Posted by JahL on March 9, 2001, at 9:29:17
In reply to current Lamictal trials in action, posted by phillybob on March 8, 2001, at 20:37:11
> > I have read your info Cece and thanks for it ... and, Jah, I am also sharing your trial (in a way)!
> > Upon recently ending a successful and yet sadly unsuccessful [check out my topamax experiences' last post: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55563.html] trial with a different neuromodular drug, topiramate, I have, after a week plus off, started Lamictal too at 12.5 mgs/day as monotherapy for my BPII rapid cycling dysthymic-type condition (all of the details, again, are in my posts in the topamax thread).Howdy, fellow Lamactil inductee!
I remember following yr Topiramate trial & thinking @ the time that Lamactil would be a better choice considering the chronic depression angle (as with myself). Apathy prevented me from posting my thoughts (not so amotivated on Lamactil)!> > So far, for the past 4 days, I've already felt some mild improvement (somewhat consistent in depression-lifting but not in energy level). Only side-effect so far was a (provoked) laughing fit which I could not seem to shake. It was definitely a giddiness which I am not inclined to have so I will attribute it to the med.
Benefits made themselves apparent soon after titration to 25mgs. Most dramatic has been the improvement in cognitive functioning & the near-elimination of social phobia (to the point where I have stopped taking Sulpiride-my S.phobia. med of the last yr). I think the true AD properties kick in @ higher doses (usually 100-200mg), although I have a feeling you & I might get away with less! Like you, my 'energy levels' haven't improved yet.
> > I'll keep watching (as is my pdoc) for signs of (hypo)mania. Intention is to keep at 12.5 mgs/day for another week and a half to see what happens. (as I'm hugely sensitive to meds, in general, I am not expecting to need too much but we'll see, huh?). If I become too semi-permanently giddy, I'll think of adding topamax (anew) or neurontin.
I too am taking it slow. 12.5mg increase/week. Unless you're desperately depressed this is probably a prudent measure; IMO (fwiw) Lamactil is potentially too good a drug to miss out on through impatience.
> > Keep posting, Jah! I feel a kinship in a lot of ways.
DITTO!
Jah.
poster:JahL
thread:55442
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55995.html