Posted by Angel Girl on March 24, 2004, at 23:18:49
In reply to Lamictal, posted by T_R_D on March 24, 2004, at 14:22:17
> Hi Lamictal Users :)
>
> I'm just curious about who is using it in monotherapy, who is using it as an adjunct and with what...what your experiences have been and how things are going. I'm thinking of talking to my doc and giving it a try. Currently my Tegretol (400CR) stops my manias in their tracks but my depressive symptoms are still dragging me down. I'm also taking Wellbutrin and Effexor (150SR and 75XR respectively) but I'm not getting the lift I need. Thanks!Hi TRD!
I was taking 1500mg/daily of Depakote but decided I didn't like the side effects and wanted to wean down or possibly eliminate altogether, although I'm getting much resistance of eliminating it from 3 different shrinks.
I'm currently taking 250mg/AM and 500/mg PM of Depakote along with 112.5/mg Lamictal, and Effexor 75mg/AM and 112.5/mg PM. I take a number of other meds as well.
The Lamictal was increased extremely slowly to avoid the rash that is associated with it and the Depakote was weaned accordingly with the dosage of the Lamictal I was taking so that with luck I would be getting the same amount of mood stabilizer until the desired dosages of each is obtained. There is a drug interaction between Depakote and Lamictal and that means that the dosage of the Lamictal in my case can only be 1/2 of what somebody who is not taking Depakote can take.
Anyway, I haven't noticed any side effects from the Lamictal and to be honest, this is the ONLY med that I can honestly say that about. I'm very happy with it. If I have to be on anything, this is the one I would pick. :) However, I do still have depressive periods. I think in my case the only thing that is going to help me with that is therapy. I don't seem to be able to deal with the curve balls that life throws at you. I will say though, that mood stabilizers have been a Godsend for me. I don't ever want to get to where was my lowest point of depression before when I was extremely suicidal. Haven't felt like that since starting mood stabilizers.
I hope this rambling helped you somewhat. ;)
Good luck!
Angel Girl
poster:Angel Girl
thread:327781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040319/msgs/328038.html