Posted by BarbaraCat on May 25, 2002, at 14:16:59
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » BarbaraCat, posted by Leighwit on May 24, 2002, at 10:39:56
Good Morning, Laurie,
Yes, Remeron and Lithium can indded be taken together and work extremely well. Remeron is a SSNI, a little different from SSRI's in that it also affects Norepineprine. It's used for depression. Lithium is a natural salt that is most familiar for preventing the manic phases of manic depression, or Bipolar Disorder. But it also helps in lifting one out of and preventing the depression. It also seems to potentiate the action of antidepressants. It also has some neuro-protective abilities and seems to grow new dendrites and be a a good thing in general for brain health. How it works for me is that it smoothes out the wired storm in my brain when I'm in a hypomanic episode and makes the antidepressant Remeron just plain be able to do it's job. I tried one without the other and the Lithium isn't strong enough to handle the gawd awful depressions I was frequently getting and the Remeron alone just doesn't work. Remeron and all the other SSRI class of meds were always pooping out. Somehow the lithium acts syndergistically with them.I'm staying below the therapeutic range because I'm in a good place emotionally and have been stable there for a while now. More lithium can have uncomfortable side effects like tremors, constant pee-ing, blurred vision, nausea. At my curret 600 mgs it is very gentle and even sweet. Many people don't like it's supposed sedating qualities but I've never experienced sedation, just a feeling of kindness and blessing that's like a good friend. Am I anthropomorphizing? All the best to you and keep us posted. - Barbara
> > Laurie,
> > Agree totally with everything you said on your post. I get to see my pdoc once every 8 weeks for about 20 minutes and it's because of this board that I've challenged my original dx, rediagnosed myself and finally received appropriate medication. Now I'm considering adding lamictal to my Remeron and lithium brew, mainly because I don't want to increase the lithium (I'm not in the therapeutic range) and because of the purported AD effects. So keep us informed of how the lamictal trial goes for you. Without this board and the wonderful combined efforts of all, I'd still be gulping massive amounts of SSRI's and getting more and more depressed. - BarbaraCat
>
> BarbaraCat,
>
> What a great attitude!
>
> I'm curious: if Remeron and Lithium can be taken together, I'm presuming that they aren't very similar compounds (in the way that SSRIs, for example, are similar). I've used many different cocktail regimens, but typically they crossed categories (Wellbutrin with Serzone or Celexa for example.) Is taking them together why you're staying beneath the therapeutic range for the lithium?
>
> Thanks again for your message. The "tone" made my morning!
>
> Laurie
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:106786
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/107599.html