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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
Has anyone here been thrown into Hypomania by Lamictal? My pdoc wont believe me because Lamictal is a "mood stabilizer" and thus could not cause this. I've been grinding my teeth, waking up extra early, having terrible mood swings and mixed episodes during the day. Anyone else have experience with this?
Posted by polarbear206 on January 29, 2003, at 21:20:46
In reply to Lamictal Causing Hypomania, posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
> Has anyone here been thrown into Hypomania by Lamictal? My pdoc wont believe me because Lamictal is a "mood stabilizer" and thus could not cause this. I've been grinding my teeth, waking up extra early, having terrible mood swings and mixed episodes during the day. Anyone else have experience with this?
Jack,
This is common with some after initial start. Lamictal also has antidepressant properties. The hypomania should subside. You may need to lower your AD at some point also if you are on one. I was able to slowly lower my AD as I went up to higher doses of lamictal.
Posted by Maximus on January 30, 2003, at 0:00:23
In reply to Lamictal Causing Hypomania, posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
> Has anyone here been thrown into Hypomania by Lamictal? My pdoc wont believe me because Lamictal is a "mood stabilizer" and thus could not cause this.
Hi JackD,
Yes Lamictal can definitely induce hypomania//mania. Lamictal is a mood stabilizer for the **bipolar depression** only. It sounds odd? Fact is and it has been proven that Lamictal does not protect bipolar people against mania.
Almost all bipolars need another mood stabilizer for the mania such as Lithium. When you think to a mood stabilizer, think to a cap, a barrier against mania OR bipolar depression. But not both (mania and depression), well not completely. Example??? Lithium and Depakote, they are great for acute mania, really. But they are weak, not really effective to prevent bipolar depression.
For the record, i take Lamictal. I think it is a miracle drug (for me anyway). But i still have to take a low dose of Lithium with my Lamictal to keep at bay the anxiety, irritability and hypomania. And believe me it does the trick wonderfully.
So, i suggest that you see quickly your doctor. If you take an antidepressant, you might need to lower its dose or remove it completely. Or like i said before add another mood stabilizer with the Lamictal should do the job very well.
These days, the keyword for many many types of mental illness is: COMBO.
Good luck!
Max.
Posted by amber_spirit on January 30, 2003, at 10:06:05
In reply to Re: Lamictal Causing Hypomania *YES* » JackD, posted by Maximus on January 30, 2003, at 0:00:23
> > Has anyone here been thrown into Hypomania by Lamictal? My pdoc wont believe me because Lamictal is a "mood stabilizer" and thus could not cause this.
>Yes, when I tried lamictal alone it definitely induced anxiety/hypomania (and at each dose increase). Depakote alone helped mania but not depression. I take both together. As others have said - it is a good mood stabilizer with anti-depressant effects (one of the few) but may need an additional mood stabilizer with it.
I know I read this somewhere. I'll see if I can find it again (for your pdoc).
AS
Posted by zero on January 30, 2003, at 21:34:28
In reply to Lamictal Causing Hypomania, posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
My experience also, on a starting dose of only 12.5mg Lamictal per day - hypomania/anxiety/irritability which continued for a week 'til I stopped taking it.
Good luck,
zero
Posted by JackD on January 31, 2003, at 1:47:41
In reply to Lamictal Causing Hypomania, posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
Thanks guys, I'm seeing me shrink today, and now i feel confident that she's wrong. Thanks for the support.
Posted by JackD on January 31, 2003, at 1:48:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal Causing Hypomania *YES* » JackD, posted by Maximus on January 30, 2003, at 0:00:23
I should've mentioned that I do take LIthium, 1350 a day to be exact. I'd like to try depakote with the lamictal but i've heard that's a tricky combo.
Posted by JackD on January 31, 2003, at 1:50:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too, posted by amber_spirit on January 30, 2003, at 10:06:05
My pdoc warned me about this combo. Have you had any particular problems or special precautions?
Posted by mags on January 31, 2003, at 18:51:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too, posted by JackD on January 31, 2003, at 1:50:07
> My pdoc warned me about this combo. Have you had any particular problems or special precautions?
Hi, Haven't been here in awhile but thought I'd see how the board is doing. Lamictal did same for me. I thought I was cured!! At the time I was just considered major depressed, not BiPolar.I had 6 weeks of bliss from Lamictal and then a crash that sent me back to hospital (again).
Now I am on Lithium and Depakote. Combo's seem to be what me and my doc think may work.This is my regime (I am BPll)
Lithium 300 MG
Depakote 750 MG
Seroquel 100 MG
Wellbutrin 100 MG
Ritalin 10 MG
and some thyroid med that I can never remember name of.
I was hospitalized this past summer for three months and while there the Lithium turned me toxic and hence the hypothyroidism.
Anywhoo, on this combo I can function. My main symptoms now that I would like to correct are tiredness and concentration. We just started the Ritalin today.
Can anyone tell me their experience with Ritalin and Wellbutrin. I react weird to most drugs. Wellbutrin was added two months ago and made me SLEEPY, so doc said take at night. When I took the Ritalin today I read a novel in four hours straight! But it seemed to wear off and made me feel worse.
Any info greatfully received!Mags
Posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2003, at 20:37:08
In reply to Lamictal Causing Hypomania, posted by JackD on January 29, 2003, at 19:35:59
I was on Lamictal for 8 months about a year ago, and my mood swings were more severe while ON the Lamictal than off of it. My anxiety was worse as well. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who had this experience.
-cindy> Has anyone here been thrown into Hypomania by Lamictal? My pdoc wont believe me because Lamictal is a "mood stabilizer" and thus could not cause this. I've been grinding my teeth, waking up extra early, having terrible mood swings and mixed episodes during the day. Anyone else have experience with this?
Posted by judy1 on January 31, 2003, at 22:55:03
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too, posted by JackD on January 31, 2003, at 1:50:07
I got manic twice on lamictal- once with depakote in place. If I remember right depakote increases the amount of lamictal in the bloodstream so you normally take 1/2 the dose of lamictal with depakote. It's a shame it causes hypomania in you (like me), lamictal has been a wonder drug for a lot of people. best of luck-judy
Posted by Maximus on January 31, 2003, at 23:02:54
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too-Ritalin ?, posted by mags on January 31, 2003, at 18:51:22
My main symptoms now that I would like to correct are tiredness and concentration. We just started the Ritalin today.
> Can anyone tell me their experience with Ritalin and Wellbutrin. I react weird to most drugs. Wellbutrin was added two months ago and made me SLEEPY, so doc said take at night. When I took the Ritalin today I read a novel in four hours straight! But it seemed to wear off and made me feel worse.Hi Mags,
For the Wellbutrin, that's an unusual response to the med. But it is a very individual thing.
For the ritalin, that's pretty normal. Try Ritalin SR. Its half life is 12 hours. You should feel more stable on it. If Ritalin gives you anxiety, you might consider to take it as needed only.
Good luck!
Max.
Posted by Maximus on January 31, 2003, at 23:47:19
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too-Ritalin ? » mags, posted by Maximus on January 31, 2003, at 23:02:54
Hi,
Lamictal is a great agent used for the treatment of the depression and/or bipolar depression particularly accompanied by rapid cycles. In any case it had been proven to be effective against mania. For a "true" bipolar, another mood stabilizer with the Lamictal is imperative.
Some doctors//pdocs are very incompetents. I find it sad and aberrant. It is clear that some of them stop to learn or seek out new informations.
Max.
Posted by cybercafe on February 1, 2003, at 17:16:51
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too-Ritalin ? » mags, posted by Maximus on January 31, 2003, at 23:02:54
> For the ritalin, that's pretty normal. Try Ritalin SR. Its half life is 12 hours. You should feel more stable on it. If Ritalin gives you anxiety, you might consider to take it as needed only.
i think the half life of ritalin is 4 hours, and the SR releases over a 10 hour period
... but i'm not sure how it is released (probably not a constant rate)
... i read people reporting that the effects tend to wear off after 3 - 4 hours...
seems to last longer for me, but i'm on 2.5 mg of zyprexa so who knowsi'm curious where you read the half life to be 12 hours
Posted by mags on February 1, 2003, at 22:43:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal hypomania - yep me too-Ritalin ?, posted by cybercafe on February 1, 2003, at 17:16:51
Thanksfor Ritalin info ...I am definately calling my doc on Monday...I either need the SR version or more...I think it is helping but when it wears off (slowly) an hour or two later I feel terrible. Very depressed and can hardly move or want to.
Thanks!
Mags
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