Posted by polarbear206 on September 6, 2007, at 10:07:02
In reply to Re: lithium vs. lamictal » twinch42085, posted by gardenergirl on September 6, 2007, at 9:08:36
> I take both as adjuncts to Nardil. It wasn't until I added lithium that I really felt depression-free. So for me they are working together fine, at least it appears so. But I do wonder if I really need Lamictal, since the Lithium seems so effective. However, when I've tried to lower Lamictal, I get extremely irritable. For some reason, 125 mg Lamictal is just a horrible dose for me. I was horribly irritable going up to it and back down to it. 100 mg and 150 mg are fine. So I'd have to get through that phase at 125 to see if dropping it makes any difference to my mood. I wouldn't mind at all dropping a medication if I could, especially a brand-name one.
>
> So bottom line, they are fine together for me, maybe even a very good combo, maybe unnecessary. Wish I knew more. But no harm with it for me, anyway.
>
> gggg,
Just curious, what dose of Lithium are you on? From my research, Lithium and Lamictal are being used more together with good success rate. I tried it in March in hopes to lower my effexor dose due to sexual side effects. With the combination of effexor/lamictal/lithium, I got a robust effect right away, however, this faded, probabley because I tried to cut back the effexor too soon, and the fact that March is one of my worst months prior to the time change. I was experimenting with 300mg-600mg. I have no interest staying in range, just as an add on. After that , I was put on wellbutrin with the lam/eff and was able to drop to 150mg of effexor for approx 3 months. The begining of Aug, the depression started to return, and had to go back up to 300mg of effexor. I have the seasonal swings, so I knew in the back of my mind it was too good to be true!! Might give it a try again.
Polarbear
poster:polarbear206
thread:781031
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070831/msgs/781140.html