[Guest]

Hi,

I wonder what is Lamictal (lamotrigine). Is it a anticonvulsivant? Does it have side effects? Can it be taken with AD or benzos? Does it help someone here?

I feel like Paxil kind of help (with panick) but not really (10 %) with DR and maybe more with DP (30 %), and depression (30%). It's hard to analyse (lol) But I feel I miss something to feel @[email protected] and not to feel panicky sometimes like I forgot all, and feel in a nightmare.

Thanks for your replies

Cyn xxx

 

[Guest]

Hi,

I wonder what is Lamictal (lamotrigine). Is it a anticonvulsivant? Does it have side effects? Can it be taken with AD or benzos? Does it help someone here?

I feel like Paxil kind of help (with panick) but not really (10 %) with DR and maybe more with DP (30 %), and depression (30%). It's hard to analyse (lol) But I feel I miss something to feel @[email protected] and not to feel panicky sometimes like I forgot all, and feel in a nightmare.

Thanks for your replies

Cyn xxx

 

[dreamcatcher]

havent tried it but its for epilepsy, bioplar and other mood disorders and can cause some serious rashes.

 

[dreamcatcher]

havent tried it but its for epilepsy, bioplar and other mood disorders and can cause some serious rashes.

 

[g-funk]

The Depersonalizaton Research unit at Kings College use Lamotrigine in conjunction with an SSRI to treat patients/their guinea pigs.

Lamotrigine
Examining the efficacy of Lamotrigine in conjunction with an SSRI anti-depressant. Early results from this study show that for just over half of the participants (n=32) that lamotrigine combined with an SSRI proved to be of great or significant benefit in reducing the symptoms of DPD. We are now trying to establish any factors that may be predictive of those who will benefit in the future.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of neural function in DPD before and after lamotrogine.

Research is currently in progress combining the fMRI and pharmacological approach. The neural basis of emotion perception is being explored before and after treatment with lamotrogine. Prior to treatment participants tend to show unusual brain activation patterns. Whether brain activation 'normalises' in people that respond well to lamotrogine is as yet unknown.

taken from their website.

 

[g-funk]

The Depersonalizaton Research unit at Kings College use Lamotrigine in conjunction with an SSRI to treat patients/their guinea pigs.

Lamotrigine
Examining the efficacy of Lamotrigine in conjunction with an SSRI anti-depressant. Early results from this study show that for just over half of the participants (n=32) that lamotrigine combined with an SSRI proved to be of great or significant benefit in reducing the symptoms of DPD. We are now trying to establish any factors that may be predictive of those who will benefit in the future.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of neural function in DPD before and after lamotrogine.

Research is currently in progress combining the fMRI and pharmacological approach. The neural basis of emotion perception is being explored before and after treatment with lamotrogine. Prior to treatment participants tend to show unusual brain activation patterns. Whether brain activation 'normalises' in people that respond well to lamotrogine is as yet unknown.

taken from their website.

 

[Guest]

thanks

cyn xxx

 

[Guest]

thanks

cyn xxx

 

[Dreamer]

I'm on Lamictal 200mg/day along with the rest of my meds combo. It took a long time to kick in and I started very gradually, but it helped lessen the DP/DR, my fear of it, it getting worse during my period, and also stabilized my mood.

It was originally marketed as an anti-convulsant, and is now used in bi-polar, and has been tested as a way to lessen many of the negative symptoms of menopause (a new use). Interesting that it affected me in all 3 areas for the better.

Yes, you need to be watchful for an allergic reaction,but this can occur with many drugs. If you have a skin rash, you report it to your doctor, go the ER and it is taken care of pronto. You can go off of the stuff cold turkey for that reason if necessary.

I have had no problems with it, and it has been of great but subtle benefit.

I also take Klonopin, Celexa and Nortriptyline (Pamelor). I've been on this combo for over five years. No problems to speak of.

Best,
D :shock:

 

[Dreamer]

I'm on Lamictal 200mg/day along with the rest of my meds combo. It took a long time to kick in and I started very gradually, but it helped lessen the DP/DR, my fear of it, it getting worse during my period, and also stabilized my mood.

It was originally marketed as an anti-convulsant, and is now used in bi-polar, and has been tested as a way to lessen many of the negative symptoms of menopause (a new use). Interesting that it affected me in all 3 areas for the better.

Yes, you need to be watchful for an allergic reaction,but this can occur with many drugs. If you have a skin rash, you report it to your doctor, go the ER and it is taken care of pronto. You can go off of the stuff cold turkey for that reason if necessary.

I have had no problems with it, and it has been of great but subtle benefit.

I also take Klonopin, Celexa and Nortriptyline (Pamelor). I've been on this combo for over five years. No problems to speak of.

Best,
D :shock:

 

[Guest]

thanks Dreamer,

I am always in research of a good med who will help me with dp/dr, like everybody Maybe I will talk about it to my psy, if my combo doesn't work.

Cyn xxx

 

[Guest]

thanks Dreamer,

I am always in research of a good med who will help me with dp/dr, like everybody Maybe I will talk about it to my psy, if my combo doesn't work.

Cyn xxx

 

[dalailama15]

A started Lamictal several months ago, and since I had already been taking wellbutrin, my MHP (psych.) thought we should keep that instead of the SSRI. MY last post on this trial reported nothing particularly good but nothing particularly bad as well. Now into the fourth month and at a theraputic dose, and I don't like it.

Changes: I don't seem to be getting much REM sleep. I fall asleep fine, no insomnia, but my sleep is a little shallow and my dreams are strangely verbal, not visual. And when I wake, I immediately have some song going in my head, which can change to some words, without a rest. This kind of stuff has always happened, but not so autonomously, so constant, and not at the second I wake up.

I seem, perhaps, a little more verbally facile, but a lot more abstracted from my speech. I kind of watch my self speak at a breakneck pace, and I'm not sure if I am not being a little . . . weird.

Much more forgetful than ever before. I am making mistakes at work, just forgetting things I am supposed to do. I made a mistake driving yesterday that could have been a life-changing disaster because of inattention. Today I walked around where I was working before I left to be sure I didn't leave somthing. And still ended up leaving two important things at the site.

Life seems more dreamlike, especially with memory. That is, recalling what I did this morning is like recallig a dream. I can piece most of it together, but if fades fast, unless I have something specifically to associate. Yesterday is harder. Forget last week.

None of these things are completely new (except the kind of verbal dreams) but they are more constant and intense than they have been in a long long time, and are actually hampering my day to day life (as opposed to any long term life, which seems already to have been damaged beyond repair.

This could be something specific with the properties of wellbutrin, and I still might stay on the lamictal, this time with a real SSRI, because of the kings college thing. But only if the MHP convinces me that the wellbutrin is dissimilar enought to the ssri that it would make a difference.

(I cant get an appointment with him, after one was canceld a few weeks ago, and this stuff is starting to really worry me. -- I need to make a little more effort to catch someone at his clinic.)

[need to go to bed so didn't even spellcheck, let alone proof. anyway, i should be a little more spontaneious here.] and I should shut up and go to bed. Anyway.

 

[dalailama15]

A started Lamictal several months ago, and since I had already been taking wellbutrin, my MHP (psych.) thought we should keep that instead of the SSRI. MY last post on this trial reported nothing particularly good but nothing particularly bad as well. Now into the fourth month and at a theraputic dose, and I don't like it.

Changes: I don't seem to be getting much REM sleep. I fall asleep fine, no insomnia, but my sleep is a little shallow and my dreams are strangely verbal, not visual. And when I wake, I immediately have some song going in my head, which can change to some words, without a rest. This kind of stuff has always happened, but not so autonomously, so constant, and not at the second I wake up.

I seem, perhaps, a little more verbally facile, but a lot more abstracted from my speech. I kind of watch my self speak at a breakneck pace, and I'm not sure if I am not being a little . . . weird.

Much more forgetful than ever before. I am making mistakes at work, just forgetting things I am supposed to do. I made a mistake driving yesterday that could have been a life-changing disaster because of inattention. Today I walked around where I was working before I left to be sure I didn't leave somthing. And still ended up leaving two important things at the site.

Life seems more dreamlike, especially with memory. That is, recalling what I did this morning is like recallig a dream. I can piece most of it together, but if fades fast, unless I have something specifically to associate. Yesterday is harder. Forget last week.

None of these things are completely new (except the kind of verbal dreams) but they are more constant and intense than they have been in a long long time, and are actually hampering my day to day life (as opposed to any long term life, which seems already to have been damaged beyond repair.

This could be something specific with the properties of wellbutrin, and I still might stay on the lamictal, this time with a real SSRI, because of the kings college thing. But only if the MHP convinces me that the wellbutrin is dissimilar enought to the ssri that it would make a difference.

(I cant get an appointment with him, after one was canceld a few weeks ago, and this stuff is starting to really worry me. -- I need to make a little more effort to catch someone at his clinic.)

[need to go to bed so didn't even spellcheck, let alone proof. anyway, i should be a little more spontaneious here.] and I should shut up and go to bed. Anyway.

 

[Guest]

I have no personal experience with Lamictal, but do with both Wellbutrin and ssri's. They are VERY different.

Wellbutrin (which I liked, but its not for everybody) is much more stimulating than any ssri would be. IF Wellbutrin works well for someone, it should make them MORE focused and much much less detached. The down side is that it can also increase anxiety, make the person jittery or at the worst, make them feel they're jumping out of their skin. But if you're feeling dreamy on wellbutrin, that's very odd. It's not working well for you.

Peace,
Janine

 

[Guest]

I have no personal experience with Lamictal, but do with both Wellbutrin and ssri's. They are VERY different.

Wellbutrin (which I liked, but its not for everybody) is much more stimulating than any ssri would be. IF Wellbutrin works well for someone, it should make them MORE focused and much much less detached. The down side is that it can also increase anxiety, make the person jittery or at the worst, make them feel they're jumping out of their skin. But if you're feeling dreamy on wellbutrin, that's very odd. It's not working well for you.

Peace,
Janine

 

[dalailama15]

Thanks for the imput, Janinie. This kind of information, real experience with different kinds of drugs from knowledgable people, is one of the best things this forum can do. Your info here is really valuable to me.

Interestingly, what you describe is what I thought Wellbutrin was doing for me when I first took it, well over a year ago. But now it just doesn't help. But before, it was part of a combo which included regular aerobic exercize and strength training, quitting smoking, and a general increase if motavation. I keep meaning to try these things again, but it seems too distant every morning to not put it off (e.g. exercize and smoking)

I wonder how involved nicotine may be in this?

 

[dalailama15]

Thanks for the imput, Janinie. This kind of information, real experience with different kinds of drugs from knowledgable people, is one of the best things this forum can do. Your info here is really valuable to me.

Interestingly, what you describe is what I thought Wellbutrin was doing for me when I first took it, well over a year ago. But now it just doesn't help. But before, it was part of a combo which included regular aerobic exercize and strength training, quitting smoking, and a general increase if motavation. I keep meaning to try these things again, but it seems too distant every morning to not put it off (e.g. exercize and smoking)

I wonder how involved nicotine may be in this?

 

[Guest]

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant by class, but is also used for Bipolar I and also neurological pain caused by nerve damage, much like tegetol is used..

It works differently then other anticonvulsants, as it is a sodium and calcium channel blocker and has no affect on GABA that i am aware of.
Which makes it a great med to use in combination with Klonopin "clonazepam" as it does increase GABA in the brain, making the two meds have two different mechanisms of action, which is what you really need to get better.

It can be taken with most AD and benzos..

 

[Guest]

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant by class, but is also used for Bipolar I and also neurological pain caused by nerve damage, much like tegetol is used..

It works differently then other anticonvulsants, as it is a sodium and calcium channel blocker and has no affect on GABA that i am aware of.
Which makes it a great med to use in combination with Klonopin "clonazepam" as it does increase GABA in the brain, making the two meds have two different mechanisms of action, which is what you really need to get better.

It can be taken with most AD and benzos..