Posted by colin wallace on February 28, 2003, at 4:29:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal Doses.., posted by Geezer on February 27, 2003, at 10:48:32
> Hi Colin,
>
> It is likely you are already aware of this (it may have been in this thread and I have over looked it). In any case if you decide to combind Lamictal with Trileptal be aware the Trileptal will reduce the serum level of the Lamictal (the reverse of using Lam. with Depakote). Please-I am no expert on psychotropic drugs so please check this info. I am taking 300mg of Trileptal at present and find it to be the least objectionable of the ACs. I had good luck with Lamictal about a year ago but at a time when nothing was working well (prior to my ECT series) so I may give it another try. Truth is I have seen 4 pdocs in 2 years - 2 say Major Depression Recurrent, Meloncholic (now chronic after 30 years), and 2 say Bipolar II. After 30 years of treatment I am down to treating symptoms-don't worry much about DX anymore. I have terrible energa and fatigue - almost to the point of narcolepsy(sp) but I don't fit the DX.
>
> Current Meds.
> Trileptal 300mg.
> Provigil 300mg. (lasts for four hours)
> Klonopin 2mg.
> Prozac 10mg.
>
> I am about to add the largest dose of Concerta I can tolerate. Dex. solves all my problems but I build a tolerance quickly and have a history of abuse.
>
> Always enjoy your posts, just wanted to make that point about Trileptal & Lamictal.
>
> Very best of luck to you.
>
> GeezerWotcher Geezer,
I couldn't agree with you more when you say that after many years of treatment, you've decided that symptom management is more important than a firm diagnosis(though the latter would be nice too).
I've had three differing diagnoses over the years, but in fairness, unless you have a clear-cut condition such as an obvious bipolar1 etc. it can be difficult to square the blurred edges between conditions with common ground(such as ADD,BPD,BP11 etc.)
I reckon the only way around this is to see a good, 'modern' psych. on a regular monthly basis for as many years as it takes-but who can afford that?!I can't,I'm lucky if I can squeeze twice a year.
I'm not really familiar with some of the meds you take, but I understand the misery of anerga and fatigue- this was one of my biggest problems for a year or so(along with severe anxiety which became severe depression).
As for the Trileptal,I could have sworn that the problem of it increasing the clearance of certain meds(including Lam.)only applied to Tegretol.Quote:
" Although Trileptal has less risk of drug-to-drug interaction than Tegretol, it can increase the rate of elimination, and reduce the effectiveness of some drugs--notably oral contraceptives (parents of adolescents, please make note!) and one calcium channel blocker, in particular, Felodipine. Therefore, Trileptal may be safely combined with Lamictal, Depakote, and lithium, as well as with antidepressants and antipsychotic medications."
Here're the links I took this info. from, but of course,there may be info. out there which contradicts this-I hope there isn't though!!http://www.epilepsy.dk/Handbook/Prophylactic-treatment-uk.asp#OXCARBAZEPINE
http://www.bipolarchild.com/newsletters/0108.html
Cheers Geezer,
Col.
poster:colin wallace
thread:203376
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/204581.html