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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MarkCSF on August 22, 2002, at 12:55:21
Hi, Im just kind of curious. I started Lamictal a couple weeks ago, am only taking 50mg right now, but am going up to 75 or 100mg in the next couple days. I was just wondering as to, if the AD effects of this dont happen or arent that good, what's a good antidepressant to augment this with? I was thinking Wellbutrin or Remeron cause I cannot tolerate the sexual dysfunction of anything else. Any thoughts? Thanks..
Posted by Randal on August 22, 2002, at 22:12:22
In reply to Lamictal with an Antidepressant, Suggestions?, posted by MarkCSF on August 22, 2002, at 12:55:21
Hi,
I'm not the best person to answer this because while I did not respond to ADs (including Wellbutrin) while on Lamictal + lithium, I don't in general respond to ADs.
Two things I have heard:
A combination of Lamictal + Neurontin (gabapentin, an anticonvulsant) is apparently good for a lot of people. I got the impression at one point that there might be something "special" (synergistic?) about this combination. This might be "safer" for some bipolar people than taking ADs, and Neurontin has few side affects for most. I have been taking Neurontin (250 mg x 3) on top of Lamictal (500mg) and Lithium (1200 mg) for the last week. So far, so good. (If anyone knows of any evidence of the efficacy of the Lamictal/Neurontin combination or has had good experiences I would be interested.)
Remeron possibly is one of the medications most likely to induce weight gain, from what I understand. I haven't tried it, partly because a buddy of mine quickly put on 30 lbs (and he's a short guy). Clearly different people would respond differently, but seriously, I'd take a little sexual dysfunction instead of that!
Good luck! A great thing about Lamictal is (for me) essentially no side effects--even at 500mg/day.
Randal
> Hi, Im just kind of curious. I started Lamictal a couple weeks ago, am only taking 50mg right now, but am going up to 75 or 100mg in the next couple days. I was just wondering as to, if the AD effects of this dont happen or arent that good, what's a good antidepressant to augment this with? I was thinking Wellbutrin or Remeron cause I cannot tolerate the sexual dysfunction of anything else. Any thoughts? Thanks..
>
>
Posted by sarahcat on August 23, 2002, at 14:05:00
In reply to Lamictal with an Antidepressant, Suggestions?, posted by MarkCSF on August 22, 2002, at 12:55:21
I take Lamictal with Effexor plus Neurontin, Lithium, and Risperdal. For me each med plays a role in keeping my BP II under control. Right now I take 100mg of Lamictal, which seems to be augmenting the antidepressant effect of the Effexor, of which I take 300mg. Lithium provides most of my overall mood stabilization, Neurontin helps my anxiety, and Risperdal helps with suicidal thoughts. Lamictal has been the most recent addition, and is the one my psychiatrist is most willing to increase at this point. Also, since the Lamictal seems to be helping so much, my psychiatrist plans to eliminate the Risperdal and Neurontin soon, leaving me on just the Effexor, Lithium, and Lamictal.I haven't noticed any sexual side effects from the Effexor, however I may not be a good judge of that since I'm normally rarely interested in sex anyway.
Hope this helps, and sorry for the rambling.
Sarah
Posted by rainbowlight on August 27, 2002, at 1:26:24
In reply to Lamictal with an Antidepressant, Suggestions?, posted by MarkCSF on August 22, 2002, at 12:55:21
I take Lamictal and Remeron together and it has worked out great for me. I began them both at the same time and I really felt the depression lift after a months time.
Posted by sjb on August 28, 2002, at 10:02:26
In reply to Re: Lamictal with an Antidepressant, Suggestions?, posted by rainbowlight on August 27, 2002, at 1:26:24
Hi,
I just started Lamictal last week and added Effexor this week. I'm at 50mg of Lamictal at night and 37.5 mg of Effexor. in am. I called in sick from work today, feeling lousy. Can't increase Lamictal for a week, don't know about how quickly I can increase Effexor. May call PDoc today. Should I have had some relief by now even though the dosage is low? Also, when you increase, do side effects increase? I want my energy back soon and am impatient.
Posted by sarahcat on August 28, 2002, at 21:16:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal with an AD - impatient, posted by sjb on August 28, 2002, at 10:02:26
Not everyone has a response to meds at the same dosages. While some people may respond to 37.5mg of Effexor or 50mg of Lamictal, there are quite a few people who will not.In general, side effects do not necessarily increase with dose, though they may. A lot of times they dissipate after a week or two.
Sarah
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