Posted by JahL on May 25, 2005, at 12:25:23
In reply to Re: TOPAMAX and LAMICTAL together????, posted by bipolarspectrum on May 24, 2005, at 19:37:21
Hi there.
If you're soft Bipolar I guess you main problem is depression. Am I right?
As Scott says, Lamictal isn't a great anti-manic med, and if it isn't ameliorating your depression, one might question why you continue to take it (one to discuss with your pdoc before changing any meds of course).
I suppose the 'energy' could be regarded as 'hypomanic' in nature, whilst the agitation + irritability could be interpreted as a kind of dyshoria.
Hypomania + dysphoria = mixed state. It could be that Lamictal is inducing a mild mixed state. Certainly, at as low a dose as 25mg, Lamictal precipitated around 3 weeks of hypomania in me.
I will now defer to someone with more experience with mixed states, though I can tell you they are a recipe for trouble; very easy to get into a fight when you're so 'hyped-up'! I've only ever experienced a mixed state a couple of times, always med induced, and it was not pleasant.
Does any of that add up?
I won't offer any med advice, ECT has wiped far too much from my memory banks to have real confidence in my thoughts. But I would certainly ask your pdoc if it is wise for you to continue to take Lamictal when it seems to confer few benefits.
Cheers,
J.
> > I have found that lamictal makes me agitated and irritable... I am a soft bipolar.. I'm wondering if anyone has used topamax with lamictal.. I was thinking that mabye topamax could act as an antimanic agent and keep the lamcital agitation at bay???.. any thoughts?
bps> The lamictal doesnt really help with the depression.. its weird, it gives me energy, but the anxious, agitated kind.. I'm currently taking lamictal with zyprexa... even with the zyprexa, im still anxious... thanx for the post btw
> bps
poster:JahL
thread:502368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050521/msgs/502721.html