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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 14:34:12
Hi
I am on 75mg Lamotrigine and am starting to feel the benefits of this highly rated medication. However I would like to ask how significant the mysterious anti-glutaminergic property of the drug as described by Stephen M Stahl may be in contributing to its effectiveness in unipolar and bipolar depression. As regards bipolar depression I get the impression from what I have read in books and on the net it may be the best thing to come along since lithium. That it has a license for bipolar 1 is indeed a tribute to how this medication could help a great many people. PB
Posted by SLS on January 20, 2016, at 15:37:06
In reply to lamotrigine's secret property-how significant?, posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 14:34:12
> Hi
>
> I am on 75mg Lamotrigine and am starting to feel the benefits of this highly rated medication. However I would like to ask how significant the mysterious anti-glutaminergic property of the drug as described by Stephen M Stahl may be in contributing to its effectiveness in unipolar and bipolar depression. As regards bipolar depression I get the impression from what I have read in books and on the net it may be the best thing to come along since lithium. That it has a license for bipolar 1 is indeed a tribute to how this medication could help a great many people. PBIf you lose the therapeutic effect at 75 mg/day, you will probably recover it at 200 mg/day. It has been my observation that people feel a transient improvement at dosages as low as 50 mg/day. The temporary improvement at low dosage might only last a day or two. Don't be discouraged if this happens to you. It would be very unusual were you to respond well to 75 mg/day. The effective range seems to be 150-300 mg/day. 200 mg/day is the dosage usually arrived at.
How does Lamictal work? I don't think anyone is sure yet. I developed a theory over 10 years ago to explain why Lamictal exhibits antidepressant properties. I have not seen anyone else attempt to explain it. I've written about it here in the past. To summarize:
Lamictal -> reduced glutamate release -> decreased glutamatergic activity in the thalamus and hippocampus -> suppression of glutamatergic afferents to the nucleus accumbens -> disinhibition of dopaminergic neurons -> increased dopamine activity
This is just a theory. I have no evidence to support it. In a way, it doesn't really matter that much - as long as it is safe and effective.
- Scott
Posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 20:06:00
In reply to Re: lamotrigine's secret property-how significant? » paulb, posted by SLS on January 20, 2016, at 15:37:06
I had some transient dose improvement for a couple of days when I went from 25 to 50mg but im steadier on 75 although I admit its still low. Im going to assk for it to be increased in conjunction with a parnate increase as there are no issues in using MAOI's and Lamotrigine together. MY pdoc has used the combination successfully together many times. I like your idea that Lamotrigine has multiple and intriguing ways of working and that it increases Dopamine!PB
Posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 10:39:17
In reply to lamotrigine's secret property-how significant?, posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 14:34:12
lamotrigine is the only med to date that's helped with my ultra rapid cycling. I don't know why that is.
Posted by SLS on January 21, 2016, at 11:19:02
In reply to Re: lamotrigine's secret property-how significant?, posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 10:39:17
> lamotrigine is the only med to date that's helped with my ultra rapid cycling. I don't know why that is.
This was discovered quite a few years ago by the NIMH. They like combining it with lithium. Also, they said that it could take as long as 6 months for lamotrigine to penetrate the cycle.
I am very happy to learn that you are feeling better.
Stay well.
- Scott
Posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 20:41:09
In reply to Re: lamotrigine's secret property-how significant? » Horse, posted by SLS on January 21, 2016, at 11:19:02
> > lamotrigine is the only med to date that's helped with my ultra rapid cycling. I don't know why that is.
>
> This was discovered quite a few years ago by the NIMH. They like combining it with lithium. Also, they said that it could take as long as 6 months for lamotrigine to penetrate the cycle.
>
> I am very happy to learn that you are feeling better.
>
> Stay well.Hi Scott,
Well, I found about six months to be spot on for me. Odd how that was. One day I realized I felt better. That and Vit D, which is more important for some than others.
So Lamotrigine has been recognized as possible benefit in rapid cycling? With Lithium. Hmm. I have thought of adding trileptil. There is that metabolite, is that the word, called Aptiom.
Best Wishes, nice to see you :-)
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 22, 2016, at 12:18:18
In reply to Re: lamotrigine's secret property-how significant? » SLS, posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 20:41:09
> > > lamotrigine is the only med to date that's helped with my ultra rapid cycling. I don't know why that is.
> >
> > This was discovered quite a few years ago by the NIMH. They like combining it with lithium. Also, they said that it could take as long as 6 months for lamotrigine to penetrate the cycle.
> >
> > I am very happy to learn that you are feeling better.
> >
> > Stay well.
>
> Hi Scott,
>
> Well, I found about six months to be spot on for me. Odd how that was. One day I realized I felt better. That and Vit D, which is more important for some than others.
>
> So Lamotrigine has been recognized as possible benefit in rapid cycling? With Lithium. Hmm. I have thought of adding trileptil. There is that metabolite, is that the word, called Aptiom.
>
> Best Wishes, nice to see you :-)
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>Hi. I take 1200 Trileptal w/ 100 Lamictal. The combination is good. I was still depressed, so my pdoc added Wellbutrin SR. First time I've been on wellbutrin, and I was kinda nervous about it. Worked beautifully...I now take 400mgs/day.
I also take Abilify (30mgs). I think my diagnosis is still a severe form of Bipolar I. Aside from the weight gain from Abilify (some at 15, then...wow...30mgs was crazy), I'm doing well.
Blah blah blah...basically, I never thought I'd be on 2 anticonvulsants at the same time, but it seems work well for me. I was sedated for a couple weeks, but now I can go through each day w/o mood shifts and my depression is getting much, much better.
Posted by paulb on January 23, 2016, at 9:57:09
In reply to Re: lamotrigine's secret property-how significant?, posted by Christ_empowered on January 22, 2016, at 12:18:18
Im glad to hear so many are doing well on Lamotrigine, as am I. I think its a bit of a wonder drug personally but I would just add watch your Folic Acid levels as Lamotrigine can lower this and some doctors recommend supplementation with OTC Folic Acid, which in itself is important in maintaining healthy mental wellbeing.PB
Posted by Horse on February 13, 2016, at 15:28:24
In reply to lamotrigine's secret property-how significant?, posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 14:34:12
I don't know if you take seroquel or lithium (I do not.), but this came to my inbox. Not a very in depth article, more an idea.
This is the end of the thread.
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