Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 631550

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300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?

Posted by detroitpistons on April 10, 2006, at 20:23:32

Went in today and my Lamictal was raised from 200mg to 300mg. I think I read somewhere that there's really no significant increase in mood stabilizing effects once you go past 200mg.

Anybody had any success on higher doses?

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?

Posted by mogger on April 10, 2006, at 23:46:10

In reply to 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by detroitpistons on April 10, 2006, at 20:23:32

I am on 300mg at bed time, the only med that has helped my mood. Love it as I don't have any side effects!
mogger

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?

Posted by SLS on April 11, 2006, at 6:40:54

In reply to 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by detroitpistons on April 10, 2006, at 20:23:32

> Went in today and my Lamictal was raised from 200mg to 300mg. I think I read somewhere that there's really no significant increase in mood stabilizing effects once you go past 200mg.
>
> Anybody had any success on higher doses?

For me, it seemed that 300mg produced a more significant amelioration of depressive symptoms. However, it also produced impaired memory and cognition. I am now taking 100mg.

There is a tendency for one to need several dosage increases to maintain a therapeutic antidepressant effect.


- Scott

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » SLS

Posted by detroitpistons on April 11, 2006, at 9:02:39

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by SLS on April 11, 2006, at 6:40:54

> For me, it seemed that 300mg produced a more significant amelioration of depressive symptoms. However, it also produced impaired memory and cognition. I am now taking 100mg.

Great, that's all I need...more memory and thinking problems.

I was still feeling some residual hypomanic symptoms on 200mg like irritability, inappropriate anger at times (mostly while driving), and a little mood lability. Then, the other night I suddenly "switched" and became really anxious and depressed for about 24 hours. That's why my doctor upped my dosage. I was also upped back up to 225mg of Effexor. He had taken me down to 150 when I became hypomanic.

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?

Posted by SLS on April 11, 2006, at 9:42:29

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » SLS, posted by detroitpistons on April 11, 2006, at 9:02:39

> > For me, it seemed that 300mg produced a more significant amelioration of depressive symptoms. However, it also produced impaired memory and cognition. I am now taking 100mg.
>
> Great, that's all I need...more memory and thinking problems.
>
> I was still feeling some residual hypomanic symptoms on 200mg like irritability, inappropriate anger at times (mostly while driving), and a little mood lability. Then, the other night I suddenly "switched" and became really anxious and depressed for about 24 hours. That's why my doctor upped my dosage. I was also upped back up to 225mg of Effexor. He had taken me down to 150 when I became hypomanic.

Lamictal doesn't usually work that well to treat acutely a manic episode. It is noted more for its antidepressant properties, its ability to help stabilize rapid-cyclers, and as a prophylactic against depression for bipolar I disorder. Nevertheless, I'm sure it helps some people. It didn't prevent me from experiencing a manic reaction to medication. Depakote and Zyprexa act far more potently for me when treating a acute manic episode.

Good luck. Lots of people do just fine at 300mg and don't complain of congnitive side effects. I hope it works the same for you.


- Scott


 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?

Posted by Sonny Liston on April 11, 2006, at 22:37:51

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by SLS on April 11, 2006, at 9:42:29

> > > For me, it seemed that 300mg produced a more significant amelioration of depressive symptoms. However, it also produced impaired memory and cognition. I am now taking 100mg.
> >
> > Great, that's all I need...more memory and thinking problems.
> >
> > I was still feeling some residual hypomanic symptoms on 200mg like irritability, inappropriate anger at times (mostly while driving), and a little mood lability. Then, the other night I suddenly "switched" and became really anxious and depressed for about 24 hours. That's why my doctor upped my dosage. I was also upped back up to 225mg of Effexor. He had taken me down to 150 when I became hypomanic.
>
> Lamictal doesn't usually work that well to treat acutely a manic episode. It is noted more for its antidepressant properties, its ability to help stabilize rapid-cyclers, and as a prophylactic against depression for bipolar I disorder. Nevertheless, I'm sure it helps some people. It didn't prevent me from experiencing a manic reaction to medication. Depakote and Zyprexa act far more potently for me when treating a acute manic episode.
>
> Good luck. Lots of people do just fine at 300mg and don't complain of congnitive side effects. I hope it works the same for you.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>
>
>

Scott how is the lamictal working out for you?

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » SLS

Posted by detroitpistons on April 12, 2006, at 8:49:09

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by SLS on April 11, 2006, at 9:42:29

> > > For me, it seemed that 300mg produced a more significant amelioration of depressive symptoms. However, it also produced impaired memory and cognition. I am now taking 100mg.

My side effect appears to be hair loss. When I look at my hands while washing my hair, there's hair all over them. I'm not sure if I should just ignore this. I have a thick head of hair, but don't want to lose too much of it.

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » detroitpistons

Posted by SLS on April 12, 2006, at 13:41:29

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » SLS, posted by detroitpistons on April 12, 2006, at 8:49:09

> My side effect appears to be hair loss. When I look at my hands while washing my hair, there's hair all over them. I'm not sure if I should just ignore this. I have a thick head of hair, but don't want to lose too much of it.

You wouldn't be the first person to report hair loss as a side effect of Lamictal. It gave me terrible dandruff and some hair loss. I started using a zinc pyrithione antidandruff shampoo and that pretty much took care of both problems. You could try adding selenium and zinc to your diet using supplements.


- Scott

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » Sonny Liston

Posted by SLS on April 12, 2006, at 13:47:01

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit?, posted by Sonny Liston on April 11, 2006, at 22:37:51

Hi.

> Scott how is the lamictal working out for you?

By itself, Lamictal doesn't do very much for me. I am using it to augment nortriptyline and Wellbutin. I have been feeling better over the last few weeks. I am taking 100mg of Lamictal. Hopefully that will be sufficient.

Lamictal can be a real tease. People often experience an antidepressant effect within the first two weeks at dosages of 25-50mg. This almost always dissipates, requiring dosage increases. I had worked myself up to 300mg this way. However, right now I think I am benefiting as much from 100mg as I did at 300mg.


- Scott

 

Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » SLS

Posted by detroitpistons on April 12, 2006, at 16:42:37

In reply to Re: 300 mg Lamictal -- Any benefit? » detroitpistons, posted by SLS on April 12, 2006, at 13:41:29

> You wouldn't be the first person to report hair loss as a side effect of Lamictal. It gave me terrible dandruff and some hair loss. I started using a zinc pyrithione antidandruff shampoo and that pretty much took care of both problems. You could try adding selenium and zinc to your diet using supplements.
>

I'm already using that shampoo, but if this keeps on, I'll try the selenium and zinc.

Thanks,

Marc


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