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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
It's March and like the Mad March Hare from Alice and Wonderland I'm ready to change seats at the tea party.
My pdoc doesn't know what to do with me but he suggested LAmictal and I told him I would give it some consideration.
Right now I'm on fairly high doses of adderall. It helps my concentration and keeps me a few steps ahead of the depression once i get out of bed and take it. Adderall has made mornings a challenge and I am, by nature a"morning person". Adderall has helped me with my reading somewhat. I take xanax sometimes but mostly carry one in my pocket till it goes to powder(ah, the power of a xanax in the pocket--that's a whole post right there). I take ambien every night.It's continuity I need. A sense of future would be nice. Laughing would be delightful. I would like to experience pleasure. I don't want to get flattened by a drug, would like to maintain my sensuality and would rather not gain any more weight but if I could get myself to the gym I could deal with being fit and fat.
Also, I'm working hard at keeping fear at bay and I have chewed off all my fingernails. I crave sugar at times in a "survival mode" as I am just plunging.
Side effects I cannot deal with are dry mouth, nervous fidgeting with my tongue, joint pain and irritability.
I have read about people taking Modafinal and Lamictal. Any experiences with this combo?
Any advice about Lamictal?
And are doctors nervous about Modafinal?
My doctor is not benzo-phobic but he seems nervous about many other meds.I took Effexor years ago and was a bit manic and way too honest while I was on it but would consider the combination of Effexor and Lamictal.
I've taken all the SSRI's several mood stabilizers and a bit of this and that.Please advise
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2008, at 17:25:02
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
Well I know the downers work better for me but did go on lamictal twice and didn't have any horrendous side effects just the rare one of excessive salivation. Effexor next door neighbor just finished talking with is going off as too strong for her after a year of it working she started to feel horrible now found the pdoc I had here who is not benzophobic and he has her on just xanax and weaning off effexor she's hyper like me. But you need that kick right? Know nothing about Modifinil sorry. But we're also opposite as I'm a night owl. Love Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on March 13, 2008, at 17:31:25
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
My pdoc wasn't reluctant to prescribe Provigil. It's not a good drug for me, though. If I take it for 2-3 days, it helps a lot. By the 4th day, though, it starts to make me more depressed. And it seems to make me more depressed when it starts to wear off than I was before I took it.
My husband abuses Provigil. It's easy to get tolerance built up. He is supposed to be taking 400mg a day but takes probably 1000mg. His doctor doesn't know this of course. So he runs out of his prescription after a week. And then, believe me, he is miserable for days before he starts to recover.
Just saying be careful with Provigil. It's very tempting to "if a little helps, then a little more will help more."
Never tried a Lamictal/Provigial combination. I couldn't take Lamictal at all. It caused muscle spasms and headaches. Although it did seem to help with my depression and anxiety even though I was only on it for 2-3 weeks. I got up to 50 mg before I couldn't tolerate the side effects and had to go off.
Hope this helped a little.
Marsha
Posted by amyaub on March 13, 2008, at 17:36:32
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
You sound alot like me before I was diagnosed bipolar (was originally diagnosed as depressed with ADD). I am on 200 mgs of Lamictal and am having no problems. I do know it is important to start with a small dose and slowly build up. It helps cut the side effects and prevent against a rare, but dangerous rash (don't mean to scare you--I was scared-- it's supposedly pretty rare, but serious enough that they warn you about it). I've been doing well so far with the Lamictal and am hoping I continue the same way.
Good luck to you!!
Posted by JayBTV2 on March 13, 2008, at 17:43:58
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal? » elanor roosevelt, posted by 4WD on March 13, 2008, at 17:31:25
> My husband abuses Provigil. It's easy to get tolerance built up. He is supposed to be taking 400mg a day but takes probably 1000mg. His doctor doesn't know this of course. So he runs out of his prescription after a week. And then, believe me, he is miserable for days before he starts to recover.
>Wow! I sure hope his insurance covers it. I was on it for a month or so and had to pay almost $10 for a 200mg pill :(
Didn't do much for me - honestly I actually felt more tired a lot of the time (albeit perhaps slightly more social)....
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on March 13, 2008, at 19:02:46
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 13, 2008, at 17:43:58
I take lamictal300mg. For a while it was my only "antidepressant" but I was kinda mostly rapid cycling, so we added a real AD zoloft and a mood stabilizer abilify to the mix.
provigil is a WONDERFUL drug. I never found any need to increase my dose. kept me awake, helped me sleep. the friendliest psychmed ever. far fewer side effects than coffee.
-Ll
Posted by 4WD on March 13, 2008, at 20:25:36
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 13, 2008, at 17:43:58
> Wow! I sure hope his insurance covers it. I was on it for a month or so and had to pay almost $10 for a 200mg pill :(Yes, his insurance covers it. But only a months worth. If he tries (and he often does this) to get it filled early, the pharmacy will oblige but they do charge about 10.00 a pill.
Marsha
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 14, 2008, at 23:00:23
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by amyaub on March 13, 2008, at 17:36:32
> You sound alot like me before I was diagnosed bipolar (was originally diagnosed as depressed with ADD). I am on 200 mgs of Lamictal and am having no problems.
do you take only the Lamictal?
Posted by Emme on March 15, 2008, at 8:13:12
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
> I have read about people taking Modafinal and Lamictal. Any experiences with this combo?
> Any advice about Lamictal?I take Lamictal with Abilify and the combo has worked out well. Lamictal by itself was somewhat helpful, but I still needed something to counteract apathy. I also take Focalin some of the time.
I found Provigil difficult to take. It worked differently on different days. Sometimes it was too stimulating, sometimes it did nothing, sometimes it was just right. I gave up on it after several tries. YMMV.
Lamictal does not dull me out and doesn't seem to cause weight gain for me.
Be patient with your startup phase of Lamictal. If you get headaches, tight muscles, or feel fluish, try to hang in there for a few weeks and treat those symptoms. They went away for me after about 3 weeks.
Good luck.
emme
Posted by 4WD on March 15, 2008, at 20:42:18
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal? » elanor roosevelt, posted by Emme on March 15, 2008, at 8:13:12
You are the first person I have found who has this same reaction to Provigil. It is very unpredictable. It is ususally too stimulating, even if I only take 100 mg. Some days it seems to do nothing at all. Some days it makes me more depressed. Today is one of those days. Against my better judgement I took 100 mg this morning and have been very depressed and scared all day. Another weird thing is that if I skip it for a week or ten days and then take it again, it seems to help. But after 2-3-4 days it begins to make me more depressed. I have concluded from all this that Provigil is a bad drug for me and I am not going to take it anymore.
Marsha
> I found Provigil difficult to take. It worked differently on different days. Sometimes it was too stimulating, sometimes it did nothing, sometimes it was just right. I gave up on it after several tries. YMMV.
Posted by henryo on March 18, 2008, at 3:26:49
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
Lamictal was and has been a God-send for me. May I suggest using it with Deplin. It works better that way for me. Check Deplin out, it isn't a drug. It is classified as a medical food. It has its own website. It does require a prescription. After years of debilitating depression I am feeling incredibly well. Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2008, at 18:52:08
In reply to Lamictal and Deplin?, posted by henryo on March 18, 2008, at 3:26:49
Henyro seriously? just lamictal and deplin. Wow the first one that has said good things about it. How much lamicatal and the standared dose of deplin didn't it start working right away for you. I tried it for three weeks and day three felt great and that was it. Love Phillipa
Posted by henryo on March 19, 2008, at 5:15:10
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin? » henryo, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2008, at 18:52:08
Phillipa, sorry I'm not sure I understood your post, question/comment. Would you restate it?
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2008, at 18:49:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin?, posted by henryo on March 19, 2008, at 5:15:10
Henyro you say Deplin works for you? What benefitess do you see? I am in desparate need of help. Phillipa ps how long did it take to make a difference the Deplin that is as I still have about a weeks worth and if it works why did I only feel better on day three? Took it for three weeks.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 19, 2008, at 21:32:34
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal? » Emme, posted by 4WD on March 15, 2008, at 20:42:18
thanks emme
it's helpful to know that the side effects of headache and spasm went away after 3 weeks
Posted by cg1973 on March 20, 2008, at 0:53:56
In reply to clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 13, 2008, at 15:08:38
"the power of a xanax in the pocket"
Indeed!!! I can't begin to tell you how many of my friends say that it's not so much taking a Xanax pill that reduces anxiety but rather the knowledge that as long as they have a Xanax on hand they'll be okay if they do have an anxiety attack.
Posted by henryo on March 20, 2008, at 4:17:42
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin? » henryo, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2008, at 18:49:30
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071225/msgs/803728.html
I sleep way too lightly when I take too much Lamictal so I had to cut back to about 200mg because the Deplin worked so well. I still take Klonopin at night for sleep. Even though my sleep is getting reversed as it can in March, night for day. I don't feel any depression. Unbelievable.
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2008, at 18:34:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin?, posted by henryo on March 20, 2008, at 4:17:42
Henryo not to hyjack this thread so lamictal was actually making you well as an ad and adding the Deplin was missing link. What is your diagnosis? As it's still an option for me. Thanks so much for the link. Phillipa
Posted by Emme on March 20, 2008, at 21:05:17
In reply to Re: clean cups clean cups new meds Lamictal?, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 19, 2008, at 21:32:34
> thanks emme
> it's helpful to know that the side effects of headache and spasm went away after 3 weeksIt was a very good excuse to go for a few massages, which relieved the symptoms considerably. :)
emme
Posted by henryo on March 21, 2008, at 5:23:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin? » henryo, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2008, at 18:34:35
Just straight up depression. Prolonged nasty treatment resistant mental anguish. Tried many meds for many years. Lamictal was much better than nothing. Yes Deplin was the key.
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2008, at 18:33:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin?, posted by henryo on March 21, 2008, at 5:23:39
Thank-you I sent a babblemail to you for details hope you don't mind Phillipa
Posted by henryo on March 23, 2008, at 3:20:02
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin? » henryo, posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2008, at 18:33:38
Didn't get it. Anyway those are the details.
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2008, at 19:45:04
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Deplin?, posted by henryo on March 23, 2008, at 3:20:02
Henyro the content or babblemail? Phillipa thanks for the link though. I wondered if your dose of lamictal was 200 or lower and that's about it.
This is the end of the thread.
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