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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
Hi all:
This is the roughest time I've ever been through, and that includes my years in the 90's of going in & out of rehabs for drug addiction. This is what's going on and I'm really in despair and don't know who to talk to: I've been seeing the same pdoc since '97, which is the year I stopped using heroin and cocaine. He immediately diagnosed me with bipolar with dysphoric hypomania and put me on depakote. In the years since then, after being placed on God knows how many complex combinations of different medications, he's narrowed down my diagnosis to cyclothymia/SP/possible ADD. And still he has placed me on one cocktail after the next, each of which worked for a time, but everytime something warranted a change to the next. I'm really losing hope; I've tried every mood-stabilizer, from Lithium to all the AC's. I've tried every SSRI and benzo, stimulant, dopamine agonist (permax, etc.), beta-blocker, and multiple combinations of each. The constant changes in and of themselves heighten my anxiety and have devastating effects on my relationships with others. I feel like I've been at a standstill for the last 5-6 years of my life, and I've never reached a point of some sort of status quo with the meds-they're always changing, and, as a result, I'm getting more fed up and unstable. I've seeked out second opinions from 2 other doctors, both of whom agreed that I fit into the 'bipolar spectrum' ('not otherwise specified'). My most recent combo was depakote 750mg, zoloft 100mg, klonopin 2mg, and adderall 40 and then up to 50mg. My pdoc decided the zoloft was getting me wound up, and has reduced it over the last few weeks to 50mg, while adding lamictal, of which I'm now taking 25mg. Because of my trouble sleeping, he upped my klonopin to 3mg at night and added 30mg temazepam. After awhile, I felt the sun begin to peak through the clouds, until he decided to have me begin to reduce the adderall. I guess his reasoning makes sense, because if the lamictal actually works, stabilizing my cyclothymia while also helping my depression, it could theoretically replace the zoloft and depakote. But if the zoloft alone is tapered, he thinks my anxiety from the 50mg adderall would increase. Doing it this way, he says, I can pretty much decrease everything in the long run except lamictal, that is, if it works (I've heard these promises a million times). But that's easy for him to say; I'm sure you all know how even a tiny change in one of many meds can totally put things out of wack. Well, I started reducing the adderall and became depressed and hopeless. I've sent him numerous emails about how fed up I am with this constant fluctuation of medications and he finally said he's also fed up and he'd be just as satisfied if I tapered off of everything. Maybe that is the best thing to do-my whole life has been centered around medication for years now. I just got engaged-but let's be real-how can I possibly be a husband with this medication-induced self-obsessiveness? I can't live like this anymore; but I also can't go through the months and months of tapering off all these heavy-duty meds-and I don't want to put others who have to deal with me through that process either. So I find my only choice is to go to some sort of detox clinic to get me off all these meds so I can see how I deal with the real world without substances ( which is something I've really never experienced, as I began medicating myself with pot in my teens, then psychedelics, then cocaine, then heroin, and directly on to all these medications ever since....I'm now 26). Does anyone know of any places like this in the NYC area? for detoxing off of psychiatric medications? Is there such a thing, or is rehab the only option? I sure don't want to go back to rehab, and I'm not abusing anything now, anyway. I just want to get off these damn meds so I don't have to go around in circles with them for the rest of my life, putting myself and others through hell. I'd love some help, please. Thank you.
Peter
Posted by linkadge on November 2, 2002, at 15:19:53
In reply to PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
I can see that you are in a lot of pain. Please be hopeful, I can't even say why you should but
your situation can improve.I am concerned about your engagement. This sort of thing can add tremendous stress to an individual if they don't feel very stable. If you think that a detox programm would help - you're probably absolutely right. Most people don't think about this unless they're serious. Make sure your fiance is completely aware of everything that is happeneing in your life, if you are not positive that this is what you want to do, then get yourself better first before continuing with it.
- Go to another pdoc. If get a second opinion - a third - a fourth whatever it takes.
- Whatever you do. Don't be rash. If you want
off - do it a day at a time. Dropping everthing
at once can be one hell of a bad idea.- Selectivly reduce meds. Sometimes if you want
to get somewhere you have to make adjustments
yourself. Trust your instincts.- Keep a journal of every single step you make
If you feel worse go back to where you were.- TAKE FISH OIL
I guarentee you if you start taking 6 g's of fish oil a day you will improve over time. Fish oil is food for the brain. Nomatter where you are or what your case take fish oil. Fish oil has helped dementia, unipolar depression, bipolar depression, schitzofrenia, ADD, anger management, suicidiality and much more. It will not make a difference over night but just do it and in a few months you will be glad you did.Best of Luck
Don't stop posting messages at this board till you feel better.
Linkadge
Posted by judy1 on November 2, 2002, at 15:21:28
In reply to PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
Dear Peter,
I could have been reading about myself when I read your letter. Three years ago I was on 7 medications (after trying every possible permutation) for bipolar, panic and PTSD. I also came to the conclusion that you and your pdoc have reached. What I did was get the most supportive pdoc I could find (who would also do therapy) and a therapist, internist and neurologist. Once I had my team, I went off every drug, 1 at a time which took about 6-7 months. It was difficult, but with all my medical and personal support I was able to do it. Now we treat symptoms- if I start to get manic- I go on depakote until I settle or an AP for psychosis. I am on klonopin (and xanax prn), and will probably be on for life along with intensive therapy (also probably for life). I am embarking on a mineral based program for residual problems, but I feel a thousand times better than I did when I was on my 6-7 med cocktails. My point is- get a medical team together and with your fiance's support you can do this. I don't know of any detox centers that can help you (believe me I looked), but if during the tapering of a specific drug you have serious problems, you can be hospitalized until you are stable- and also get the benefits of day-treatment when out. This is just the way I did it and you have my best wishes- judy
Posted by Ritch on November 2, 2002, at 16:47:00
In reply to PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
Peter, I would agree with Linkadge about not doing something rash and stopping everything all at once. I also agree with Judy about getting a team together and arrive at some kind of plan to get off your meds. Perhaps arriving at a consensus with your doctor(s) about which *one* medication you would like to start tapering off of first thing would be a good idea. Take it all one step at a time and I think you will find success--good luck--Mitch
Posted by monicafaye on November 2, 2002, at 21:39:38
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME » Peter, posted by Ritch on November 2, 2002, at 16:47:00
Peter,
Please don't do anything drastic until you find and consult a neurologist. They are usually more knowledgeable about the actions of medications on the brain. I think a new doctor could make a world of difference. Not all doctors are created equal. Hang in there!
Posted by Gracie2 on November 3, 2002, at 17:08:26
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME, posted by monicafaye on November 2, 2002, at 21:39:38
This is only my personal opinion, my own experience, but I was in a situation much like yours. When you use drugs for a long time, whether
they're psychiatric drugs, recreational drugs or alcohol, your body and mind first adjusts to and then begins to rely on these drugs. When you withdraw the drug, your brain reacts like a large city where the traffic lights have stopped working and the policemen are on strike. Without the drugs to direct the little neurotransmitters in your brain, all is total confusion - possibly rioting and anarchy. You get depressed, confused,
anxious, sick, and your memory goes to hell.By constantly changing your medication, the result in your mind can be havoc. As soon as your brain adjusts to one medication, you stop taking it and change all the rules. More rioting, more confusion. Your brain races to catch up, but it takes time. It can take months.
I think that detoxing is a great decision, but it's going to be hard and you should have expert
guidance. I believe that consulting a neurologist was a really excellent suggestion. I have no doubt that you can get through this, since you were able to quit the street drugs. Most addicts cannot, and they usually die young. You must be a very strong person.
-Gracie
Posted by polarbear206 on November 4, 2002, at 8:15:10
In reply to PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
> Hi all:
> This is the roughest time I've ever been through, and that includes my years in the 90's of going in & out of rehabs for drug addiction. This is what's going on and I'm really in despair and don't know who to talk to: I've been seeing the same pdoc since '97, which is the year I stopped using heroin and cocaine. He immediately diagnosed me with bipolar with dysphoric hypomania and put me on depakote. In the years since then, after being placed on God knows how many complex combinations of different medications, he's narrowed down my diagnosis to cyclothymia/SP/possible ADD. And still he has placed me on one cocktail after the next, each of which worked for a time, but everytime something warranted a change to the next. I'm really losing hope; I've tried every mood-stabilizer, from Lithium to all the AC's. I've tried every SSRI and benzo, stimulant, dopamine agonist (permax, etc.), beta-blocker, and multiple combinations of each. The constant changes in and of themselves heighten my anxiety and have devastating effects on my relationships with others. I feel like I've been at a standstill for the last 5-6 years of my life, and I've never reached a point of some sort of status quo with the meds-they're always changing, and, as a result, I'm getting more fed up and unstable. I've seeked out second opinions from 2 other doctors, both of whom agreed that I fit into the 'bipolar spectrum' ('not otherwise specified'). My most recent combo was depakote 750mg, zoloft 100mg, klonopin 2mg, and adderall 40 and then up to 50mg. My pdoc decided the zoloft was getting me wound up, and has reduced it over the last few weeks to 50mg, while adding lamictal, of which I'm now taking 25mg. Because of my trouble sleeping, he upped my klonopin to 3mg at night and added 30mg temazepam. After awhile, I felt the sun begin to peak through the clouds, until he decided to have me begin to reduce the adderall. I guess his reasoning makes sense, because if the lamictal actually works, stabilizing my cyclothymia while also helping my depression, it could theoretically replace the zoloft and depakote. But if the zoloft alone is tapered, he thinks my anxiety from the 50mg adderall would increase. Doing it this way, he says, I can pretty much decrease everything in the long run except lamictal, that is, if it works (I've heard these promises a million times). But that's easy for him to say; I'm sure you all know how even a tiny change in one of many meds can totally put things out of wack. Well, I started reducing the adderall and became depressed and hopeless. I've sent him numerous emails about how fed up I am with this constant fluctuation of medications and he finally said he's also fed up and he'd be just as satisfied if I tapered off of everything. Maybe that is the best thing to do-my whole life has been centered around medication for years now. I just got engaged-but let's be real-how can I possibly be a husband with this medication-induced self-obsessiveness? I can't live like this anymore; but I also can't go through the months and months of tapering off all these heavy-duty meds-and I don't want to put others who have to deal with me through that process either. So I find my only choice is to go to some sort of detox clinic to get me off all these meds so I can see how I deal with the real world without substances ( which is something I've really never experienced, as I began medicating myself with pot in my teens, then psychedelics, then cocaine, then heroin, and directly on to all these medications ever since....I'm now 26). Does anyone know of any places like this in the NYC area? for detoxing off of psychiatric medications? Is there such a thing, or is rehab the only option? I sure don't want to go back to rehab, and I'm not abusing anything now, anyway. I just want to get off these damn meds so I don't have to go around in circles with them for the rest of my life, putting myself and others through hell. I'd love some help, please. Thank you.
> Peter
Peter,I really think that the use of the stimulant and the zoloft are contributing to your mood cycling. Antidepressants and stimulants will destablize your cyclothymia. Don't give up on the Lamictal. I have cyclothymia and it has been this ONLY mood stablizer that has worked for me. I slowly weined off my antidepressants and now on a TINY dose. I feel NORMAL for once in 13 years!! Please get this book and read it. "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" by Dr. M. Bartos. It discusses the very complex issues and dueling diagnosis you are experiencing. PLEASE get this book.
BE WELL SOON!!!!!
Laura.
Posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 13:22:17
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME PETER, posted by polarbear206 on November 4, 2002, at 8:15:10
Thanks for all your help, everyone. But I gotta say that I still am having sort of an internal tug-of-war about the meds issue. On the one hand, I feel very dependant on meds, and I get the old 'I'm sick, I'll be on all sorts of meds the rest of my life, this sucks, etc...." But other times, I say to my self: '" You know what? you're on a lot of meds, you're body might be dependent, but you're accustomed to them and you're a lot more productive, creative, and social on them, so what's the big deal? Don't fix it if it ain't broke!" Now, when I'm in the first mindset, I tend to default into extreme thinking - 'all or nothing at all.' I get this sense of urgency that I either have to take a whole new cocktail of drugs, or I have to stop ALL drugs forever. On the other hand, when I'm in the second, more gentle and self-accepting mindset, I'm willing to stay on the current med regime and concentrate more on prioritizing and acting upon the the important things in my life, like music (I'm a pianist and composer), my relationship with my fiancee, endeavors that will spritually and psychologically enrich me, etc.. You see, the irony in all this, is that I find that my negative, 'extreme' attitude is kicked up into full bloom when I've been directed to change doses and/or meds, because these are the times that my mind becomes anxious and obsessed with the whole subject of meds and I start again doubting my need for them, etc. But once I've reached a period where I am physically and psychologically adjusted to whatever med(s) I'm on, I find I can then more easily put the whole med issue aside and concentrate on these other crucial dimensions of my life.
All in all, I think I'm beginning to learn how our attitudes are so important when it comes to taking psychiatric medications-how we see ourselves is crucial. And we can choose to either accept ourselves and the lot we've been given in life (including mental illnes, no matter how 'mild' or 'severe,' and our need to be taking meds), or we can allow negative thinking and obsessive confusion to get the best of us. In my particular situation, as I've metioned, I've been on a bunch of different meds over the years like many of you. As a result, I've gone through many periods of both of these 'mindsets' I mentioned above. I've realized I can either see this as a huge, life-or-death situation, or just accept it. To maintain such a consistent, positive attitude is obviously easier said than done, and I'm sure I'll continue to waiver, as we're all human. But I think my acknowledgment of my attitude tendencies is at least a step in the right direction.
Now, specifically regarding my current meds: lamictal, depakote, klonopin, adderall, zoloft, temazepam. I've been on 25mg of the lamictal for about 2.5 weeks, so I guess it's gonna take longer, if I continue to slowly increase it, for it to do whatever it's gonna do. I can probably live with slightly lower doses of klonopin and temazepam (3.5mg and 30mg, respectively), as I tend to wake up each day stumbling and feeling hungover. The depakote doesn't bother me one way or another-I've been on it so long, I have no pressing problems with it.
Here's where we come to the main drug in question for me-the adderall. I have found that, at the current 50mg dose (in synergy with the other meds), the adderall is doing me more good than harm. While I might get a bit hyperfocused at times on it and irritable when it wears off, it's been the first time since I can remember that I can wake up and be productive, active, alert & focused-and that I can go outside without my head down feeling like everyone's looking at me. Now, I can choose to start shuffling the adderall doses because of the few 'cons' of taking this dose, or I can begin to implement ways of 'directing' my adderall-induced energy and focus in healthy directions. For instance, sometimes I find that I was just getting so hyperfocused on trivial things that I would neglect important things. But now that I'm learning to prioritize and be selective about what I spend my time doing, I find that I can divide up my day in ways that are very conducive to my stability and success. This is why I'm having so much trouble reducing the adderall as my pdoc says; he told me to go to 45mg. He said he believes my mood will worsen over time on my current dose: yet, he came to this conclusion as a response to hearing me talk in one particular session when all I said was how miserable I am, etc..See, that's what's so annoying! The pdoc only responds to what we tell him during our sessions; we might be just having an off day and looking at things negatively, thereby giving the doc an inaccurate description of our general moods. This is what I believe occured my last session. So I tried the adderall reduction for a few days, but I just felt lazy, irritable,anti-social, and depressed. And thinking about what it would be like to taper off EVERYTHING made me very overwhelmed and frightened-not only for myself during such a process, but for those whom I love who will be subject to it as well. So is it that bad to stay on everything as it is , accepting myself, and beginning to make a real effort to maintaining a healthy attitude and not turning to extreme 'I need a fix' attitudes when I have off days? I'm doing yoga, composing, praying, etc..all of which is helping my attitude and directing it in the right place. And I just think changing things chemically, whether it's incremental dose changes or full detox, might not be the best idea in terms of where I am now in my life. Sorry for the length of this post; but for anyone who did get through it, what are your opinions?
Thanks,
Peter
Posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 15:17:05
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME PETER, posted by polarbear206 on November 4, 2002, at 8:15:10
Peter,
>
> I really think that the use of the stimulant and the zoloft are contributing to your mood cycling. Antidepressants and stimulants will destablize your cyclothymia. Don't give up on the Lamictal. I have cyclothymia and it has been this ONLY mood stablizer that has worked for me. I slowly weined off my antidepressants and now on a TINY dose. I feel NORMAL for once in 13 years!! Please get this book and read it. "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" by Dr. M. Bartos. It discusses the very complex issues and dueling diagnosis you are experiencing. PLEASE get this book.
>
> BE WELL SOON!!!!!
>
> Laura.
Hi Laura:
What dose of lamictal are you taking now? are you taking it with any other mood stabilizers? Do you know if lamictal helps anxiety as SSRI's do? My pdoc just added the lamictal to all I'm taking, and we started at 12.5mg for a week, and then went up to 25mg for the last week and a half. I can't even tell if it's having an effect on me or not. The only thing that noticeably stabilizes me, because it works immediately to calm and focus me, is the adderall.
Posted by Maximus on November 4, 2002, at 16:26:19
In reply to question for Laura » polarbear206, posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 15:17:05
> Hi Laura:
> What dose of lamictal are you taking now? are you taking it with any other mood stabilizers? Do you know if lamictal helps anxiety as SSRI's do? My pdoc just added the lamictal to all I'm taking, and we started at 12.5mg for a week, and then went up to 25mg for the last week and a half. I can't even tell if it's having an effect on me or not. The only thing that noticeably stabilizes me, because it works immediately to calm and focus me, is the adderall.
>Hi Peter,
I know this question was for Laura. But i think i can help you too on this. If you mind...
Lamictal is going to be approved as long term management in the bipolar depression. So it is just a wonderful drug which stabilises the depression in the bipolar condition. It does not prevent mania at all. But it greatly help you to stop cycling from normal to depressed, depressed to normal and so on.
If you're really bipolar, you will need a safety net for your hypomania episodes. Lithium is greatly indicated as it is the perfect companion to Lamotrigine.
Lamictal is an activating anticonvulsant. In the begining you may experience anxiety, agitation and insomnia. In general it will pass. But each time you increase the dose you may feel de-stabilized.
So with Lamotrigine you can say bye bye to stimulants because it is already activating. Moreover, Lamotrigine tends to neutralyse the action of stimulants.
The dose needed in the bipolar depression is between 200 mg to 300 mg a day. For others indications, i don't know the dosage. But for some with unipolar depression they can pull benifits with a lower dose.
Please don't mix Lamictal and Depakote. They have bad interactions together. And it is dreadly rough on the liver. As mentioned above, you can rely on Lithium as complement.
Finaly, with all due respects Peter, your treatment looks like the Babel Tour. May be is it the time to see another pdoc who will listen to you carefuly?
I hope this helps,
Max
Posted by disney4 on November 4, 2002, at 18:09:50
In reply to PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 2, 2002, at 14:33:47
Have you tried the fish oils yet? They might help you in a more natural way, and allow you to have an easier adjustment to tapering off your meds. There are a lot of good posts with research links on this board.
Best of luck to you!
Elsie
Posted by Maximus on November 4, 2002, at 18:34:56
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME » Peter, posted by disney4 on November 4, 2002, at 18:09:50
> Have you tried the fish oils yet? They might help you in a more natural way, and allow you to have an easier adjustment to tapering off your meds. There are a lot of good posts with research links on this board.
Elsie :-) You made me smile. But i'm pretty sure you wanted to help Peter. However i can assure you i don't intend to be rude by this post.But fish oil. Come on! Come on! I take myself fish oil for my health in general. But in any way fish oil can or will replace meds. It's even dangerous.
And i may be wrong. But it is not a good idea by encouraging Peter to taper off his meds by his own. Firstly, he needs to talk a lot with his pdoc or even seeking a new one.
Best regards,
Max
Posted by judy1 on November 4, 2002, at 23:13:09
In reply to question for Laura » polarbear206, posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 15:17:05
The reason your pdoc is going so slowly with lamictal is because of it's interaction with depakote- although it is slow going, both meds can definitely be taken together- I've done it. I was on a combo of 200mg lamictal+ 1000mg depakote, and unfortunately got hypomanic on the lamictal once I reached the 200mg mark. Since depression seems to be the main symptom (as it usually is for bp2s and cyclothymics), this may be a positive approach. I wish I could help with the adderal, but I'm ignorant about that drug. best of luck- judy
Posted by Peter on November 5, 2002, at 2:14:17
In reply to Re: Answer to Peter (Lamictal), posted by Maximus on November 4, 2002, at 16:26:19
> Please don't mix Lamictal and Depakote. They have bad interactions together. And it is dreadly rough on the liver. As mentioned above, you can rely on Lithium as complement.
> Thanks for all your advice, but I actually already tried a lithium trial with bad results; I didn't tolerate it. I plan on tapering off the depakote, but I can't just stop 750mg depakote and 50mg adderall cold turkey. So, though you've noted bad interactions with both those drugs and lamictal, I'm gonna have to go through the taper and hopefully not die in the process!
Peter>
Posted by Peter on November 5, 2002, at 2:17:27
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME » Peter, posted by disney4 on November 4, 2002, at 18:09:50
> Have you tried the fish oils yet? They might help you in a more natural way, and allow you to have an easier adjustment to tapering off your meds. There are a lot of good posts with research links on this board.
>
> Best of luck to you!
> Elsie
>Hi Elsie:
I'm not familiar w/fish oils. I was actually thinking about it tonight. I have before me a bottle of Twinlab Complete EFA (Omega 3-6-9). I don't know if this is fish oil as you mean it. Do you know? Also, how do I know that fish oil won't interact badly with any of the meds I'm taking?
Peter
Posted by Peter on November 5, 2002, at 2:22:48
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME » disney4, posted by Peter on November 5, 2002, at 2:17:27
> > Have you tried the fish oils yet? They might help you in a more natural way, and allow you to have an easier adjustment to tapering off your meds. There are a lot of good posts with research links on this board.
> >
> > Best of luck to you!
> > Elsie
> >Hi Elsie:
> I'm not familiar w/fish oils. I was actually thinking about it tonight. I have before me a bottle of Twinlab Complete EFA (Omega 3-6-9). I don't know if this is fish oil as you mean it. Do you know? Also, how do I know that fish oil won't interact badly with any of the meds I'm taking?
> Peter
> Woah! Something just majorly messed up my last 2 posts. They went up all jumbled and stuff. Is that just my computer or do you see it too?
Posted by BarbaraCat on November 7, 2002, at 2:13:56
In reply to Re: PLEASE HELP ME, posted by Peter on November 5, 2002, at 2:22:48
Peter,
Hang in there, buddy. Fish oils will definitely help, but will not substitute for a slow tapering of meds. Don't do it all at once. Our bodies aren't meant to go without neurotransmitters, which is what will in effect happen if you go cold turkey. Fish oils stabilize cell membranes, render them more pliable and can do you no harm during this process. You have to take quite a large amount, however, around 12 grams. So for this reason, taking the liquid rather than caps is preferred. But if you have the caps, down the hatch. I also agree with Max re the lithium augment and Polarbear re Lamictal. I'm now at 100mg of Lamictal and it appears to be working, but you'll still need lithium for any manic residue. As far as the detox centers, there is one in the midwest that claims to cure neurologic conditions via nutritional therapy. The name escapes me but I'll track it down. Also, there is an Ayurvedic hospital in New York that used to be run by Deepak Chopra. Again, I draw a blank with the name, but I'll get back to you. Not as a substitute for gradual withdrawal, but rather a therapeutic holistic support.
Posted by polarbear206 on November 7, 2002, at 8:02:58
In reply to question for Laura » polarbear206, posted by Peter on November 4, 2002, at 15:17:05
> Peter,
> >
> > I really think that the use of the stimulant and the zoloft are contributing to your mood cycling. Antidepressants and stimulants will destablize your cyclothymia. Don't give up on the Lamictal. I have cyclothymia and it has been this ONLY mood stablizer that has worked for me. I slowly weined off my antidepressants and now on a TINY dose. I feel NORMAL for once in 13 years!! Please get this book and read it. "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" by Dr. M. Bartos. It discusses the very complex issues and dueling diagnosis you are experiencing. PLEASE get this book.
> >
> > BE WELL SOON!!!!!
> >
> > Laura.
> Hi Laura:
> What dose of lamictal are you taking now? are you taking it with any other mood stabilizers? Do you know if lamictal helps anxiety as SSRI's do? My pdoc just added the lamictal to all I'm taking, and we started at 12.5mg for a week, and then went up to 25mg for the last week and a half. I can't even tell if it's having an effect on me or not. The only thing that noticeably stabilizes me, because it works immediately to calm and focus me, is the adderall.
>
Peter,I'm taking 100mg of Lamictal. This drug is an excellent mood stabilizer. I have NO anxiety on it since I have weined down on my antidepressants. I'm totally off the one now. I'm only on 7.5mg of Paxil with the Lamictal. Did you check into that book I suggested you read? PLEASE do. I know it will shed alot of light on your issues. Thanks.
Laura.
Posted by Peter on November 7, 2002, at 13:09:19
In reply to Re: question for Laura PETER, posted by polarbear206 on November 7, 2002, at 8:02:58
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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