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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amanda S on February 2, 2000, at 16:23:22
I have been on lamictal since July and it seems to help somewhat. There are no side effects like drowsiness,but you have to start off slow because of the rash that can be dangerous. I take 100mg a day. I think I need something else to go along with it, but have tried a number of meds like neurontin, 100mg made me extremely sleepy and that was the lowest dose once a day. I have topamax waiting to be taken, but am to afraid of the side effects. Anyone on lamictal?
Posted by judy1 on February 2, 2000, at 20:46:26
In reply to Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Amanda S on February 2, 2000, at 16:23:22
I took lamictal at 200mgs/day. Perhaps you are not at a therapeutic dose. When I had depakote added that pushed the concentration of lamictal up and decreased the blood levels of depakote down. What else are you on?
Posted by Amanda S on February 2, 2000, at 21:55:19
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by judy1 on February 2, 2000, at 20:46:26
Judy, I am currently only taking lamictal and sometimes xanax. The xanax seems to help because of the numbing effects. My pdoc called in Topamax, but I am afraid to try it because I tried one pill awhile back and it drugged me so much I didn't want to take it. Not sure how much she had me try, but I have the lowest dose only to take once a day. Neurontin was awful. I was on 100mg and felt drowsy and agitated. I can't take anti-depressants especially the ones that affect the libido. I take estrogen and testosterone as a replacement therapy. I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago, because my late mother had ovarian cancer. I am only 37. Serzone gave me headaches and I tried wellbutrin, however, I thought I might try serzone again. Prozac was great before I had my oopharectomy. I loved the high mania and the almost absent depression. I wish I could take it. I am married and have 3 kids and a very nympho husband, but I have to admit the testosterone has given me the desire that I always wanted and would lack if I only took estrogen. Getting old is crappy.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on February 2, 2000, at 23:12:42
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Amanda S on February 2, 2000, at 21:55:19
I believe the average effective dosage of Lamictal in the clinical trials for bipolar depression was 200 mg/day. I think the range was between 50 - 300 mg/day.
The Lamictal plus Depakote combination mentioned earlier by judyl sounds pretty good to me. You MUST cut the Lamictal dosage in half when taking them.
- Scott
Posted by judy1 on February 3, 2000, at 15:46:45
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Amanda S on February 2, 2000, at 21:55:19
I hear you about the getting old part. I'm sure your hormonal replacement is complicating the whole picture here. I know when I went through IVF last year, I had to take all kinds of steroids, estrogen and progesterone and was according to my then pdoc a "pin ball machine" with my mood episodes. Anyway, agreeing with Scott who agreed with me about the lamictal- ask your pdoc to raise your dose before adding on anything else. Also, unless you are really stable, I think you're asking for trouble with adding an anti-depressant to the picture, like prozac that made you manic- I love that too- except what goes up usually comes down. Take care.
Posted by Amanda S on February 3, 2000, at 20:54:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by judy1 on February 3, 2000, at 15:46:45
Thanks for your replies about the lamictal it certainly gives me hope. My pdoc told me to take 3 pills two times a day that would be 150mg, but I was to scared because of uncertainty of the drug. I do not want to add an anti-deppressant because the less drugs I have to take the better. I can't believe how many different drugs some of these people take. I guess I am lucky. thanks again
Posted by Cam W. on February 4, 2000, at 6:49:48
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Amanda S on February 3, 2000, at 20:54:49
> Thanks for your replies about the lamictal it certainly gives me hope. My pdoc told me to take 3 pills two times a day that would be 150mg, but I was to scared because of uncertainty of the drug. I do not want to add an anti-deppressant because the less drugs I have to take the better. I can't believe how many different drugs some of these people take. I guess I am lucky. thanks again
Amanda - You are right, the less pills the better. Lamictal has anitdepressant properties of it's own, but is usually used as an add-on to a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. You can take Lamictal with antidepressants, but if you are bipolar, your doctor will probably pick one with a low manic switch rate (all ADs can cause manic switch, but some, less than others). ADs with low manic switch - Paxil (& most SSRIs), Manerix (Canada), Effexor, and some others. (avoid TCAs- Good luck - Cam W.
Posted by Amanda S on February 8, 2000, at 20:35:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Cam W. on February 4, 2000, at 6:49:48
Cam, I have never heard of manerix. My pdoc has not mentioned it. I have taken so many kinds of meds, but they either agitate me, put me to sleep and take away my libido. I can't win.
Posted by Anna P. on February 8, 2000, at 22:21:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal for bi-polar and with another drug, posted by Amanda S on February 8, 2000, at 20:35:22
> Cam, I have never heard of manerix. My pdoc has not mentioned it. I have taken so many kinds of meds, but they either agitate me, put me to sleep and take away my libido. I can't win.
Amanda, Manerix is available in Europe and Canada. There is many posts about that drug also under Moclobemide. For me, it didn't have any side effects, it is the energizing drug, and doesn't affect libido.
Anna P.
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