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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted R on December 29, 2000, at 13:50:50
It was recently suggested to me that I might be bipolar 2. I have had a long history of Severe anxiety/depression, but have poorly tolerated, been overly sensitive and anxious to the side effects of Standards ADs with the exception of 150mgs of Wellbutrin. The pdoc recommended lamictal. I am quite anxious about starting lamictal because of the concerns over serious derm reactions, hair loss, and dizziness. I could sure use some positive feedback on lamictal to see if the benefits outweigh the risks. I have never had an episode of acute mania, maybe only some hypomania. I also have suffer from some OCD and occasional panic attacks...Thanks for lamictal feedback..Ted
Posted by Lexie on December 30, 2000, at 7:00:22
In reply to Re:Lamictal, posted by Ted R on December 29, 2000, at 13:50:50
Ted
I understand your concerns about Lamictal. I am taking it for bipolar 2 with topamax. My doctor said he has never had a patient develop the rash as long as they follow the starter pack that increases the dose VERY slowly. As for dizziness and hair loss I have never experienced that. It is a very good drug, although from my posts I have only recently felt better, and I have been through a lot: briefly for those that have not been on the egroup post (my divorce after 17 years, losing custody of my son except every other weekend). I am up to a dose of 500 mgs. which is concidered very high, which is why I have only recently felt better. Most people get relief on a lower dose reducing the chance for side effects. Good luck to you. Lexie
Posted by Ted R on December 30, 2000, at 19:14:25
In reply to Re:Lamictal, posted by Lexie on December 30, 2000, at 7:00:22
> Ted
> I understand your concerns about Lamictal. I am taking it for bipolar 2 with topamax. My doctor said he has never had a patient develop the rash as long as they follow the starter pack that increases the dose VERY slowly. As for dizziness and hair loss I have never experienced that. It is a very good drug, although from my posts I have only recently felt better, and I have been through a lot: briefly for those that have not been on the egroup post (my divorce after 17 years, losing custody of my son except every other weekend). I am up to a dose of 500 mgs. which is concidered very high, which is why I have only recently felt better. Most people get relief on a lower dose reducing the chance for side effects. Good luck to you. Lexie
>thanks for your feedback, Lexie. It's pretty much a fact that because posts on Meds more often contain negative concerns with a drug than positive experiences, many pts may be predisposed to fail on a Med, because they begin with negative expectations of side effects etc. I am on 150mgs of Wellbutrin,plus low dose Xanax, and beginning to get some relief, since I went back on the Wellbutrin, but I will give the pdoc the thumbs up on lamictal after I get back from beginning of the year meetings. I appreciate your positive feedback. The titration package on lamictal sounds like a big plus. I don't fully understand this newer Bipolar 2 (atypical) classification, but a lot of the problems I have, seem to be within the definition of this new diagnosis. Thanks for your help....I hope that 2001 is a great year for you...Ted
This is the end of the thread.
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