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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:27
This is my story in short. I have started Zoloft two weeks ago and I have experienced cycling, hypomania,irritability and hostility. Therefore I've decided to start Lamictal because all ADs I've tried have made feel this way (even when they have 'worked').
I have felt better from the very first day (that is to say today) and I'm very hopeful about this new treatment. I feel like I don't hate everyone anymore for no particular reason and this is what I hoped (ok, maybe it's just placebo effect ... is all this possibile from the very first day ???)
But I'm experiencing some side-effect which are boring and I'd like to know if they fade away with time or if you have something encouranging to say about this med.
side effects:
mild headache (not boring)
some agitation (without anxiety, not unpleasant and maybe Zoloft it's contributing)some sleepiness at some point of the day which was so severe that I went to bed for half an hour
some ache in the bones (possible ?) and weakness
impaired concentration and memory (which were afwul also to begin because I have adhd ... but I think with Lamictal they are worse)
maybe also impaired motor coordination
worsening of pre-existing prostatits (does it make sense to anyone ?)
anyway, my mood is so good that I'm not thinking about quitting it ... any comment is very appreciated.
Thanks !
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Posted by f l y on April 9, 2004, at 21:15:47
In reply to lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:27
have the sleepiness during day and have taken 30-60 min naps. the only other side effect i have is an uncomfortable comedown in the evening.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by rainbowlight on April 10, 2004, at 2:01:31
In reply to lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:46
It's hard to say which med is causing which side effect since you began both around the same time. I do remember getting a very severe headache for the first week or so on Lamictal. I take Lamictal and Zoloft. If I go over 50 mgs. of Zoloft I ache all over. Both meds have been pretty "activating" for me. I would give the Lamictal a good trial, it is an awesome mood stabilizer in my opinion. Don't know if any of this will help you, but thought I would share. Good luck to you. I know you and I have been posting to each other and I would like to know how this turns out for you. Hang in there!
Posted by rainbowlight on April 10, 2004, at 2:01:31
In reply to lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:46
It's hard to say which med is causing which side effect since you began both around the same time. I do remember getting a very severe headache for the first week or so on Lamictal. I take Lamictal and Zoloft. If I go over 50 mgs. of Zoloft I ache all over. Both meds have been pretty "activating" for me. I would give the Lamictal a good trial, it is an awesome mood stabilizer in my opinion. Don't know if any of this will help you, but thought I would share. Good luck to you. I know you and I have been posting to each other and I would like to know how this turns out for you. Hang in there!
Posted by rod on April 10, 2004, at 6:55:10
In reply to lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:27
> This is my story in short. I have started Zoloft two weeks ago and I have experienced cycling, hypomania,irritability and hostility. Therefore I've decided to start Lamictal because all ADs I've tried have made feel this way (even when they have 'worked').
>
> I have felt better from the very first day (that is to say today) and I'm very hopeful about this new treatment. I feel like I don't hate everyone anymore for no particular reason and this is what I hoped (ok, maybe it's just placebo effect ... is all this possibile from the very first day ???)
>
> But I'm experiencing some side-effect which are boring and I'd like to know if they fade away with time or if you have something encouranging to say about this med.
>
> side effects:
> mild headache (not boring)
> some agitation (without anxiety, not unpleasant and maybe Zoloft it's contributing)
>
> some sleepiness at some point of the day which was so severe that I went to bed for half an hour
>
> some ache in the bones (possible ?) and weakness
>
> impaired concentration and memory (which were afwul also to begin because I have adhd ... but I think with Lamictal they are worse)
>
> maybe also impaired motor coordination
>
> worsening of pre-existing prostatits (does it make sense to anyone ?)
>
> anyway, my mood is so good that I'm not thinking about quitting it ... any comment is very appreciated.
>
> Thanks !
>
>
I also had many side effects in the beginning, which *all* disappeared after some time.Good Luck!
Roland
Posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:30:57
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » francesco, posted by f l y on April 9, 2004, at 21:15:47
> have the sleepiness during day and have taken 30-60 min naps. the only other side effect i have is an uncomfortable comedown in the evening.
I have experienced this too yesterday ! 30 min. naps and comedown in the evening ! what about taking it later to avoid the comedown ? I mean, maybe it has something to do with its half-life (just guessing though). Are you still on it ?
Posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:40:45
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rainbowlight on April 10, 2004, at 2:01:31
> It's hard to say which med is causing which side effect since you began both around the same time. I do remember getting a very severe headache for the first week or so on Lamictal. I take Lamictal and Zoloft. If I go over 50 mgs. of Zoloft I ache all over. Both meds have been pretty "activating" for me. I would give the Lamictal a good trial, it is an awesome mood stabilizer in my opinion. Don't know if any of this will help you, but thought I would share. Good luck to you. I know you and I have been posting to each other and I would like to know how this turns out for you. Hang in there!
Thanks Rainbowlight ... we are on the same cocktail now ! I remember your previous posts, actually I asked for Lamictal because of them. I will hang on Lamictal because my first impressions have been very positive. For the first time in several months I feel very good. My bipolarity is out of question now, I suppose. So, Thanks again to having me helped to go on this route ! It may be a turning point of my life, it's the first time I'm on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant and something good is happening. I like to talk with people now and I'm not that touchy and irritable. Let's see what happens ... rash maybe ? ;-)
Posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:42:53
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rod on April 10, 2004, at 6:55:10
Thanks for the support Roland. Today I feel better, also physically speaking. No side effects, and more important thing, no blunting !
Posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:43:27
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rainbowlight on April 10, 2004, at 2:01:31
> It's hard to say which med is causing which side effect since you began both around the same time. I do remember getting a very severe headache for the first week or so on Lamictal. I take Lamictal and Zoloft. If I go over 50 mgs. of Zoloft I ache all over. Both meds have been pretty "activating" for me. I would give the Lamictal a good trial, it is an awesome mood stabilizer in my opinion. Don't know if any of this will help you, but thought I would share. Good luck to you. I know you and I have been posting to each other and I would like to know how this turns out for you. Hang in there!
Thanks Rainbowlight ... we are on the same cocktail now ! I remember your previous posts, actually I asked for Lamictal because of them. I will hang on Lamictal because my first impressions have been very positive. For the first time in several months I feel very good. My bipolarity is out of question now, I suppose. So, Thanks again to having me helped to go on this route ! It may be a turning point of my life, it's the first time I'm on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant and something good is happening. I like to talk with people now and I'm not that touchy and irritable. Let's see what happens ... rash maybe ? ;-)
Posted by lauram on April 10, 2004, at 15:08:36
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » rod, posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:42:53
I am on Lamictal 200mg. I also had side effects but they have gone away now. I feel much better on this med. Less cycling, less depression.
Posted by francesco on April 11, 2004, at 13:51:49
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by lauram on April 10, 2004, at 15:08:36
Third day on Lamictal 25mg. A couple of weeks on Zoloft 50mg. I feel nothing sometimes. My girl left me because I'm not *there* anymore. It's the third time this happens. Every time I go on SSRIs she leaves me. She's an important feedback of what I am when I'm on meds ... less emotional, less ability to understand human feelings, and less depressed too. But is this being undepressed ? Sorry for this social-babble, but I feel absolutely crap. Or at least, I think so.
Is there a solution for this dylemma ? I don't think so.
Since I have started Lamictal I'm very distracted and even more blunted. Does this pass with time or all that happens is that you get used to it ? Maybe you forgot how you used to be. No sexual desire, no desire. It's a year and a half I'm struggling with the "to med or not to med" dylemma. I've tried almost everything to see if I could be functional and 'normal' at the same thime. I'm tired. Please, say something, just anything. Sorry for the mispellings, but I'm blunted and also a bit drunk. If there's a difference
Posted by f l y on April 11, 2004, at 20:29:45
In reply to lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by francesco on April 9, 2004, at 13:13:27
after about 6 weeks on lamictal (200-300mg) i think i'm about ready to throw in the towel. the only effects seem to be day time drowsiness and need for naps. also uncomfortable comedown in evening.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by rainbowlight on April 12, 2004, at 3:00:05
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » rainbowlight, posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:40:45
I'll cross my fingers for you that you don't get the rash :) I never got it, thank goodness. I am glad to hear it is helping you. This combo for me has totally turned my life around. I am happy, calm and things roll of my shoulders alot easier. Before I was agitated, snappy, grumpy, had bad insomnia, anxiety and horrible depression. I was a mess! Now for the most part I don't get any mood swings. It's wonderful. Keep hanging in there. If there was ever one worth riding out the side effects, this is it!
Posted by rainbowlight on April 12, 2004, at 3:03:02
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » f l y, posted by francesco on April 10, 2004, at 7:30:57
Are you dividing your dose between morning and night? That is the way I have always been prescribed it, and others mention it helps them too.
Posted by francesco on April 12, 2004, at 5:41:01
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rainbowlight on April 12, 2004, at 3:03:02
Even if it's just 25mg ? Thanks
Posted by francesco on April 12, 2004, at 5:45:17
In reply to let's talk about emotional blunting » lauram, posted by francesco on April 11, 2004, at 13:51:49
Posted by Marley on April 13, 2004, at 21:19:27
In reply to let's talk about emotional blunting » lauram, posted by francesco on April 11, 2004, at 13:51:49
Hi francesco-
I had a similar thing happen when I first started on Prozac. It was like I became an emotional zombie. Before I started the Prozac, I had been very much looking forward to an upcoming event where I would see family members I rarely see. A couple of days on the Prozac, and I didn't feel any anticipation for the family event anymore at all. That let me know there was really something wrong with how the meds were affecting me. Sure, I didn't feel "bad" anymore, but the trouble was a didn't feel anything anymore! It scared me, but even that was only on an intellectual level (I "knew" that if I could feel, not looking forward to seeing my family would be upsetting to me).
I talked to my p.doc about it, and he cut back my dosage. That helped a lot; I was able to enjoy the family event after all. However, the truth is, all the time I was on Prozac, I found that I was "less feeling" than when off SSRIs. Eg, I am the kind of person who will cry at a sad movie at the drop of a hat, and I only cried one time in a whole year on Prozac. Also, I still cared for my friends and "knew" I loved them, but I didn't "feel" that strong emotional bond and closeness I did off Prozac. So the Prozac was a blessing in terms of protecting me from the clinical depression I had been in. But it also seemed to raise the threshold on my ability to feel any emotions, which I didn’t like.
Hope that helps...
Posted by rainbowlight on April 14, 2004, at 1:10:22
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » rainbowlight, posted by francesco on April 12, 2004, at 5:41:01
Oh, I didn't realize you were on such a small dose. I guess splitting 25 mgs. would be kind of silly :) You might ask you doctor about what he/she thinks about dividing the Lamictal dose into twice a day (perhaps when you are on a higher level). How are you feeling now?
Posted by francesco on April 14, 2004, at 17:41:01
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rainbowlight on April 14, 2004, at 1:10:22
Thanks for answering. I feel that my cognition is more impaired than usual. Adding Imipramine didn't help that much. Today I saw a psychotherapist who said I have a borderline personality disorder and a narcisistic personality disorder. I thought ADHD was my problem but the things are getting more complicated. I just want a med that makes me feel normal and above all concentrated. I'm not that sure that my lack of concentration depends on deep emotional problems even if they're probably there. I'm a bit confused about Lamictal because I'm scared it will damage my concentration issues (I found myself more spaced out than usual). On the other side I don't wanna quit it because I'm scared that on Zoloft alone I can get too high. All this sucks, still struggling with meds and my chances of having a normal life are diminishing day by day. Sorry for ranting and thanks for the support.
Francesco
Posted by francesco on April 15, 2004, at 12:34:19
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » rainbowlight, posted by francesco on April 14, 2004, at 17:41:01
I'm on my seventh day, and I'm thinking about quitting it. It makes me dumb. Anyone else experienced this ?
Posted by Viridis on April 16, 2004, at 1:59:21
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me !, posted by rainbowlight on April 12, 2004, at 3:00:05
I like Lamictal. For me, it's a very gentle med, unlike the SSRIs, which I find extremely harsh (that's just me, but I can't understand how others tolerate the side effects of SSRIs). Lamictal is quite different, very mellowing for me. But we all react differently.
BTW, my pdoc estimates that over 60% of his patients have intolerable side effects from SSRIs, but for some people they work very well, so he continues to prescribe them (and encourages discontinuation if they don't work within a month or so).
SSRIs are wonder drugs for some, but also are extremely habit-forming, much worse than almost anything else. It's amazing that they're considered so benign by so many doctors. But the pharmaceutical companies push them so hard that I guess the marketing overwhelms common sense. I'm sure that will change once they go off-patent and are no longer very profitable.
Posted by francesco on April 16, 2004, at 12:24:45
In reply to Re: lamictal newbie - please introduce me ! » rainbowlight, posted by Viridis on April 16, 2004, at 1:59:21
it makes me feel stupid and forgetful ... hope that on Zoloft alone I will manage to do something good.
Posted by T_R_D on April 16, 2004, at 17:32:57
In reply to do you feel dumb on Lamictal ? » francesco, posted by francesco on April 15, 2004, at 12:34:19
Yes, we all hav different reactions. Lamictal makes me feel very energized and *smart* :)
This is the end of the thread.
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