![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 4WD on June 15, 2005, at 23:38:58
Would either Trileptal or Lamictal be helpful for MDD with anxiety? I mainly have a problem with low motivation and anhedonia (I'm on Celexa but feel I need something more).
Do either of the above cause insomnia or weight gain/cravings? Do either improve motivation and just that feeling of being able to enjoy life?
Marsha
Posted by SLS on June 16, 2005, at 8:40:59
In reply to Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by 4WD on June 15, 2005, at 23:38:58
> Would either Trileptal or Lamictal be helpful for MDD with anxiety? I mainly have a problem with low motivation and anhedonia (I'm on Celexa but feel I need something more).
>
> Do either of the above cause insomnia or weight gain/cravings? Do either improve motivation and just that feeling of being able to enjoy life?
>
> Marsha
I'm not very far into my trial of Trileptal, so I can't really say very much about its antidepressant properties exept that it has helped a little with my depression, which, depending on who you talk to, is bipolar. I think doctors have had more of a tendency to prescribe Lamictal over Trileptal for unipolar depression. When combined with an antidepressant, it can elicit a robust response. It does tend to give one more energy and motivation as well as reduce anhedonia. From the anecdotal reports, and my experience with the drug, I would choose Lamictal before Trileptal in unipolar depression.
- Scott
Posted by mogger on June 16, 2005, at 12:16:42
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by SLS on June 16, 2005, at 8:40:59
Lamictal has changed my life for the better, I have unipolar depression as well as ocd. I take 300mg at night and have no side effects! I will always be grateful for this medication! Hope this helps,
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2005, at 18:39:43
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by mogger on June 16, 2005, at 12:16:42
Why did my old pdoc prescribe trileptal for me unless he thought I was bipolar? He had said my dx was PTSD when I first saw him. Then he said he was rxing the trileptal to help with mood and sleep. Did he lie? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 16, 2005, at 20:38:45
In reply to Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by 4WD on June 15, 2005, at 23:38:58
> Would either Trileptal or Lamictal be helpful for MDD with anxiety? I mainly have a problem with low motivation and anhedonia (I'm on Celexa but feel I need something more).
I tried Lamictal for my unipolar depression, but it didn't seem to help at all. It is weight neutral though. It may have made me a little tired. I have hard to treat depression with a lot of anxiety.
Desipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) was particularly helpful with anxiety. Some people gain weight on it, but I didn't. No sleep probs either--although I may have already been taking my sleeping med at that point--I'm not sure. My pdoc added this in before we tried the Lamictal, so perhaps there was a reason for that. Perhaps it is more likely to help than Lamictal is? You might ask your pdoc.
Dexedrine helped me with motivation, but it is a stimulant and some docs are reluctant to rx it. Doesn't cause weight gain, but may cause insomnia (I can't take it later than 3pm).
None of these has proved to be the perfect solution for me though. I take : lexapro, desipramine, dexedrine, ambien, and neurontin. We just keep adding on to what I'm taking and hoping that something will take me to being not depressed any more.
Hope some of this is helpful!
EE
Posted by 4WD on June 16, 2005, at 22:48:52
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by SLS on June 16, 2005, at 8:40:59
> > Would either Trileptal or Lamictal be helpful for MDD with anxiety? I mainly have a problem with low motivation and anhedonia (I'm on Celexa but feel I need something more).
> >
> > Do either of the above cause insomnia or weight gain/cravings? Do either improve motivation and just that feeling of being able to enjoy life?
> >
> > Marsha
>
>
> I'm not very far into my trial of Trileptal, so I can't really say very much about its antidepressant properties exept that it has helped a little with my depression, which, depending on who you talk to, is bipolar. I think doctors have had more of a tendency to prescribe Lamictal over Trileptal for unipolar depression. When combined with an antidepressant, it can elicit a robust response. It does tend to give one more energy and motivation as well as reduce anhedonia. From the anecdotal reports, and my experience with the drug, I would choose Lamictal before Trileptal in unipolar depression.
>
>
> - Scott
Thanks, Scott. My family doctor talked to a pdoc who's a friend of his about me and that doc suggested I might do well on Lamictal. I just feel I need more motivation and less of that attitude of "whatever", you know?I hope your Trileptal trial continues to go well..
>
>Marsha
Posted by 4WD on June 16, 2005, at 22:49:54
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by mogger on June 16, 2005, at 12:16:42
> Lamictal has changed my life for the better, I have unipolar depression as well as ocd. I take 300mg at night and have no side effects! I will always be grateful for this medication! Hope this helps,
> moggerThat's great. No insomnia? Does it help with anxiety at all?
Marsha
Posted by 4WD on June 16, 2005, at 22:55:15
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 16, 2005, at 20:38:45
> > Would either Trileptal or Lamictal be helpful for MDD with anxiety? I mainly have a problem with low motivation and anhedonia (I'm on Celexa but feel I need something more).
>
> I tried Lamictal for my unipolar depression, but it didn't seem to help at all. It is weight neutral though. It may have made me a little tired. I have hard to treat depression with a lot of anxiety.
>
> Desipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) was particularly helpful with anxiety. Some people gain weight on it, but I didn't. No sleep probs either--although I may have already been taking my sleeping med at that point--I'm not sure. My pdoc added this in before we tried the Lamictal, so perhaps there was a reason for that. Perhaps it is more likely to help than Lamictal is? You might ask your pdoc.
>
> Dexedrine helped me with motivation, but it is a stimulant and some docs are reluctant to rx it. Doesn't cause weight gain, but may cause insomnia (I can't take it later than 3pm).
>
> None of these has proved to be the perfect solution for me though. I take : lexapro, desipramine, dexedrine, ambien, and neurontin. We just keep adding on to what I'm taking and hoping that something will take me to being not depressed any more.
>
> Hope some of this is helpful!
>
> EEThanks, EE. I have the same MDD with a lot of anxiety. I was hoping to find something to perk up the Celexa without causing insomnia or weight gain. Ideally it would also help with anxiety. I tried Desipramine as a monotherapy many years ago and I remember having really bad restless legs while on it. Seems like imipramine worked better for me. I kind of hate to add a tricyclic since I tend to get really bad anticholinergic side effects.
Which of the things you're on is helpful for your anxiety? I didn't find Lexapro very helpful nor Celexa either. I take a small amount of Klonopin, usually .25mg day (which isn't enough to get rid of the anxiety but I'm scared to take more because I was once addicted to Ativan.)
Hope you hit on the right combo eventually.
Marsha
Posted by mogger on June 17, 2005, at 0:02:31
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression? » Emily Elizabeth, posted by 4WD on June 16, 2005, at 22:55:15
Marsha,
that is great about trying the lamictal, I hope it does for you what it has done for me. Actually it decreased my anxiety as I have terrible anxiety with the ocd. My doctor added Buspar which is awesome as well. I also take zoloft for my ocd which is great. All of these meds I tried on there own and they little impact but when the lamictal was given to me, it enabled them to work for me.
take care and let us know how it is going,
mogger
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 18, 2005, at 0:14:23
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression? » Emily Elizabeth, posted by 4WD on June 16, 2005, at 22:55:15
> Which of the things you're on is helpful for your anxiety?
The Desipramine helped with it the most probably. But also, the neurontin helped some (although i have been on it for about 2 yrs and it is hard to say if it is still making a difference). And actually taking a sleeping med helped too b/c it has helped me get regular sleep, which does take a certain edge off, you know?
I never tried Celexa. Lex did a little for me on both the depression and anxiety, but far from a cure.
I wonder if you used a small amount of Desipramine (or something similar) along with the Celexa, you could just take a tiny bit and minimize side effects. Might be worth asking your doc about.
Best,
EE
Posted by 4WD on June 18, 2005, at 15:12:12
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 18, 2005, at 0:14:23
> > Which of the things you're on is helpful for your anxiety?
>
> The Desipramine helped with it the most probably. But also, the neurontin helped some (although i have been on it for about 2 yrs and it is hard to say if it is still making a difference). And actually taking a sleeping med helped too b/c it has helped me get regular sleep, which does take a certain edge off, you know?
>
> I never tried Celexa. Lex did a little for me on both the depression and anxiety, but far from a cure.
>
> I wonder if you used a small amount of Desipramine (or something similar) along with the Celexa, you could just take a tiny bit and minimize side effects. Might be worth asking your doc about.
>
> Best,
> EE
>
Hi EE,You know it's weird about Neurontin. When I used it, it made me calm and sleepy if I took it at night. But if I took it during the day, it did nothing or made me more jittery. I know that doesn't make sense but there you go.
I've been thinking about adding imipramine or just switching to imipramine altogether. The Celexa keeps me out of the "black pit" but that's about all.
It's good the sleeping med helps with your anxiety. Two birds with one stone. Ativan was good like that for me except that I developed some pretty strong tolerance over the years.
Marsha
Posted by TamaraJ on June 24, 2005, at 22:19:52
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 18, 2005, at 0:14:23
Emily,
Can I ask how much Desipramine you are taking? Have you experienced orthostatic hypotension on it? Did it have any effect, even if it was minimal to moderate, on motivation? Have you found it helpful for "fearful anticipation", if you experience that type of thing?
Thanks.
Tamara
> > Which of the things you're on is helpful for your anxiety?
>
> The Desipramine helped with it the most probably. But also, the neurontin helped some (although i have been on it for about 2 yrs and it is hard to say if it is still making a difference). And actually taking a sleeping med helped too b/c it has helped me get regular sleep, which does take a certain edge off, you know?
>
> I never tried Celexa. Lex did a little for me on both the depression and anxiety, but far from a cure.
>
> I wonder if you used a small amount of Desipramine (or something similar) along with the Celexa, you could just take a tiny bit and minimize side effects. Might be worth asking your doc about.
>
> Best,
> EE
>
Posted by TamaraJ on June 24, 2005, at 22:22:30
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by mogger on June 17, 2005, at 0:02:31
Hi,
Can you tell me if you found Lamictal effective for the fearful anticipation type of feeling (the kind that kind of has the effect of making a person limit social interaction and other activities)?
Thanks.
Tamara
> Marsha,
> that is great about trying the lamictal, I hope it does for you what it has done for me. Actually it decreased my anxiety as I have terrible anxiety with the ocd. My doctor added Buspar which is awesome as well. I also take zoloft for my ocd which is great. All of these meds I tried on there own and they little impact but when the lamictal was given to me, it enabled them to work for me.
> take care and let us know how it is going,
> mogger
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 24, 2005, at 22:49:32
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression? » Emily Elizabeth, posted by TamaraJ on June 24, 2005, at 22:19:52
> Can I ask how much Desipramine you are taking?Right now I take 125mg. I was up to 180 at one point, but when I added in Dexedrine, it amplified some of the side effects of both meds, so I decreased a little.
Have you experienced orthostatic hypotension on it?
yeah, I have. It has been my major side effect I'd say. It is a problem, but not debilitating.
Did it have any effect, even if it was minimal to moderate, on motivation?
Hmmm. It is hard to say because I take so many different meds, but I think that it did.
Have you found it helpful for "fearful anticipation", if you experience that type of thing?
I'm not sure that I totally understand what you mean. Do you mean like worrying about things that are in the future? I can say that it did help my anxiety in general. And it helped enough that a number of people commented on it. I'd say that it decreased my anxiety across the board--I didn't notice that it helped one aspect over another.
EE
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tamara
>
> > > Which of the things you're on is helpful for your anxiety?
> >
> > The Desipramine helped with it the most probably. But also, the neurontin helped some (although i have been on it for about 2 yrs and it is hard to say if it is still making a difference). And actually taking a sleeping med helped too b/c it has helped me get regular sleep, which does take a certain edge off, you know?
> >
> > I never tried Celexa. Lex did a little for me on both the depression and anxiety, but far from a cure.
> >
> > I wonder if you used a small amount of Desipramine (or something similar) along with the Celexa, you could just take a tiny bit and minimize side effects. Might be worth asking your doc about.
> >
> > Best,
> > EE
> >
>
>
Posted by TamaraJ on June 25, 2005, at 13:20:34
In reply to Re: Trileptal or Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 24, 2005, at 22:49:32
Thanks Emily. Just a few more questions (sorry)
> Right now I take 125mg. I was up to 180 at one point, but when I added in Dexedrine, it amplified some of the side effects of both meds, so I decreased a little.
>
-- Did you experience any relief at a low dose of either 50mg or 75mg? I would be augmenting with Wellbutrin, so I am just curious if I would need to go up to 150mg.
>
> I'm not sure that I totally understand what you mean. Do you mean like worrying about things that are in the future? I can say that it did help my anxiety in general. And it helped enough that a number of people commented on it. I'd say that it decreased my anxiety across the board--I didn't notice that it helped one aspect over another.
>
-- It's more like the kind of worry or fearful thoughts that come after isolating and restricting activities and after having a huge panic attack. Because I have had a hard time finding the right med/combo of meds, the fearful thoughts (about really getting out and doing stuff) are really quite engrained in my mind, like a never ending tape of a negative message. That's what I mean by fearful anticipation. Not sure if what I've said makes it any easier to understand LOL.
Tamara
> >
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.