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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by terrics on November 6, 2004, at 11:01:53
Hi, Another question: My pdoc took me off lithium because of side effects...falling, unsteadiness, losing hair etc. She then put me on lamictal. That week I had an 'outburst' at work. I asked pdoc if lamictal helped prevent rages as the litium does. She said no. I asked for a low dose of lithium because I am afraid I will lose my job if I keep carrying on like a 'nut'. I am on both now, but she still wants to take away the lithium. I would like to do away with the lamictal and try a very low dose of lithium. Any ideas? terrics
Posted by linkadge on November 6, 2004, at 11:11:33
In reply to lamictal/lithium, posted by terrics on November 6, 2004, at 11:01:53
I would simply tell her. If you can tolerate the side effects of lithium, then there is no reason to change.
It really should be your choice. Simply tell her that you have weighed the pros/cons of both meds and this is your choice.
If she cannot live with that then find a doc who can.
Linkadge
Posted by Squiggles on November 6, 2004, at 15:23:01
In reply to Re: lamictal/lithium, posted by linkadge on November 6, 2004, at 11:11:33
I was just reading Andrew Solomon's
book, and on p. 80 he mentions the
common complaint that people have
about dose of their meds. Most
want a lower one, assuming that the
side effects will be lower too. BUT
he says that your dr. chooses the
right dose for you, and cutting down
is like removing the carburetor from
your car.So, it's hard to tell, whether a
patient's opinion is better than
the dr.'s.In my case, my dr. does not seem to
want to reduce the dose. I don't
really know why but it may be
as Solomon says.Dilemma, huh;
Squiggles
Posted by prodgirl on November 6, 2004, at 21:55:44
In reply to lamictal/lithium, posted by terrics on November 6, 2004, at 11:01:53
It takes FOREVER for you to get ramped up to a decent level of Lamictal. If you raged the first week, I am pretty sure that your pdoc will say the same - you have to start slow, and it will take a while with Lamictal. Freaking out the first week coming off of Li and only taking 25mg/day of Lamictal sounds right.
I just made the switch from Lamictal to Li (I didn't want the SE from Li, wanted to try something else). My rage never got undercontrol with the Lamictal, something I am only now realizing.
> Hi, Another question: My pdoc took me off lithium because of side effects...falling, unsteadiness, losing hair etc. She then put me on lamictal. That week I had an 'outburst' at work. I asked pdoc if lamictal helped prevent rages as the litium does. She said no. I asked for a low dose of lithium because I am afraid I will lose my job if I keep carrying on like a 'nut'. I am on both now, but she still wants to take away the lithium. I would like to do away with the lamictal and try a very low dose of lithium. Any ideas? terrics
Posted by Squiggles on November 7, 2004, at 8:00:57
In reply to Re: lamictal/lithium, posted by prodgirl on November 6, 2004, at 21:55:44
Lamictal - a safety note on the drug:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/tpd-dpt/lamictal_hpc_e.html
Also a general profile:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
and
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lamotrigine.htm
Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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