Posted by Donna Louise on July 3, 2006, at 6:31:20
In reply to Re: Parnate vs. ENSAM vs. Lamictal, posted by Karen44 on July 2, 2006, at 23:06:49
> > > I am totally going off of Parnate as of tomorrow--gradually went down just in case. I am somewhat depressed, but I want to see how it goes for the next two weeks. The back-up plan is Lamictal or Ensam. There was some thought of adding Lamictal to the Parnate. I agree with those who have said it gave them insomnia at night and sleepy in the p.m. So, I wanted off of it because higher and higher does were not adding anything anymore. I am really interested in what has been the experience of others. I have had adverse and/or allergic reactions to most antidepressants except Parnate.
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> > > Karen
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> > > What does anyone think of Lamictal versus Ensam patch. I am interested in knowning if
> >
> >
> > These are two totally different drugs with totally different ways of effecting peptides in the brain. Which would be best would depend on what your problem is. And also which side effects each would cause you personally. I take both of them. If you have bipolar, it is one of the two (the other being lithium) approved for treating bipolar, anxiety and depression more so than mania. If you have unipolar such as myself, it is a useful augmentor for an AD. Also, depending on your dx, the dosage varies for what is being treated. So, it is kinda an apple and oranges thing.
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> > donna
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> Thanks for the responses. I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe. I think Parnate helped me get past severe depression and then has not helped further. I believe the original thought was to add Lamictal to the Parnate. But apparently my psychiatrist thinks that Lamictal alone might also work for me. I have had terrible adverse and/or allergic reactions to all antidepressants I have tried other than Parnate. I have heard positive and negative things about Ensam, and I am not sure I want to take two things at once. I would really like to try no medications, but I am becoming very emotional, crying at the drop of a pin. I am really tired of it all and certainly can't risk cognitive problems as have been reported by some with Lamictal.
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> Karen
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I have the same diagnosis, along with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) as you do, it is doubtful with that dx lamictal alone would do the whole job. I need several meds to be anywhere near effective, otherwise I only have one nostril above water. But you never know without trying, it just may work for you. I have not had cognitive difficulties with lamictal, but I have never taken more than 200mg, more than that is not helpful (according to the literature) for what we have anyway. And it seems doses higher than 200mg is when the cognitive troubles start. So that may never be an issue for you. And as for EMSAM, same thing. Could be the best thing that ever happened for you and if not, you just quit it. You never know until you try. What is for sure, if your life is becoming unmanagable as I don't see how it wouldn't be with the dx we have, no meds is probably not an option. Believe me, I have tried to go that route many times and have just been crushingly disappointed. But you may have to try that too, like I did, just so you know what exactly your options are. Just don't let it go so far that you can't think straight enough to get yourself some help.
I wish you the best of luck with this rocky road we are all on.donna
poster:Donna Louise
thread:661936
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060701/msgs/663740.html