Posted by catmint on February 25, 2003, at 23:51:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Pre-emptive Strikes » catmint, posted by Ron Hill on February 25, 2003, at 18:34:31
> Amy, your dx is BP II, right? What moodstabilizers have you tried besides Lamictal and Depakote? Why did you discontinue the Depakote, weight gain? What other meds are you currently taking?>Yes, I am BP II. I have tried Neurontin, Depakote and Lamictal. I discontinued the Depakote b/c it made my depression a lot worse and add on SSRI's did not help at all. Right now I only take Lamictal.
> Clearly, the 50 mg/day of Lamictal is not providing enough mood stabilization, which is not surprising at that low dosage. Where is your pdoc going with this? Is it his/her plan to gradually ramp up the Lamictal until the dose is finally substantial enough to function as a mood stabilizer?> I have only met with the psychiatric nurse and haven't talked with the doctor since I started 8 weeks ago. I suspect on Thursday he will have a plan for me as to what dose I should be at.
> Amy, have you ever tried to add a low dose of an atypical antipsychotic to a moodstabilizer? I bring this up because of what you told me last week about the one hallucination episode.
> Yes, I have taken olanzapine and hate it. It makes me gain weight and I feel like a major zombie. I do keep it on hand but I don't ever take it. And I don't even want TD even though the risk is slim.
> I posted the following link earlier in this thread, but I'll place it here as well. If you can, scan over the relevant portions of the document before your pdoc appointment. Make sure your pdoc fully understands the difficulty you are having. Insist that he/she gives you the time needed to talk through your symptoms and possible remedies. Who cares if you go over the allotted fifteen minute appointment time limit!
> Thanks Ron, that is a good site. My pdoc is pretty good about listening.
> Amy, keep us informed regarding your progress. Also, let me know what your pdoc says.> I will, thanks again.
::Amy
poster:catmint
thread:203376
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/203872.html