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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by twinch42085 on September 5, 2007, at 19:25:06
Is lithium better than lamictal or vice versa? Does it make a good combo?
thanks : )
twinch
Posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2007, at 22:59:37
In reply to lithium vs. lamictal, posted by twinch42085 on September 5, 2007, at 19:25:06
Lamictal has a duel role boost an ad and a mood stabalizer depending on the dose. Is lithium the same? Phillipa
Posted by gardenergirl on September 6, 2007, at 9:08:36
In reply to lithium vs. lamictal, posted by twinch42085 on September 5, 2007, at 19:25:06
I take both as adjuncts to Nardil. It wasn't until I added lithium that I really felt depression-free. So for me they are working together fine, at least it appears so. But I do wonder if I really need Lamictal, since the Lithium seems so effective. However, when I've tried to lower Lamictal, I get extremely irritable. For some reason, 125 mg Lamictal is just a horrible dose for me. I was horribly irritable going up to it and back down to it. 100 mg and 150 mg are fine. So I'd have to get through that phase at 125 to see if dropping it makes any difference to my mood. I wouldn't mind at all dropping a medication if I could, especially a brand-name one.
So bottom line, they are fine together for me, maybe even a very good combo, maybe unnecessary. Wish I knew more. But no harm with it for me, anyway.
gg
Posted by med_empowered on September 6, 2007, at 10:00:20
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » twinch42085, posted by gardenergirl on September 6, 2007, at 9:08:36
They're different...if you *can* respond to just the lamictal, you might want to try that (no blood work, fewer side effects, etc.)....that'd be my preference, anyway; lithium is rough stuff. If you're already on lithium and playing with the dose isn't getting you results you need, I could see the combo helping...apparently some docs use it w/ good results.
Posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 10:07:02
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » twinch42085, posted by gardenergirl on September 6, 2007, at 9:08:36
> I take both as adjuncts to Nardil. It wasn't until I added lithium that I really felt depression-free. So for me they are working together fine, at least it appears so. But I do wonder if I really need Lamictal, since the Lithium seems so effective. However, when I've tried to lower Lamictal, I get extremely irritable. For some reason, 125 mg Lamictal is just a horrible dose for me. I was horribly irritable going up to it and back down to it. 100 mg and 150 mg are fine. So I'd have to get through that phase at 125 to see if dropping it makes any difference to my mood. I wouldn't mind at all dropping a medication if I could, especially a brand-name one.
>
> So bottom line, they are fine together for me, maybe even a very good combo, maybe unnecessary. Wish I knew more. But no harm with it for me, anyway.
>
> gggg,
Just curious, what dose of Lithium are you on? From my research, Lithium and Lamictal are being used more together with good success rate. I tried it in March in hopes to lower my effexor dose due to sexual side effects. With the combination of effexor/lamictal/lithium, I got a robust effect right away, however, this faded, probabley because I tried to cut back the effexor too soon, and the fact that March is one of my worst months prior to the time change. I was experimenting with 300mg-600mg. I have no interest staying in range, just as an add on. After that , I was put on wellbutrin with the lam/eff and was able to drop to 150mg of effexor for approx 3 months. The begining of Aug, the depression started to return, and had to go back up to 300mg of effexor. I have the seasonal swings, so I knew in the back of my mind it was too good to be true!! Might give it a try again.
Polarbear
Posted by twinch42085 on September 6, 2007, at 13:35:58
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » gardenergirl, posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 10:07:02
Im just on 100mg of lamictal and doing great. I was just wondering if lithium was superior to lamictal in terms of treating depression? I am too scared to try lithium because of the side effects it can cause. Althought if I had to choose between prices I would choose lithium because it is so cheap. I haven't had to fill a script for lamictal yet, but I do have insurance. Hopefully it will not be too much money. we'll see
twinch : )
Posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 14:03:38
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » polarbear206, posted by twinch42085 on September 6, 2007, at 13:35:58
> Im just on 100mg of lamictal and doing great. I was just wondering if lithium was superior to lamictal in terms of treating depression? I am too scared to try lithium because of the side effects it can cause. Althought if I had to choose between prices I would choose lithium because it is so cheap. I haven't had to fill a script for lamictal yet, but I do have insurance. Hopefully it will not be too much money. we'll see
>
> twinch : )
T,I got to thinking after I posted and decided to start it up again today. I thought I might of thrown it out, but found it in the back of the drawer. I will start with 300mg and go from there. This will be a new combo, since I never took it with Wellbutrin. We'll see if I can once again try to lower effexor because of the sexual side effects. I can't answer if it is better for depression than lamictal, but both are to have AD properties. I take 200mg of Lamictal. Have been on it for many years. No bothersome side effects. Lithium at lower doses should have minimal side effects as compared to blood level dose. I have a good Insurance plan. I pay 25.00 for all brand names and 10.00 for generics. Lamictal without insurance is pretty pricey.
Polarbear
Posted by Jimmyboy on September 6, 2007, at 16:01:03
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » twinch42085, posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 14:03:38
I have also considered this Lith/Lamictal combo many times.. I have been on a high dose of Lith for a long time and am not getting the antidepressant effect I need. Everytime I raise the Lamictal I just don't feel right, its hard to explain. Maybe I am just not giving it a fair shot.
Does Lamictal help with anxiety? This is another major problem I am dealing with in addition to depression.
Thanks
JB
Posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 17:32:01
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal, posted by Jimmyboy on September 6, 2007, at 16:01:03
> I have also considered this Lith/Lamictal combo many times.. I have been on a high dose of Lith for a long time and am not getting the antidepressant effect I need. Everytime I raise the Lamictal I just don't feel right, its hard to explain. Maybe I am just not giving it a fair shot.
>
> Does Lamictal help with anxiety? This is another major problem I am dealing with in addition to depression.
>
> Thanks
>
> JBJB,
My anxiety didn't abate until I got up to 200mg of Lamictal. I cut back on it one time and I started to have mixed states, consisting of anxiety, very irritable, confused and in a fog.
Polarbear
Posted by twinch42085 on September 6, 2007, at 17:46:10
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal, posted by Jimmyboy on September 6, 2007, at 16:01:03
I take 100 mg of lamictal and I notice the the antidepressant effects are present, which is said to begin at 100 mg. I have been depressed but only a few times since I have been taking the lamictal. I still have some mania but not much considering the high dose of risperdal that I take ( 4mg ). I can't say that lamictal helps with anxiety because I have had anxiety ever since I was diagnosed with bipolar about a year and a half ago. I am fairly new to the disease. I can control my mania easliy but I have a problem with the depression. The lamictal is working though, so I am thankful for that.
twinch : )
Posted by gardenergirl on September 7, 2007, at 2:42:08
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » gardenergirl, posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 10:07:02
At first I couldn't tolerate 600 mg, as it gave me an internal shakiness that was too hard to take. So I took 300 one day and 600 the next to avg 450 mg. Strange, I know, but that's what worked at keeping those shakes at bay and still giving me an effect.
I've since learned that the shakes feeling is related to dehydration likely from Lithium. Now I just make sure I drink enough water, especially before taking a shower or working in the yard, which are both things that up my sweating big time. That's thanks to Nardil, whoo hoo! So now I can take 600 mg everyday, and that's put me at a good blood level and a good effective for me level.
I think once you get on a few meds, it becomes difficult to know what could be dropped or lowered, and it's hard to do just that because of withdrawal or changes in mood that may or may not pass.
It's never easy, is it?
gg
Posted by polarbear206 on September 7, 2007, at 8:52:47
In reply to I take 600 mg » polarbear206, posted by gardenergirl on September 7, 2007, at 2:42:08
> At first I couldn't tolerate 600 mg, as it gave me an internal shakiness that was too hard to take. So I took 300 one day and 600 the next to avg 450 mg. Strange, I know, but that's what worked at keeping those shakes at bay and still giving me an effect.
>
> I've since learned that the shakes feeling is related to dehydration likely from Lithium. Now I just make sure I drink enough water, especially before taking a shower or working in the yard, which are both things that up my sweating big time. That's thanks to Nardil, whoo hoo! So now I can take 600 mg everyday, and that's put me at a good blood level and a good effective for me level.
>
> I think once you get on a few meds, it becomes difficult to know what could be dropped or lowered, and it's hard to do just that because of withdrawal or changes in mood that may or may not pass.
>
> It's never easy, is it?
>
> gg
>
gg,Oh, I know what you mean about the sweating. My husband and I were out doing yard work, trimming back the bushes, etc. and I was sweating so bad that when I looked in the mirror, I looked like a racoon becuase my mascara ran. I can't go to the gym without my towel.
Polarbear
>
Posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2007, at 9:19:40
In reply to Re: I take 600 mg » gardenergirl, posted by polarbear206 on September 7, 2007, at 8:52:47
I have to take a towel to yoga! I really wish there were some "fix" for this. And the more I sweat, the more I have to drink fluids, due to the lithium.
gg
This is the end of the thread.
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