Posted by Angel Girl on July 12, 2004, at 1:15:08
In reply to Re: Depressed and EXHAUSTED - HELP!!!, posted by Harlock on July 9, 2004, at 11:56:54
HarlockOk, I guess I was confused. Have you talked to your pdoc or GP about your problem? Somebody must be able to diagnose what's going on with your mouth.
Side effects usually do show up early on or at dosage changes but I did read that it was possible for it to happen with Lamictal after 6 months, although rare.
If you start at either a dosage that is too high and/or tirate too fast, then you run the risk of side effects, especially in this case, the rash. I'm not sure what all you're taking but I am also on Depakote. There is a drug interaction between Depakote and Lamictal. They *can* be taken together but it meant I had to tirate the Lamictal at 1/2 the dosage and speed as somebody who isn't on Depakote and that the highest dosage I could be on for Lamictal would be half the amount for those who are not on Depakote. The manufacturer gives several methods of tirating, so be sure to check them all out and do whichever one you would feel most comfortable using. I went far more conservative than even the manufacturer recommended. You can also find tirating methods on the net.
I had absolutely NO side effects whatsoever on Lamictal until I got the rash at approx 9 months. I couldn't believe that I had finally found a med with no side effects. I should've known it was too good to be true.
One more thing I should tell you, I'm *extremely* med sensitive.
As far as whether it worked for me, at the time I was taking it, I wasn't really sure if it was or not. I can't seem to get rid of the depression no matter what I take. I did notice however that after I stopped the Lamictal, my depression did get worse so I guess it was working. I can't really say that anything I take really works all that great for me. Of course, I'm light years better than I was a couple of years ago when I was *EXTREMELY* suicidal. I never thought in a million years that I would still be here today. I was determined I was going to kill myself. Depakote changed that. It literally saved my life.
I don't have the mood swings anymore like you do, I once was a URC and it was the worst thing that I ever went through. I thought I was going crazy. I almost checked myself into the hospital, which I swore I would never do. So, where you have the mood swings, I have constant depression, some days better than others, no day feeling better than *blah*.
Unfortunately, I haven't found any medication that has helped me in that regard. I think I need a *happy* drug now. :) Is there such a thing?
I hope Lamictal works for you and without any side effects, especially any rashes. Keep me posted on how your progress is going. Good luck!!!
Angel Girl
poster:Angel Girl
thread:354588
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040710/msgs/365205.html