Posted by Nancy on October 10, 1999, at 10:43:44
In reply to Re: seizure risk, eating disorder history, ADs , posted by Susan on October 10, 1999, at 6:02:37
> > Yes, and no... :)
> >
> > The Lamictal start-pack starts me at a level of 50mgs each morning. I conspired to secretly take only 25mgs per day and take it at night.
> >
> > OK! I know it's sneaky and not completely in line with the bargain that I made with my pdoc. But, hear me with your heart. In the past three- unimaginably-horrible years, in which I was totally consumed and debilitated with a very severe form of Bipolar-1, there's developed an overwhelming and morbid fear that docs and medicines are going to terribly hurt me. If you can just know what horrors I've been put through...I can't even think about it all to discuss in therapy. It's been as traumatic as having the the illness itself WITHOUT having therapeutic advantage of effective meds. In other words, a very large portion of the past three years, I'd have been better off locked in the attic (that is, if any house, here, in Las Vegas had an attic), so to speak, than anything else that was allowed to happen to me.
> >
> > Do I digress?
> >
> > Anyway, I'm starting at at teensey dose of Lamictal, because of low tolerance to side effects. Side effects that also are considered "rare"? Well, I've been known to have those, while not even receiving any therapeutic action. Should I mention the three-months of quite attention-gripping jaw pain from a very short stint with Resperidone? Then, as I think about it, there was also Prozac induced psychotic mania. Untreatable. But, did finally resovle itself into ultradian (many switches in one day) cycles and some incredibly painful mixed state episodes. LOL...and just to add insult to injury...On Lithium, I went from a size-1, 110lb and amazingly fit petite figure to a total weight gain of 70lbs in six-months! Yikes...sprinkle that onto an ego and see how fast it shrinks (go to visual: salt sprinkled on a snail...fizzle, fizzle).
> >
> > To wrap up a very long blurb of a story into, yet, still a long diatribe, the Lamictal has had a very rapid therapeutic onset. The Wellbutrin, as well, has had a quick and pronounced effect. Meanwhile, the Lamictal keeps my feet on the ground as the Wellbutrin's more than therapeutic action threatens to launch me to the heavens of hypomania.
> >
> > Any questions??? :) Nancy
> >
> Just a few personal observations. I also started the Lamictal and thought it was the answer I'd been waiting for after only two doses. Then strange things started happening: nightmares that awoke me and my husband because of crying out in fear several times a night, extreme nerve pain in low back, and a paralyzing weakness and incredible thirst (both only at night). After 2 1/2 weeks I stopped the Lamictal and just stayed on the Effexor and Xanax which I had been taking for a year. Two weeks later I tried the Lamictal again and had horrible night terrors for 2 nights.
> my pdoc and I decided to ease off the Effexor very gradually. Maybe I am better and don't need Effexor any more! Wishful thinking? Pdoc says yes.
> So...I don't know if Lamictal without other meds would control depression and anxiety. Lamictal is supposed to have antidepressant qualities but if sleep is affected as mine was it only increases my depression.
> I'll not forget how great I felt or how hopeful I was that first day of trying Lamictal. Just goes to show that meds are complicated, different for everyone and unpredictable.
> The only consistently effective treatment I have found is a good dose of Scripture which transforms my thinking, influences my actions and points me to the One who loves me the most. I can't imagine coping with depression without God.
> Let us know how the Lamictal works for you.Then, go with God...meditation is very good for easing mood disorders. Personally, I like Zen.
Ok. Back to the meds.
#1, were you having these very active dreams before taking the Lamictal? In other words, has the Effexor been effective without much discomfort from side effects?
And, #2, what was your dosing for Lamictal? How much to begin and how fast was the increase in dosage?
Personally, my Bipolar symptoms have clearly indicated meds to inhibit the reuptake (R.I.s) of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Seritonin. Therefore, I take high doses of Effexor. Because in this instance, the drug becomes an RI for Seritonin and Norepinephrine. Also, daily doses include Wellbutrin (an RI for dopamine). As a result, my most disturbing symptoms of bipolar depression have totally gone into remission.
I say remission. Because, once these meds are discontinued, the Big Ugly will once again darken my door step. Bipolar depression will return.
With each severe episode, the disease gets a stronger hold. It evolves into a more powerful malady than each time preceeding.
Furthermore, by discontinuing a med, some people with bipolar disease develope a resistance to the drug that once worked to control symptoms. So, one has to "run the course" all over again to find an effective med!
How I started Lamictal:
10/7 began daily dose of 25mgs. Noted a quick response to Lamictal (quite pleased), with just a mild but pleasant flattening of moods. Figured that my chemistry may have very low tolerance to this drugs effectiveness. Decided to proceed with extreme caution.
10/10 daily dose is 50mgs, taken right before sleep.
This a.m., feel much better. Slept much better last night than I have in a long time. This may be due to the mild sedating effects of an antiepileptic drug. Which is why, right or incorrect, I elected to take the Lamictal right before going to sleep.
So far so good. Well, that's my current status. Got any thoughts you want to share? :) Nancy
poster:Nancy
thread:12504
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12962.html