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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 10:35:48
I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
A side note: In all my med experimentation and my experience with LAM I have realized one thing- Psychopharmacology is not based on science. No one knows why these drugs work or don't work. We are in the dark ages. Trials of SSRIs, tricyclics, or MAOIs does not qualify as real medical treatment- it's throwing darts in the dark.
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2010, at 11:19:25
In reply to Lamotrigine works for me- why?, posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 10:35:48
I agree with last statement. I think it's terrific lamictal works well for you? Can you split the dose in half? Phillipa
Posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 14:24:07
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine works for me- why? » Peter S, posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2010, at 11:19:25
Thanks Philipa- unfortunately I've tried different dosages- right now I take 2 X 25mgs. It just seems like my brain needs time to recover- I'd like to try lamictal time-release but it's extremely expensive.
> I agree with last statement. I think it's terrific lamictal works well for you? Can you split the dose in half? Phillipa
Posted by herpills on June 18, 2010, at 16:16:26
In reply to Lamotrigine works for me- why?, posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 10:35:48
50mg is a low dose, I'm glad it is helping you. I'm hoping to be able to lower mine back down to 200mg, but now is not the right time. Have you tried taking a second dose of 50mg in the afternoon?
herpills
> I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
>
> Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
Posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 16:26:35
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine works for me- why? » Peter S, posted by herpills on June 18, 2010, at 16:16:26
Yes- I've tried taking in the afternoon- doesn't really work very well. I've played with higher doses but higher than 50mg tend to make me more wired but don't really increase the anti-depressant effect. Lam for me is a lot like taking a stimulant- in that the effect is immediate- but much more of an anti-depressant than Ritalin or Adderall was for me.
Best of luck with lowering the dose!> 50mg is a low dose, I'm glad it is helping you. I'm hoping to be able to lower mine back down to 200mg, but now is not the right time. Have you tried taking a second dose of 50mg in the afternoon?
>
> herpills
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> > I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
> >
> > Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
>
>
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Posted by Huxley on June 24, 2010, at 0:31:02
In reply to Lamotrigine works for me- why?, posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 10:35:48
> I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
>
> Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
>
> A side note: In all my med experimentation and my experience with LAM I have realized one thing- Psychopharmacology is not based on science. No one knows why these drugs work or don't work. We are in the dark ages. Trials of SSRIs, tricyclics, or MAOIs does not qualify as real medical treatment- it's throwing darts in the dark.
>
>Hi Peter I am in the same situation as you. Almost the same. My boost generally only lasts for one or two hours and it also only works one time a day.
It also works at each dose increase and decrese. The positive effects generally lasts for 2-3 days then fades.
When it is working it is fantastic. When it is not I feel pretty bad.
I have been all the way up to 400mg and tried every possible combination to get it to work consistantly but have never been able to make it last.
One of the most jeykl and hide drugs I have taken.
Posted by jade k on June 24, 2010, at 11:53:26
In reply to Lamotrigine works for me- why?, posted by Peter S on June 18, 2010, at 10:35:48
> I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
>
> Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
>
> A side note: In all my med experimentation and my experience with LAM I have realized one thing- Psychopharmacology is not based on science. No one knows why these drugs work or don't work. We are in the dark ages. Trials of SSRIs, tricyclics, or MAOIs does not qualify as real medical treatment- it's throwing darts in the dark.
>
>
Who cares why? lol
Don't jinx yourself. Your dart hit its target, in the dark, celebrate :)~Jade
Posted by Peter S on June 25, 2010, at 17:21:16
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine works for me- why?, posted by Huxley on June 24, 2010, at 0:31:02
> > I have a bizarre (good) reaction to Lamotrigine that doesn't seem to be shared by many people. 3 hours after I take it (only 50mg) I get an anti-depressant effect and increase in energy that lasts for 4- 5 hours, then it fades. I have been using LAM for years in this way- it has been of huge benefit in relation to work and helping me to be "on" when dealing with social and/or stressful situations when normally I would feel like a corpse.
> >
> > Unfortunately I seem to be able to use it only once a day and I only have that 5 hour period of normalcy. I keep thinking that if I could figure out the mechanism, maybe there are other drugs or ways to augment it to make the effect last longer. Anynoe have any ideas resources?
> >
> > A side note: In all my med experimentation and my experience with LAM I have realized one thing- Psychopharmacology is not based on science. No one knows why these drugs work or don't work. We are in the dark ages. Trials of SSRIs, tricyclics, or MAOIs does not qualify as real medical treatment- it's throwing darts in the dark.
> >
> >
>
> Hi Peter I am in the same situation as you. Almost the same. My boost generally only lasts for one or two hours and it also only works one time a day.
>
> It also works at each dose increase and decrese. The positive effects generally lasts for 2-3 days then fades.
>
> When it is working it is fantastic. When it is not I feel pretty bad.
>
> I have been all the way up to 400mg and tried every possible combination to get it to work consistantly but have never been able to make it last.
>
> One of the most jeykl and hide drugs I have taken.Hi Huxley- Good to hear your experiences. Have you ever considered using Lamictal xr? I'm considering it but it's so expensive! About $11 a pill.
Posted by Huxley on June 27, 2010, at 21:08:48
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine works for me- why? » Huxley, posted by Peter S on June 25, 2010, at 17:21:16
Hi Peter,
I spoke to my old dr about the XR and she said there was no point. But then again she has said alot of dumb things so take that with a grain of salt.
I would be very interested to know how you go if you decide to try it.
I would pay $50 a day if lactimal worked for me as well as I know it can.
I have tried everything with lactimal. I too thought that I could figure out how to get it to work consistantly but in the end failed.
The only thing I know you can augument it with is depokote or something like that which actually increases the amount of lactimal in your system but it seems to me more lactimal isn't actually what is required. I have gone up to 600mg and have the same experience.
BTW when I say lactimal I mean lamotrigine.
This is the end of the thread.
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