Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 288432

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Lamictal adjustment period (and PMDD)

Posted by hormone hell on December 10, 2003, at 13:52:32

Hi there,

I've been suffering with terrible PMDD (PMS but worse...) and tried a lot of natural and pharmaceutical treatments over the years. Last week an MD put me on Lamictal. I'm not bipolar, though would characterize myself as a depressive in basic character type. But I become suicidal and feel like an alien has taken me over once the hormonal tides shift and PMS kicks in. (I'm 45 and peri-menopausal). Anyway- all that is a bit incidental as my real question is this: What have folks experienced as they acclimate to Lamictal? I've been having headaches, brain fogginess, anxiety, tiredness, lability. How long can I expect the adjustment period to last? Has anyone tried it on a low dosage for PMDD? I'm starting on 25 mgs. for 2 weeks and will increase as necessary according to the Doc. It's a bit experimental to go this route for PMDD so there is no literature I can find. As well, there is a real dearth of info about the adjustment period. I'm willing to stick it out in the hopes of feeling better with the PMS, but I would be greatly reassured if anyone could let me know about what they experienced when first getting acclimated to the drug, and how long the initial adjustment period lasted before they felt better.

Thanks so much,

Eliz (hormone hell)

Re: Lamictal adjustment period (and PMDD) » hormone hell

Posted by sac on December 10, 2003, at 20:43:02

In reply to Lamictal adjustment period (and PMDD), posted by hormone hell on December 10, 2003, at 13:52:32

I can say that I totally relate to your situation. I have been on Lamictal for two years on doses ranging from 25 mgs. to 200 mgs. Currently, I am at 75 mgs/day but may go back to 100mg. I am a 35 year old, mother of two and since my last pregnancy three years ago I have been a wreck with mood swings, instability, and PMDD. I have gotten to the point where I have very few good days a month. At least ten days before my period I start to become increasingly suicidal. I am still working on trying to find a mix of medications that will stabilize me. As for the Lamictal, initially I had agitation and headaches as my main side effects. The agitation does calm down in about a week with each dose increase. It is pretty stimulating as far as the anti-epileptic type drugs go. In general, I like Lamictal (I've been on Lithium and Depakote) in comparison Lamictal has very few side effects and is generally well tolerated. I also am on Prozac 20mgs/day and just started Premarin (estrogen) daily because my blood tests show I am peri-menopausal and my estrogen was very low. As long as you are not experiencing any severely distressing side effects, I would give lamictal a good 1-2 months trial to give it a chance to work. Hope this helps.

Re: Lamictal adjustment period (and PMDD)

Posted by metalflipflop on December 10, 2003, at 21:05:45

In reply to Lamictal adjustment period (and PMDD), posted by hormone hell on December 10, 2003, at 13:52:32

hello,
i have been on lamictal for tough-to-treat depression for almost 4 weeks now. my dose is currently 75mg, going up to 100 tomorrow. i started the lamictal to augment 150mg of zoloft which doesn't seem to be doing much for me, and i hope long-term to just be taking the lamictal alone. side effect-wise it has been pretty darn good--i get a few tension headaches for 3-4 days after upping the dose, but then i adjust. no sex problems, no weight changes, no nausea. i find it to be more activating than sedating, at least at these lower doses. when i hit 75mg i began to feel some depression relief, coming and going--i will keep titrating up until i feel a continued response.
so to me, so far: it's a good one! best of luck with the whole gradual process, hopefully good things will come to those of us who wait. =)
liz

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