Posted by KrissyP on March 5, 2003, at 13:30:19
In reply to Re: I don't like this.............. » KrissyP, posted by colin wallace on March 5, 2003, at 5:36:42
It is funny you say this, because a previous, excellent psychiatrist, 2 in fact, said that the Lamictal should help the depression and shook their heads no to any AD. Yes, I am near bipolar.
I am wondering, if I just took the Lamictal now w/o the Effexor would that affect me so horribly like I was when I went off the Effexor?
Also-maybe I can just take 37.5 of the Effexor? Your post really got me thinking and what you say makes some pretty good sense. I just started back on the Lamictal since going off last March-the med does wonders for my moods, I felt normal, and my friends noticed also!
My concern, the psychiatrist I have is so not knowledgeable, I had to help her spell "Lamictal" and then she had to look in the PDR to find out the dosages. This worries me-A LOT. I am not in a position to look for another doc at this time becuase most likely, it will be months before I get an appt., and then I have to convince a new doc what works for me, yada yada yada-been there done that:-(
What are you views on that?
Please get back to me, you make an EXCELLENT point here, and thank you so much.
Kristen
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Krissy,
Personally,I think Effexor and Lamictal together make for a potentially explosive combo.if you're anywhere near bipolar.
Titrating Lamictal(at least for the first few months)can be hard work- you'll probably experience a good deal of irritability, even instability before things smooth out.Worth the wait though, it's an excellent med. that's restored many people to 'normal'.
I think ideally the Lam. should be firmly in place, and then the effexor tentatively added further along the line.
You could try reducing the venlafaxine somewhat,while you concentrate on dealing with the Lamictal.You may well find that you'll need an AD less and less as you reach therapeutic levels of Lam.
> Unless of course you were doing well on Eff. and the Lam. was just an add-on.
Just my thoughts,as your doc. may well have other ideas(if he does, stick with them of course!!!)Best wishes,
Col.
poster:KrissyP
thread:206058
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030301/msgs/206146.html