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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jeffrey Peikin on March 28, 2000, at 13:41:38
I have OCD as well as Bipolarity...I tend towards hypomanic behavior, but a recent bout of depression (I will list meds) led to my Dr. prescribing Lamictal. I'm on 300 mg Luvox, 2.5 mg Klonopin, 2400 mg neurontin, 200 mg. Zoloft, 1000 mg. depakote, 50 mg seroquel in addition to taking Omega 3-fatty acid supplements. I just started taking Lamictal, and after about 3 weeks, am up to 150 mg. a day. I feel agitated, "out of it," nauseous (even though I take Prevacid for acid reflux), and have a constant headache, weakness, and chest?/stomach pains. I am a 36 y.o. male in otherwise good physical condition ( Cholesterol around 115 ). Does anyone identify with these symptoms? I really feel like I'm in la-la land, and I don't like it. I welcome your input! Thanks...
Posted by d on March 28, 2000, at 14:32:17
In reply to Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by Jeffrey Peikin on March 28, 2000, at 13:41:38
very similar profile to yours. hope doc is planning to let you ditch the depakote, seroquel,and lower the neurontin.(only from personal experience, no expert.) have been taking Lamictal for 2 mo. nice response, particularly with depression. best yet. have lowered neurontin to 600 x3. taking almost identical meds to you, but no more seroquel or depakote. love both lamictal and neurontin. seems like your arsenal could contribute to nausea and cramps. best wishes
Posted by Jeffrey Peikin on March 29, 2000, at 9:01:09
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by d on March 28, 2000, at 14:32:17
Hey D, thanks for the quick response. I had a terrible reaction. Last night, after my submission to this site, got disoriented driving, panicky, felt in a "dream-like state"...I am bipolar, and have been on Depakote and neurontin with success for a long while. NOTE: If you are aware of this sense of unreality and constant pain that I listed, I would consult with your doctor. I did, and in a split second, he told me to discontinue it! Usually, he gives meds a longer time to take effect. Be a wise "consumer" and report how you feel to your Dr....it can only help you in the short and long run...just a bit of common sense from someone who was hospitalized 5x last yr...some sites didn't even have Lamictal listed in the Psychiatric category.
Posted by KarenK on March 29, 2000, at 10:30:52
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by Jeffrey Peikin on March 29, 2000, at 9:01:09
My 16 yr old son is due to start lamictal at the end of the week. He tried depakote then neurontin, then risperdal, then seraquel, and he's tapering off zyprexa and prozac after gaining 50 lbs in 2 months. I'm always anxious when he tries a new med but this one sounds kind of dangerous. How long was it before the bad effects went away?
KarenK
Hey D, thanks for the quick response. I had a terrible reaction.
Posted by e on March 29, 2000, at 14:18:56
In reply to Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by Jeffrey Peikin on March 28, 2000, at 13:41:38
I have been taking Lamictal for a few weeks (titrating from 25-75 mgs. daily). I felt improvement almost immediately (maybe just a robust placebo effect?), and have not experienced notable side effects.
Posted by d on March 29, 2000, at 14:48:38
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by KarenK on March 29, 2000, at 10:30:52
> My 16 yr old son is due to start lamictal at the end of the week. He tried depakote then neurontin, then risperdal, then seraquel, and he's tapering off zyprexa and prozac after gaining 50 lbs in 2 months. I'm always anxious when he tries a new med but this one sounds kind of dangerous. How long was it before the bad effects went away?
>
> KarenK
>
> never did have any bad effectsfrom lamictal...for myself as well, positive results took place quickly - afraid depakote was a bust for me and nearly wrecked my health...you never know
Posted by Amanda S on March 30, 2000, at 20:04:31
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by d on March 29, 2000, at 14:48:38
I can't believe there are other people on physco-babble who actually take lamictal. I thought I was the only one. There are only a small handful on this web site that take it. I have been on lamictal 100mg since June 1999. It has helped me so much. I have had a tough time with other mood stabilizers and lamictal is the only one that has no bad side effects except for the rash that can occur if the medicine is started out in large doses. It has to be upped very slowly. I am on am even keel and have never felt so normal in my life. My ups and downs are much better. I am bi-polar with some anxiety and I take xanax or klonopin only when needed. That's all I take and I am greatful. I have tried so many kinds of drugs and this one is my lifesaver. The only thing I am not to sure about is a possibility that it causes hair thinning and mine is thinning. Another person on this site has said the same thing, but is using zinc shampoo which helps keep your hair. The dandruff shampoos have the zinc in them, the first ingredient. Use a mild one. It has been very frustrating looking through these threads and asking if anyone has been taking lamictal especially longterm. I guess I am the only one (for now). Good luck and God bless
Posted by NCC4200 on March 23, 2001, at 18:26:49
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by KarenK on March 29, 2000, at 10:30:52
> My 16 yr old son is due to start lamictal at the end of the week. He tried depakote then neurontin, then risperdal, then seraquel, and he's tapering off zyprexa and prozac after gaining 50 lbs in 2 months. I'm always anxious when he tries a new med but this one sounds kind of dangerous. How long was it before the bad effects went away?
>
> KarenK
>
> Hey D, thanks for the quick response. I had a terrible reaction.
Karen, I noticed that you said that your son is taking Lamictal, and there are warnings for young adults taking it, Be very careful!!.Also, I noticed the Prozac, is your son Bi-Polar, if so, Prozac is not recommended for those that are Bi-Polar. It has the effect of throwing them into a Manic episode.
There is also a drug interaction warning for Valproic Acid and Lamictal ( Valproic acid is Depakote,).
Here is a link to a letter from Glaxo, talking about the precautions, < http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/1997/lamict.htm >
Hope this helps.
Posted by AMenz on June 9, 2001, at 11:56:01
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by NCC4200 on March 23, 2001, at 18:26:49
I am looking for an adjunct to Lithium which I must decrease because of cognitive effects.
I tried lamictal two years ago and discontinued because of a benign rash.
Two questions: Does rash always recur. Could restarting on a low dosage with mild titration avoid the onset of mild rash. (I did not get a life threatening rash.)
Any help out there?
> > My 16 yr old son is due to start lamictal at the end of the week. He tried depakote then neurontin, then risperdal, then seraquel, and he's tapering off zyprexa and prozac after gaining 50 lbs in 2 months. I'm always anxious when he tries a new med but this one sounds kind of dangerous. How long was it before the bad effects went away?
> >
> > KarenK
> >
> > Hey D, thanks for the quick response. I had a terrible reaction.
>
>
> Karen, I noticed that you said that your son is taking Lamictal, and there are warnings for young adults taking it, Be very careful!!.
>
> Also, I noticed the Prozac, is your son Bi-Polar, if so, Prozac is not recommended for those that are Bi-Polar. It has the effect of throwing them into a Manic episode.
>
> There is also a drug interaction warning for Valproic Acid and Lamictal ( Valproic acid is Depakote,).
>
> Here is a link to a letter from Glaxo, talking about the precautions, < http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/1997/lamict.htm >
>
> Hope this helps.
Posted by JENNY JONES on September 5, 2002, at 11:06:59
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition..., posted by d on March 28, 2000, at 14:32:17
IN RESPONSE TO EVERYONE ELSES. I AM AN 18-YR OLD BIPOLAR AS WELL AS A RECOVERING BULIMAREXIC ( A CONDITION DUE TO THE BIPOLAR). I ALSO HAVE OCD'S AS WELL. I HAVE TRIED NEURONTIN & SERAQUEL. THEN I STARTED ON DEPAKOTE (1500 MG) AND RECENTLY STARTED ON LAMICTAL (100 MG). IT SEEMS TO WORK REALLY WELL AND BEEN THE BEST MEDICATION I'VE TRIED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE IS HAVING A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY ARE REALLY BAD TO PUT TOGETHER, BUT MY PSYCHIATRIAST DID IT ANYWAY. IF ANYONE LIKES THE COMBINATION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. IT JUST SEEMS TO BALANCE ME OUT AND MAKE ME ENJOY LIFE AGAIN. BUT I DO REMEMBER THE FIRST WEEK I WAS ON IT, I HAD HORRIBLE PANIC ATTACKS, BUT NOW I LIKE IT. THANKS, JENNY
Posted by amber_spirit on September 5, 2002, at 15:26:27
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition... » d, posted by JENNY JONES on September 5, 2002, at 11:06:59
I'm on Depakote, Seroquel, and Lamictal. I've
found this to be a very good combo for me. The
lamictal gives me a bit of agitation which the
other 2 help to balance, but other than that has
had no side-effects. I'm on a very low dose though
too.AS
Posted by SadieB on September 9, 2003, at 11:23:47
In reply to Re: Just started Lamictal for Bipolar Condition... » JENNY JONES, posted by amber_spirit on September 5, 2002, at 15:26:27
I am a 30yr. old female. Bipolar II w/ ADD and just put on Lamictal about 1 week ago. Simultaneously weened off of Effexor RX. I feel foggy and just kind of dull. Also tired. I assume it's because my moods are stabilized and I'm use to big swings. Feels rather boring to me. Anyone else feel that way in the beginning?
This is the end of the thread.
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