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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter S. on September 26, 2007, at 23:41:27
Hello all,
I've been using Lamictal as an anti-depressant for years at a 25mg dose in the morning combined with 300mg of Neurontin. I notice that the effect kicks in in about 3 hours, peaks at 4-5 hours and then fades away gradually over the next 2-3 hours. I've tried taking another dose in the afternoon but it doesn't seem to work very well. Increasing the dose seems to give me more of a "speedy" effect but doesn't really increase the anti-depressant qualities.
I would love to hear about other people's experiences of how Lamictal works as an anti-depressant for them- does it last all day? Is the effect immediate like me? and if they've found ways to increase efficacy- combos of other drugs etc.
Lamictal has been great for me but I would say it's only works 50% at alleviating the depression and that in the morning and early afternoon.
Any feedback is most appreciated!
Peter
Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2007, at 16:51:24
In reply to Lamictal anti-depressant experiences?, posted by Peter S. on September 26, 2007, at 23:41:27
Wow thought it was only used as a booster to an ad? You mean you can solely take it for depression and it works? That sounds like all the start up effects of ad's could be eliminated. I've been on 50mg of lamictal only side effect salivation could deal with that if no ad. Phillipa
Posted by clubfitter on September 27, 2007, at 20:52:38
In reply to Lamictal anti-depressant experiences?, posted by Peter S. on September 26, 2007, at 23:41:27
thats a relatively low dosage...most therapeutic doses are up around 200mg from what i have read for depression...it does get a lot of rave reviews for its antidepressant effects....
Posted by Peter S. on September 28, 2007, at 0:32:15
In reply to Re: Lamictal anti-depressant experiences? » Peter S., posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2007, at 16:51:24
Hi Phillipa- actually I should have mentioned that I'm taking Cymbalta- but just barely- 10mg every three days. I was up to a regular dose but the therapeutic effects were'nt much and I was sleeping all the time constipated and miserable.
I'm not sure the Cymbalta is doing anything for me but I haven't had the guts to drop it completely.Yes my reaction to Lamictal has been really strange. From the first day I took it about 5years ago I felt great within about 3 hours. The effect has diminished somewhat but it still works.
> Wow thought it was only used as a booster to an ad? You mean you can solely take it for depression and it works? That sounds like all the start up effects of ad's could be eliminated. I've been on 50mg of lamictal only side effect salivation could deal with that if no ad. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2007, at 20:58:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal anti-depressant experiences?, posted by Peter S. on September 28, 2007, at 0:32:15
And a pdoc wanted me on l20mg of cymbalta in 30days and 30mg and felt like my head would explode. So cymbalta has a long half life too like prozac? Phillipa
Posted by Peter S. on September 28, 2007, at 23:38:52
In reply to Re: Lamictal anti-depressant experiences? » Peter S., posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2007, at 20:58:27
Actually I miss-wrote. I'm taking 30mg of Cymbalta every 3 days and actually the half life is pretty short- much much shorter than Prozac. I think the recommended starting dosage is generally twice a day. Again I'm not sure how much it's actually working for me at this dosage but it's better than nothing.
> And a pdoc wanted me on l20mg of cymbalta in 30days and 30mg and felt like my head would explode. So cymbalta has a long half life too like prozac? Phillipa
Posted by Netch on September 29, 2007, at 6:50:46
In reply to Lamictal anti-depressant experiences?, posted by Peter S. on September 26, 2007, at 23:41:27
Peter for how long did you try a higher dose?
Usually people feel more stable at higher doses (100-200 mg) and the anti depressive effect is at lower doses.
Some times lamictal is combined with lithium to potentiate the effect./Netch
Posted by Peter S. on September 30, 2007, at 0:12:06
In reply to Re: Lamictal anti-depressant experiences? » Peter S., posted by Netch on September 29, 2007, at 6:50:46
Hey Netch,
I don't remember how high I got on it but I know that the anti-depressant effect doesn't really improve that much over the 50mg dose that I'm taking now. I don't really need a mood stabilizer-long term chronic depression is what I deal with. I've tried lithium as augmentation with many anti-depressants and have never noticed much of an effect.> Peter for how long did you try a higher dose?
> Usually people feel more stable at higher doses (100-200 mg) and the anti depressive effect is at lower doses.
> Some times lamictal is combined with lithium to potentiate the effect.
>
> /Netch
This is the end of the thread.
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