Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 365667

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Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 12:19:04

My doc and I are considering Lamictal (he likes Risperdal, a little too much, but we comprised by getting a script for Abilify).

The idea is I'm a mixed bipolar, which explains a lot. I go from depression to elation multiple times throughout the day.

But it's weird to me how slowing down such cycling lets you be happier (or at least not manic or depressed).

My one concern is, sleepiness. Does it become activating after awhile, or is it going to make me feel like I felt on Neurontin at 1600mg or more-- borderline mental retardation experiences.

I hope it's activating, but this is one drug I know nothing about. It takes weeks to work, right? Anyone notice some help from it? thanks!

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by TJO on July 13, 2004, at 12:54:44

In reply to Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 12:19:04

Hi.

> The idea is I'm a mixed bipolar, which explains a lot. I go from depression to elation multiple times throughout the day.

This is called ultradian rapid cyclicity. It is exceedingly rare. Such mood lability over the course of a single day is usually a component of another diagnosis.

Are you male or female? Forgive me my terrible memory.

> My one concern is, sleepiness. Does it become activating after awhile, or is it going to make me feel like I felt on Neurontin at 1600mg or more-- borderline mental retardation experiences.

> I hope it's activating, but this is one drug I know nothing about. It takes weeks to work, right? Anyone notice some help from it? thanks!

It can be very activating. I haven't seen too many people complain of sedation. Lamictal can produce its activating and antidepressant effects early in treatment (2 weeks) and at low dosages (50mg). You know about the gradual dosage increases and the rash, of course.


- Scott

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 15:29:12

In reply to Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by TJO on July 13, 2004, at 12:54:44


thanks for the info. My therapist joked when I asked if "rapid cycling" could refer to daily ups and downs.

I was weeping early today, but then got happy just an hour later. And it comes and goes like I have no control in my life..

I'm male, with social anxiety, ADD, depression, and possible bipolar,

> Hi.
>
> > The idea is I'm a mixed bipolar, which explains a lot. I go from depression to elation multiple times throughout the day.
>
> This is called ultradian rapid cyclicity. It is exceedingly rare. Such mood lability over the course of a single day is usually a component of another diagnosis.
>
> Are you male or female? Forgive me my terrible memory.
>
> > My one concern is, sleepiness. Does it become activating after awhile, or is it going to make me feel like I felt on Neurontin at 1600mg or more-- borderline mental retardation experiences.
>
> > I hope it's activating, but this is one drug I know nothing about. It takes weeks to work, right? Anyone notice some help from it? thanks!
>
> It can be very activating. I haven't seen too many people complain of sedation. Lamictal can produce its activating and antidepressant effects early in treatment (2 weeks) and at low dosages (50mg). You know about the gradual dosage increases and the rash, of course.
>
>
> - Scott

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by karen m. on July 14, 2004, at 12:10:22

In reply to Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 12:19:04

> My doc and I are considering Lamictal (he likes Risperdal, a little too much, but we comprised by getting a script for Abilify).
>
> The idea is I'm a mixed bipolar, which explains a lot. I go from depression to elation multiple times throughout the day.
>
> But it's weird to me how slowing down such cycling lets you be happier (or at least not manic or depressed).
>
> My one concern is, sleepiness. Does it become activating after awhile, or is it going to make me feel like I felt on Neurontin at 1600mg or more-- borderline mental retardation experiences.
>
> I hope it's activating, but this is one drug I know nothing about. It takes weeks to work, right? Anyone notice some help from it? thanks!

hi,
i am on lamictal and know what you mean about the mental retardation aspect of it. i drop things, i can't remember words i'm looking for when talking, i bump into walls, etc. i don't mean to make it sound excessive, it's just irritating.

i take 275 mg. and each time i have increased (by 25mg and its' taken forever!)it seems i go thru an adjustment period of about 7 days. i'm hoping that this recent stuff still goes away at this higher dosage. lamictal is a good drug at keeping the lows away. it also does not have the weight gain issue or a lot of the other side effects that the anti-depressants have.

lamictal used to be activating but as i get higher in the dosage it makes me sleepier. i am thinking of switching to taking it at night as a sleep aid! although one can function a lot easier during the day than with some ssri's which used to really knock me out.

i'm not a true cycler or most of the other symptoms of a true bi-polar but my doc thinks this is a good alternative to anti-depressants as the side effects got me on those.

hope this helps. i don't seem to see a lot of posts on lamictal. i'd like to know how others are doing.

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by Rachel Terese on July 15, 2004, at 19:51:15

In reply to Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by karen m. on July 14, 2004, at 12:10:22

hi- i feel exactly the same as you. i cycle rapidly throughout the day as well. i can literally be laughing hysterically one minute and in tears the next. i don't think lamictal does a thing. i feel worse on it. i'm also taking 18mg/concerta 2mg/klonopin. i'm taking 200mg/lamictal. i'm considering giving in all together. i actually yell and scream more and cry more then i ever did before. i'm sure this didn't help any, but i don't what to do either about this f'ing disease. nothing has helped. let me know what works for you... goood luck!!!

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by karen m. on July 15, 2004, at 21:42:10

In reply to Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by Rachel Terese on July 15, 2004, at 19:51:15

> hi- i feel exactly the same as you. i cycle rapidly throughout the day as well. i can literally be laughing hysterically one minute and in tears the next. i don't think lamictal does a thing. i feel worse on it. i'm also taking 18mg/concerta 2mg/klonopin. i'm taking 200mg/lamictal. i'm considering giving in all together. i actually yell and scream more and cry more then i ever did before. i'm sure this didn't help any, but i don't what to do either about this f'ing disease. nothing has helped. let me know what works for you... goood luck!!!


as a follow up i forgot to add that my doc believes that lamictal is not effective under a 300 mg dosage. don't know if other docs feel the same. i'll let you know if it kicks in at 300mg as i will be there in 1 week. right now i have to say i am just as irritable as i was off of it. however i did read that irritability can be one of the side effects. go figure. that's why i went on it to get rid of that.

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing? » karen m.

Posted by theo on July 16, 2004, at 13:24:22

In reply to Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by karen m. on July 15, 2004, at 21:42:10

No offense but your doctor shouldn't say things like that. The published dose for psychiatric use is 100mg-300mg and I am only taking 50mg and feel benefits. The link attached shows a dose range starting at 50mg.

http://sl.schofield3.home.att.net/medicine/psychiatric_drugs_chart.html

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing? » utopizen

Posted by Viridis on July 18, 2004, at 23:35:53

In reply to Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 12:19:04

I really like Lamictal. Initially (first couple of days) I found it mildly activating; then it just settled into what it should do -- mood stabilization. I haven't noticed any side effects up to 150 mg/day; above this, I experience a sort of strange restlessness, as I did in the beginning.

My pdoc says the effective dosage range varies widely, and just lets his patients find the right level. From what he's seen, this can be anywhere from 50-300 mg. Of course, he insists on gradual titration and medical examination if any rash, skin reaction etc. occurs.

I find it subtle but effective, and current evidence indicates that it's both an effective mood stabilizer and antidepressant. But as with all these meds, reactions will vary, so it's best to go slowly with dosages.

BTW, I haven't noticed any sleepiness at all.

Check out http://remedyfind.com/rm-2821-Lamictal.asp -- people posting there (overall) seem to think it's wonderful.

 

Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?

Posted by tryingtobewise on July 18, 2004, at 23:42:20

In reply to Re: Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing? » utopizen, posted by Viridis on July 18, 2004, at 23:35:53

Hi...

Count me in as another Lamictal user. I take 100 mgs daily along with 10 mgs Celexa. I've had no adverse side effects, no excessive sleepiness, etc. I was totally freaked out about the rash potential but we titrated up slowly, and all was fine. I am more sensitive to the sun now.

Good luck.
Kim


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