Posted by Cindylou on December 23, 2001, at 19:44:21
In reply to Re: Need to add an AD to Lamictal ... suggestions? » Cindylou, posted by dove on December 22, 2001, at 12:23:48
Hi dove,
Thanks for the information and suggestions. I like your idea to try "reverse psychology" and go with a more sedating AD instead of the stimulating ones ... I do have paradoxical reactions to stimulating meds. Have tried several stimulants, which help a lot for a few days, but then I crash HARD. I feel sick and exhausted. It is very frustrating, since I felt so good for those few days -- I keep wanting to try again, but the same thing always happens (Ritilin, Adderall, Provigil, Prozac -- although I feel pretty good on Prozac for 2 months, then crash -- and even Wellbutrin.)I am currently taking Serzone with the Lamictal which really helps with anxiety -- but I cannot tolerate more than 100 mg, and I understand that you really need around 400 mg for an AD effect.
My pdoc suggested trying Paxil. So, I am tapering off the Serzone, then I'll try the Paxil. I am really nervous about it, but I guess I'll just have to see what happens.
Thanks again,
cindy
> I have had a much better reaction to Prozac and Serzone (although it's not really considered a "SSRI") with the addition of Neurontin (gabapentin) which is labeled as an AED and used as a mood stabilizer and a mild anti-anxiety drug.
>
> In the past, I took Prozac (and Wellbutrin for that matter) and had very negative reactions. I was suicidal, depressed, extremely tired yet aggravated and antsy, unable to communicate with family members or friends, and my depression did not lift one iota--although I was able to spend every minute of my day keeping my house all nice and clean (which made others think I was doing very well since I'm the worst housekeeper to ever walk the earth and everyone said that the depression would leave me once my household was in order.)
>
> A little over a year later, after the addition and switch of a few meds, I'm taking 30-40 mgs of Prozac with much better results. The obsession with a clean house hasn't returned (is that good or bad?), the depression has lifted a bit, but I can still cry and feel joy. Whereas, the earlier attempt w/ prozac made me hopeless, tired and numb and on a smaller dosage.
>
> Have you ever tried a TCA that is *not* recognized as sedating? Have all the SSRI's that you have tried been those that are, generally known to be more sedating (i.e. paroxetine, sertraline, or fluvoxamine)?
>
> Do you have paradoxical reactions to the more stimulating meds? Maybe use a little reverse psychology, go with a calming AD and see what happens after a couple of weeks.
>
> With the Lamictal still in place, you could even augment with a CNS stimulant (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall) and/or an anti-anxiety med that has AD effects but isn't a knock-out pill. Or even another certified mood-lifting mood-stabilizer? And there's the MAOIs, of which I don't have any extended knowledge and cannot add any comments to that genre of meds.
>
> I hope you find something that works. Best Wishes!!!
>
> dove
poster:Cindylou
thread:87114
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/87775.html