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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by scatterbrained on May 24, 2004, at 14:50:52
I'm on 300 of lamictal and one day it mildly works and the next day I'm back to my ahedonic, psuedo dementia depression. My P-doc wants to up the dose but I'm concerned that this drug might just be making the cognitive stuff worse and that along with the anhedonia is the worst aspect of my depression.I guess there's only one way to find out although it's hard to trust this doctor because he's so rushed in his approach.I just want to know what the typical dose of lamictal is for depression. He says that 300 is still a pretty low dose but it's hard to trust him.
Posted by Viridis on May 25, 2004, at 1:52:03
In reply to lamictal and best dosage, posted by scatterbrained on May 24, 2004, at 14:50:52
I do well with 150 mg of Lamictal. This seems to be the "median" dose, but as with all these meds, doses are highly individual-specific. Perhaps you could try adding another med? Provigil might be worth a try, as something easy to get, stimulating (usually without anxiety), and with a fast response (i.e., you should know whether or not it's right for you in a couple of days).
Otherwise, there's a wide range of ADs to try, and don't dismiss the benzos (especially Klonopin). Benzos are demonized by many doctors, but can work very well if your depression is anxiety-based and you can get your doctor to prescribe them.
Good luck!
Viridis
Posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on May 25, 2004, at 5:10:29
In reply to lamictal and best dosage, posted by scatterbrained on May 24, 2004, at 14:50:52
> I'm on 300 of lamictal and one day it mildly works and the next day I'm back to my ahedonic, psuedo dementia depression. My P-doc wants to up the dose but I'm concerned that this drug might just be making the cognitive stuff worse and that along with the anhedonia is the worst aspect of my depression.I guess there's only one way to find out although it's hard to trust this doctor because he's so rushed in his approach.I just want to know what the typical dose of lamictal is for depression. He says that 300 is still a pretty low dose but it's hard to trust him.
200 works well for me...I'm on it for its mood-stabilizing properties, particularly to help with my depression.
Posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 10:42:26
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on May 25, 2004, at 5:10:29
> > I'm on 300 of lamictal and one day it mildly works and the next day I'm back to my ahedonic, psuedo dementia depression. My P-doc wants to up the dose but I'm concerned that this drug might just be making the cognitive stuff worse and that along with the anhedonia is the worst aspect of my depression.I guess there's only one way to find out although it's hard to trust this doctor because he's so rushed in his approach.I just want to know what the typical dose of lamictal is for depression. He says that 300 is still a pretty low dose but it's hard to trust him.
>
> 200 works well for me...I'm on it for its mood-stabilizing properties, particularly to help with my depression.I was originally on 200 per day and it worked great but I tapered (slowly)off because I thought my problem (bipolar disorder) was solved. Wrong! After 1 month off, the mood swings came back. Should I start it up again? If so, how swiftly?
Posted by Tony P on May 25, 2004, at 11:32:39
In reply to lamictal and best dosage, posted by scatterbrained on May 24, 2004, at 14:50:52
> I'm on 300 of lamictal and one day it mildly works and the next day I'm back to my ahedonic, psuedo dementia depression. My P-doc wants to up the dose but I'm concerned that this drug might just be making the cognitive stuff worse and that along with the anhedonia is the worst aspect of my depression.I guess there's only one way to find out although it's hard to trust this doctor because he's so rushed in his approach.I just want to know what the typical dose of lamictal is for depression. He says that 300 is still a pretty low dose but it's hard to trust him.
Standard dose according to manufacturer is 200 mg/day - most people don't get much useful effect below 100. The manufacturer said in their original study there was no benefit going above 200, but everybody's different and my pdoc says he has gone as high as 600 with one patient. I am at 300 mg a day like you, but I am also taking 3-4 mg/day clonazepam - as Viridis said, this can be a good combination, especially if you're like me with mixed anxiety/depression and cylothymia/BP 2 or 3. I am not doing perfectly, but life is better than it was.
I do have some short-term memory and alertness problems, but as my pdoc pointed out, these are also typical symptoms of anxiety and depression! I would like to be on less of everything, or maybe less Lamictal and Clonazepam and a _tiny_ amount of another AD such as Wellbutrin or Effexor, but right now the word from both my pdoc and MD is - if it works, don't fix it.
Whatever you and your pdoc decide, go slowly and gently - Hamba Gashley (my only piece of Zulu).
Tony P
Posted by scatterbrained on May 25, 2004, at 13:17:21
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage » scatterbrained, posted by Tony P on May 25, 2004, at 11:32:39
I woke up today extreemly confused, not the confusion that's depression induced, I can tell the difference, this is awful and I don't know what's causing it.WHAT SHOULD I DO!!should I lower the dose? see a neurologist? The thing that is most terrifying about all this is the fact that I'm totally less depressed and still confused which from past experience is not supposed to happen.For me,when the anhedonia goes away, so does the confusion.
Posted by Tony P on May 25, 2004, at 13:50:19
In reply to HELP!!!!!, posted by scatterbrained on May 25, 2004, at 13:17:21
> I woke up today extreemly confused, not the confusion that's depression induced, I can tell the difference, this is awful and I don't know what's causing it.WHAT SHOULD I DO!!should I lower the dose? see a neurologist? The thing that is most terrifying about all this is the fact that I'm totally less depressed and still confused which from past experience is not supposed to happen.For me,when the anhedonia goes away, so does the confusion.
----------------------------
Lowering the dose may not have much immediate effect, due to the long half-life, although I have found dividing my daily dose (100x3) helps a little with the confusion. Get to a doctor (even just a GP at clinic if you have to) asap, I certainly can't diagnose you. I take back my advice to go slowly, sounds like you need help right now.You might be having an anxiety attack of a peculiar kind from the Lamictal. When I went from 50 to 100 mg Lamictal, I had a massive anxiety attack, and I've seen a few other people mention this with Lamictal; it could possibly happen any time, not necessarily just when you're ramping up the dose. I've also had similar occasional bizarre attacks of anxiety and confusion with Serzone (which is usually sedating) for no obvious reason. Klonopin in substantial doses (2 mg twice a day) really helped me function normally through the Lamictal crisis, even though it can cause some loss of alertness in itself.
I hope you can get some good help - I know how it feels to be suddenly out of control and totally confused. Keep posting, I've been there and I care.
Tony P
Posted by T_R_D on May 25, 2004, at 14:59:48
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage » BIGDaddyachmed69, posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 10:42:26
Hey Bela, I would start slowly back up again at the same rate of your taper.
Karen
Posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 15:30:03
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage, posted by T_R_D on May 25, 2004, at 14:59:48
> Hey Bela, I would start slowly back up again at the same rate of your taper.
>
> KarenHi Karen,
That is basically what I plan to do: 50-100-150-200, and remaining about 1 week at each level.
Thanks.
Posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 15:41:39
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage, posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 15:30:03
I do have another question for other Lamictal users. Can you experience "poop-out" with Lamictal as you can with the SSRIs?
Bela
Posted by lauram on May 25, 2004, at 20:09:11
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage, posted by Bela on May 25, 2004, at 15:41:39
I went from 200mg of Lamictal up to 300mg two months ago. I have noticed a big difference in the stability of my moods. My Pdoc has me taking this in divided doses, 150mg in the morning, 150mg at night. You might talk with your Pdoc to see if he might want to do a twice a day dosing.
Just a thought.
Posted by redmaryjane on May 26, 2004, at 16:20:00
In reply to Re: lamictal and best dosage, posted by lauram on May 25, 2004, at 20:09:11
Are most of you taking the Lamictal alone, without and AD? Or with only Klonopin? I would like to taper off the Paxil and only be on the Lamictal (300 mg.) and Klonopin (2 mg. a day). I have gained 30 pounds on Paxil and would like to get off of it immediately.
Has anyone experienced weight gain or loss on Lamictal?
This is the end of the thread.
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