Posted by Maximus on November 4, 2002, at 16:26:19
In reply to question for Laura » polarbear206, posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 15:17:05
> Hi Laura:
> What dose of lamictal are you taking now? are you taking it with any other mood stabilizers? Do you know if lamictal helps anxiety as SSRI's do? My pdoc just added the lamictal to all I'm taking, and we started at 12.5mg for a week, and then went up to 25mg for the last week and a half. I can't even tell if it's having an effect on me or not. The only thing that noticeably stabilizes me, because it works immediately to calm and focus me, is the adderall.
>Hi Peter,
I know this question was for Laura. But i think i can help you too on this. If you mind...
Lamictal is going to be approved as long term management in the bipolar depression. So it is just a wonderful drug which stabilises the depression in the bipolar condition. It does not prevent mania at all. But it greatly help you to stop cycling from normal to depressed, depressed to normal and so on.
If you're really bipolar, you will need a safety net for your hypomania episodes. Lithium is greatly indicated as it is the perfect companion to Lamotrigine.
Lamictal is an activating anticonvulsant. In the begining you may experience anxiety, agitation and insomnia. In general it will pass. But each time you increase the dose you may feel de-stabilized.
So with Lamotrigine you can say bye bye to stimulants because it is already activating. Moreover, Lamotrigine tends to neutralyse the action of stimulants.
The dose needed in the bipolar depression is between 200 mg to 300 mg a day. For others indications, i don't know the dosage. But for some with unipolar depression they can pull benifits with a lower dose.
Please don't mix Lamictal and Depakote. They have bad interactions together. And it is dreadly rough on the liver. As mentioned above, you can rely on Lithium as complement.
Finaly, with all due respects Peter, your treatment looks like the Babel Tour. May be is it the time to see another pdoc who will listen to you carefuly?
I hope this helps,
Max
poster:Maximus
thread:126191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021101/msgs/126430.html