Posted by sac on January 21, 2004, at 11:26:42
In reply to recurrent episodic depression/ lamotrigine, posted by Fi on January 21, 2004, at 11:14:19
I am Bipolar II and mostly suffer from recurrent difficult to treat depressions with a few bouts of hypomanis here and there. It is now becoming a popular belief that even recurring depressions can fit the bipolar spectrum category of affective disorders. My main problem is the recurring depressions despite being on anti-depressants. I have been treated with various mood stabilizers to prevent to relapses and am now on Lamotrigine. Your physician made a good choice in recommeding that to you. The rash should not be an issue as long as you titrate up VERY slowly with this med. ie. 25 mgs. first week, 50 mgs. 2nd week, 75 mgs. third week, etc. till you reach the final dose your doc recommends. Good luck, give it a try.
> Stangely, apparently this condition is officially recognised in the UK but not the US, so not sure if anyone else on this board will have had this diagnosis. Its having short episodes of depression (around a week or so) every few weeks, without any manic phases.
>
> I have just started on lamotrigine, which is known as an anti-epileptic but has been used a bit in both bi-polar and unipolar depression, and my consultant says it can be useful in the recurrent episodic depression. It does have the risk of particularly nasty skin rashs, but the state I'm in I would give anything a try.
>
> And I'm delighted that maybe there is a way not to struggle through yet another bout every few weeks.
>
> Anyone else's experiences (meds or otherwise) welcome.
>
> Fi
poster:sac
thread:303718
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040118/msgs/303727.html