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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
I've been on Lamictal for 18 months and it has certainly helped stabilize my moods. However, I didn't get around the "low-grade depression" that drives me crazier.
Pdoc put me on Wellbutrin and I'm up to max now. I've been on it almost 4 months.
I can hardly drag myself out of bed and my head never gets out of the hole.......
Any ideas? Pat
Posted by Phillipa on November 7, 2008, at 12:41:07
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
Fayroe I'm really sorry thought you were doing good. I truly did. What meds have you tried if you don't mind me asking. love Phillipa
Posted by azalea on November 7, 2008, at 13:43:18
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
What dose of Lamictal and Wellbutrin?
> I've been on Lamictal for 18 months and it has certainly helped stabilize my moods. However, I didn't get around the "low-grade depression" that drives me crazier.
>
> Pdoc put me on Wellbutrin and I'm up to max now. I've been on it almost 4 months.
>
> I can hardly drag myself out of bed and my head never gets out of the hole.......
>
> Any ideas? Pat
Posted by SLS on November 7, 2008, at 14:08:22
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
> Any ideas? Pat
Consider adding a SSRI? Lexapro makes a good adjunct to Wellbutrin.
- Scott
Posted by dapper on November 7, 2008, at 15:54:02
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by SLS on November 7, 2008, at 14:08:22
Your not on a very aggressive regimen with those two meds for depression. Wouldn't hurt to add something. The lamictal will stabilize mood, wellbutrin gives a little boost, but to kick that low feeling you may need to throw in something with more punch. I took lamictal, wellbutrin, and effexor for several years. Worked well for me, but it will kill your sex drive. If you aren't worried about the liver scare, and want to keep the sex drive, consider nefazodone (which I am currently on). Lexapro is an option too, but I personally did not respond very well to it. Best of luck, and I wouldn't expect those two meds by themselves to get you out of that hole.
Posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 17:32:03
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression » fayeroe, posted by azalea on November 7, 2008, at 13:43:18
Hi..I am on 200 mg for Lamictal and 300 mg of Wellbutrin.
I have been through everything (I think) that is out there. Starting light years ago with elavil and finally getting diagosed with BipolarII 18 months ago.
I'm beginning to feel like I'm on a tiny dose of speed. At least my head feels that way. My activity hasn't picked up at all.
pat
Posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 17:35:04
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by SLS on November 7, 2008, at 14:08:22
Yes, I've tried SSRIs....
I have not tried Lexapro yet. Probably the only thing that he/they/she didn't prescribe over the years.
I can talk to the Pdoc in December about that possibility. thanks, pat
Posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 17:38:07
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by dapper on November 7, 2008, at 15:54:02
I have tried three meds at a time..I'm tiny and the doctors always worry about going higher than what I'm on.
EffexorXR almost killed me. I lost 38 lbs. Think size 0 pants that hung on me..I dind't eat for days and getting off of it was horrid.
Thank you.....Perhaps Lexapro is worth a try.
Pat
Posted by shasling on November 7, 2008, at 17:53:16
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
> I've been on Lamictal for 18 months and it has certainly helped stabilize my moods. However, I didn't get around the "low-grade depression" that drives me crazier.
>
> Pdoc put me on Wellbutrin and I'm up to max now. I've been on it almost 4 months.
>
> I can hardly drag myself out of bed and my head never gets out of the hole.......
>
> Any ideas? Pat
Vyvanse has helped me...
Posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 18:04:52
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by shasling on November 7, 2008, at 17:53:16
hmmmmm. I've never heard of it but I will definitely talk to my Pdoc about it. Thank you! Pat
Posted by raisinb on November 7, 2008, at 19:08:54
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med » shasling, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 18:04:52
Just another Lexapro plug. I've only been on it for a couple of weeks, but it feels like the best thing I've tried. I feel happy, not emotionally blunted.
Posted by azalea on November 7, 2008, at 21:06:50
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression » azalea, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 17:32:03
Wellbutrin recommended maximum is 450mg, so you've still got some room to increase the dose. Are you taking Wellbutrin IR, SR, or XL?
> Hi..I am on 200 mg for Lamictal and 300 mg of Wellbutrin.
>
> I have been through everything (I think) that is out there. Starting light years ago with elavil and finally getting diagosed with BipolarII 18 months ago.
>
> I'm beginning to feel like I'm on a tiny dose of speed. At least my head feels that way. My activity hasn't picked up at all.
>
> pat
Posted by KimStereo on November 7, 2008, at 23:12:05
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
There is hope... I'm living proof of it. Hang in there.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 8, 2008, at 1:42:52
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by KimStereo on November 7, 2008, at 23:12:05
I find that lamictal makes mornings difficult
i agree on the lexapro
might give you a lift
and make mornings easier
Posted by fayeroe on November 8, 2008, at 8:23:03
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression » fayeroe, posted by raisinb on November 7, 2008, at 19:08:54
You nailed it.."emotionally blunted". That is a fantastic description of how I feel every day.
The Pdoc and I will certainly talk about the Lexapro.
Thank you, Pat
Posted by fayeroe on November 8, 2008, at 8:25:10
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by KimStereo on November 7, 2008, at 23:12:05
Thank you! I would like for the remainder of my life be a little more pleasant. I'm tired of this. Pat
Posted by fayeroe on November 8, 2008, at 8:26:36
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 8, 2008, at 1:42:52
My mornings aren't as hard as the time period of noon to bedtime. Lexapro sounds as if it could be an option for "moi". Thanks, Pat
Posted by llurpsienoodle on November 8, 2008, at 15:32:13
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
Hi fayeroe,
I'm sorry that you're not getting full relief from your wellbutrin/lamictal combination.I am on 100mg zoloft
300mg lamictal
300mg wellbutrin.Maybe an SSRI is something to consider?
:(
Hugs, and I hope you might be able to get pdoc's attention before December
-Ll
Posted by fayeroe on November 9, 2008, at 10:52:17
In reply to Re: I think I've run out of options on depression med » fayeroe, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 8, 2008, at 15:32:13
Thank you very much. The ringing in my head and the jittery stuff that I am experiencing is driving me nuts. And on top of THAT, I am still depressed. :-(
I think I may call Dr. P before Dec 18. I was thinking about it yesterday and I do not want to be involved in a med change right at Christmas. I might not feel up to wearing my little red foam nose and my foam antlers if I'm screwing around with chemicals!
xoxoxox pat
Posted by henryo on November 10, 2008, at 1:08:56
In reply to I think I've run out of options on depression med, posted by fayeroe on November 7, 2008, at 12:31:23
When I added Deplin to my Lamictal it changed for the better in about 24 hours. I even had to cut back on the Lamictal. Better yet Deplin is technically "medical food" not another pharmaceutical. However it does require a prescription. My other option was Ensam, but I tried the Deplin first and it WORKED.
Posted by fayeroe on November 10, 2008, at 12:27:19
In reply to Yes Deplin, posted by henryo on November 10, 2008, at 1:08:56
Thank you! I am going to have a list of options when I see the Pdoc.
Thanks to everyone for responding and helping me through this mess. Pat
Posted by fayeroe on November 12, 2008, at 10:52:46
In reply to Re: Yes Deplin » henryo, posted by fayeroe on November 10, 2008, at 12:27:19
I am not discussing this with the Pdoc just yet. I am taking the 300mg of Wellbutrin every other day and feel like a new person. I'm not so screwed up in the head and the depression is tolerable.
I have NO idea why this is working and I ordinarily wouldn't change a dosage..but I had to do something. This is my third day and I feel so much better. Could it be that since I weigh 110 that the daily dosage was too much?
I was overdosed with EffexorXR (weighed 98 then) and it caused me horrible problems..and it almost killed me getting off of that med.
Pat
Posted by zenhussy on November 12, 2008, at 12:01:01
In reply to new dosage on wellbutrin, posted by fayeroe on November 12, 2008, at 10:52:46
it certainly could be that. glad you found a way to make things more tolerable. here's to going from tolerable to actual enjoyment!
it is much harder to adjust the dosage of the XL version of wb as the tablet cannot be slpit due to the active medication being incorporated into the pill coating for its extended release mechanism. that being said some folks return to previous versions of wb (the SR or instant release) to finer tune the dose.
Keep track of moods/sleep/eating until you see pdoc again. sounds like you have some solid intuition and have been approaching this cautiously.
wishing you continued relief. hang in there fayeroe
Posted by zenhussy on November 19, 2008, at 11:06:09
In reply to new dosage on wellbutrin, posted by fayeroe on November 12, 2008, at 10:52:46
Posted by fayeroe on November 19, 2008, at 11:46:12
In reply to how is it going on the wellbutrin? (nm) » fayeroe, posted by zenhussy on November 19, 2008, at 11:06:09
Still very depressed. I see Pdoc 12/18. Going to ask him about Deplin?? I'm at the end of my rope. There is a ton of stress in my life right now and that isn't helping anything.
However, on the light side, I did learn how to make an origami christmas tree yesterday. On YouTube. :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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