Posted by Ron Hill on February 17, 2003, at 12:47:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal + Prozac » catmint, posted by colin wallace on February 14, 2003, at 9:10:23
Colin,
Is depression continuing to be a problem for you? Are you continuing to use a pinch of Prozac as an add-on to your Lamictal and benzo?
Because you're my friend, I have a personal interest in seeing you become fully well and staying that way. Your dx and mine are similar as are our responses to various meds. Therefore, an Rx that works for one of us might work for the other.
As a result of my recent three-month bout with a crippling atypical depressive episode, I have made a list of classes of medications and specific medications within those classes that I may try if ENADA NADH stops working. It's best for me to do my research when I'm non-symptomatic because, if I wait until I'm depressed, the lack of motivation and loss of energy makes it very difficult for me to do my homework. My list is very much in keeping with the APA Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder issued in April 2002.
Last week I met with my pdoc to discuss my list. He and I are in general agreement. Irritability (flash rage) and atypical depression (low motivation, anhedonia, low energy, and hypersomnia) are the two mood states that I am attempting to target with the meds on my list. SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs are DEFINITELY NOT on my list.
Currently, however, I’m in the fourth week of my ENADA NADH trial and so far it is treating both my atypical depression and my irritability remarkably well. It took a little trial-and-error to figure out the correct dose. Ironically, if I take too high of a dose it actually induces irritability. It’s still way too early in the trial to be making predictions regarding its long-term effectiveness, but I’ll tell you what Colin, it is currently working remarkably well. My motivation is back, my energy is up, my love of life has returned, I’m not sleeping all the time, and I’m no longer a rage-alcoholic. Needless to say, my wife prefers the “new and improved me”.
I’m currently taking one 5 mg enteric coated ENADA NADH tablet each morning. I started out taking 10 mg/day, but that turned out to be too high of a dose. When I initially cut back to 5 mg/day, one tablet provided complete relief of my symptoms for only about six hours. And if I took a second 5 mg tablet halfway through the day, I became irritable. Now, however, the one tablet in the morning provides effective relief throughout the entire day.
Colin, I’d like to bounce ideas back and forth with you about things to try for your depression, but I do not want to impose. So I’ll wait to hear back from you with your approval instead of just dumping my opinions on you.
-- Ron
---------------------------------------> Hi Amy,
>
> >> Are you taking generic prozac? Some say there is a difference between Prozac and generic fluoxetine. What is your experience
>
> I'm taking a small amount of brand Prozac-I definitely noticed a difference way back when I tried a generic version.I know that some bipolar11's can get away with, and get results from a pinch of Prozac with Lamictal.Any AD carries a risk of inducing hypomania/cycling for us though, and MAY worsen the long term course of the illness.Tough call...
>
> >> I might consider adding it to Lamictal down the road, who knows
>
> Wait and see whether I go nuts or not first!!
>
> >>Yesterday I bought some Enada NADH..
>
> Yeah, this stuff's interesting..I'll watch you and Ron's progress with interest.
>
> >> Here in N. Cali. we have spells of gray that last for about 5 or 6 days. I hate that color.
>
> Here we get fleeting spells of sunlight that last about five or six days(per year!)That's what really pushes me towards hypomania(it happened recently) and slams in the depression.I don't look good in grey either..still,Spring's coming...
>
> >> Have you considered a light box?
> Colin, how often do you drink? From my experience, Lamictal and booze are a bad combo. Depression almost always follows the next day after more than half a glass.
>
> I keep promising myself a lightbox, but with me I think the low barometric pressure is just as much at fault as the lack of sunlight-caves my head in after a few weeks.
> And you're right, Lamictal and booze don't really mix- I don't drink often nowadays, and I've always suffered monster hangovers when I do;
> Drank lots of Guiness over Christmas though, and didn't feel too bad overall.But it's definitely time to switch to shandy(what would you Americans call a glass of mostly lemonade with a small amount of beer??Probably something unprintable!!
>
poster:Ron Hill
thread:138803
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030214/msgs/201147.html