Psycho-Babble Medication | about biological treatments | Framed
This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | List of forums | Search | FAQ

Lithium/Lamictal increase

Posted by sarahcat on August 7, 2002, at 15:38:25

Arghhh! I've been depressed (actually dx recently changed to Bipolar 2) since I was nine years old (I'm 25 now). I've tried Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, Imipramine, Effexor, Cytomel, Depakote, Lithium, Lamictal, Neurontin, Ritalin, and Risperdal. My current cocktail is Effexor XR (300mg), Lithium (1200mg), Neurontin (900mg), Lamictal (100mg), and Risperdal (3mg).

I've cycled into a deeper depression again, and I saw my psychiatrist yesterday looking for some relief. I wish he would increase my Effexor, since that's the only antidepressant that has ever helped me at all, but he won't because he's concerned about my blood pressure possibly rising.

So, barring that, I would like for my Lithium to be increased since I have felt tangible positive effects from increases in it. But he won't increase my Lithium because he's worried about the chance that it could numb me psychologically at higher doses. But I'm not concerned about developing side effects to the Lithium because my blood levels at 1200mg have stayed at 0.8 and I haven't noticed any yet, so I think we have some wiggle room.

Instead, he increased my Lamictal from 75mg to 100mg. I don't believe Lamictal has done anything for me yet... I might as well be taking pez. Does anyone have any guesses for how much of an increase in Lamictal would be necessary for there to be a similar response as an increase of 300mg of Lithium? I know it's probably like comparing apples and oranges, but does anyone want to go out on a limb on this one?

Sarah


Share
Tweet  

Thread

 

Post a new follow-up

Your message only Include above post


Notify the administrators

They will then review this post with the posting guidelines in mind.

To contact them about something other than this post, please use this form instead.

 

Start a new thread

 
Google
dr-bob.org www
Search options and examples
[amazon] for
in

This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | FAQ
Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:sarahcat thread:115568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020807/msgs/115568.html