![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 Denise528 on June 14, 2002, at 3:46:02
Hello,
My psychiatrist has asked me to start taking 25mg of lamictal a day for about 6 weeks and then go back and see him. From what I have read on here 25mg is not a therapeutic dose, so this seems pretty futile to me. Also, it cost my insurance £200 everytime I go and see him, so I imagine the next time I go and see him with the news that it istn't working, he will just put it up another 25mg at another £200. I know I am not paying the bill it just infuriates me that they get paid so much for doing so little. I cannot understand his reasoning for putting me on 25mg for 6 weeks, I know you have to go slowly on this drug, but six weeks on 25mg?.
Can anyone see the point in this?
Denise
Posted by Emme on June 14, 2002, at 9:46:05
In reply to Need some advice on Lamictal, posted by Denise528 on June 14, 2002, at 3:46:02
Hi,
25 mg for six weeks is odd. 12.5 mg/week is a commonly recommended titration rate, assuming you're not also taking depakote. I titrated more slowly than that because of minor rashes, and my body seemed to need a little time to adjust as I went up. The range of dosages people seem to use with this drug is huge. 25 mg is a low dose, but 75 mg could conceivably be high enough for you to start to feel some relief (or not - you'll find out). Can you get in touch with this doctor by phone and talk about this? Or get an appointment sooner? No need for you to suffer longer than you have to if you can safely increase the dosage at a more reasonable rate.
Emme
> Hello,
>
> My psychiatrist has asked me to start taking 25mg of lamictal a day for about 6 weeks and then go back and see him. From what I have read on here 25mg is not a therapeutic dose, so this seems pretty futile to me. Also, it cost my insurance £200 everytime I go and see him, so I imagine the next time I go and see him with the news that it istn't working, he will just put it up another 25mg at another £200. I know I am not paying the bill it just infuriates me that they get paid so much for doing so little. I cannot understand his reasoning for putting me on 25mg for 6 weeks, I know you have to go slowly on this drug, but six weeks on 25mg?.
>
> Can anyone see the point in this?
>
> Denise
Posted by DanO on June 14, 2002, at 10:25:04
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal » Denise528, posted by Emme on June 14, 2002, at 9:46:05
My current dose is 25mg, I have no mood swings, and I was VERY Bipolar. The only problem I have with it is it conflicts with Geodon, making me sleep 3X a day.
Hope this helps!
Posted by Denise528 on June 14, 2002, at 10:46:17
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal, posted by DanO on June 14, 2002, at 10:25:04
Thanks to both of you for your advice, have either of you had this lamictal poop out that other people on here seem to have had?
Denise
Posted by DanO on June 14, 2002, at 19:00:24
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal, posted by Denise528 on June 14, 2002, at 10:46:17
Do you mean work for a couple months and then quit? Well I've been on it since October and that hasn't happened to me.
Posted by Emme on June 16, 2002, at 8:14:35
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal, posted by Denise528 on June 14, 2002, at 10:46:17
Some ups and downs, but no actual poop out so far. Downs are not as severe as they have been in the past, and don't last as long. Definite improvement - I think this one's here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Emme
> Thanks to both of you for your advice, have either of you had this lamictal poop out that other people on here seem to have had?
>
> Denise
Posted by DanO on June 17, 2002, at 1:37:41
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal » Denise528, posted by Emme on June 16, 2002, at 8:14:35
None so far, bout 8 months now, and I lowered it to 25mg!
There is a problem with some people and food, me included. Sugar, Caffine and being cold all cause me, and I belive others, to sweat, and get hot flashes. Kinda weird, i know, but it took me 8 months to narrow down those 3. Now my meds are too strong. I am lowering them a knotch. I urge EVERYONE with lomictal to stay off of Sugar, Starchy foods(Like Pasta, Potatos), Caffine, and keep warm for 1 day. Then see how you feel! It can't hurt!
Posted by Denise528 on June 17, 2002, at 10:37:22
In reply to Re: Need some advice on Lamictal, posted by DanO on June 17, 2002, at 1:37:41
Dan,
How long did it take before you began to feel the effects of this drug and how often do you need to increase it? Also, are you taking anything else?
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.