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Posted by maryhelen on June 1, 2003, at 14:36:06
In reply to Re: AP's.. » Chloe, posted by Ritch on June 1, 2003, at 9:54:38
I feel so discouraged by what I read in other posts about Lamitcal. It seems that most people are getting a great response and then it poops out.
I am on 90 mg of Parnate and had to augment because it started to lose it's effect. I augmented it with Lithium but when I went to 1200 mg. the side effects began. Even going back down I was left with tremors, twitching, hair loss, but worst of all my mind was dull and I wasn't getting things. I have just returned to work and I could not tolerate these side effects.
Unfortunaley, the Lithium did have an anti-depressant effect. The doctor put me on Lamitcal and I now am at 100 mg. after a month. I have never felt better. I have treatment resistant depression and have tried more meds than I can name, including 2 separate rounds of ECT. Now I am scared that the Lamitcal will poop out and I cannot go back into that depression and keep my job.Anyone had good, long lasting results with Lamitcal.
Thanks,
maryhelen
Posted by Ritch on June 1, 2003, at 16:59:09
In reply to Re: AP's.., posted by maryhelen on June 1, 2003, at 14:36:06
> I feel so discouraged by what I read in other posts about Lamitcal. It seems that most people are getting a great response and then it poops out.
>
> I am on 90 mg of Parnate and had to augment because it started to lose it's effect. I augmented it with Lithium but when I went to 1200 mg. the side effects began. Even going back down I was left with tremors, twitching, hair loss, but worst of all my mind was dull and I wasn't getting things. I have just returned to work and I could not tolerate these side effects.
> Unfortunaley, the Lithium did have an anti-depressant effect. The doctor put me on Lamitcal and I now am at 100 mg. after a month. I have never felt better. I have treatment resistant depression and have tried more meds than I can name, including 2 separate rounds of ECT. Now I am scared that the Lamitcal will poop out and I cannot go back into that depression and keep my job.
>
> Anyone had good, long lasting results with Lamitcal.
>
> Thanks,
>
> maryhelen
Maryhelen, I've been closely reading posts about Lamictal as well, because I would like to go for a trial myself at some point in the future. However, I wouldn't get prematurely discouraged about the "poop-out" phenomenon. I can't remember a post from a unipolar depressive on Lamictal that found a quick success then a poopout. Everything I'm reading relates to bipolar's experience with the stuff. I'm beginning to wonder whether some of the poop-out phenomenon you are hearing about may be the "mood stabilizing" or antimanic effects of Lamictal becoming more prominent with time being on the drug. If my "highs" were *totally* gone-I would feel deprived in some ways. I also wonder if there is a tricky dose range that people may be going past as well. Or to complicate matters-an optimum relatively narrow dose range that "moves around". I hope things continue to work for you-remember it still IS a success!
Posted by maryhelen on June 1, 2003, at 19:16:02
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories?? » maryhelen, posted by Ritch on June 1, 2003, at 16:59:09
Thank you so much for responding to my post Ritch. There was so much information and I was wondering and selfishing hoping that this wasn't so much referring to my treatment resistant depression. You have given me an instant boost and hope. I will just go with the good feeling I have and pray for the best.
The knowledge and support you share is incredible and I thank you so much.
maryhelen
Posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 9:07:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch, posted by maryhelen on June 1, 2003, at 19:16:02
Maryhelen,
I've been taking Lamictal now for almost a year, and yes, it can be a tricky med. to get to grips with.Titrating can be difficult at first,with many experiencing a degree of irritability which can be managed by making smaller increments.
Then, strangely there comes a point(round about 50mg) where dose increases become easy, and any irritability can be managed by 25mg increases!
200mg seems to yield good results(some here have reached 500mg or so-I hit 400mg myself),although the 'poop-out' phenomenon(which I ran into aswell)can simply mean that you'll need an additional antidepressant thrown in.
I now take 250mg Lamictal, and 10mg Prozac has reinforced the Lam. effect-I'm still doing very well indeed.
(I've been diagnosed BP11 and was previously treatment resistant, and unable to tolerate even tiny doses of most antidepressants.)
Hope this helps a little.It's a great med overall.Best,
Col.
Posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 9:19:51
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » maryhelen, posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 9:07:59
> Maryhelen,
>
>
> I've been taking Lamictal now for almost a year, and yes, it can be a tricky med. to get to grips with.Titrating can be difficult at first,with many experiencing a degree of irritability which can be managed by making smaller increments.
> Then, strangely there comes a point(round about 50mg) where dose increases become easy, and any irritability can be managed by 25mg increases!
> 200mg seems to yield good results(some here have reached 500mg or so-I hit 400mg myself),although the 'poop-out' phenomenon(which I ran into aswell)can simply mean that you'll need an additional antidepressant thrown in.
> I now take 250mg Lamictal, and 10mg Prozac has reinforced the Lam. effect-I'm still doing very well indeed.
> (I've been diagnosed BP11 and was previously treatment resistant, and unable to tolerate even tiny doses of most antidepressants.)
> Hope this helps a little.It's a great med overall.
>
> Best,
>
> Col.Colin, I'm glad that you're doing well! I noticed that you *decreased* the dosage of the Lamictal from 400mg down to 250mg. Was it because you found that 250mg was plenty enough and that more didn't seem to make much difference? Just wondering... I've read some of your other posts about irritability.. did the Prozac wind up helping with the irritability or did it resolve on its own by being on the Lamictal? thanks in advance for any resonses, thinking about trying this sometime soon... maybe start getting ramped up on it in time for wintertime!
Posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 15:04:25
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » colin wallace, posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 9:19:51
From this page you can confirm your post, revise your post, or register if you haven't already.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Confirm your post:
Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch
Board: Psycho-Babble
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>
>
> Colin, I'm glad that you're doing well! I noticed that you *decreased* the dosage of the Lamictal from 400mg down to 250mg. Was it because you found that 250mg was plenty enough and that more didn't seem to make much difference? Just wondering... I've read some of your other posts about irritability.. did the Prozac wind up helping with the irritability or did it resolve on its own by being on the Lamictal? thanks in advance for any resonses, thinking about trying this sometime soon... maybe start getting ramped up on it in time for wintertime! ##
Emperor Mitch!My experience with Lamictal was that, initially, I was determined to go it alone with monotherapy,and I suppose that makes my responses to the med. 'untainted'at least.
200mg seemed to be the magic threshold for me, and it gave superb results- depression all but vanished,no traces of anxiety or irritability, functioning improved(I couldn't even put a tent up pre-lamictal, I recall;it was beyond me).
Yes, the effect waned after a while(sudden breakthrough irritability/swings/depression), but was quickly recaptured by whacking up another 50mg.I remember planning in advance for a 300mg cut-off point, whereby if the effect faded,I'd throw in reinforcements of some type-wasn't at all sure what to try.
With me, when the effect faded, my world just cracked into pieces, and any rainy/overcast weather would hammer me, and keep me groaning in bed.
Anyway, I hung in there until 400mg, and realised that the pattern was set, and that when 400mg faded too, the effect I was left with was *just the same* as at 200mg.Inadequate by itself.
I'd long suspected that my anger/irritability issues were due at least in part to low seratonin levels(ssri's had helped, but also made me giddy, high 'socially inappropriate'and/or angry).Not ideal, but neither was anything else.
One day, during filthy grey weather, I just took a whole 20mg Prozac(desperation) whilst waiting for a psych. appointment to ask for some lith. and a TCA, as per my contingency plan.
To my amazement, I got a mild but noticable uplift in mood,and none of the unwanted effects.I did this for a few weeks, just to get me through short-term, but by then I'd noticed I was having fewer anger swings.
As it happened, my psych. went sick,and my appointment was postponed for 3 months, so I thought what the hell, let's give it a shot in the meantime.
That was 9 weeks ago, taking 250mg Lamictal,and 20mg Prozac on alternate days.In short, I began to feel much better overall, the weather bothered me less, and I began to feel much more sociable and definitely, far less angry, bitter mood swings.
It felt like a healthy med. synergy;the Prozac bolstered the Lamictal, the Lamictal 'tempered' the Prozac, and the Lamictal effect seemed recaptured.
I still have some distance to go, and other contingency plans to tinker around with if necessary(I've cautiously added some NADH to head off any possible ssri anerga), but so far, so good.
I hope you do give it a shot, because if I remember rightly, you're taking a low dose AD already??Whatever happens, I'm sure it will bring you up another level at least, and help smoothe out those swings.
As for next winter, I'm looking forward to that like I'd look forward to stapling my %%%%% to the ceiling on Christmas day.
Let us know how ya get on mate.Col.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Emperor Mitch!
My experience with Lamictal was that, initially, I was determined to go it alone with monotherapy,and I suppose that makes my responses to the med. 'untainted'at least.
200mg seemed to be the magic threshold for me, and it gave superb results- depression all but vanished,no traces of anxiety or irritability, functioning improved(I couldn't even put a tent up pre-lamictal, I recall;it was beyond me).
Yes, the effect waned after a while(sudden breakthrough irritability/swings/depression), but was quickly recaptured by whacking up another 50mg.I remember planning in advance for a 300mg cut-off point, whereby if the effect faded,I'd throw in reinforcements of some type-wasn't at all sure what to try.
With me, when the effect faded, my world just cracked into pieces, and any rainy/overcast weather would hammer me, and keep me groaning in bed.
Anyway, I hung in there until 400mg, and realised that the pattern was set, and that when 400mg faded too, the effect I was left with was *just the same* as at 200mg.Inadequate by itself.
I'd long suspected that my anger/irritability issues were due at least in part to low seratonin levels(ssri's had helped, but also made me giddy, high 'socially inappropriate'and/or angry).Not ideal, but neither was anything else.
One day, during filthy grey weather, I just took a whole 20mg Prozac(desperation) whilst waiting for a psych. appointment to ask for some lith. and a TCA, as per my contingency plan.
To my amazement, I got a mild but noticable uplift in mood,and none of the unwanted effects.I did this for a few weeks, just to get me through short-term, but by then I'd noticed I was having fewer anger swings.
As it happened, my psych. went sick,and my appointment was postponed for 3 months, so I thought what the hell, let's give it a shot in the meantime.
That was 9 weeks ago, taking 250mg Lamictal,and 20mg Prozac on alternate days.In short, I began to feel much better overall, the weather bothgered me less, and I began to feel much more sociable and definitely, far less angry, bitter mood swings.
It felt like a healthy med. synergy;the Prozac bolstered the Lamictal, the Lamictal 'tempered' the Prozac, and the Lamictal effect seemed recaptured.
I still have some distance to go, and other contingency plans to tinker around with if necessary(I've cautiously added some NADH to head off any possible ssri anerga), but so far, so good.
I hope you do give it a shot, because if I remember rightly, you're taking a low dose AD already??Whatever happens, I'm sure it will bring you up another level at least, and help smoothe out those swings.
As for next winter, I'm looking forward to that like I'd look forward to stapling my %%%%% to the ceiling on Christmas day.
Let us know how ya get on mate.Col.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by katia on June 3, 2003, at 15:45:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » maryhelen, posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 9:07:59
Hi Colin,
I noticed that you have a dx of bpII. When were you diagnosed? I'm going in for an appt. with a good pdoc in two weeks and have yet to receive a proper dx after a year of four different ADs. The more I research and hear about BPII, the more I think there's more going on with me than just unipolar depression. I have an inkling that's what my dx will be, that or some mixed state of depression/bipolar II. How long did it take you to be accurately dxed? and what was your med history like up to Lamictal? and what have your "symptoms" been? thanks.
Katia
Posted by starlight on June 3, 2003, at 15:48:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » Ritch, posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 15:04:25
I've gone up 25mgs to a total of 100 mgs per day and am going up another 50 on Thursday. I've never had a 50mg increase so I'm interested to see the difference. I like the drug but have also noticed that it seems to lose effectiveness. I recall from Dr. Bowden's lecture that there was an effectiveness threshold, does anyone remember what that was?
So I'll be hitting 150 Thurs. I'm still on the trileptal, but would give anything to just be able to take one drug that had no side effects.
starlight
Posted by Peter S. on June 3, 2003, at 16:17:39
In reply to Re: AP's.., posted by maryhelen on June 1, 2003, at 14:36:06
Hi all,
Lamictal is still an enigma to me. It was great for a couple of months and then started to poop out. Now I take 50mg in the morning and it gives me a boost but then poops out in the afternoon. I was up to 600mg but it seems like 50mg works just as well as any higher dose. I've tried Prozac as augmentation which seemed to work for a while but then pooped out too. I'm thinking of trying another SSRI like Lexapro.
It's great to hear other people's experiences!
Posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 22:47:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » Ritch, posted by colin wallace on June 3, 2003, at 15:04:25
Colin, thanks for responding! I don't want to try to start Lamictal until after my summertime depression is over with (in late August/early September). That gives me time to titrate during a fairly stable period. No mixed stuff ever happens to me in the fall/winter-I just turn into a hibernating, tired, hungry, atypical unipolar depressive. Depakote does diddly for my depression, it only works on mania and hostility. The little bit of Effexor I take works fairly well for grouchiness anyhow. Who knows maybe I can get off Depakote and Klonopin and just take Lamical+low Effexor? Wow, two meds. It's been awhile. Take care dude!
Posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 22:51:52
In reply to Lamictal Experiences, posted by Peter S. on June 3, 2003, at 16:17:39
> Hi all,
>
> Lamictal is still an enigma to me. It was great for a couple of months and then started to poop out. Now I take 50mg in the morning and it gives me a boost but then poops out in the afternoon. I was up to 600mg but it seems like 50mg works just as well as any higher dose. I've tried Prozac as augmentation which seemed to work for a while but then pooped out too. I'm thinking of trying another SSRI like Lexapro.
>
> It's great to hear other people's experiences!
>
>Peter, thanks for relaying that info! I wonder also that Lamictal may have a fairly flat dose-response curve for bipolar. No need spending more money or your liver processing more medication than it has to. I wouldn't be surprised if I went up in 5mg increments every two weeks that 25mg would be sufficient.
Posted by maryhelen on June 4, 2003, at 7:23:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal Experiences » Peter S., posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 22:51:52
I posted on June 1st and felt great. Yesterday, I could feel my mood slipping.
A situation with speaking with my boss is imperative to me, not because I am getting fired, but she had slandered me when I was away. I have to feel in top mental condition to be able to do this effectively,and I was.
I am on Parnate 90 mg and 100 mg. Lamitcal. I tried reaching my pdoc to see if I should tirate another 25 mg, but can't wait, so I am today. I do understand that it may take him a bit to get back to me with hospitals closing in Toronto.
Do you think this is okay? Do I take the extra dose in the morning, as I have done?
Any help would be appreciated.
maryhelen
Posted by Ritch on June 4, 2003, at 9:35:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal Experiences, posted by maryhelen on June 4, 2003, at 7:23:16
> I posted on June 1st and felt great. Yesterday, I could feel my mood slipping.
>
> A situation with speaking with my boss is imperative to me, not because I am getting fired, but she had slandered me when I was away. I have to feel in top mental condition to be able to do this effectively,and I was.
>
> I am on Parnate 90 mg and 100 mg. Lamitcal. I tried reaching my pdoc to see if I should tirate another 25 mg, but can't wait, so I am today. I do understand that it may take him a bit to get back to me with hospitals closing in Toronto.
>
> Do you think this is okay? Do I take the extra dose in the morning, as I have done?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> maryhelenMaryhelen, the only titration schedule I've seen is at: http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/lamotrigine.htm
They are using 1/2 of 25mg pills per week to titrate up to 100mg. Beyond that I don't know what is acceptable. Maybe you can talk to a nurse at your doctor's office or a colleague. You don't want to get the rash.
Posted by colin wallace on June 4, 2003, at 12:42:42
In reply to Re: Lamictal Experiences, posted by maryhelen on June 4, 2003, at 7:23:16
> I posted on June 1st and felt great. Yesterday, I could feel my mood slipping.
>
> A situation with speaking with my boss is imperative to me, not because I am getting fired, but she had slandered me when I was away. I have to feel in top mental condition to be able to do this effectively,and I was.
>
> I am on Parnate 90 mg and 100 mg. Lamitcal. I tried reaching my pdoc to see if I should tirate another 25 mg, but can't wait, so I am today. I do understand that it may take him a bit to get back to me with hospitals closing in Toronto.
>
> Do you think this is okay? Do I take the extra dose in the morning, as I have done?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> maryhelenMaryhelen,
Once you're safely past say,the 75mg mark with no adverese experiences, 25mg increments should be fine, and work fairly quickly.
If you're med sensitive, or experience unmanageable irritability, go with a 12.5mg increase instead(I used a pill splitter when I first started Lamictal and took tiny doses).Best,
Col.
Ps. I safely jumped up in 50mg increments once I'd past 100mg, and I'm med sensitive too.
Also, you could try taking the extra 25mg in the evening(say 5 pm) if it doesn't interfere with your sleep.Some find this helps sustain the effect.
Posted by starlight on June 4, 2003, at 14:11:05
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » colin wallace, posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 22:47:22
Ritch,
I wouldn't wait to start the lamictal - I was really, really down on just the trileptal and I definitely got a good boost from the lamictal, and I also got a nice anti anxiety feeling, or a less agitated feeling.Of other note, I go up 50mgs tomorrow. So that should be interesting. I'll be at 150. I'm surprised to see such high doses at times and am hoping that this will do it for me.
starlight
Posted by Peter S. on June 4, 2003, at 15:22:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal Experiences » Peter S., posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 22:51:52
Hi Ritch,
I generally titrate up in 50mg increments and have had no problem with skin rash. Of course that's just me and it's worth being very careful because of the risk. I wish you the best of luck with it! Keep us updated, and if I find some way to augment the Lamictal effectively I'll definitely post about it.
Peter
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Lamictal is still an enigma to me. It was great for a couple of months and then started to poop out. Now I take 50mg in the morning and it gives me a boost but then poops out in the afternoon. I was up to 600mg but it seems like 50mg works just as well as any higher dose. I've tried Prozac as augmentation which seemed to work for a while but then pooped out too. I'm thinking of trying another SSRI like Lexapro.
> >
> > It's great to hear other people's experiences!
> >
> >
>
> Peter, thanks for relaying that info! I wonder also that Lamictal may have a fairly flat dose-response curve for bipolar. No need spending more money or your liver processing more medication than it has to. I wouldn't be surprised if I went up in 5mg increments every two weeks that 25mg would be sufficient.
>
>
Posted by Ritch on June 4, 2003, at 23:53:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch, posted by starlight on June 4, 2003, at 14:11:05
> Ritch,
> I wouldn't wait to start the lamictal - I was really, really down on just the trileptal and I definitely got a good boost from the lamictal, and I also got a nice anti anxiety feeling, or a less agitated feeling.
>
> Of other note, I go up 50mgs tomorrow. So that should be interesting. I'll be at 150. I'm surprised to see such high doses at times and am hoping that this will do it for me.
> starlight
>Well, I'm a little hesitant about it because I have had skin reactions to meds in the past and I am taking Depakote (which complicates things) and reasonably stable now. You said you had an antianxiety effect from the Lamictal? Can you elaborate on that a little? The Depakote I take helps a little with my panic disorder, I just wonder if Lamical would have any *antipanic* properties. thanks for responding.
Posted by Ritch on June 4, 2003, at 23:59:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal Experiences » Ritch, posted by Peter S. on June 4, 2003, at 15:22:14
My next appointment comes up fairly soon, and it will be my last appointment before I dive into my summertime depressive episode. I didn't want to try Lamictal for this episode because I would titrate the slowest possible way and I would be in the thick of everything at too low a dose to see if it helps much. Also, I tend to get some mixed symptoms during the summer and don't want that to mess with the trial. I want plain-jane vanilla unipolar atypical depressive symptoms for it to tackle (in the wintertime episode), and I want a stable period to ramp up very slowly before that (September+October). thanks!
> Hi Ritch,
>
> I generally titrate up in 50mg increments and have had no problem with skin rash. Of course that's just me and it's worth being very careful because of the risk. I wish you the best of luck with it! Keep us updated, and if I find some way to augment the Lamictal effectively I'll definitely post about it.
>
> Peter
>
>
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > Lamictal is still an enigma to me. It was great for a couple of months and then started to poop out. Now I take 50mg in the morning and it gives me a boost but then poops out in the afternoon. I was up to 600mg but it seems like 50mg works just as well as any higher dose. I've tried Prozac as augmentation which seemed to work for a while but then pooped out too. I'm thinking of trying another SSRI like Lexapro.
> > >
> > > It's great to hear other people's experiences!
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Peter, thanks for relaying that info! I wonder also that Lamictal may have a fairly flat dose-response curve for bipolar. No need spending more money or your liver processing more medication than it has to. I wouldn't be surprised if I went up in 5mg increments every two weeks that 25mg would be sufficient.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by colin wallace on June 5, 2003, at 5:13:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » colin wallace, posted by katia on June 3, 2003, at 15:45:56
> Hi Colin,
> I noticed that you have a dx of bpII. When were you diagnosed? I'm going in for an appt. with a good pdoc in two weeks and have yet to receive a proper dx after a year of four different ADs. The more I research and hear about BPII, the more I think there's more going on with me than just unipolar depression. I have an inkling that's what my dx will be, that or some mixed state of depression/bipolar II. How long did it take you to be accurately dxed? and what was your med history like up to Lamictal? and what have your "symptoms" been? thanks.
> Katia
Hi Katia,Actually, from the word go (a little over three years ago) I knew that my depression wasn't run of the mill.When I took my first AD (fluoxetine)I experienced wild mood swings, euphoria,awful anger,panic, etc. etc.Unfortunately, my responses to every other AD I tried (without a mood stabilizer) were equally unpleasant-effexor was the worst, Remeron the least offensive, although my moods were still off the wall.
I had excellent results with Sam-e for a while, but again, no mood-stabilizer, eventual mixed state response.
It would take too long to detail every treatment option I've tried, suffice it to say that basically, the only things I've yet to try are the MAOI's and AP's.
The information I'd gleened from this board, and from other posters with similar responses led me believe I was somewhere on the BP side of things, although my GP was unconvinced-until that is, I went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft.
My initial diagnosis was 'double depression', but my psych. at the time conceded that I 'might' be BP 11.I think he agreed this, just to keep me happy!!
Actually, I've given up attaching too much importance on my diagnosis-I don't care to pin labels on myself, I'm only concerned about what works.
My new psych. however, does believe me to be BP11, and once I'd experienced stability on Lamictal, and began to react 'normally' to antidepressants, this was confirmed.
Best,
Col.
Posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 15:15:21
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » starlight, posted by Ritch on June 4, 2003, at 23:53:43
Hi Ritch,
I had some skin sensations when I first started, but it was kind of like a heated feeling. It went away. As long as you go up slowly you should be fine.I increased another 50mgs today and feel good. Kind of numb but that's better than the pain of depression. I definitely get an anti anxiety effect. Just feel calmer. I like that feeling as I tend to be hypervigilant as a result of an extremely tulmutuous childhood that included physical and emotional abuse. I think we're probably a bit overconcerned at the idea of being susceptible to side effects. The amount of people who have adverse skin reactions is actually pretty small and like I said your risk is greatly reduced by starting in low doses.
I'm actually very interested in knowing how many people diagnosed with Bipolar suffered from abusive childhoods? Anyone have any information on that?
starlight
Posted by katia on June 5, 2003, at 15:31:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » katia, posted by colin wallace on June 5, 2003, at 5:13:09
> Hi Katia,
>
> Actually, from the word go (a little over three years ago) I knew that my depression wasn't run of the mill.When I took my first AD (fluoxetine)I experienced wild mood swings, euphoria,awful anger,panic, etc. etc.Unfortunately, my responses to every other AD I tried (without a mood stabilizer) were equally unpleasant-effexor was the worst, Remeron the least offensive, although my moods were still off the wall.
> I had excellent results with Sam-e for a while, but again, no mood-stabilizer, eventual mixed state response.
> It would take too long to detail every treatment option I've tried, suffice it to say that basically, the only things I've yet to try are the MAOI's and AP's.
> The information I'd gleened from this board, and from other posters with similar responses led me believe I was somewhere on the BP side of things, although my GP was unconvinced-until that is, I went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft.
> My initial diagnosis was 'double depression', but my psych. at the time conceded that I 'might' be BP 11.I think he agreed this, just to keep me happy!!
> Actually, I've given up attaching too much importance on my diagnosis-I don't care to pin labels on myself, I'm only concerned about what works.
> My new psych. however, does believe me to be BP11, and once I'd experienced stability on Lamictal, and began to react 'normally' to antidepressants, this was confirmed.
>
>
> Best,
>
> Col.thanks for your response. Yes, I too don't care for labels, but in my opinion labels are an important container to define what's going on. I don't feel put into a box by it, but rather relieved to know what's going on with me and be able to treat it from there. As we all know there are multi-layers to depression and such; it's important to start giving some of these things a name so that we can get out of the box; have some freedom from it and self awareness about it. Without a name or label, then I feel mental disorders are not validated as such and not given the proper recognition and acknoweledgment. I think the non-labeling can work in reverse by making the stigma worse due to uneducation about it. anyway, those are my 2cents.
I was a zombie on Zoloft, but Serzone has had that hypomanic effect on me. And again, what were your "symptoms" when you say you went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft?
Glad to hear you've found the right med combo.
katia
Posted by Ritch on June 6, 2003, at 1:00:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch, posted by starlight on June 5, 2003, at 15:15:21
> Hi Ritch,
> I had some skin sensations when I first started, but it was kind of like a heated feeling. It went away. As long as you go up slowly you should be fine.
>
> I increased another 50mgs today and feel good. Kind of numb but that's better than the pain of depression. I definitely get an anti anxiety effect. Just feel calmer. I like that feeling as I tend to be hypervigilant as a result of an extremely tulmutuous childhood that included physical and emotional abuse. I think we're probably a bit overconcerned at the idea of being susceptible to side effects. The amount of people who have adverse skin reactions is actually pretty small and like I said your risk is greatly reduced by starting in low doses.
>
> I'm actually very interested in knowing how many people diagnosed with Bipolar suffered from abusive childhoods? Anyone have any information on that?
> starlightThanks for responding. So, Lamictal just seems to reduce anxiety generally? That's good. The incidence of rash is actually quite high with Lamictal-about 1 in 10 people *will* get a rash-statistically anyhow. I don't mind a simple rash (I would freak and stop though), I just don't want some kind of human pizza in the intensive care ward thing to go down!
Posted by starlight on June 6, 2003, at 15:10:17
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » starlight, posted by Ritch on June 6, 2003, at 1:00:55
Hi Ritch,
After about 6 months of being on it, I noticed a tiny pinprick rash, got scared by it, talked to my doc and he wasn't concered at all. It resolved in a few days. I was actually talking about Stevens Johnson's Syndrome - that only a few people actually have that response. I think it's more like 1 in a thousand, (but don't remember the actual number) - but as long as you're titrating up slowly, you should be fine. The only think I don't like about lamictal is the expense! 116.00$ for my script yesterday. Burly!
Starlight
Posted by Ritch on June 7, 2003, at 0:21:25
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch, posted by starlight on June 6, 2003, at 15:10:17
> Hi Ritch,
> After about 6 months of being on it, I noticed a tiny pinprick rash, got scared by it, talked to my doc and he wasn't concered at all. It resolved in a few days. I was actually talking about Stevens Johnson's Syndrome - that only a few people actually have that response. I think it's more like 1 in a thousand, (but don't remember the actual number) - but as long as you're titrating up slowly, you should be fine. The only think I don't like about lamictal is the expense! 116.00$ for my script yesterday. Burly!
> Starlight
While we are on the expense end of things....
What was your script for: XXXmg bid X 30 tabs ?
IOW, how much per whatsize pill before insurance is applied (if any)?
Posted by lillabelle on June 8, 2003, at 4:34:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch, posted by starlight on June 6, 2003, at 15:10:17
hello to all lamictal users! I am definitely a bipolar 11 individual with some attention deficit thrown in for good measure. My depression is atypical, which means oversleeping when down (among other things). Like so many bi-polar's I had terrible responses to AD's. Wild mood swings, anger, numbness, insomnia or hyper-somnia to name just a few. Generally a horrible feeling of being drugged. Being treatment resistant for so long, I finally settled on 75mgs of serzone, 50mg of lamictal and 25mg of sulpride (an anti-p) The mood swings were better and I wasn't immobile, but I was tired all the time with an underlying depression that wouldn't budge.
Well,I endured two years of this combo, but after two years the depression and fatigue became intolerable and I knew I had to change meds.
So, after reading several posts on this board i decided one day to up my lamictal to 100mg, up the serzone to 200mg and drop the sulpride which was leaving me groggy all day. Suddenly the curtain lifted! I had energy, optimism. I got things done and felt good about myself. Now I have moved up to 125mg to see if I feel better still. The reason I was reluctant to up the lamictal in the past was because when I initally tried it (monotherapy) I had a kind of dysphoric mania. Anger attacks, irritablity and negative thoughts, swinging with a kind of unfocused hypomania and major cognitive impairment.( I teach in a college and my students noticed that I had temporarily lost my marbles._) After insulting several people, and feeling moronic,I cut back the lamictal and added the low dose of serzone. Later, still depressed I added on the dose of supride which seemed to help altho made me more tired than I already was.
Today, with the increase in lamictal and the dropped sulpride, I feel well for the first time in a very long time. I also experience no side effects and do not feel 'drugged'. However, when I move the dosage up I get the small, pinprick rash mentioned by some on this board. It's minor and usually clears after a week or so. The other side effect is insomnia. As it is severe I have started to take 50mg of trazadone at night to help me sleep, which it does too well. I cannot get up in the morning (luckily I am not working at present). As I live overseas in a country which bans all benzos I am at a loss for sleeping meds. I have tried lowering the traz. to 25mg but doesn't do the job. I'm wondering if buspar might help (it's available). The other comment I'd like to add, is that I read somewhere on this board, that lamictal,serzone, and trazadone all work on 'gaba'somehow in the brain, all have similar reactions. Does anyone know about this? Advise for the insomnia also greatly appreciated. Hope this helps some of you out there. Lamictal works splendidly for my bipolar 2, but only in conjunction with an AD. Also as everyone else has written one must take the time to let the med adust, by going slowly. It also seems to me that many have had good results with the 100mg to 150mg window. I want to remain on the lowest dose possible in case it stops working and then i have room to move up. Raising your AD of choice could also help the dreaded 'poop out'. One final comment: in the beginning of my raised lamictal treatment (100mg) I was still taking the 25mg of sulpride. I began to experience hand clenching and some slight tremor. Having read on this site that hand clenching could indicate tardive dyskinesia I stopped the sulpride and the hand clenching ceased. Lamictal seemed to enhance the sulpride as i think it does with other meds as well. Just an observation. Peace of mind to one and all.....lillabelle
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