Posted by crinn on January 18, 2002, at 7:18:02
In reply to Update - Staying on Lamictal too, posted by cindylou on January 16, 2002, at 13:20:20
I've been going off Effexor XR (which I've taken for over a year) and have added Lamictal. I've been tapering up VERY SLOWLY (started @ 25 mg, moved up to 50, moved up to 100, etc.) Each time I would feel better for a few days, and then be back in a depression (I am bipolar II). My pdoc says that is very normal. I'm up to 200mg of Lamictal, down to 37.5 of effexor xr(will be off in two weeks--Hurray) and take xanax for anxiety. I also have hypothyroid so am on cytomel and synthroid. I have to say, for me, going off the Effexor XR has elimated many side effects that I had attributed to my depression. Also, the Lamictal has lifted my spirits (albeit, temporarily) like no other drug I've ever tried (and I feel like I've tried them all). Anyway, there was a lot of input to your thread, but I wanted you to hear from someone on a higher dose with some success. Good luck and best wishes--I'll keep a good thought.
> I met with my pdoc today thinking that we would decide to get off of the Lamictal (I started decreasing the dose before I met with her, and do seem to feel a bit better on 75 mg than I did at 100).
>
> Anyway, she really insisted that I look and come across to her much better than I have in previous visits. She said that before I was more "distraught," but I seem much more at ease now. I trust her opinion greatly -- she's seen me for over a year now and has always been open to my suggestions. So I am definitely open to her opinion and suggestions as well.
>
> She also seems to think that a lot of my depression and fatigue as of late may be due more to emotional/cognitive reasons than chemical, which could very well be true.
>
> We decided to stay on the 75 mg of Lamictal (plus the 75 mg of Serzone which seems to take the edge off agitation, even at that low of a dose). We are also going to try to add a low dose of Prozac for 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off each month to see if it will keep me from crashing on it, and also to see if it will help during PMS.
>
> So, that's the scoop. Looks like the three of us (Hattree, Jane and me) aren't giving up the Lamictal ship yet!
>
> Keep me posted and I'll do the same,
> cindy
>
>
> > I haven't given up on Lamictal yet--it may be premature to say that it has pooped out, but in the beginning I was positively cheerful and that has not lasted. Gradually my old dysthymic self has been resurfacing.
> >
> > I decided to stick with 100 for awhile. I realized that holidays and weather had derailed my exercize routine, and that I should get back to that before messing with my meds.
> >
> > Also, Jane's anecdote that the initial burst of good feeling is common and then you need to go much higher discourages me from dropping back down.
> >
> > Keep me posted, guys--hope it works for you.
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Sorry to hear Lamictal isn't working for both of you - you were my Lamictal models! I found a brief, two-day effect at 12.5 mg, then that effect dissipated. However, although I don't feel any dramatic effect at 100 mg, I do find that I am much more easygoing than I used to be. Things that would get me very riled up just don't seem to get to me. I've heard that the brief initial effect is very common, then if fades until you hit 150 to 300 mg and reach a therapeutic dose. I've also heard that this therapeutic dose can take a month to six weeks to kick in. So I'm a long way from giving up on this drug yet - at least six months, since I'm aiming at 250 mg. I'll keep you both posted, and I'll follow both your progress with interest.
> > >
> > > - Jane
poster:crinn
thread:90100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/90673.html