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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dan_MI on April 27, 2010, at 10:22:11
When I was in college the first time 12 years ago, I was suicidally depressed but I had a 4.0 GPA. Then I was visited by my first mania and it all went to Hell. Over the next 12 years I got stable, had a few really good jobs and built up some great relationships.
Now I want my degree and I cannot achieve good grades. I read about mood stabilizers having a negative effect on grades, and I brought that idea to my shrink. He downplayed, told me I had test anxiety, and prescribed Inderal, a beta blocker for the tests. There is no question that it helps.
But what about at home? Yesterday I sat and rewinded the same video lecture a dozen times because nothing would stick in my head. Inderal doesn't help in a non-stressful environment, so that didn't help.
I can go hypomanic taking the prescribed dose of sudafed, so I'm pretty sure the stimulants are not an option. And I would never give up either of the two drugs that saved my life.
Has anybody had a similar problem? The semester's almost over, but I want to get my degree.
Posted by SLS on April 27, 2010, at 13:52:36
In reply to Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by Dan_MI on April 27, 2010, at 10:22:11
Hi.
> Has anybody had a similar problem? The semester's almost over, but I want to get my degree.Lamictal can produce profound impairments in memory and cognition. It significantly impairs me at dosages above 200mg. Unfortunately, Lamictal has a reputation of being a "clean" drug without such impairments. It may be that they occur in a minority of people, but they do occur.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on April 27, 2010, at 14:28:45
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades? » Dan_MI, posted by SLS on April 27, 2010, at 13:52:36
Did you ever try lithium alone? I did fairly well in school with lithium alone. The anticonvulsants are a different story.
Linkadge
Posted by Dan_MI on April 27, 2010, at 15:36:45
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by linkadge on April 27, 2010, at 14:28:45
Lithium alone leaves me non-suicidal but friendless. This is my first semester back, so maybe I just need more time. It's just hard seeing all those bratty kids do better than me.
Posted by linkadge on April 27, 2010, at 19:12:15
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by Dan_MI on April 27, 2010, at 15:36:45
Mental illness and cognitive dysfunction are so intertwined.
Lithium (for me) did cause cognative dysfunction, but the anticonvulsants produced far more pronounced effects in this regard. Folic acid can improve cognitition. (In one bipolar study too, the addition of folic acid to depakote lowered both the effective dose and time to remission).
Could you lower the lamotrigine and add say seroquel if instability becomes a problem? For me, seroquel in low doses actually seemed a little procognative, and it has AD effects.
Have you tried omega-3 fatty acids? They have mood stabilizing and procognitive effects.
Linkadge
Posted by Dan_MI on April 28, 2010, at 6:29:43
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by linkadge on April 27, 2010, at 19:12:15
I take a mega-dose of folic acid to counteract lamictal's effect on the gums, which is thought to be the result of decreased folate absorption. But like so many supplements, I am not exactly consistent. I'm consistent with the prescriptions, though.
I had a brief liaison with seroquel, and that experience left me with a very different opinion on whether some people should be forced to take antipsychotics. It also gave me a tic where I will turn my head to the left suddenly about once a day.
It's easy to forget that it's a miracle to be alive and happy, but I think a living, happy person will always strive to improve one's self. Calculus final at 6pm today...
Posted by farside on May 4, 2010, at 15:02:08
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by Dan_MI on April 28, 2010, at 6:29:43
I have had the same problem with a combination of Lamictal and Lithium. It took me a while to figure it out, because at first I just thought my classes were getting harder. I have withdrawn from both medications, with dramatic improvements in my cognitive abilities, but the withdrawal has been slow and tough for me. I'm still experiencing occasional "brain flashes" and cognitive blankouts, but it's steadily getting better. My pdoc says that the Lithium is the clear culprit, but I think I started to lose brainpower when I was taking the Lamictal alone. Also, I believe the Lamictal caused me to go into rapid cycling, but that's a subject for another post.
Posted by Deneb on May 5, 2010, at 12:06:16
In reply to Re: Lithium + Lamictal = Bad grades?, posted by farside on May 4, 2010, at 15:02:08
Hello farside!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Thanks for sharing your experiences and contributing to the thread.
I sure hope my meds don't affect my grades negatively. I don't think they do. I'm not on your combo though.
Deneb
This is the end of the thread.
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