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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 TomG on August 3, 2002, at 12:59:09
I am bipolar II and have been on Lamictal 125mg for about three days. This is my only med. Before this I was on 100mg for three weeks. I thought this was a little long to be on this dosage without an increase. In nine days I will go up to 150mg and hold for four weeks. I have no side effects so far and my depression seems to be holding steady instead of getting worse as the day progresses. Although my mood is still bad (no antidepressant effect). How long have you guys on Lamictal remained at one dosage before an increase? Do the antidepressant effects come on suddenly or does it happen gradually? I was taking lithium with this, but I cannot take lithium at any dosage. It seems to cause a worsening of depression and terrible agitation at doses of 600mg and maybe less. I haven't tried. I thought this was an odd reaction to lithium. Lithium worked for me for five days when intially started it. I was 100% symptom free and it just stopped working all of a sudden. After this I started getting the worsening of mood. I suspected a thyroid problem because I know lithium can be associated with hypothyroid. My blood tests for thyroid seem to check out O.K. Any input from Lamictal users would be appreciated or anybody with a similar reaction to lithium.
Tom
Posted by Peter S. on August 3, 2002, at 13:57:19
In reply to Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 12:59:09
Tom,
I've gradually gone up to 600mg increasing by about 50mg per every other day. I've noticed that the effect has faded and is not as consistant as it used to be. It has been the best anti-depressant I've taken- the effect was almost immediate and there are virtually no side effects. I'm also taking 1200mg of Neurontin which seems to have anti-anxiety effects.
I'm seeing my Pdoc on Monday to see what we can do about the loss of efficacy.
Peter
> I am bipolar II and have been on Lamictal 125mg for about three days. This is my only med. Before this I was on 100mg for three weeks. I thought this was a little long to be on this dosage without an increase. In nine days I will go up to 150mg and hold for four weeks. I have no side effects so far and my depression seems to be holding steady instead of getting worse as the day progresses. Although my mood is still bad (no antidepressant effect). How long have you guys on Lamictal remained at one dosage before an increase? Do the antidepressant effects come on suddenly or does it happen gradually? I was taking lithium with this, but I cannot take lithium at any dosage. It seems to cause a worsening of depression and terrible agitation at doses of 600mg and maybe less. I haven't tried. I thought this was an odd reaction to lithium. Lithium worked for me for five days when intially started it. I was 100% symptom free and it just stopped working all of a sudden. After this I started getting the worsening of mood. I suspected a thyroid problem because I know lithium can be associated with hypothyroid. My blood tests for thyroid seem to check out O.K. Any input from Lamictal users would be appreciated or anybody with a similar reaction to lithium.
>
> Tom
Posted by Maximus on August 3, 2002, at 14:48:03
In reply to Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 12:59:09
It was my schedule:
1- First week: 50 mg
2- Second week: 100 mg
3- Third week: 150 mg
4- Fourth week: 200 mgThen increase of 100 mg each week "if needed".
I had absolutely NO problem to titrate Lamictal. However, i have to admit that my pdoc is very aggressive (in strategy) and very competent too.
Hope that helps!
Posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 15:33:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by Peter S. on August 3, 2002, at 13:57:19
Thanks for your reply,
At what dosage did you start to feel a difference?
Tom,
>
> I've gradually gone up to 600mg increasing by about 50mg per every other day. I've noticed that the effect has faded and is not as consistant as it used to be. It has been the best anti-depressant I've taken- the effect was almost immediate and there are virtually no side effects. I'm also taking 1200mg of Neurontin which seems to have anti-anxiety effects.
>
> I'm seeing my Pdoc on Monday to see what we can do about the loss of efficacy.
>
> Peter
>
> > I am bipolar II and have been on Lamictal 125mg for about three days. This is my only med. Before this I was on 100mg for three weeks. I thought this was a little long to be on this dosage without an increase. In nine days I will go up to 150mg and hold for four weeks. I have no side effects so far and my depression seems to be holding steady instead of getting worse as the day progresses. Although my mood is still bad (no antidepressant effect). How long have you guys on Lamictal remained at one dosage before an increase? Do the antidepressant effects come on suddenly or does it happen gradually? I was taking lithium with this, but I cannot take lithium at any dosage. It seems to cause a worsening of depression and terrible agitation at doses of 600mg and maybe less. I haven't tried. I thought this was an odd reaction to lithium. Lithium worked for me for five days when intially started it. I was 100% symptom free and it just stopped working all of a sudden. After this I started getting the worsening of mood. I suspected a thyroid problem because I know lithium can be associated with hypothyroid. My blood tests for thyroid seem to check out O.K. Any input from Lamictal users would be appreciated or anybody with a similar reaction to lithium.
> >
> > Tom
>
>
Posted by Maximus on August 3, 2002, at 20:00:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 15:33:40
>At what dosage did you start to feel a difference?
In my case, at the begining, i.e. 50 mg. Lamictal is just wonderful.
Posted by Emme on August 4, 2002, at 6:54:22
In reply to Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 12:59:09
Hi. I parked it at 100 mg for a good 8 weeks, although I started to feel some benefit after about 62.5 mg on a 6.25/week titration.
Knowing my sensitivity to drugs, my pdoc sometimes just wants to let me "cook" at a dosage for a little while to see how it goes and to see if side effects workt their way out. Though it's faster than AD's, she said it can sometimes take a few weeks for maximum benefit of Lamictal to be realized. And it did really seem to work out that way. And then of course there was no point in raising it further. (I had to back it down to 87.5 because of headaches and nausea and just not feeling well at 100 mg.)
m.e.
Posted by Peter S. on August 4, 2002, at 15:56:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by TomG on August 3, 2002, at 15:33:40
I noticed the effect immediatley at 25 mg. As I said the effects have faded gradually and I have had to increase the dose to 600mg and it is now fading again. Bummer.
> Thanks for your reply,
> At what dosage did you start to feel a difference?
>
>
> Tom,
> >
> > I've gradually gone up to 600mg increasing by about 50mg per every other day. I've noticed that the effect has faded and is not as consistant as it used to be. It has been the best anti-depressant I've taken- the effect was almost immediate and there are virtually no side effects. I'm also taking 1200mg of Neurontin which seems to have anti-anxiety effects.
> >
> > I'm seeing my Pdoc on Monday to see what we can do about the loss of efficacy.
> >
> > Peter
> >
> > > I am bipolar II and have been on Lamictal 125mg for about three days. This is my only med. Before this I was on 100mg for three weeks. I thought this was a little long to be on this dosage without an increase. In nine days I will go up to 150mg and hold for four weeks. I have no side effects so far and my depression seems to be holding steady instead of getting worse as the day progresses. Although my mood is still bad (no antidepressant effect). How long have you guys on Lamictal remained at one dosage before an increase? Do the antidepressant effects come on suddenly or does it happen gradually? I was taking lithium with this, but I cannot take lithium at any dosage. It seems to cause a worsening of depression and terrible agitation at doses of 600mg and maybe less. I haven't tried. I thought this was an odd reaction to lithium. Lithium worked for me for five days when intially started it. I was 100% symptom free and it just stopped working all of a sudden. After this I started getting the worsening of mood. I suspected a thyroid problem because I know lithium can be associated with hypothyroid. My blood tests for thyroid seem to check out O.K. Any input from Lamictal users would be appreciated or anybody with a similar reaction to lithium.
> > >
> > > Tom
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by TomG on August 4, 2002, at 20:58:01
In reply to Re: Lamictal: How Much Time For Each Dosage Increase?, posted by Peter S. on August 4, 2002, at 15:56:50
Thanks for your reply,
I have been at 125mg for three days and feel like shit. My irritability and depression seems to have gotten worse. I don't understand my unusual reactions to these medicines like lithium and this Lamictal. I guess maybe I should raise the dosage to 150mg and see what happens. I haven't felt anything on any dosage. Maybe I should be more patient.Tom
I noticed the effect immediatley at 25 mg. As I said the effects have faded gradually and I have had to increase the dose to 600mg and it is now fading again. Bummer.
>
> > Thanks for your reply,
> > At what dosage did you start to feel a difference?
> >
> >
> > Tom,
> > >
> > > I've gradually gone up to 600mg increasing by about 50mg per every other day. I've noticed that the effect has faded and is not as consistant as it used to be. It has been the best anti-depressant I've taken- the effect was almost immediate and there are virtually no side effects. I'm also taking 1200mg of Neurontin which seems to have anti-anxiety effects.
> > >
> > > I'm seeing my Pdoc on Monday to see what we can do about the loss of efficacy.
> > >
> > > Peter
> > >
> > > > I am bipolar II and have been on Lamictal 125mg for about three days. This is my only med. Before this I was on 100mg for three weeks. I thought this was a little long to be on this dosage without an increase. In nine days I will go up to 150mg and hold for four weeks. I have no side effects so far and my depression seems to be holding steady instead of getting worse as the day progresses. Although my mood is still bad (no antidepressant effect). How long have you guys on Lamictal remained at one dosage before an increase? Do the antidepressant effects come on suddenly or does it happen gradually? I was taking lithium with this, but I cannot take lithium at any dosage. It seems to cause a worsening of depression and terrible agitation at doses of 600mg and maybe less. I haven't tried. I thought this was an odd reaction to lithium. Lithium worked for me for five days when intially started it. I was 100% symptom free and it just stopped working all of a sudden. After this I started getting the worsening of mood. I suspected a thyroid problem because I know lithium can be associated with hypothyroid. My blood tests for thyroid seem to check out O.K. Any input from Lamictal users would be appreciated or anybody with a similar reaction to lithium.
> > > >
> > > > Tom
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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