, I've heard that DEPAKOTE is a good choice of mood stablizer so if anyone has anything to say about Lithium versus Depakote or Lamictal, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks very much.
Posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 18:19:43
In reply to Re: Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE) » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 16:57:16
John,
You referred to Lamictal as an "NG" - what does that stand for?
As for switching from Lamictal to Lithium, well this is due purely to the change in pdocs. The new one has a holistic orientation, he is into *natural* remedies when possible, and prefers Lithium because it's a naturally occurring salt as opposed to the *synthetic* Lamictal, Depakote, etc.
As far as how I found myself in this position of swapping pdocs and having all my meds changed, well I was with the previous pdoc for YEARS but she has declined over time in her responsiveness. To be more specific, on more than one occasion (it became a *pattern*) she has NOT RETURNED PHONE CALLS, even URGENT (*crisis*) ones.
It became inexcusable and unbearable; how can someone in the psychiatry (or really any professional position) on repeated occasions forget or just not return phone calls, especially URGENT ones? When I would confront her (in a nice way) about it, she'd laugh it off and say she can be *flaky* - huh. She was NOT at all this way when I first started with her. I don't know what's going on in her own life, but her lack of responsiveness to patients in need is not right and only added more stress to my existing anxiety.
The whole situation is a shame because I did *click* with her, our office visits usually went great, she knows her meds, etc., but her increasing carelessness in terms of responding and being available when needed became a problem. Hope this clarifies!
-Janelle
Posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2002, at 19:36:21
In reply to Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:29:39
My experience with lithium is a long one: 20+ years;
In that time, I have had to have thyroxine supplementation
(Synthroid) with an adjustment to the dose no more than
a few times. I have not had one day of depression
since taking lithium, though sad occasions such as
death have brought on grief.My side effects have been, thirst, frequent urination,
weight gain, the thyroid effect as I mentioned, and
its effects, and that is about it.My dosage is 900mg per day; at first I was given
1200mg until stabilization; the first few months
I felt heavy and lethargic and then got used to
the drug.I consider it a miracle drug, however I am
always vigilant for toxicity and I think there
were a few times, hot weather especially, where
I may have gone over the limit.Hope that helps.
Squiggles
Posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 19:55:45
In reply to Re: Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2002, at 19:36:21
Squiggles:
THANK YOU ever so much for sharing your experience with lithium. It is indeed a long one (20+ years, which means you started on it way before meds such as Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin, etc. began to be used for BiPolar).
I have previously been diagnosed with HYPOthyroid and am on an excellent thyroid supplement which has both T3 and T4. The doc says that because I'm already on thyroid med I shouldn't have any problem with the Lithium lowering my thyroid.
How wonderful it is to hear that you have not had ONE day of depression since taking lithium. Wow, what a testament.
You mentioned weight gain as a side effect, and I'm wondering how much weight gain?
You also said your dosage is 900mg per day haivng started at 1200 mg. WOW - my doctor is *only* having me take 100 mg of Lithobid (sustained release Lithium) -- I'm starting to think this is hardly enough to make any kind of difference??
Then again, I'm also on an anti-depressant (EffexorXR) and I've heard that Lithium can augment anti-depressants, so maybe a small dose of Lithium combined with the a-d will work for me. Hmmmm ...
Do you have your blood tested regularly for Lithium level? Is there a certain level above which it is TOXIC?
What about liver and kidney tests?
Thanks!
-Janelle
Posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2002, at 22:13:27
In reply to SQUIGGLES - thanks and more: » Squiggles, posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 19:55:45
> Squiggles:
>
> THANK YOU ever so much for sharing your experience with lithium. It is indeed a long one (20+ years, which means you started on it way before meds such as Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin, etc. began to be used for BiPolar).Hi Janelle,
You're very welcome. I had NO idea that all these
drugs were post-lithium - thanks for englightening me.
>
> I have previously been diagnosed with HYPOthyroid and am on an excellent thyroid supplement which has both T3 and T4. The doc says that because I'm already on thyroid med I shouldn't have any problem with the Lithium lowering my thyroid.I suppose that may be true. It takes a few years
to become hypothyroid on lithium IF you do; I think
lower than 10% due develop hypothyroidism, which is
interesting as the thyroid is implicated in depression
and some research has been done on that at least at
McMaster University, as far as I know.
>
> How wonderful it is to hear that you have not had ONE day of depression since taking lithium. Wow, what a testament.I know - it sounds like a hyperbole, but it's true -
depression has not been the problem - bringing the
thyroid to match the lithium has.>
> You mentioned weight gain as a side effect, and I'm wondering how much weight gain?Some of the weight gain is due to benzos - esp.
the RIVOTRIL, but mostly I think the lithium -
partly the salt, the water, and maybe the thyroid,
I would say, in 20 years, 40 lbs overweight, gradually.
>
> You also said your dosage is 900mg per day haivng started at 1200 mg. WOW - my doctor is *only* having me take 100 mg of Lithobid (sustained release Lithium) -- I'm starting to think this is hardly enough to make any kind of difference??It sounds bizarre - is the lithium being used
as a supplement to some other AD perhaps? The
li has to be in a therapeutic range to work
and that is average 900 mg.
>
> Then again, I'm also on an anti-depressant (EffexorXR) and I've heard that Lithium can augment anti-depressants, so maybe a small dose of Lithium combined with the a-d will work for me. HmmmmOK I did not see that - 100 li is tiny - wonder
if it just takes the edge off a speedy AD? don't know
much about Effexor ...
>
> Do you have your blood tested regularly for Lithium level?At first it was very regular and frequent; now
it is regular (once a year);Is there a certain level above which it is TOXIC?
Anything above 1.5 is toxic.
I have a site if you would like to look at info.
on lithium:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lithium/
>
> What about liver and kidney tests?Yes, kidney and thyroid along with li.
Liver? The stuff is not metabolized at all-
the only drug of its type that is not metabolized
but goes straight through the kidneys.Squiggles
Posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 23:14:43
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2002, at 22:13:27
Squiggles,I'm glad you've done so fantastic on lithium.
It really was a breakthrough for bipolar.
Did you know it was once in 7-up?I personally take Lamictal, it just happened
to be what I started on. I like it because it
has no side effects and required no testing.I'm curious about Jannelles' Pdoc's belief in Lithium over
Lamictal because Lithium is more "homeopathic" and
is a naturally occuring "salt". My understanding is
Lithium is more toxic than Lamictal.(Not to scare
anyone it does have the longer track record).
Mercury is more naturally ocurring than Lamictal
but you certainly wouldn't want that metal in your
body. I guess its a strange debate that I don't
really get??-John
> > Squiggles:
> >
> > THANK YOU ever so much for sharing your experience with lithium. It is indeed a long one (20+ years, which means you started on it way before meds such as Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin, etc. began to be used for BiPolar).
>
> Hi Janelle,
>
> You're very welcome. I had NO idea that all these
> drugs were post-lithium - thanks for englightening me.
>
>
> >
> > I have previously been diagnosed with HYPOthyroid and am on an excellent thyroid supplement which has both T3 and T4. The doc says that because I'm already on thyroid med I shouldn't have any problem with the Lithium lowering my thyroid.
>
> I suppose that may be true. It takes a few years
> to become hypothyroid on lithium IF you do; I think
> lower than 10% due develop hypothyroidism, which is
> interesting as the thyroid is implicated in depression
> and some research has been done on that at least at
> McMaster University, as far as I know.
> >
> > How wonderful it is to hear that you have not had ONE day of depression since taking lithium. Wow, what a testament.
>
> I know - it sounds like a hyperbole, but it's true -
> depression has not been the problem - bringing the
> thyroid to match the lithium has.
>
> >
> > You mentioned weight gain as a side effect, and I'm wondering how much weight gain?
>
> Some of the weight gain is due to benzos - esp.
> the RIVOTRIL, but mostly I think the lithium -
> partly the salt, the water, and maybe the thyroid,
> I would say, in 20 years, 40 lbs overweight, gradually.
>
>
> >
> > You also said your dosage is 900mg per day haivng started at 1200 mg. WOW - my doctor is *only* having me take 100 mg of Lithobid (sustained release Lithium) -- I'm starting to think this is hardly enough to make any kind of difference??
>
> It sounds bizarre - is the lithium being used
> as a supplement to some other AD perhaps? The
> li has to be in a therapeutic range to work
> and that is average 900 mg.
>
>
> >
> > Then again, I'm also on an anti-depressant (EffexorXR) and I've heard that Lithium can augment anti-depressants, so maybe a small dose of Lithium combined with the a-d will work for me. Hmmmm
>
> OK I did not see that - 100 li is tiny - wonder
> if it just takes the edge off a speedy AD? don't know
> much about Effexor ...
> >
> > Do you have your blood tested regularly for Lithium level?
>
> At first it was very regular and frequent; now
> it is regular (once a year);
>
> Is there a certain level above which it is TOXIC?
>
> Anything above 1.5 is toxic.
>
> I have a site if you would like to look at info.
> on lithium:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lithium/
> >
> > What about liver and kidney tests?
>
> Yes, kidney and thyroid along with li.
> Liver? The stuff is not metabolized at all-
> the only drug of its type that is not metabolized
> but goes straight through the kidneys.
>
> Squiggles
Posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 0:01:23
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 23:14:43
Posted by Ron Hill on March 7, 2002, at 0:13:09
In reply to Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:29:39
Janelle:
The general "rule" is that Bipolar I patients typically do better on lithium whereas Bipolar II patients typically do better on the AEDs (eg Lamictal, Depakote, etc). I personally am an exception to this very general rule.
I am BP II and Lithobid works better for me than the AEDs. I liked Lamictal but it gave me a bad rash. The only thing good about Depakote was that it facilitated great sleep and dreams. On the down side, Depakote caused a rash (fairly severe), caused weight gain, and may have made my depression worse. Lithobid (600 mg/day) causes slight rashing but I can control it with a topical skin cream.
A couple of days ago Cam posted a link to a bipolar document that you may find useful since it directly addresses the issue you raise (Li vs. AEDs). Here is a link to Cam's post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96446.htmlIMHO, if Lamictal is working well for you as a mood stablizer, I'd be reluctant to switch to Lithobid if I were in your shoes. If it ante broke don't fix it! But I do not know your specific case history, so you of course would know better than I what course of action is best for you.
Li does a fine job of keeping me out of hypomania but does very little for my depression. After several years and more ADs than I care to remember, my pdoc found something that works like a charm to treat my depression. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am to have my depression problem solved. It has worked very well for four months and I have every confidence it will continue to do so. What is it, you ask? SAM-e.
If you want to find out more about SAM-e for depression, click to the following prior post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96055.html--Ron
------------------------> The new pdoc is also having me go on LITHIUM (in the form of sustained release LITHOBID) -- I'd really like to hear anyone's experiences on LITHIUM.
>
> I'm currently not on a mood stablizer, although I had been on Lamictal with some success (or so it felt). However, I've heard that DEPAKOTE is a good choice of mood stablizer so if anyone has anything to say about Lithium versus Depakote or Lamictal, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks very much.
Posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 2:17:59
In reply to Re: Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE) » Janelle, posted by Ron Hill on March 7, 2002, at 0:13:09
Hi Janelle:Just to create as much anxiety for you ;)
Here are my latest thoughts (you have 3 good bipolars
sharing there experience,).You didn't indicate if you tried
an AD (anti-depressant) (Effexor) before Lamictal? But you
indicated the Lamictal may have been OK? This sounded positive
for Lamictal? A failed AD response before taking a mood
stabilizer for a bipolar is to be expected, just so
you know.What would be most preferable would be to start
with a tolerable 1st line stabelizer, and Lamictal
is a good one which may avoid an AD ad on. If you
can push the Lamictal to a good dose, for a lot of people
it has a fairly good anti-depressant profile and can
really wipe out those bad lows. It does that for me.
Since I started Lamictal, no major lows. A few downturns,
but no big drops. After this I would explore adding on
anti-depressants and possibly the anti-psychotics if you
are becoming manic.This is just my opinion to help *minimize* the number of
medicines in your body and understand what they do as you
add them in. Personally, I wouldn't slam in an anti-depressant
before getting up to a healty dose of any mood stabilizer.But I guess it would be good to know how things went on
your last Lamictal trial.These are all things to discuss and check with your
doctor. Sorry to overwhelm you with opinions. Just trying
to minimize the amount of medicine changeovers if possible.PS. I do well on Serzone. I've taken it twice.
The 1st time without Lamictal it made me extremely
fatigued and dizzy. The 2nd time with Lamictal I
have had no fatigue or dizzyness.Best wishes,
John
> Janelle:
>
> The general "rule" is that Bipolar I patients typically do better on lithium whereas Bipolar II patients typically do better on the AEDs (eg Lamictal, Depakote, etc). I personally am an exception to this very general rule.
>
> I am BP II and Lithobid works better for me than the AEDs. I liked Lamictal but it gave me a bad rash. The only thing good about Depakote was that it facilitated great sleep and dreams. On the down side, Depakote caused a rash (fairly severe), caused weight gain, and may have made my depression worse. Lithobid (600 mg/day) causes slight rashing but I can control it with a topical skin cream.
>
> A couple of days ago Cam posted a link to a bipolar document that you may find useful since it directly addresses the issue you raise (Li vs. AEDs). Here is a link to Cam's post:
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96446.html
>
> IMHO, if Lamictal is working well for you as a mood stablizer, I'd be reluctant to switch to Lithobid if I were in your shoes. If it ante broke don't fix it! But I do not know your specific case history, so you of course would know better than I what course of action is best for you.
>
> Li does a fine job of keeping me out of hypomania but does very little for my depression. After several years and more ADs than I care to remember, my pdoc found something that works like a charm to treat my depression. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am to have my depression problem solved. It has worked very well for four months and I have every confidence it will continue to do so. What is it, you ask? SAM-e.
>
> If you want to find out more about SAM-e for depression, click to the following prior post:
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96055.html
>
> --Ron
> ------------------------
>
> > The new pdoc is also having me go on LITHIUM (in the form of sustained release LITHOBID) -- I'd really like to hear anyone's experiences on LITHIUM.
> >
> > I'm currently not on a mood stablizer, although I had been on Lamictal with some success (or so it felt). However, I've heard that DEPAKOTE is a good choice of mood stablizer so if anyone has anything to say about Lithium versus Depakote or Lamictal, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks very much.
Posted by Squiggles on March 7, 2002, at 7:20:28
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 23:14:43
>
> Squiggles,
>
> I'm glad you've done so fantastic on lithium.
> It really was a breakthrough for bipolar.
> Did you know it was once in 7-up?
>Hi John,
No, I do not know much about Lamictal - I should
look at the monograph for it; I think that
it sounds superiour if it is not toxic and if
it has not effects as you say, perceptible anyway.
I suppose then that it an advance over lithium
as it is newer? Would you say - again I should
look at some monographs.I think that the toxicity and the testing, and
the thyroid gaging are a pain in the *ss regarding
lithium, but since it works so well and feels
so "transparent" it seems worth it.But had I been given a choice with this drug if
it as you describe and worked on me, i think i
would have preferred it.Thanks
Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on March 7, 2002, at 7:29:43
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by Squiggles on March 7, 2002, at 7:20:28
Y I K E S!!!!
Limotrigine is an Anti-convulsant!!!
I'm not taking another anti-convulsant
until the day I die. The Klonopin just
about killed me. I have anti-convulsants,
no way. I'll stick with lithium and trust
the Inositol research they are doing to see
how it works. It has been my experience that
the newer the drug, the crappier it is.Squiggles
sorry about that - just hate anti-convulsants.
Posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 17:24:43
In reply to Re: Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE) » Janelle, posted by Ron Hill on March 7, 2002, at 0:13:09
Ron:
Interesting that you mentioned that the general "rule" is that Bipolar I patients typically do better on lithium whereas Bipolar II patients typically do better on the AEDs (eg Lamictal, Depakote, etc). This is something I have been wondering about. I am definitely NOT BiPolar 1. I do have cycles, but they are mostly feeling good then crashing, feeling good then crashing. The depression side is FAR more than the so-called "hypomanic" side.
What does AED mean?
I wonder if you got a rash from Lamictal because you either started at too high a dose or titrated up too rapidly. The thing with Lamictal is to go "LOW AND SLOW", meaning start with a micro (pediatric) dose (which is what I did) and titrate VERY slowly and gradulally into the hundreds of mg's. I never got the rash.
You're the first person I've heard of who got a rash on DEPAKOTE - I've heard that one can start losing hair on that one, which is a concern for me.
You also mentioned something else which concerns me - you said that Li does a fine job of keeping you out of hypomania but does very little for your depression. Well, since I don't really have much, if any, hypomania, I'm wondering how effective Li will be for me, if it doesn't doo much for depression (I read on some other site, that Li is for the MANIC part of BiPolar)
Thank you for your response and those links.
-Janelle
Posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 17:34:10
In reply to Re: Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 2:17:59
John,
Thank you so much for continuing to return to this topic and add your thoughts.
To answer your questions, I was on an AD (EffexorXR) for months BEFORE I went on the Lamictal. When I got to a therapeutic dose of Lamictal, it was my then-pdoc's hope that I could just be on the Lamictal and no longer need the AD.
Soooooo ... I titrated OFF the AD and within a few weeks I crashed ... severe depression ... barelly able to function. Apparently the mood stabilizer alone (Lamictal) was not enough. I need BOTH a mood stabilizer and an AD.
Glad to hear you do well on Serzone with Lamictal.
-Janelle
Posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 18:37:03
In reply to JOHNX2 - answers to your latest questions: » JohnX2, posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 17:34:10
What was your Lamictal dose and how long were you on it?Some people need over 300 mg+.
-John
> John,
>
> Thank you so much for continuing to return to this topic and add your thoughts.
>
> To answer your questions, I was on an AD (EffexorXR) for months BEFORE I went on the Lamictal. When I got to a therapeutic dose of Lamictal, it was my then-pdoc's hope that I could just be on the Lamictal and no longer need the AD.
>
> Soooooo ... I titrated OFF the AD and within a few weeks I crashed ... severe depression ... barelly able to function. Apparently the mood stabilizer alone (Lamictal) was not enough. I need BOTH a mood stabilizer and an AD.
>
> Glad to hear you do well on Serzone with Lamictal.
> -Janelle
Posted by chloe on March 7, 2002, at 20:41:54
In reply to Re: JOHNX2 - answers to your latest questions: » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 18:37:03
Janelle,
I am bp2 and get great results with lithium. It literally lifts my mood within 24 hours. It has profound AD effects for me when I add it to a small amount of a TCA or SSRI
It is truly one of my favorite meds. I take 112mg eskilith controlled release everyday with 250mg of depakote. I like the extended release Lithium (lithobid or eskilith CR). It's extremely easy to tolerate and the fact that it is a bit more "natural" is nothing to sneeze at...i wish I could just take more Lithium, but I am experiencing some neuropathic scalp pain and skin problems, so I can't be too high on any one mood stabilizer...
JMHO, but Depakote is not my favorite. It helps with anger outbursts, but the weight gain side effect is really the pits. I eat a full meal, and I feel like I could eat another and another. I have never experienced such a large appetite. I am doing all I can to eat healthy and stay fit.
I never had increased appetite/weight gain on 600mgs with lithium. Lithium has a nice calming effect that I don't get from depakote either. I think I am the only person out here that has difficulty sleeping while taking depakote.
Though, I do see from the posts above, that lamictal did work well for you...I hope you find the right meds for you and start to feel better.
Chloe
Posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 22:25:54
In reply to Re:LITHIUM vs DEPAKOTE janelle, posted by chloe on March 7, 2002, at 20:41:54
Posted by Ron Hill on March 8, 2002, at 1:24:27
In reply to To Ron Hill: » Ron Hill, posted by Janelle on March 7, 2002, at 17:24:43
>What does AED mean?Anti-Epileptic Drug
> I wonder if you got a rash from Lamictal because you either started at too high a dose or titrated up too rapidly. The thing with Lamictal is to go "LOW AND SLOW", meaning start with a micro (pediatric) dose (which is what I did) and titrate VERY slowly and gradulally into the hundreds of mg's. I never got the rash.
No, I did "low and slow" but still got bad rashes. I truely wish I could tolerate Lamictal because I like its mood stablizing effect a little better than Lithobid. But don't misunderstand, I like Lithobid just fine.
> You're the first person I've heard of who got a rash on DEPAKOTE - I've heard that one can start losing hair on that one, which is a concern for me.
Ya, I am very sensitive to medications. And yes, my hair fell out at an alarming rate!
> You also mentioned something else which concerns me - you said that Li does a fine job of keeping you out of hypomania but does very little for your depression. Well, since I don't really have much, if any, hypomania, I'm wondering how effective Li will be for me, if it doesn't doo much for depression (I read on some other site, that Li is for the MANIC part of BiPolar).
For some people, Li does provide an antidepressant effect. More typically perhaps, an AD add-on is used with Li to treat the depression (this describes my situation where my AD add-on is SAM-e). However, a mood stablizer must be fully in place prior to giving the bipolar patient an AD (including SAM-e), otherwise, there is a high risk of pushing the patient into mania. So, if you are bipolar and if you need something to treat your depression, then the first thing you need is to get a moodstablizer in place.
You do not sound like you are currently depressed. Are you? You went on Effexor and came off, and you went on Lamictal and came off. Are you taking any meds currently?
Did your past and current pdocs both dx you as bipolar?JohnX2 is giving you good advice. Also scan through the lengthy document posted by Cam. The document addresses the issues you raise.
-- Ron
Posted by JohnX2 on March 8, 2002, at 1:43:29
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by Squiggles on March 7, 2002, at 7:29:43
Wow, most people love Klonopin.
Did you feel drugged out?Lamictal is very non-sedating.
Of the anti-convulsants few people complain
of cognitive decline on Lamictal.
I've tried all of them. This one
has no side effects for me.-John
> Y I K E S!!!!
>
> Limotrigine is an Anti-convulsant!!!
>
> I'm not taking another anti-convulsant
> until the day I die. The Klonopin just
> about killed me. I have anti-convulsants,
> no way. I'll stick with lithium and trust
> the Inositol research they are doing to see
> how it works. It has been my experience that
> the newer the drug, the crappier it is.
>
> Squiggles
>
> sorry about that - just hate anti-convulsants.
>
> http://www.aafp.org/afp/980201ap/curry.html
Posted by Squiggles on March 8, 2002, at 13:53:57
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more: » Squiggles, posted by JohnX2 on March 8, 2002, at 1:43:29
Having been on the Benzo group for two years,
and having gone there on account of the
adverse effects I had from benzos, I hope
you will forgive me if I don't enumerate
the moans and groans. This is what I have
suffered from benzos, which have made me take
an activist stand - daily panic attacks (now
gone ever since I withdrew from Xanax), and
Dyspnea from Klonopin especially - I still have
it but I have to take K because of the disastrous
effort to withdraw.As I said I am not enumerating the adverse
effects, partly because I am tired of doing it,
and partly because I do not wish to piss people
off who find them to their advantage.Squiggles
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 8, 2002, at 20:49:44
In reply to Need experiences w/ LITHIUM (and versus DEPAKOTE), posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:29:39
Janelle,
I have had great benefit from lithium. I've had non response (poop out after 2-3 months) from most SSRI's and their analogs for over 10 years. A small dose of lithium, 300 mg as opposed to the 900-1200 mg for bipolar response, has kicked started my Remeron, for which I am eternally greatful. I'm also a 'health nut' and balked for a long time at lithium because of it's renal/blood problems. It's worked for me, what else can I say? - Barbara
This is the end of the thread.
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