Posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 21:15:32
In reply to Lamotrigine is not good for me, posted by linkadge on March 19, 2007, at 16:31:16
Yeah, to be fair I think you really do need to take it slowly and give it more time before rejecting it link. I started with 50mg and worked my way up to 200mg. Not high or low, just solid middle ground beneath my feet. It took nearly three months for me to notice that my mood was now stablilized and it was a weird feeling, but good. I couldn't tolerate it without a benzo though. Klonopin + Lamictal was a good synergistic combo.
Here is my RemedyFind rating of Lamictal that I think might give you an idea of how things take shape slowly.
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Xanadu (192) Rating Updated!
Durham, United Kingdom
8/18/2005 8:57:36 PM
Effectiveness: 8
No Side Effects: 8
Ease of Use: 9
Long Term Use: 9
Cost Effectiveness: N/A
Lamotrigine-Potential for Anxiety & Mood Disorders
I have been given a provisional diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, I also suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder. I have been prescribed lamotrigine to stabilise my mood and hopefully reduce anxiety.I started lamotrigine at 50 mg and the notorious rash appeared within four days of starting it. I asked my psychiatric nurse for advice and we both agreed that it would be best to continue with the treatment as I was feeling well and had no other symptoms.
The rash was not irritating, though it spread to over my abdomen and down to my right knee -- that particular rash looked like prickly heat and was raised and pink. I also had a different type of rash along my right elbow and up to my wrist which was flat and looked like dark flecks of blood beneath the skin.
The rash lasted for approximately two and a half weeks, and disappeared two days after increasing the dose to 100 mg daily. I do take the antihistamine levocetirizine (Xyzal) for hayfever anyway, but I decided to take chlorpheniramine (Piriton) in addition to that in an attempt to reduce the rash. I'm not sure if it really had any effect, since the rash appeared to fade of its own accord.
I understand why the manufacturers and most doctors advise patients to discontinue lamotrigine at the first sign of any rash, however, I think that this may be mainly down to the fact that doctors fear that they will be sued if they do not give this advice. In reality I think that most people who get the rash develop the non-serious form and have nothing to fear. The real danger signs are when you have the rash and start to feel flu-like symptoms.
Up until now I have yet to feel any effect from lamotrigine. Actually, only today have I felt a subtle change -- I can't quite describe it and in fact it might not be related to lamotrigine at all, but I'm hopeful that this drug will be useful either as a monotherapy, or at the very least I'm hoping it will form the backbone of my medication regimen.
Apart from the rash, which was transient and non-irritating, I have had no other side effects from lamotrigine. It is among the most tolerable medications that I have ever taken.
I will continue to update this review as the dose increases or if any developments occur.
UPDATE 1:
My dose has just been increased to 200mg daily, with no aparent beneficial or adverse effects. Lamotrigine does not seem to be having any effect at all now. I'd like to increase the dose up to the maximum, however it is unlikely that my psychiatrist would consent to this (he is ultra cautious), and I am losing hope and patience with this medicine; and psychiatry in general.
UPDATE 2:
After four months of taking lamotrigine I feel that I can now say it is the most effctive anti-depressant that I have ever taken (and believe me I have taken a very broad selection). I haven't had a major depressive incident since I started taking it, which is very unusual for me. I'm quite impressed and pleased with the result. I was getting quite skeptical at one point.
The only residual side-effects are impaired memory and concentration. However, I feel that the beneficial effects of lamotrigine outweigh its disadvantages.
UPDATE 3:
One year on and lamotrigine is still having a benificial effect on my depressive tendencies, but little impact on 'highs' or impulsive spending. We tried raising the dose to 300mg, but I felt spaced-out and extremely irritable, agitated and had severe insomnia. I felt like killing someone and had persistent sucicidal thoughts.
All of these side-effects disappeared when we reduced the dose back to 200mg daily.
Dosage Strength: 200 mg. tablet
Frequency: 0.5 dose 2 x a day
Total Length: 1 year
Brand: Lamictal
17 members found this review helpful.
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poster:Quintal
thread:742204
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070314/msgs/742304.html