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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 12:35:01
Finally went to pdoc for evaluation and he has put me on the Lamictal starter kit, Ambien, and Xanax for anxiety as needed.
What experiences have you had on any of these? How long did it take before you noticed anything (positive or negative)?
Like or dislike?
I have been in a foggy/withdrawn/energy-drained/moderately depressive state for a few months now. I have got to get back my "mojo" I miss having energy to do things and hate feeling socially awkward.
My fear is that this combo will make me dull. Especially the xanax. My job (self-employed) requires a bit of self selling, and I have got to get back on my game again.
Any and all comments and questions very much appreciated! TIA
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2011, at 13:27:33
In reply to New to medication...Lamictal, Xanax, Ambien, posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 12:35:01
Xanax as long as you take as directed helped me immensly. And it kicks right in. I found it has a slight antidepressant effect. As for lamicatal the starter kit didn't get about 50mg as had wierd side effect excess salivation spitting continuously. But other than that maybe some anger only on it a short while. Phillipa
Posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 13:40:05
In reply to Re: New to medication...Lamictal, Xanax, Ambien » BetweenDreams81, posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2011, at 13:27:33
Thanks Phillipa...did the Xanax make you at all dull? Or, just make you feel at ease and confident?
How long have you been on Lamictal?
Posted by mellow on January 14, 2011, at 19:13:08
In reply to Re: New to medication...Lamictal, Xanax, Ambien » Phillipa, posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 13:40:05
Lamictal worked fairly fast for me. I was in a bit of a different situation that you. Deffinitly some depression but also alot of erratic behavior, irritability and general hypomania. I calmed down, resumed employment and quit drinking fairly soon after starting Lamictal. I would be careful with Xanax. It has addictive qualities and can turn on you. Although anxiety reduction is slower in the beginning, clinical trials have shown that people on placebo in combo with psychotherapy beat out patients on benzos in the long run as far as over all anxiety reduction.
Ambien is pretty harmless. However don't be surprised if you find it stops working a few months down the line. I work in a
sleep disorders center and many of my patients complain that hypnotics eventually poop out.Lamictal may work. If it doesn't low dose lithium may be a next good move. Are you diagnosed bipolar. Lamictal does
have antidepressant effects however it is most commonly used in bipolar. I'm not sure if many docs are using it for plane jane depression.I hope you start feeling better. Stop by the Alternative board and try and maximize your non medical options. Even just a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood or simply getting on an elliptical machine at the gym for 30 minutes can release powerful endorphins. Eat tons of fruits and veggies and start
a simple supplement regiment. Many of us have been where you are.Good luck!
mellow
Posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 20:34:20
In reply to Re: New to medication...Lamictal, Xanax, Ambien, posted by mellow on January 14, 2011, at 19:13:08
Thank you mellow!...I really appreciate your response, and it gives me hope...that's what I need most! These are uncharted waters for me.
I wasn't technically diagnosed bipolar...but definitely have some major swings and bipolar/depression is part of my family history. To be honest though, I was really nervous during my entire appointment and couldn't keep a straight thought, went all over the place and on long drawn out tangents that I had a hard time bringing full circle (yes, definitely ADD too) and a lot of the questions I had and things I had planned to mention kind of went out the window. Didn't really know what to expect, but I guess that wasn't it!
My internal clock is off and has been for several years, so I am sure that he's right that much of my drained/exhausted feeling have to do with lack of good restful sleep (very typical for me to be up til 3 AM and wake up around 8 AM.) My plan is to use the Ambien for 10-14 days and stick to a regular sleep/wake schedule and then see if I can taper it down and keep on the schedule without it.
Xanax was for my anxiety...I will be in a very stressful environment (for me) in a week or so for about 3 months and need to be able to easily socialize immediately (sales type job). I don't know that I can expect miracles, but any bit of help is better than nothing until the Lamictal starts to kick in.
He thought about Lithium for me since I had used Lithium Orotate with a decent experience (you may have seen a few posts on the alternative board from a few months ago). It did take care of a good bit of the anxiety I was having...just didn't help my energy and low mood whatsoever. I am not opposed to it and he said if the Lamictal was not working optimally, that it often works really well with and additional low dose of Lithium. I am concerned about the side effects like weight gain and acne though (as vain as that may be.)
I used to take Adderall, but from what I have read about manic or hypomanic episodes...that is quite definitely what it sends me into. I feel euphoric, confident, social (talk a mile a minute) and ready to take on the world...and that is a FANTASTIC feeling...but then I also am exceedingly impatient, lash out at the littlest thing, people respond and move sluggish by comparison...and then I am up non-stop hyper focused until 5 AM. (even on as little a dose as 5 mg...NOT extended release) And the following day, if I don't take it again, I crash and am basically a waste of space.
Well, there's a tangent for ya! Sorry...I just hope to feel leveled out soon, but especially want my motivation and energy back.
This is the end of the thread.
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