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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by borderliner21 on February 4, 2003, at 19:09:49
I was prescribed this drug along with celexa and am wondering what I should expect
Posted by catmint on February 4, 2003, at 22:38:28
In reply to has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by borderliner21 on February 4, 2003, at 19:09:49
> I was prescribed this drug along with celexa and am wondering what I should expect
I first took Lamictal about 7 months ago and devoloped a rash, which was because I started at too high a dose. I stopped and started again about two months later. THls time I started at a mere 2.5 mg. and increased ever so slowly. I am now, 2 months later, at 25 mg. in the morning and 15 in the late afternoon.
Side effects you should expect could include headache, blurred or double vision, some insomnia at first (goes away), irritability (when starting and titrating), flu like symptoms (at first).
Really the side effect profile is quite good, all go away for most part.
If you are bipolar and primarily depressed, you will most likely benefit from the anti-depressant effect. It is far better than any standard anti-depressant that I have ever taken.
Some people on this board have reported that the anti-deppresant effects wear off and the dose needs to be increased all the time. I have noticed this myself and have increased my dose about every 2 weeks. I don't know what will happen, but I am hoping in the meantime, I can get my life back together. Lamictal gives me energy to do what I need to do.
Hopefully other posters will comment on their experiences.
Good luck, it's best to start at a low dose.
Amy
Posted by Peter S. on February 4, 2003, at 23:40:55
In reply to has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by borderliner21 on February 4, 2003, at 19:09:49
Lamictal was a wonder drug when I first started. Had to keep increasing the dose (up to 600mg) to get the effect. Now I take 200mg in the a.m. which gives me a nice kick, but then it wears off by the afternoon. It certainly helps but for a while there I thought I'd found the answer. Overall I experience no side effects that I'm aware of. I would suggest going extremely slowly because of the risk of rash.
Posted by Hattree on February 5, 2003, at 10:08:34
In reply to has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by borderliner21 on February 4, 2003, at 19:09:50
I have found Lamictal quite helpful.
Posted by lostsailor on February 5, 2003, at 10:40:12
In reply to Re: has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by Peter S. on February 4, 2003, at 23:40:55
so far, used a mood stabelizor for me, I have had great results. I just pray that what I read on the boards about lamictal losing its efficacy, will not happen to me because I finally feel not manic, not depressed but am anxious and neurotic as usual, but otherwise so far Lamical has made me feel that I will get over this....
or, then again, maybe its not doing much and I am just manic...lolbest of luck to you, ~tony
Posted by Luka62 on February 5, 2003, at 23:36:21
In reply to Re: has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by Hattree on February 5, 2003, at 10:08:34
I have had very good results with Lamictal. It's been the only med along with Nardil--and has totally changed my life.HOWEVER, only when I read here where others had been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syn. did I start to put 2 and 2 together. I never had any GI problems until I started Lamictal 1 1/2yrs ago; my doc just increased my dosage in last 2 weeks--I have been in Constant abdominal pain, and 3 days ago when it was increased another 50mg, I've been having chest pain as well.
Will talk to pdoc in a.m., but I am Scared to think about going off it, because it's been an answer to prayers for me..Dilemma! Now I also see an increase in the "less common" side effects like dental problems, chills , inc. anxiety.
How do we make a call like this? I know some side effects have to be tolerated when the wanted effect is positive, but..???
Posted by lostsailor on February 6, 2003, at 12:37:52
In reply to Re: has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by Hattree on February 5, 2003, at 10:08:34
Posted by amber_spirit on February 6, 2003, at 12:58:11
In reply to Re: has anyone had a good response to lamictal?, posted by lostsailor on February 5, 2003, at 10:40:12
I've been on it for about 6 months now and it definitely has helped with the depression and energy. I have noticed that it seems to help for a while and then the depression starts to come back, but that may be that I am still cycling (which I am somewhat).
I'm on 100mg right now, but that's approximately equal to 200mg bc the depakote in my system effects it.
It sounds like it has been great for a lot of people and I also am hoping that the "wear off" effect will not apply to me.
Best of luck,
AS
This is the end of the thread.
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