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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theo on June 19, 2004, at 8:06:13
Seems like all one reads on this board is how horrible this med is, any positive results for mood stabilization and depression/OCD, at 50mg, 75mg, 100mg?
My pdoc wants me to go to 100mg but I've heard results at lower doses from my psychologist who is quite up on meds but can't prescribe?
Posted by faviles on June 19, 2004, at 10:33:16
In reply to Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by theo on June 19, 2004, at 8:06:13
My pdoc added Lamictal to my cocktail (Lexapro 20, Zyprexa 2.5) because I was extremely fatigued and irritable all the time. I have atypical depression and OCD. I've slowly titrated the Lamictal up to 100 mg, experiencing some agitation for a few days after each increase.
I've been at 100 for 3 weeks now, and I feel great. No longer fatigued, have energy to exercise when I get home from work, not as irritable. The only problem is that it has exacerbared my OCD symptoms (intrusive thoughts, constant checking and re-checking of my "to-do" lists). I also am having problems falling asleep, but right now the trade off is well worth it! Hope this helps..
Posted by theo on June 19, 2004, at 10:46:54
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by faviles on June 19, 2004, at 10:33:16
Did you have any side effects at all, itching, mild rash? Did you titrate following the starter kit?
Posted by faviles on June 19, 2004, at 12:03:55
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » faviles, posted by theo on June 19, 2004, at 10:46:54
I took 25 mg in am for 3 weeks, then increased by 25 every 3 weeks. I experienced minor itching I think when I went from 50 to 75 mg, but it went away after a couple of days and was no big deal. No other side effects except for previously mentioned agitation/restlessness for 2-3 days following each dose increase.
Posted by lauram on June 19, 2004, at 12:58:19
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » theo, posted by faviles on June 19, 2004, at 12:03:55
I am on Lamictal 300mg, 150mg in AM, 150mg in PM. We started at 25mg and increased by 25mg every two weeks. It has taken awhile to get to where I am at but has been worth the time. I experienced a bit of anxiety for 3-4 days after each increase but that went away.
My moods have been stable and I am not as depressed. I has to switch from Depakote due to side effects and have been overall very pleased.
Posted by theo on June 20, 2004, at 16:20:22
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by lauram on June 19, 2004, at 12:58:19
At what dose did you start splitting between AM and PM?
Posted by theo on June 20, 2004, at 16:22:21
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by faviles on June 19, 2004, at 10:33:16
Do you take it all at once or split doses? If you take it all at once do you take it morning or bedtime?
Posted by DepNYer on June 21, 2004, at 14:29:30
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » faviles, posted by theo on June 20, 2004, at 16:22:21
I'm on 400 mg of Lamictal as augmentation for TD unipolar depression (along with 300 mg imipramine, 60 mg Remeron) and it's been a wonder how well it's worked for me (everyones' milage may vary). I've had no rashes, no out of the order itches, or really any other side effects. I did raise the slowly to reach 400 mg, and at each increase I did notice some headaches, but they would resolve in a few days. I do divide my dose into 200 mg AM and PM. While I've read and seen the rare (1:4000 of adult users, although reportedly lower now that dosage increases have been reduced, the incidence is even lower, although of no consolation to those who have suffered from such horrible rections) cases of Stevens Johnson syndrome and TEN, but still felt it was worth the risk for me.
Posted by faviles on June 22, 2004, at 15:34:37
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » faviles, posted by theo on June 20, 2004, at 16:22:21
I take my Lamictal (100 mg) all at once in the morning because of the activating effect it has on me. I think a pm dose would result in insomnia for me..
Posted by theo on June 22, 2004, at 18:56:09
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » theo, posted by faviles on June 22, 2004, at 15:34:37
At what dose did you start to notice it helping? Are you staying at 100mg for now?
Posted by faviles on June 23, 2004, at 15:13:39
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » faviles, posted by theo on June 22, 2004, at 18:56:09
> At what dose did you start to notice it helping? Are you staying at 100mg for now?
It definitely increased my energy level (along with the irritability) for a few days after each increase, but then back to my normal exhausted, I hate the world and everyone in it mode. One day (about two weeks after increasing to 100) I realized that I felt really good - great energy, even-keeled, no longer agitated. Before when I came home from work I would flip several people off on the way home, then washing my coffee cup and taking off my shoes seemed to require a gargantuan effort. All I could do was lay in bed for several hours. Now I drive home calmly and have the energy to exercise every day after work (which in itself has helped a great deal). I've been feeling this way for about 3 weeks now, which is unheard of for me. Planning on staying with Lexapro 20, Zyprexa 2.5, and keeping Lamictal at 100 for now. My pdoc says we can slowly bump it up to 200 if needed in the future.
Posted by woolav on June 25, 2004, at 12:04:09
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » theo, posted by faviles on June 23, 2004, at 15:13:39
faviles,
what are u diag. with? I am desperatley trying to find something to make me feel normal.thanks
Posted by faviles on June 25, 2004, at 16:04:46
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by woolav on June 25, 2004, at 12:04:09
> faviles,
> what are u diag. with? I am desperatley trying to find something to make me feel normal.
>
> thanks
Atypical Depression, possibly BP II
Posted by faviles on June 25, 2004, at 16:06:27
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by woolav on June 25, 2004, at 12:04:09
> faviles,
> what are u diag. with? I am desperatley trying to find something to make me feel normal.
>
> thanksOops, forgot to mention my OCD. Wow, these meds must be working pretty good if I forgot about that!
Posted by Peter S. on June 25, 2004, at 21:57:47
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by faviles on June 25, 2004, at 16:06:27
Lamictal has really helped better than anything else. I take 50mg in the am and it gives me a good kick of energy and anti depressant. I also take 10mg lexapro and 300mg of neurontin. I recently added 15mg of abilify which seems to help but the jury's still out.
Peter
Posted by theo on June 26, 2004, at 14:42:05
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it?, posted by Peter S. on June 25, 2004, at 21:57:47
Only 50mg? I thought 100mg was minimum theraputic dose?
Posted by Peter S. on June 26, 2004, at 15:32:25
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal, Anything Positive about it? » Peter S., posted by theo on June 26, 2004, at 14:42:05
I don't think there is a specified therapeutic dose for treating depression/bipolar. The effect Lamictal has on me is a stimulating one which occurs about 1 hour after I take it. I have a feeling this is a secondary effect from the primary effect that Lamictal was created for (anti convulsant). I've been very curious about the stimulation because it seems that only a small group who takes Lamictal has this effect.
> Only 50mg? I thought 100mg was minimum theraputic dose?
This is the end of the thread.
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