Posted by JahL on March 4, 2001, at 17:25:46
In reply to Re: Spoke too soon... » JahL, posted by Cece on March 4, 2001, at 16:44:07
> > I'm BP II (although that was dx long time ago, and I think it's not quite so reducable), have tried many meds over years- some helped and pooped out, others kept helping and with dosage finessing have stayed in my mix (long list), others never worked or had intolerable SE- common story!> >I started Lamictal last year, on a very slow dosing- see my previous post on "Lamictal dosing" if you're interested, and got immediate benefit for my low energy brain fog depression
*Exactly* my experience; dramatically improved ability to write etc.
> >, which continued as I very slowly increased, although less dramatically than at start. But, I am also taking other meds that help balance the potentially over-activating effects of Lamictal- I think what is probably helping the most in that regard is Neurontin. I have also continued to take Depakote since beginning tx 8 yrs ago- now at a low dose 250mg/day, which is calming for me (too much sedation at higher dose), so may also be helping to balance (Depakote doubles the effect of Lamictal so has to be carefully combined). In addition, I take a tiny (now down to .0625mg/day) of clonazepam- another possible factor.
Thanks Cece, this makes a lot of sense. The Lamactil is a little over-activating. Funnily enough, I just e-mailed my pdoc suggesting that we add Neurontin @ some point to 'anchor' the Lamactil. I don't mind the idea of Depakote either; I've just done a 2 month trial & it was mildly helpful. I take Clonazepam 4 sleep.
> > So I'm wondering why you are only on the one med? Is layering meds not done in UK? I just can't imagine, for myself, given my experience to date, that one med by itself is ever going to keep me anywhere close to center.See 'UKpdocs' posts above. Monotherapy=onlytherapy in UK.
I have done the sensible thing & got myself a US pdoc. He likes to add meds one by one in order to ascertain what's doing what.
I think you're right; I can see myself 'overshooting' with Lamactil alone.Ta,
Jah.
poster:JahL
thread:55442
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55563.html