Posted by JahL on March 23, 2001, at 11:47:53
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression » JahL, posted by sweetmarie on March 23, 2001, at 4:35:21
> > > I've had high-dose trials of all the meds you mention, & many more besides. All w/out significant success...that was until I started Lamotrigine just over 2 wks ago. I'm only just up to 37.5mg but already the improvement has been dramatic (see 'BIPOLAR EXPERT' thread 4 details).
> > >At yr current 25mg dose I can almost *guarantee* (tho' definitely no expert) you won't feel significant remission of yr depression. The proposed 250mg will give Lamotrigine scope to work it's magic (I'm biased).
> > >You are fortunate to have found such a forward-thinking UK pdoc-I can't even find one to prescribe Lamotr. monotherapy, let alone such 'power combos'. I have to order mine from abroad (tut,tut,eh steve?). It's just a shame you have to reside in hospital.
> > >I have high hopes for the Lamotrigine (which has the most anti-depressive profile of the mood-stabilizers); you may even find the Venlafaxine+Mirtazapine become/are redundant!
> I`m sorry to bug you. You mentioned Lactimal working it`s `magic` - does this mean that it has had an effect, or just that you are expecting it to?HI Anna.
The 'magic' I speak of refers to sporadic rpts I have read of Lamotrigine vanquishing resistant depression where all else had failed. Of course these give no guarantee.
I'm only on 67.5mg but already there are robust improvements in cognition, co-ordination & social phobia. No great improvement in mood but that generally requires higher doses (which I'm building up to).
> I am now on 200 mg (since March 18th - 6 days now), and so far I don`t feel a thing. Do you reckon it`s too early to know? The intended dose that I`m aiming for is 250 mg, but I`m leaving that until I go into Hospital in 3 weeks or so. Am I being impatient? (I expect I am, only I`m just so ill).If you're impatient then so am I; this cautious upwards titration goes against my nature.
250 sounds like a good dose if it's the only anti-convulsant you're taking. I have read that for some a *month+* @ therapeutic doses is required for a response. I think there's a lot of guesswork involved since Lamotrigine's use in mood disorders is a fairly recent development.
> Again, sorry to hassle you (you don`t have to answer this if you don`t want to).
No worries!
J.
poster:JahL
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57274.html