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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 16:08:40
Im going to switch mood stabilizers.
Ok does Lamicital, is it like Lithium?
Anyone here take it?
I know there got to be someone.
Rj
Posted by linkadge on March 11, 2007, at 18:13:41
In reply to What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 16:08:40
R U on zyprexa now? How much? I would think that lamictal would be lighter than zyprexa. Ie, less zoning.
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 18:50:12
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by linkadge on March 11, 2007, at 18:13:41
2.5mg - Zyprexa and still i get a little zoned.
What is the lowest dosage of Lamcital?
Posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2007, at 19:10:19
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 18:50:12
Matt it comes with a starter kit. For you I say they may use the lesser one and that starts at l2.5mg for two weeks and goes up thereafter till symptoms controlled. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sandra62 on March 11, 2007, at 19:59:31
In reply to What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 16:08:40
I have been taking 100 mg of Lamictal for quite some time now. I also just started 10 mg of Zyprexa after going off of it with disastrous results. Anyways I don't really think there is a fair comparison between the two. Zyprexa, as you must know, is an atypical antipyschotic for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mania where as Lamictal is an anticonvulsant for treatment of epilepsy or a mood stabilizer for bipolar with a distinct antidepressant effect. When I was first diagnosed with Bipolar my doctor said that I was presenting with more hypomania than mania and determined that I was Bipolar II and suffered from depression more than anything else so he prescribed the Lamictal. It was a slow process to start up, 12.5 mg for a week, and then 25 mg for a week, etc. up to 100 mg. I was taking nothing else but the benzo Rivotril (Clonazepam/Klonopin) and I had this incredible burst of energy that drove me to write songs day and night (i.e. it kicked my depression all right!) that soon spiralled into full-blown hypomania with rage and anxiety etc. I called my PDOC and he couldn't see me right away and suggested I either take lots more Rivotril as the Lamictal monotherapy was obviously not working, or to check myself into the hospital. I decided to get a new PDOC right then and there. She was able to see me right away and got me on 10 mg of Zyprexa which did the trick to slow me down. I stayed on the 100 mg of Lamictal, but soon lost my creative urge and haven't had it since. I miss it. So Zyprexa is obviously the culprit that is keeping me from that side of things, but it is a wonderful med for hypomania/mania. It keeps me calm, helps me sleep at night, and is an all-round mood stabilizer.
What is your diagnosis? What are your reasons for ditching the Zyprexa?
Posted by linkadge on March 11, 2007, at 20:53:04
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by Sandra62 on March 11, 2007, at 19:59:31
I am seeing the doctor tomorrow who wanted to try Lamictal after Trileptal.
I don't know about trileptal, I've taken it for the past 3 weeks and it really brings me down.
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 21:42:24
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by Sandra62 on March 11, 2007, at 19:59:31
Well im bipoler also but i dont know to what degree.
Zyprexa i dont know dulls me out, i've never had a full blown mania trip.
Lamicatal has antidepressant properties?
What are they like, serogerierc?
Posted by Joe Bloe on March 11, 2007, at 23:17:34
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 21:42:24
Yes, Lamictal has AD qualities that I would classify as "strong," and it hasn't even been 1 month and I am on a small dose of 12.5/25 mgs a day alternating.
I am very surprised by the AD effect. It's not like the SSRI feeling. Lamictal doesn't have the drugged or drowsy feeling that I experienced with Prozac. No blunted med head. A lot of clarity.
Plus, I just feel happy. At night while trying to fall asleep, I find myself smiling about the day that passed and looking forward to tomorrow. On Prozac, I would just fall right to sleep. Before medication, I would stay in bed trying to fall asleep with great anxiety, obsessive thoughts, etc.
So far so good.
Posted by polarbear206 on March 12, 2007, at 10:24:39
In reply to What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by rjlockhart on March 11, 2007, at 16:08:40
> Im going to switch mood stabilizers.
>
> Ok does Lamicital, is it like Lithium?
>
> Anyone here take it?
>
> I know there got to be someone.
>
> RjRJ,
I have been on Lamictal for many years. It has done wonders for me. New cutting edge treatment is adding a low dose of Lithium with Lamictal. The theory behind this is less side effects with Lithium at a lower dose with enhanced antidepressant effects and mood stabilization. I lowered my effexor dose from 300mg to 150mg. This should really help with the sexual side effects from effexor, and some soft cycling I was still having because of the effexor. So far I am experiencing a great synergy from this combination. It has been a week so far. I have my fingers crossed. I know another fellow babbler who swears by this combo and has been on it for quite some time.
Polarbear
bipolar II depression dominated
Effexor 150mg
Lamictal 200mg
Lithium 300mg.
Posted by linkadge on March 12, 2007, at 11:46:57
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa » rjlockhart, posted by polarbear206 on March 12, 2007, at 10:24:39
http://www.best-meds.com/drugdescription/lamictal_warnings.htm
Binding in the Eye and other Melanin Containing Tissues: Because lamotrigine binds to melanin, it could accumulate in melanin rich tissues over time. This raises the possibility that lamotrigine may toxicity in these tissues after extended use. Although ophthalmological testing was performed in one controlled clinical trial, the testing was inadequate to exclude subtle effects or injury occurring after long-term exposure. Moreover, the capacity of available tests to detect potentially adverse consequences, if any, of lamotrigine's binding to melanin is unknown.
Linkadge
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 12, 2007, at 11:57:21
In reply to Re: What is lamicital like, im may switch from Zyprexa, posted by Sandra62 on March 11, 2007, at 19:59:31
I've been lamictal for three and a half months. It caused a bunch of anxiety at 200 for me, then I went to 50, and was kind of blue and tired again. Now on 100, I control the anxiety with abilify and a benzo.
It seems for me if the anti dpressant qualities stop working I have to tweek the dose up, or down and then up again (not a good idea, but I do it). The good part is it seems to make a mood difference on the 1st dose.
I've read how you get upset at people alot, and I have been known to do that too. On lamictal though I've let alot of grudges go. And I think it makes colors prettier...though maybe Im schizo.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 12, 2007, at 12:13:07
In reply to Re: What do people make of this warning?, posted by linkadge on March 12, 2007, at 11:46:57
> http://www.best-meds.com/drugdescription/lamictal_warnings.htm
>
> Binding in the Eye and other Melanin Containing Tissues: Because lamotrigine binds to melanin, it could accumulate in melanin rich tissues over time. This raises the possibility that lamotrigine may toxicity in these tissues after extended use. Although ophthalmological testing was performed in one controlled clinical trial, the testing was inadequate to exclude subtle effects or injury occurring after long-term exposure. Moreover, the capacity of available tests to detect potentially adverse consequences, if any, of lamotrigine's binding to melanin is unknown.
>
>
> LinkadgeOne investigation showed measurable lamotrigine residue in the rat uveal tract (highly melanin rich fibrous layer within the eye) 52 weeks after a single exposure. Coupled with the absence of any reported opthalmological abnormalities associated with Lamictal, I'd lean towards the concept of a highly stable artefact of treatment. A curiosity. You can't prove the absence of an effect scientifically, but nobody has yet reported that there is one, as far as I can tell.
Lar
Posted by yxibow on March 16, 2007, at 2:17:50
In reply to Re: What do people make of this warning? » linkadge, posted by Larry Hoover on March 12, 2007, at 12:13:07
> > http://www.best-meds.com/drugdescription/lamictal_warnings.htm
> >
> > Binding in the Eye and other Melanin Containing Tissues: Because lamotrigine binds to melanin, it could accumulate in melanin rich tissues over time. This raises the possibility that lamotrigine may toxicity in these tissues after extended use. Although ophthalmological testing was performed in one controlled clinical trial, the testing was inadequate to exclude subtle effects or injury occurring after long-term exposure. Moreover, the capacity of available tests to detect potentially adverse consequences, if any, of lamotrigine's binding to melanin is unknown.
> >
> >
> > Linkadge
>
> One investigation showed measurable lamotrigine residue in the rat uveal tract (highly melanin rich fibrous layer within the eye) 52 weeks after a single exposure. Coupled with the absence of any reported opthalmological abnormalities associated with Lamictal, I'd lean towards the concept of a highly stable artefact of treatment. A curiosity. You can't prove the absence of an effect scientifically, but nobody has yet reported that there is one, as far as I can tell.
>
> LarIf you read the PDR/PI you can find anything. Seroquel supposedly caused cataracts when forcefed with large doses in beagles. Of course if anyone has seen a beagle, a) their eyes are different from human eyes, b) they're not people, and c) the dosage was significantly higher than normal human doses. There's been only one case report that theoretically links it, from what I remember reading. My doctor was overcautious so I had an eye exam after taking it for a while. The EPS (that I have) and weight issues are much more possible things.
Posted by linkadge on March 16, 2007, at 8:23:35
In reply to Re: What do people make of this warning? » Larry Hoover, posted by yxibow on March 16, 2007, at 2:17:50
Its one of those side effects that could be a problem down the road (?)
I mean, i wouldn't care if it made my skin change color, but I don't want to go blind.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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