Posted by sarahcat on August 7, 2002, at 15:38:25
Arghhh! I've been depressed (actually dx recently changed to Bipolar 2) since I was nine years old (I'm 25 now). I've tried Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, Imipramine, Effexor, Cytomel, Depakote, Lithium, Lamictal, Neurontin, Ritalin, and Risperdal. My current cocktail is Effexor XR (300mg), Lithium (1200mg), Neurontin (900mg), Lamictal (100mg), and Risperdal (3mg).
I've cycled into a deeper depression again, and I saw my psychiatrist yesterday looking for some relief. I wish he would increase my Effexor, since that's the only antidepressant that has ever helped me at all, but he won't because he's concerned about my blood pressure possibly rising.
So, barring that, I would like for my Lithium to be increased since I have felt tangible positive effects from increases in it. But he won't increase my Lithium because he's worried about the chance that it could numb me psychologically at higher doses. But I'm not concerned about developing side effects to the Lithium because my blood levels at 1200mg have stayed at 0.8 and I haven't noticed any yet, so I think we have some wiggle room.
Instead, he increased my Lamictal from 75mg to 100mg. I don't believe Lamictal has done anything for me yet... I might as well be taking pez. Does anyone have any guesses for how much of an increase in Lamictal would be necessary for there to be a similar response as an increase of 300mg of Lithium? I know it's probably like comparing apples and oranges, but does anyone want to go out on a limb on this one?
Sarah
poster:sarahcat
thread:115568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020807/msgs/115568.html