Posted by Cybele on September 9, 2005, at 7:59:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal and Anger » Cybele, posted by theo on September 8, 2005, at 23:11:32
> After each dose increase after a few days the anger and anxiety would die down, I would feel an improvement for a week or so, it would poop out, then it would be time to increase the dose again. It was a viscious cycle. When I did finally reach 150mg, the side effects (cognitive, headache, agitation) were so bad I stopped. I think Lamictal is a descent mood stabalizer, but an over rated antidepressant.
>
>Just started a week of 75mg today. So far I am feeling no better, and am getting so behind on schoolwork, work obligations, housework, family obligations, etc.
My depression is "like" ADD but with a general feeling of being flat and uninterested in things. When not depressed I am the total opposite of an ADD individual. I have had these cyclical depressions (every 2-3 years, except when pregnant or nursing, oddly enough) since I was 13. Most I was able to handle with exercise and life changes, but we have had a lot of stressful life changes the last 3 years (several job losses for hubby, moving to a new state, loss of my mother). I tanked about two years ago, got better, and then tanked again a year ago. Here are the meds I've tried over the years:
Paxil for 6 weeks 10 years ago, felt worse day by day and was almost incapacitated after 6 weeks. Could not focus on work/reading/serious TV shows at all. Played Minesweeper a lot.
Wellbutrin after the Paxil. Experienced a hypomania which helped me get my life back on track, decide to quit my job, move to another state, and generallly start a new life.
Wellbutrin off and on over the next 7 tears, mostly for the side-effects near the beginning (helped me get back on a diet, gave me an energy boost). After a point, unable to take Wellbutrin at all due to REM disturbance that made me practically narcoleptic.
Effexor (75 mg) for 5 months. Gained 20 pounds despite eating the same (No!!!) and felt better, but was also doing killer spinning classes 3x a week and Elliptical trainer 2x a week. Suspect exercise helped more than Effexor. Had no problems with Effexor withdrawal. Still ahve not been able to lose that 20 lbs.
I've posted on this board off and on for the last 4 or 5 years.
poster:Cybele
thread:552016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050909/msgs/552661.html