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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 intheclouds on May 10, 2004, at 8:40:03
Hi, my doctor just started me on Lamictal for treatment-resistant depression/mild bipolar. I'm not on any other medications right now although I think I have tried every SSRI that exists. for those of you who are on Lamictal, how long did it take before you noticed any result from it? I'm on 25 mg a day, in the morning. I've been taking it for a week, and next week am increasing to 50 mg a day (taking 25 mg in am and 25 in pm). Just this weekend I noticed that I was in a decent mood all weekend and I'm wondering if it could have possibly started working or if it was just a lucky weekend! Thanks.
Posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 13:34:39
In reply to Lamictal question, posted by intheclouds on May 10, 2004, at 8:40:03
Hi, it kicked in at 50mg for me too! It's a real blessing!
Keep me posted on your progress!
Karen
Posted by TMOTT on May 10, 2004, at 20:58:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal question, posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 13:34:39
Hi. I always tease my wife that she is my "mood meter" but it is true. I don't know what I am until she tells me (and usually deny it until I 'come out' of the mood). Anyway...My wife thinks Lamictal is a wonder drug and I have to say myself that it has been pretty good for me. I started out at 50 MG> then up to 100 and leveled out at that. Then, I had a major depressive episode and the doc put me on 200 mg. along with 300 Wellbutrin (I think that the episode was triggered in part from Zyprexa). That has worked well so far. To answer your question, don't doubt that it is the drug. It worked for me quickly as well.
Posted by Viridis on May 13, 2004, at 4:31:51
In reply to Lamictal question, posted by intheclouds on May 10, 2004, at 8:40:03
I noticed a subtle calming effect when I reached 50 mg (after about two weeks). I've since settled on 150 mg, which works well for me with no side effects.
Posted by Tony P on May 13, 2004, at 20:17:08
In reply to Re: Lamictal question » intheclouds, posted by Viridis on May 13, 2004, at 4:31:51
Sems like there's a really wide individual variation on Lamictal. Some people have posted that as little as 25mg helped them, and on the other hand my pdoc has one patient on 600 mg/day.
I am currently on 300 mg./day and doing OK - need to change some other things in my lifestyle and meds before I can be sure that's the right level for me. It's high enough I do get a bit of confusion and lack of alertness from it, which concerns me.
BTW, I had a huge anxiety attack a day or two after I ramped from from 50 to 100 mg Lamictal. It took 4 mg/day clonazepine to bring me down from it. Unfortunately I'm still taking the colnazepine, though I probably don't need it nearly as much now I'm on a stable dose of Lamictal. The temporary anxiety attack when upping the dose probably doesn't happen to everybody, but I find it's easier to handle some of these weird things if you know it's not just you.
Tony
Posted by T_R_D on May 14, 2004, at 9:28:10
In reply to Re: Lamictal question, posted by Tony P on May 13, 2004, at 20:17:08
>I find it's easier to handle some of these weird things if you know it's not just you.
>
> TonyTony, you are so right. I have just made the change from 50 to 100 too and I'm experiencing some pretty bizarre things...quite different from when I started the drug.
Basically, I'm feeling almost hypomanic (in a way that feels nice) but it's also couple with slight anxiety. I've also got the "I'm tired but I can't sleep" syndrome. I'm feeling really fatigued and lethargic but my mind seems to be doing the exact opposite! It's weird to explain.
I'm hoping that it will sort itself out soon enough.
Karen
Posted by delna on May 14, 2004, at 12:04:44
In reply to Re: Lamictal question, posted by T_R_D on May 14, 2004, at 9:28:10
I too had improvement between 50-75mg. I was quite amazing. I am now on 200mg. At higher doses I become hyper and very aggressive(verbally)
I guess diferent doses suit different people
Goodluck
D
This is the end of the thread.
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