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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 31. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lamdage on September 5, 2011, at 21:51:18
Hey guys,
Scotts current thread made me think, among others ive been contemplating lamictal as addition to my now 90mg nardil for quite a while.. like others i have only a partial response to nardil and am still struggling with moments where I'm not sure how to proceed with life.
Ive tried it with my pdoc back in the states and developed a quite ugly rash (fortunately not the serious kind).. this was on 25mg. Funny enough now that i think back there were bed bugs in my hotel room at the same time so i can't even say it was all lamictal.
Is it worth another shot titrating from say 12.5 slowly up? Ive read that some see improvements quite early on.
Id really like to kick depressions butt
Posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2011, at 23:53:00
In reply to Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lamdage on September 5, 2011, at 21:51:18
Bed buds very prevalent now. 12.5mg sounds reasonable depending on how bad the rash was and what you doc says. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on September 6, 2011, at 11:09:57
In reply to Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lamdage on September 5, 2011, at 21:51:18
I certainly hope so. I just developed a rash, too, at 25mg, but I hope my doc gives it another try.
I think I've read of starting doses as low as 5mg.
Good luck to both of us!
Update us if your restart, would you? I'm curiuos.
fb
Posted by Lamdage on September 9, 2011, at 18:40:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot? » Lamdage, posted by floatingbridge on September 6, 2011, at 11:09:57
> I certainly hope so. I just developed a rash, too, at 25mg, but I hope my doc gives it another try.
>
> I think I've read of starting doses as low as 5mg.
>
> Good luck to both of us!
>
> Update us if your restart, would you? I'm curiuos.
>
> fb
I will definitely do that!Problem is I'm kinda lazy to do the research on lamictal. As i don't have a Pdoc so i need to know precisely what I'm doing. I seem to know with my current meds since I've put up a record in time without hospitalization, while handling the meds on my own. And believe me I'm not planning to ever go to a hospital again! Basically I've spent the last 10 weeks trying to fix what they f*ck*d up.. and thats not easy.
In the meantime if someone has some knowledge input he'd like to share, please go ahead.
Thanks
Ld
Posted by Lamdage on September 9, 2011, at 18:42:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lamdage on September 9, 2011, at 18:40:18
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 21:32:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lamdage on September 9, 2011, at 18:40:18
>
> Problem is I'm kinda lazy to do the research on lamictal. As i don't have a Pdoc so i need to know precisely what I'm doing. I seem to know with my current meds since I've put up a record in time without hospitalization, while handling the meds on my own. And believe me I'm not planning to ever go to a hospital again! Basically I've spent the last 10 weeks trying to fix what they f*ck*d up.. and thats not easy.
>You are bold. If you are self-medicating, let me pass on something I read. To wait at least two months to let the reaction subside completely. At least two months. And start very low. Some say 12.5mg, but I have read 5mg.
I am concerned your self-medicating, especially with something as tricky as lamictal. Please be careful. Can you find a doc to check in with?
fb
> In the meantime if someone has some knowledge input he'd like to share, please go ahead.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ld
>
>
Posted by Lam22 on September 12, 2011, at 23:02:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot? » Lamdage, posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 21:32:49
> You are bold. If you are self-medicating, let me pass on something I read. To wait at least two months to let the reaction subside completely. At least two months. And start very low. Some say 12.5mg, but I have read 5mg.
>
> I am concerned your self-medicating, especially with something as tricky as lamictal. Please be careful. Can you find a doc to check in with?
>
> fbI am glad i am;) Its not like i can't go to a doc just for the purpose of treating a rash. I prefer treating my head myself rather than have it treated from the wrong people.
Its been 10 month since i last took lamictal!
5mg.. For me that would either mean cutting the pills in quarters or crushing them and putting em in capsules. I really am unsure if i will do that though. Maybe for 10 days or something.
From what I've read it shouldn't be a problem to cut the pills but the question is can they be crushed?? That would be easier for me to do. Ive seen chewables on the net so it seems at least lamotrigine don't need to be coated or anything. Could be wrong?
Ps. I am looking for a doc but for various reasons i don't expect to find one anytime soon. One is the reason above and the other biggie is its hard to get appointments in this country i currently live in.
(had probe with the old account. the correct password wouldn't work)
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2011, at 19:46:10
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lam22 on September 12, 2011, at 23:02:39
I get it now you are Lamage and posted as Lam22 on psych? Phillipa
Posted by Lam22 on September 14, 2011, at 12:29:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot? » Lam22, posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2011, at 19:46:10
> I get it now you are Lamage and posted as Lam22 on psych? Phillipa
Indeed! I don't know if the old account works again. It kept telling my password was wrong but it wasn't
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2011, at 19:35:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lam22 on September 14, 2011, at 12:29:50
Has happened to others in the past. Phillipa
Posted by Lam22 on September 16, 2011, at 4:02:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot? » Lam22, posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2011, at 19:35:49
I grew tired of looking for augmenters and weighing pros and cons plus i have a feeling Lamictal might be something for me.
Ill give it a shot.. order a smaller quantity so i haven't blown too much money if i get the rash again.
A quarter pill per day so 6.25 mg give or take 1mg or what for 9 days, then 12.5 for 9, then 18.75 for 9. Im cutting pills with carpet knife.. works pretty well!
Ill let you know how it goes..
peace
Ld
Posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 9:14:25
In reply to Ill give it a shot!, posted by Lam22 on September 16, 2011, at 4:02:30
Good luck, Lamdage :-)
Sounds like you'll go slow enough. I hear that is the most important part.
Keep us updated. Maybe in ten months my doc will have relented and I can try again.
Any rash, you promise to tell us? Be safe. We like you!
Very best of luck. Wish I could give you my gigantic starter pack that is now going to waste.....
Posted by Lam22 on September 16, 2011, at 17:10:07
In reply to Re: Ill give it a shot! » Lam22, posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 9:14:25
> Good luck, Lamdage :-)
>
> Sounds like you'll go slow enough. I hear that is the most important part.
>
> Keep us updated. Maybe in ten months my doc will have relented and I can try again.
>
> Any rash, you promise to tell us? Be safe. We like you!
>
> Very best of luck. Wish I could give you my gigantic starter pack that is now going to waste.....Thanks for the nice post and wishes! I will try to not kill myself with it and stay present at babble, i promise! May titrate slower, like 14 days on 6,25 then 12,5. ....
It will take some 10 days to arrive here. I like what I'm reading about lamictal and am getting a lil psyched right now! :D
Stay in touch!
Lamdage
Posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 5:47:17
In reply to Lamictal rash on 25mg - worth another shot?, posted by Lamdage on September 5, 2011, at 21:51:18
WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects
it caused all these things in me, be warned !!!
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 8:39:46
In reply to WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects, posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 5:47:17
> WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects
>
> it caused all these things in me, be warned !!!I must know of over 100 people who have been treated with Lamictal over the last 11 years. You are the only person who has reported these things. This is a fact, not an opinion. I will leave it to others to decide what to do with it. I have benefited from Lamictal 200mg soon after it was approved in 1994. Since then, no doctor has mentioned to me the occurrence of what you describe. You are either a rare case, or developed these phenomena via some other agent.
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 8:48:38
In reply to Re: WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects » Jeroen, posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 8:39:46
i was only taking lamictal and nothing else
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 9:11:53
In reply to Re: WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects, posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 8:48:38
> i was only taking lamictal and nothing else
Had you discontinued any antipsychotics just before beginning Lamictal?
At what dosage of Lamictal did you first encounter these side effects?
Lamictal does increase dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens via glutamatergic disinhibition. Perhaps this is the etiology of your psychosis. The nucleus accumbens is enlarged in schizophrenia. However, I don't know how this might relate to you and the actions of Lamictal.
It was not my intention to invalidate your descriptions and conclusions. I was making the point that if these things do happen, they are a rare occurrence.
Have you tried Navane yet? Are you still taking Abilify? Perhaps you can perform a swap between these two drugs and add Seroquel. A friend of mine did exactly this, and is thinking and feeling the best that she can remember. I'm sure you know that I have a pet hypothesis that, for some people, Abilify can antagonize the therapeutic activity of other antipsychotics.
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 9:37:35
In reply to Re: WARNING: RASH, PSYCHOSIS, and other nasty effects » Jeroen, posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 9:11:53
hi, im just scared that, for example if i discontinue abilify, and take zyprexa, after first day ok, but then i can get severe psychotic attacks, i once had one and i took an abilify 5 mg and it went away.. thats why i am scared to discontinue abilify.. it seems to block the overproducing dopamine receptors... what do i do now please i need your help :(
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 10:00:31
In reply to to SLS, posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 9:37:35
> hi, im just scared that, for example if i discontinue abilify, and take zyprexa, after first day ok, but then i can get severe psychotic attacks, i once had one and i took an abilify 5 mg and it went away.. thats why i am scared to discontinue abilify.. it seems to block the overproducing dopamine receptors... what do i do now please i need your help :(
Perhaps you can start Navane and continue Abilify. Once you are stabilized for a few weeks at a targeted therapeutic dosage of Navane, you could then try to reduce the Abilify gradually and observe what happens. If you begin to relapse, you could then immediately return to the dosage of Abilify that you had taken previously. If Navane prevents relapse of psychosis after Abilify discontinuation, you could then add Seroquel to the Navane if necessary. If this seems unconventional, it probably is. However, your case is quite unconventional.
I am partial to Navane because I have seen how well it works to treat schizoaffective disorder with few side effects. Sexual side effects with Navane are mild to moderate, and perhaps no worse than those of Seroquel. Libido may decline somewhat, but genital and orgasmic functions remain intact.
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 10:12:27
In reply to Re: to SLS » Jeroen, posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 10:00:31
To SLS, i will add your suggestion to the list of
Pherpenazine, Navane
but first ill go for Saphris, i have been waiting for this medicine to come out for a year now :(
in november it will be here in Belgium :D
if that fails, i will resort to glutamate anti psychotic, after that Navane or Perphenazine
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 10:34:58
In reply to Re: to SLS, posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 10:12:27
> To SLS, i will add your suggestion to the list of
>
> Pherpenazine, Navane
>
> but first ill go for Saphris, i have been waiting for this medicine to come out for a year now :(
>
> in november it will be here in Belgium :D
>
> if that fails, i will resort to glutamate anti psychotic, after that Navane or Perphenazine
Good plan. Go for it!You'll get there. Unfortunately, you have had a more difficult time than most. I wish for you nothing but success.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 10:41:01
In reply to Re: to SLS » Jeroen, posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 10:34:58
thanks bud, let's hope so everybody will be well soon
Posted by Lam22 on September 22, 2011, at 19:16:39
In reply to Re: to SLS, posted by Jeroen on September 21, 2011, at 10:41:01
Hmm psychosis.. I'm pretty sure ill be just fine. I got seroquel to knock me the eff out out anytime.
Although if did become psychotic and somehow would be forced to go to a hospital that would be the ultimate MCA. Truly ultimate mca because they'd pull me off nardil and put me onto some freakin garbage (for me anyway) AGAIN. Nobody knows if nardil would work ever again thereafter.
As i have never really been psychotic for any significant period of time i can't say anything about the efficacy of seroquel against psychotic symptoms. What i do know though is that a combination of zyprexa and benadryl knocked me the hell out when i was in hospital once and had a mini/pseudo psychosis. Basically this "psychosis" was me reporting abuse from my father to the police and when they came they freaked me the hell out. These slime balls.
I want to have an emergency regimen in place.. so far seroquel had this job, when i was scared cuz i was feeling very well all day could not sleep i knocked myself straight out with seroquel. Maybe i should have a heavier gun in place to avoid everything that could bring me even near a hospital.
First time they completely destroyed me, second time it was a pain in the *ss begging for anything helpful and in another hospital i afterwards realized i was sexually harassed. Have you ever heard of a Pdoc say "maybe you have an infection" and ask you to pull your pants down and the slime ball get all excited about it? Yeah.. Hospital in general was not only completely unnecessary but very destructive to me and my life.
I may sound intense but so have been my experiences.
Could it be wise for SWIM to get a handful of zyprexas or are they the same as seroquel?
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 5, 2011, at 3:54:47
In reply to Re: Ill give it a shot! » Lam22, posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 9:14:25
Soo, First of all hi everybody! I've been absent for some time..
My moods go from low end: middle of medium and mild depression to high end: euthymic. I navigate somewhere in there so theres definitely room for improvement.The Lamictal arrived along with Trazodone and Baclofen.
Bought a small quantity of 25mg pills since I'm going to titrate slowly from 6.25mg to 12.5 to 18.75 and so on, so its going to last a long time.
No rash hopefully but if i didn't throw away too much money.So how is Lamictal best taken? With food or without? Does it even matter?
Ps.: I will never again use more than two passwords for everything lol. Lamdage/Lam22 here. (to stick with my name)
Thanks in Advance!
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 5, 2011, at 3:56:44
In reply to Re: Ill give it a shot! » Lam22, posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 9:14:25
Soo, First of all hi everybody! I've been absent for some time..
My moods go from low end: middle of medium and mild depression to high end: euthymic. I navigate somewhere in there so theres definitely room for improvement. Thats status quo.The Lamictal arrived along with Trazodone and Baclofen.
Bought a small quantity of 25mg pills since I'm going to titrate slowly from 6.25mg to 12.5 to 18.75 and so on, so its going to last a long time.
No rash hopefully but if i didn't throw away too much money.So how is Lamictal best taken? With food or without? Does it even matter?
Ps.: I will never again use more than two passwords for everything lol. Lamdage/Lam22 here. (to stick with my name)
Thanks in Advance!
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