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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ace on December 22, 2004, at 20:47:18
Hi fellow babblers,
I am currently in my 4th week on Lamictal- now up to 200mg.
Lamictal is seen as a choice drug for depersonalization/derealization syndrome. My derealization has an extremely strong phobic anxiety related to it.
Lamictal has thus far has helped depression, but has not had any effect on the derealization/phobic anxiety...
So, should I raise the dose? Ofcourse it can take 4-8 weeks to truly kick in, but I am not sure as to raise to 300-500mg...
The mighty Nardil took a good 6 weeks to kick in, and boy did it kick in!
So give me some ideas guys and girls!!!
Ace
Nardil- 60
Zyprexa- 2.5
Xanax- 2-3mg
Lamictal- 200mg
Posted by catmint on December 23, 2004, at 3:06:18
In reply to Lamictal for derealization...., posted by ace on December 22, 2004, at 20:47:18
I don't know what
depersonalization/derealization syndrome is but going up to 200 mg. in one month is fast! Lamictal is known to cause anxiety.
It is used primarily for bipolar depression, borderline personality disorder and sometimes treatment resistent unipolar depression.For me, especially in the beginning of my Lamictal monotherapy, I was really hyper irritable. Two years later, I still have problems with irritability, racing thoughts and suicidal ideation. Lamictal isn't really the greatest mood stabilizer. I still have bipolar mood swings. I don't know, sometimes I wonder if it's helping. Actually, it does help with energy levels, I get pretty psyched to get out into the world compared to a couple years ago. It is for sure activating, which will not help your anxiety.
Posted by theo on December 23, 2004, at 7:24:59
In reply to Lamictal for derealization...., posted by ace on December 22, 2004, at 20:47:18
Lamictal and this class don't take that long to "kick in." As a matter of fact, I felt better the first week of my dose increases and that would drop off.
As far as anxiety, Lamictal doesn't and isn't suppose to do much for anxiety/derealization. Lamictal actually worsened my anxiety and made me have intense racing thoughts. Lamictal and anticonvulsants in general are like a cover up, meaning you get to a dose where your brain is so impaired you don't care. I felt like I had a condom on my brain. I actually got initial relief and after a period got more depressed on anticonvusants, which is a side effect, depression, lack of concern, etc.
The only thing I would watch for to kick in is cognitive impairment. It didn't bother me at first but after a while it crept up on me. I was forgetting my co-workers names and having to look up words I knew how to spell in the dictionary, very frustrating!
This of course is my experience and it may be the best thing since sliced bread for you.
Posted by SLS on December 23, 2004, at 8:07:27
In reply to Lamictal for derealization...., posted by ace on December 22, 2004, at 20:47:18
I would consider continuing up to 300mg with the Lamictal gradually as tolerated. You might as well get it over with. I would also recommend testing Zyprexa 5.0 - 10.0mg if you haven't already. Anything that reduces anxiety should help with depersonalization/derealization. This would include clonazepam.
What was the deal with Rispersal?
- Scott
Posted by ace on December 23, 2004, at 15:35:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal for derealization.... » ace, posted by SLS on December 23, 2004, at 8:07:27
> I would consider continuing up to 300mg with the Lamictal gradually as tolerated. You might as well get it over with. I would also recommend testing Zyprexa 5.0 - 10.0mg if you haven't already.
Taking 5mg of Zyprexa as a single dose induces a depression in me within 7 days, but going 2.5mg bid, doesn't! Weird! But 2.5mg seems as good as 5mg...I tried 2.5mg bid for 4 weeks, and didn't have any (extra) substantial benefit in OCD or any other symptoms.
Anything that reduces anxiety should help with depersonalization/derealization. This would include clonazepam.Absolutely restricted in Australia to only those with TLE, or some other organic brain disease (not that I don't think OCD, depression etc, are not organic- quite the contrary)
>
> What was the deal with Rispersal?That was crazy Scott, and the blame lies soley on another doctor....I have been on Zyprexa 2.5mg for a year or so....The doctor recommended just ceasing Zyprexa cold turkey! After 2 days I was manically happy on 1mg Risperidone. After 7 days I was in a black depression (crying, bed-ridden, insomnia etc) But the Risperidone is not to blame. I should have listened to my instincts and cross tapered to the Risperidone very slowly. I intend to try Risperidone again, quite soon.
> - Scott
Thanks Scott, have a brilliant Xmas!Ace (Andrew)
This is the end of the thread.
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