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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thinkingitover on August 30, 2009, at 13:53:55
Hello,
I am currently taking 37.5 MGS of Zoloft hard core GAD, OCD and mood issues.
We added Lamictal in recently and it has a noticeable antidepressant effect.
Finally, I take 1.5 MGS/day of Klonopin for sleep/anxietyI would like to go off of the SSRIS because they are nasty weight gainers... fat fat fat 60 lbs plus) is what I get whenever I take them... no exceptions. my twin stopped taking them and lost all the weight.
Can the lamictal help with the GAD/OCD?
Any thoughts on getting off of these SSRIS???
Another thought i had was Serzone /w Lamictal.. my PDOC is willing to prescribe it.
Please no horror stories, just insight
thx in advance
Posted by Phil on August 30, 2009, at 16:15:31
In reply to only lamictal and klonopin...thoughts?, posted by thinkingitover on August 30, 2009, at 13:53:55
Serzone made me mean...kinda like now. : )
I'd give the Lamictal and Klonopin a go. If you start drifting down then add something.
My mix doesn't have an AD in the 1st time in 25 years and I have more energy, am much!! more productive at work, etc.
I despise SSRI's and SNRI's but just for me. I know Effexor, for one, has helped many people.
If I need another AD down the road, they'll have to hogtie me and shove it up my ---.
Posted by Phillipa on August 31, 2009, at 12:20:39
In reply to Re: only lamictal and klonopin...thoughts? » thinkingitover, posted by Phil on August 30, 2009, at 16:15:31
What happened to your sister when she stopped the SSRI's? Could be a clue as to how you will also do. ps and Phil's not a meanie. Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on September 4, 2009, at 2:20:25
In reply to only lamictal and klonopin...thoughts?, posted by thinkingitover on August 30, 2009, at 13:53:55
> Hello,
> I am currently taking 37.5 MGS of Zoloft hard core GAD, OCD and mood issues.
> We added Lamictal in recently and it has a noticeable antidepressant effect.
> Finally, I take 1.5 MGS/day of Klonopin for sleep/anxietyThat will eventually habituate especially for sleep I imagine... how long is unknown. Not saying that it isn't a good thing; Klonopin does help panic and related conditions.
> I would like to go off of the SSRIS because they are nasty weight gainers... fat fat fat 60 lbs plus) is what I get whenever I take them... no exceptions. my twin stopped taking them and lost all the weight.
Every single SSRI for a good month's try ? Ever try Anafranil for "hard core" OCD -- it is worth a try. I take it at any rate.
> Can the lamictal help with the GAD/OCD?
> Any thoughts on getting off of these SSRIS???
> Another thought i had was Serzone /w Lamictal.. my PDOC is willing to prescribe it.Regular liver tests with nefazodone should be done say every three months.
> Please no horror stories, just insight
> thx in advanceLamictal is an antidepressant in its own right. It can be taken monotherapeutic but additive to a main antidepressant probably helps more.
Typical doses are around 200-300mg, can be divided twice daily. If its monotherapy you may need more than that.
Now remember, Lamictal has a chance of rash which means that if there is any substantial breakout other than what would be caused by poison ivy or something like that, it really must be discontinued. The chances are very small, but the risk of "The Rash" (SJS) is not something you want to play with.
That being said, I haven't gotten any rash. Everyone is different.
And thus until you reach around 200mg it must be titrated VERY slow... typically 25mg every two weeks. This is standard protocol, your doctor should know this.
All of this of course is dependent on if you respond to it eventually. Without the SSRI you will have more symptoms until the Lamictal has a chance to work (many weeks), if it works for you.
For myself, it probably has some antidepressant effect -- additive, I'm not sure if it is alone one. It also may be helpful for some people with suicidal thoughts.What sort of OCD are you trying to fight ? Because if it is one that can respond to behaviour therapy, it is worth attempting to do so if you haven't already. I know that "Pure O", thoughts only, are hard to fight.
Augmentation with a small amount of an atypical AP can help. But you would be limited with what sounds like your metabolism to the few atypicals that don't cause much weight gain.
I have to say that my guess is monotherapy Lamictal probably won't help the OCD -- its just not aimed in that direction. With mood conditions it may help.
Anafranil would be my choice for strong OCD if Luvox already gave you problems, but I don't know how your metabolism would respond to Anafranil.
-- tidings
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