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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 theo on December 8, 2006, at 22:05:10
If you are at your target dose with Lamictal, should it take 3-4 weeks like an SSRI or just a week or so to know whether to continue or discontinue?
Posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:45:29
In reply to Fair length of Lamictal trial?, posted by theo on December 8, 2006, at 22:05:10
> If you are at your target dose with Lamictal, should it take 3-4 weeks like an SSRI or just a week or so to know whether to continue or discontinue?
How do you know you are at your target dose? How did your doctor decide what dose you needed to be on. I am just asking because you may not be at your thereupic dose yet.
As for, I stayed at 150 mg for a month and realised it made me more depressed!
Good luck.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2006, at 10:23:12
In reply to Re: Fair length of Lamictal trial? » theo, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:45:29
Probably the standard. But to be sure call your pdoc. I didn't notice any mood changes. Love Phillipa
Posted by theo on December 9, 2006, at 11:35:21
In reply to Re: Fair length of Lamictal trial? » theo, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:45:29
> > If you are at your target dose with Lamictal, should it take 3-4 weeks like an SSRI or just a week or so to know whether to continue or discontinue?
>
> How do you know you are at your target dose? How did your doctor decide what dose you needed to be on. I am just asking because you may not be at your thereupic dose yet.
>
> As for, I stayed at 150 mg for a month and realised it made me more depressed!
>
> Good luck.
>
> MaximeI've tried Lamictal before and I wonder if there even is a "theraputic dose," meaning every time I increased the dose before, I felt better for a few days but later the lift was gone. I know people who have gone to 400mg trying to chase that initial good feeling, only to be let down with each dose increase.
I've been to 150mg before but started typing backwards and getting really stupid. I'm only trying 50mg, maybe go to 100mg but feel like I'm wasting my time. The only reason I'm trying it again is because before I was on other meds, so I didn't get a true read on Lamictal.
Posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 11:43:15
In reply to Re: Fair length of Lamictal trial? » Maxime, posted by theo on December 9, 2006, at 11:35:21
Most of the people I know who have responded to it, have to keep raising it. I think it can be a good mood stabiliser, but not sure about it as treatment for depression (for some people it works well).
Since you are on it, you could keep increasing it to see if you could find your therapeutic dose. It you don't get a response at 300 mg of say, then I would say ... taper. Sigh.
Sorry.
Maxime
>
> I've tried Lamictal before and I wonder if there even is a "theraputic dose," meaning every time I increased the dose before, I felt better for a few days but later the lift was gone. I know people who have gone to 400mg trying to chase that initial good feeling, only to be let down with each dose increase.
>
> I've been to 150mg before but started typing backwards and getting really stupid. I'm only trying 50mg, maybe go to 100mg but feel like I'm wasting my time. The only reason I'm trying it again is because before I was on other meds, so I didn't get a true read on Lamictal.
>
>
Posted by Quintal on December 9, 2006, at 11:49:20
In reply to Fair length of Lamictal trial?, posted by theo on December 8, 2006, at 22:05:10
The optimal dose varies widely between individuals and may not be the same as the target dose you and your pdoc have set. The only way to find out is the keep adjusting the dose until you get a good response. If not, best to ditch it and try something else.
Lamictal worked very well at keeping my mood rock solid for two years when I was taking it with benzos, but when I had to quit the Klonopin Lamictal made me very agitated and irritable. I'm not convinced it's a good AD taken as a monotherapy but it does seem to be much better as an augmenter of other meds.
Q
Posted by psychobot5000 on December 10, 2006, at 20:35:38
In reply to Fair length of Lamictal trial?, posted by theo on December 8, 2006, at 22:05:10
I think Lamictal usually works almost immediately, after initial dosing or dose-increase. So the question (usually) is whether you will maintain that benefit. As I understand it, you should -not- have to wait 3-4 weeks.
This is the end of the thread.
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