Posted by SpreadDaALoha on March 16, 2003, at 21:23:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal-I am depressed and it's getting worse, posted by Lawrence S. on March 15, 2003, at 1:06:32
I take 300mg Lamictal (with 4 mg Folic Acid) and 1500mg of Keppra [The Keppra at night and the Lamictal twice per day]. I have had no rash issues.
My "diagnosis" is Bipolar II (primary challenges are irritability (with infrequent irrational outbursts), racing thoughts, depression, and social anxiety). [By the way, I often wonder if I have ADD+irritable depression+social anxiety instead of Bipolar II, but I am not an expert]
On these meds (Keppra and Lamictal) my irritability and racing thoughts seem to have decreased, and my mood seems to be a bit better. However, I feel slightly lethargic and unmotivated, but this is better than extreme irritablity. I have only been on these meds since maybe November or so.
[I had a short stint on 50mg Topamax, but I quit because it made me WAY tired and sad which is funny because I hear it helps some depressed people (good things were substantial decrease in irritability and some weight loss). Also used to take 400mg Neurontin 3x per day (I didn't like the short half life) which helped with social anxiety and made me less irritable...but my doc took me off it and I sort of miss the way it helped my social anxiety--he says he doesnt like what it does to gaba molecule or something similar to what alcohol does]
So any comments on my experiences would be cool. The Keppra/Lamictal seems to be sustaining me (lower irritablity/racing thoughts), but I wish I was less depressed. My doctor mentioned the next step being an addition of Selegilene (antidepressant med originally for Parkinsons disease I think). He said he would be cautious about Selegilene increasing my irritability, but he still thinks its the next step depending on his assessment at my next appointment.
Oh I also see a friendly psychologist once a week now (prescribed by my PDoc, which makes me nervous, but I suppose it can't hurt).
:) ???????????????
poster:SpreadDaALoha
thread:208531
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030314/msgs/209821.html