Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
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?
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
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
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.
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
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?
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.
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
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
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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