Posted by ronaldo on October 28, 2006, at 12:08:11
In reply to Low dose Lamictal...need something else., posted by lymom3 on October 27, 2006, at 10:14:37
> I had a great month when Lamictal and Topamax were wonderful for me. I didn't want to cry or yell at people but the mental clarity was the absolute best part. I can't remember when I haven't been fuzzy in the head. I used to have a mind like a steel trap and remember everything. Even though I was disorganized as hell, I got things done. I am on meds for ADD that do help somewhat but nothing like that the month or so that Topamax and Lamictal worked. Every antidepressant that's been tried makes the "fog" worse. I had forgotten what it was like to be "on the ball" because it's been so long.
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> However, me and meds just don't seem to get along. Topamax started tearing me up. Hair falling out, stomach problems that doc says is gall bladder issues, exhausted, HUGE weight gain, swollen feet. After spending half the national debt in testing, there is nothing wrong with me. I have quit the Topamax and most of that has gone away. Still swelling in the feet but that may be due to the amount of weight that I packed on so I get to try to work that off now.
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> But...I'm back in my brain fog. I have to find a new pdoc as the one I have won't try any more med combo's. He is not comfortable with doing anything else. I can't go past 50mg of Lamictal or I have s/e's from that but it does help somewhat even at that small dose. I have been on AD's with Lithium and then with Depakote before and that never seemed to help. I'm wondering what other med or type of med to try with Lamictal. My main problem now is still that I'm so tired and can't get motivated or get going (going for a sleep study next week to see if there is any help there) and the glazed, dazed feeling and the incredible irritation. I don't think that anyone could turn the light off without it pissing me off. I'm really trying not to make everyone around me suffer; I realize I am hell to be around right now but that doesn't always keep my mouth shut and it sure doesn't help the pissed off agitation going on in my head.
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> Guess I'm looking for similar experiences or success stories. I would like to have a plan in mind when I do find a new pdoc. Having somewhat normal energy levels and a brain that was functioning on all cyliinders at the same time was a tease. It made me realize what I'm supposed to be able to feel like and I want it back somehow....
Hi lymom3I can sympathise with what you are going through. I also have the brain fog and the irritability. I am on 900 mg of Lithium and 10 mg of Olanzapine. I am bipolar/schizo-affective. I used to be on 5 mg of Olanzapine which I tapered off to zero, substituted with Seroquel 50 mg which didn't do anything for me. In order to get some sleep I went back onto the Olanzapine at 10 mg. Been on it now for 2 weeks.
I equate brain fog with flat affect, ie feeling 'passive without motivation or creativity, a feeling almost like depression'. I don't think I am this way naturally. ie If I wasn't taking any psychotropic drugs I don't think I would be in this fog. That is why I tapered off the 5 mg Olanzapine. I held the Olanzapine responsible. I would have stayed off the Olanzapine if it were not for the insomnia. The Seroquel was supposed to address that but it didn't.
I want to talk my pdoc into prescribing me some Lamictal. How has Lamictal been for you? Do you ascribe the lifting of the fog to the Lamictal or the Topamax or to a combination of the two?
What is your Dx? and Rx? Have you ever tried Lithium and Lamictal together?
Sorry I cannot be of any help to you. I can only offer commiseration. I hope you find a cure. If you do please let me know.
poster:ronaldo
thread:698159
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061028/msgs/698469.html