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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Peter S. on June 27, 2003, at 13:47:43
I would love to hear how people are doing on Lamictal. It still works in a stimulant/anti-depressant way for 4 to 5 hours after I take it. The effect then starts fading. I'm taking 50mg and thinking that maybe I'll try a smaller dose in the afternoon.
I've also been trying Lexapro at 10mg for last 3 weeks and it's causing increased fatigue and depression (which seems like my general response to SSRI's).
Anybody combined Lamictal with other things and avoided the poop-out syndrome? When I first started taking it, it was wonderful, but now it's more stimulating and less of an anti-depressant.
Thanks!
Peter
Posted by Penny on June 28, 2003, at 23:11:42
In reply to Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint?, posted by Peter S. on June 27, 2003, at 13:47:43
Been taking Lamictal for about a year now - 200mgs 2x a day. I've never noticed a stimulant effect from it, though it would be nice as I have a hard time staying awake in the daytime! Has worked pretty well for me as a mood stabilizer, evening me out some, though lately I'm just struggling with it all...
Does your doc check your Lamictal 'levels'? The effective range, according to my pdoc, is between 2 and 4, though I'm not sure 2 and 4 of what - but my level is only 2 point something, so he said we can always increase the Lamictal more if needed (which, as it's looking right now, might be needed).
Anyway, I take Lamictal with Zoloft, Wellbutrin SR, Geodon and Levoxyl (Dx - Mood Disorders NOS)
> I would love to hear how people are doing on Lamictal. It still works in a stimulant/anti-depressant way for 4 to 5 hours after I take it. The effect then starts fading. I'm taking 50mg and thinking that maybe I'll try a smaller dose in the afternoon.
>
> I've also been trying Lexapro at 10mg for last 3 weeks and it's causing increased fatigue and depression (which seems like my general response to SSRI's).
>
> Anybody combined Lamictal with other things and avoided the poop-out syndrome? When I first started taking it, it was wonderful, but now it's more stimulating and less of an anti-depressant.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Peter
Posted by colin wallace on June 29, 2003, at 7:59:48
In reply to Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint?, posted by Peter S. on June 27, 2003, at 13:47:43
> I would love to hear how people are doing on Lamictal. It still works in a stimulant/anti-depressant way for 4 to 5 hours after I take it. The effect then starts fading. I'm taking 50mg and thinking that maybe I'll try a smaller dose in the afternoon.
>
> I've also been trying Lexapro at 10mg for last 3 weeks and it's causing increased fatigue and depression (which seems like my general response to SSRI's).
>
> Anybody combined Lamictal with other things and avoided the poop-out syndrome? When I first started taking it, it was wonderful, but now it's more stimulating and less of an anti-depressant.
>
> Thanks!
>
> PeterHowdy Pete,
Things are going well with my dabblings with Lamictal and Prozac at present.
After much tinkering, I've settled at 200mg Lamictal(less and I lose the effect)and a whopping 20mg Prozac!
This has at last bridged the Lamictal/AD 'gap',and allowed me to get consistent results- ie. smooth mood, no temper spells, depression diminishing by the day- actually, if my life situation wasn't so dire, I think I'd probably have achieved a full remission.But that's life.
I also take 5mg NADH every morning, which helps a great deal with my motivation/energy levels.
What bothers me most symptom-wise these days is poor coordination and attention difficulties- I've been considering a trial of Strattera, although first I'm gonna see what magic NADH can weave in these matters!
It still amazes me how Lamictal has enabled me to reach a full 20mg dose of Prozac with zero troublesome side effects, except perhaps for a certain 'floppiness' down below.
Perhaps the year I spent slogging it out on Lam. monotherapy has normalized my brain to the extent that my AD now does just what it's supposed to, as opposed to sending me clawing at the ceiling and tearing my skin off!
I really need to sort out my attention issues though, as I'm only now realizing that they've always existed in tandem with my depression, and not just as part of my depression.
As for preventing Lamictal 'poop-out', well, I'd perhaps try and ride out those SSRI start up effects for a couple of months if I were you.
It always takes me at least that long(and with similar side-effects to yours)before I get the real benefits of any AD, Prozac included.
Hope things improve for you Pete.Keep ahead!Col.
Posted by Peter S. on June 29, 2003, at 14:36:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint? » Peter S., posted by colin wallace on June 29, 2003, at 7:59:48
Thanks very much for the details of your experience Colin. I find your experience with Prozac and Lamictal very encouraging. There must be some kind of synergy happening and I can only hope that this will be the case with Lexapro and LAM for me.
I'm glad NADH is working for you. I had tried it a couple of years ago and found no noticable difference. Maybe it's worth another shot...
Anyway, best of luck and keep plugging!
Pete
> Howdy Pete,
>
> Things are going well with my dabblings with Lamictal and Prozac at present.
> After much tinkering, I've settled at 200mg Lamictal(less and I lose the effect)and a whopping 20mg Prozac!
> This has at last bridged the Lamictal/AD 'gap',and allowed me to get consistent results- ie. smooth mood, no temper spells, depression diminishing by the day- actually, if my life situation wasn't so dire, I think I'd probably have achieved a full remission.But that's life.
> I also take 5mg NADH every morning, which helps a great deal with my motivation/energy levels.
> What bothers me most symptom-wise these days is poor coordination and attention difficulties- I've been considering a trial of Strattera, although first I'm gonna see what magic NADH can weave in these matters!
> It still amazes me how Lamictal has enabled me to reach a full 20mg dose of Prozac with zero troublesome side effects, except perhaps for a certain 'floppiness' down below.
> Perhaps the year I spent slogging it out on Lam. monotherapy has normalized my brain to the extent that my AD now does just what it's supposed to, as opposed to sending me clawing at the ceiling and tearing my skin off!
> I really need to sort out my attention issues though, as I'm only now realizing that they've always existed in tandem with my depression, and not just as part of my depression.
> As for preventing Lamictal 'poop-out', well, I'd perhaps try and ride out those SSRI start up effects for a couple of months if I were you.
> It always takes me at least that long(and with similar side-effects to yours)before I get the real benefits of any AD, Prozac included.
> Hope things improve for you Pete.Keep ahead!
>
> Col.
>
Posted by rod on June 30, 2003, at 14:58:01
In reply to Re: Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint? » Peter S., posted by Penny on June 28, 2003, at 23:11:42
sorry to intrude, but I have a really bothering problem with Lamictal.
I am now taking it at 100mg for 3 days,for treatment resistand depression like symptoms, without any other drug. Started quite good and seemed to be very useful for me (less anxiety, less tension, mild and usefull anti-depressive effect), besides the feeling of extreme weakness and clumsiness.
But now I also experience some sensation difficulties in my arms and legs. Although I am able to feel pain, but when I touch, for example, my arm with the other hand, its like touching the arm of someone else. weired. I am just feeling so little it frightens me. Oddly this varies from time to time within a day. I did no figure out if it is realted to a occasion or food intake, seems to be independent.
It somehow resembles the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (well, I am not sure, but based on the info I got from the web).
But Lamictal is supposed to help a little with this neurodegenerative diseases.
very strange.Has anyone else experienced this kind of symptoms/side efects?
Did they go away with prolonged drug intake or only upon discontinuation?
ANY inforamtion, advise is very welcome.Roland
PS: I will see my doc (who prescribed it) this Friday, and see a doc tomorrow at hospital to start a Ritalin trial (my doc does not have the special prescriptions papers to prescribe it personally to me; Im not in the US; another story...)
Posted by maryhelen on June 30, 2003, at 20:03:32
In reply to Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint?, posted by Peter S. on June 27, 2003, at 13:47:43
Hi Colin:
I have been taking Lamitcal with 90 mg of Parnate for a little over 2 months now. I had a tremendous response when I was at 150 mg. In fact, I cannot remember when I felt better. I have been trying for 25 years to get the right combination of meds and never imagined that this would happen.
However, it did begin to 'poop out' so my pdoc has upped it and I am now at 225 mg. I am not as depressed as I used to be, which I should be thankful for, but it was such a tease.
Why, why, does this drug do this. I would really like to understand.
I am losing a lot of my hair as well, which had started with the Lithium I was taking before the Lamitcal. When I felt so good, I would have taken baldness and wearing a wig, to have such a feeling of wellness and not be depressed.
I have treatment resistant depression. Of course, I will hang it with the Lamitcal, but it is so very frustrating.
maryhelen
Posted by HenryO on July 1, 2003, at 2:29:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint?, posted by maryhelen on June 30, 2003, at 20:03:32
Maryhelen, maybe the lamictal has not pooped out at all. Several inexplicable times a year my depression just rises up and overwhelms the medication. Perhaps if you stick with it you will find that except for those times when the it is at its peak, your depression will be much better. I have been taking Lamictal for nearly six months now. At times I feel rotten but for the most part I have to say I don't think it is pooping out. Stick with it for a longer time.
Does it ever upset your stomach?
Have you ever tried Pindolol (a.k.a. Visken) as an augmentation?
Posted by rod on July 1, 2003, at 7:13:45
In reply to Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremities, posted by rod on June 30, 2003, at 14:58:01
People at hospital were not very happy with this at all, and took it very serious. They do not really have a clue (at least they did not tell me) and advised me to monitor this symptom very closely. They also excluded psychosis as the root of these symptoms. Looking forward to see my doc at friday.
Roland
> sorry to intrude, but I have a really bothering problem with Lamictal.
>
> I am now taking it at 100mg for 3 days,for treatment resistand depression like symptoms, without any other drug. Started quite good and seemed to be very useful for me (less anxiety, less tension, mild and usefull anti-depressive effect), besides the feeling of extreme weakness and clumsiness.
>
> But now I also experience some sensation difficulties in my arms and legs. Although I am able to feel pain, but when I touch, for example, my arm with the other hand, its like touching the arm of someone else. weired. I am just feeling so little it frightens me. Oddly this varies from time to time within a day. I did no figure out if it is realted to a occasion or food intake, seems to be independent.
> It somehow resembles the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (well, I am not sure, but based on the info I got from the web).
> But Lamictal is supposed to help a little with this neurodegenerative diseases.
> very strange.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this kind of symptoms/side efects?
> Did they go away with prolonged drug intake or only upon discontinuation?
> ANY inforamtion, advise is very welcome.
>
> Roland
>
> PS: I will see my doc (who prescribed it) this Friday, and see a doc tomorrow at hospital to start a Ritalin trial (my doc does not have the special prescriptions papers to prescribe it personally to me; Im not in the US; another story...)
Posted by colin wallace on July 1, 2003, at 14:36:51
In reply to Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremities, posted by rod on June 30, 2003, at 14:58:01
> sorry to intrude, but I have a really bothering problem with Lamictal.
>
> I am now taking it at 100mg for 3 days,for treatment resistand depression like symptoms, without any other drug. Started quite good and seemed to be very useful for me (less anxiety, less tension, mild and usefull anti-depressive effect), besides the feeling of extreme weakness and clumsiness.
>
> But now I also experience some sensation difficulties in my arms and legs. Although I am able to feel pain, but when I touch, for example, my arm with the other hand, its like touching the arm of someone else. weired. I am just feeling so little it frightens me. Oddly this varies from time to time within a day. I did no figure out if it is realted to a occasion or food intake, seems to be independent.
> It somehow resembles the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (well, I am not sure, but based on the info I got from the web).
> But Lamictal is supposed to help a little with this neurodegenerative diseases.
> very strange.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this kind of symptoms/side efects?
> Did they go away with prolonged drug intake or only upon discontinuation?
> ANY inforamtion, advise is very welcome.
>
> Roland
>
> PS: I will see my doc (who prescribed it) this Friday, and see a doc tomorrow at hospital to start a Ritalin trial (my doc does not have the special prescriptions papers to prescribe it personally to me; Im not in the US; another story...)Roland,
I've been on lamictal for over a year, and have experienced a vaguely similar side-effect.
I feel very poorly coordinated, and often my right leg seems to 'drag' a little, or feel numb and unresponsive, as though it belongs to someone else.Very annoying.
I saw a very good neurologist who assured me that this was just an individual manifestation of an underlying (harmless)coordination/sensation issue, which Lamictal somehow makes more pronounced.
Although this really bugs me, I'd rather put up with it than feel terribly depressed.
I very much doubt that you have anything neurologically 'wrong' with you, and I'm sure that this is a harmless side-effect, like mine.
Check it out with a neuro. if you're worried though.Best,
Col.
Posted by Henryo on July 4, 2003, at 1:41:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremities » rod, posted by colin wallace on July 1, 2003, at 14:36:51
I have not felt anything like that. I find this very interesting and distressing as I have only been on Lamictal for 6 months. Please keep us informed.
Posted by colin wallace on July 4, 2003, at 3:47:04
In reply to Re: Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremitie, posted by Henryo on July 4, 2003, at 1:41:39
> I have not felt anything like that. I find this very interesting and distressing as I have only been on Lamictal for 6 months. Please keep us informed.
Henry,Don't worry- in my case, I've experienced similar balance/coordination issues since I was a kid, and every medication I've ever been on has produced some kind of effect on this.
Remeron in particular was far worse for me, and valproate caused almost identical strange sensations as Lamictal.These are just my 'idiosyncratic' reactions. Quite harmless.
The anticonvulsants especially are renowned for causing incoordination type side-effects, and strange sensations/tinglings etc. are fairly common to a variety of meds.
They usually subside with time.
Posted by rod on July 4, 2003, at 4:24:13
In reply to Re: Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremitie » Henryo, posted by colin wallace on July 4, 2003, at 3:47:04
The sensation difficulties seem to fade with time for me. I guess the dosage increase from 75mg to 100mg has triggered this. Maybe I was going up a little fast (25mg every week).
Another reason could be the B1, B6, B12, folic acid (each of them max recomm. dose) I started a few days before the dosage increment, and stopped when I experienced this. Two things at the same time, hmm, who knows.
(I have a "sceptic" book about all the drugs available in central europe, in which some inofficial side effects are listed. The authors warn about "sensoric neuropathy" as a side effect of long term use of the prescription vitamin B mix I took...)thanks for reading
Roland
Posted by lindaz on July 5, 2003, at 12:03:38
In reply to Lamictal - sensation difficulties - extremities, posted by rod on June 30, 2003, at 14:58:01
Ihave been on Lamictal for five or six years. Great drug bad side effects for me. Started out with gait problems, rt side weakness,dragged my rt leg+ tremors. This started at the beginning. Now I am seeing a neurologist who says I have Parkinsons. I told him that the medication I was on affected the above so he looked it up in the pdr and it said "parkinsonism". He isn't sure he buys the mental illness thing. I now have to go off the Lamictal to see if I have Parkinsons or if it is Parkinsonism.`I love my Lamictal even if walk funny.
Posted by catmint on July 7, 2003, at 1:32:10
In reply to Re: Lamictal Updates? Colin- catmint?, posted by maryhelen on June 30, 2003, at 20:03:32
Hey, I haven't been here in a while. Hi Colin!
Hey Peter!
I'm still on Lamictal (75 mg. in the morn and 25 late afternoon)
I still have wicked depressive episodes that seem to be very short lived (1 day) but the intensity is the same (extreme agitation to the point of wanting to plunge something sharp into my arm)Somehow, though, something shifts, I can feel it, it's wierd, but I come out of it. Yea!!
I'd have to say, all in all Lamictal is FABULOUS. I love seeing that bottle every day.
It does nothing for anxiety. Only cardio helps, which I still do.
Do you guys ever wonder if periods of remission can last for many years?I guess that's where I'm at. I hope it lasts. Lamictal really does my brain some good
Good to see you guys are still here! write back!
::Amy
Posted by catmint on July 10, 2003, at 19:37:21
Hi---
Did you all have a chance to read my post? Maybe you could check the previous period. It would be good to hear from you. I haven't been posting in a while.
::Amy
Posted by Peter S. on July 14, 2003, at 0:07:07
In reply to Thread is gone-Colin, Peter S. Did you rd my post?, posted by catmint on July 10, 2003, at 19:37:21
Hey catmint,
Glad the Lamictal is still working so well for you! Wish I could say the same- I find I build a tolerance relatively quickly. What I've been doing is taking 50mg for 5 days and then 2 days off. It really acts like a stimulant for me-except it's better because I don't feel "speedy".
Thanks for the check-in.Best,
Peter
> Hi---
> Did you all have a chance to read my post? Maybe you could check the previous period. It would be good to hear from you. I haven't been posting in a while.
> ::Amy
This is the end of the thread.
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