[FluffyDinosaur]

I'm starting to feel like the Lamictal is trying to get my mood up, but the lithium is pulling me back down, trying to "stabilize" me in a depressed state. Is that even possible? I might just be imagining it. I want to ask my Pdoc to quit lithium and just keep Lamictal, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

[pacman_789]

I’ve experienced that on other med combos where it felt like the meds were at war with each other. It’s hard to get to a comfortable spot when you feel that way.

As to your question, it depends. For me personally, I can’t be on Lamictal solo because it can trigger hypomania but for others I know it has a mood stabilizing effect.

How long have u been on this combo? Maybe give it some time or talk to pdoc about adjusting the dosage?

[FluffyDinosaur]

I've been on lithium for about 7 months and Lamictal about 2 months. Not very long, I know, but I think I'm starting to feel the beneficial effects of the Lamictal, but it feels like it's being muted or counteracted by something.

[*Beth*]

I, too, have experienced "med wars." And it can be very frustrating. Lithium and Lamictal together is not a combination I'm familiar with, but it sounds intense.

I have experienced the "flat" feeling that mood stabilizers can cause. That feeling, in my experience, can be soothing following a crisis. But once I'm stabilized for awhile I do not want to feel flat (maybe some people call it "numb".)

I recently reduced my Lamictal from 425mg down to 300mg and I'm feeling good at the new dose. Not so flat.

You might be over-medicated. Talk to your pdoc as soon as you can. I think that ideally, meds should provide stability without sapping life force.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I, too, have experienced "med wars." And it can be very frustrating. Lithium and Lamictal together is not a combination I'm familiar with, but it sounds intense.

I have experienced the "flat" feeling that mood stabilizers can cause. That feeling, in my experience, can be soothing following a crisis. But once I'm stabilized for awhile I do not want to feel flat (maybe some people call it "numb".)

I recently reduced my Lamictal from 425mg down to 300mg and I'm feeling good at the new dose. Not so flat.

You might be over-medicated. Talk to your pdoc as soon as you can. I think that ideally, meds should provide stability without sapping life force.

Thank you, I will talk to him this week! I'm only at 200mg Lamictal so far, but I would be willing to go up with that if I can reduce or get rid of the lithium. I do think the lithium has "stabilized" me to an extent, just not in the mood where I want to be. It's stabilized me on the depressive side while taking away all my happiness and hypomania. That's the opposite of what I want. From what I've heard I'm hoping Lamictal (if not opposed by lithium) will have the effect I want. Hopefully my Pdoc will agree because I'm already stopping Seroquel at the same time as well...

[*Beth*]

Something I like about Lamictal is that I've been able to adjust the dose as necessary to "fine tune" my moods. For example, when I was having a mixed episode I was miserable. So we raised the dose way up to 425mg. That helped to normalize my mood (actually, it helped quite a lot). After a couple of months I began having that flat feeling, so I've dropped my dose down to 300mg and I'm doing well on that dose.

I guess what I'm saying is that Lamictal is one of the most flexible meds I've taken.

I'm hoping you can drop the lithium, just because of the potential side effects of it. Keep us posted.

[sarahsweets]

I am no doctor but Lithium is known to be hard on your liver- and lamictal as well. Now you are taking both and I caution you to get regular blood work to keep track of your liver enzymes so you dont cause any damage. Of course consult your doctor first.

Originally Posted by FluffyDinosaur

I'm starting to feel like the Lamictal is trying to get my mood up, but the lithium is pulling me back down, trying to "stabilize" me in a depressed state. Is that even possible? I might just be imagining it. I want to ask my Pdoc to quit lithium and just keep Lamictal, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Something I like about Lamictal is that I've been able to adjust the dose as necessary to "fine tune" my moods. For example, when I was having a mixed episode I was miserable. So we raised the dose way up to 425mg. That helped to normalize my mood (actually, it helped quite a lot). After a couple of months I began having that flat feeling, so I've dropped my dose down to 300mg and I'm doing well on that dose.

I guess what I'm saying is that Lamictal is one of the most flexible meds I've taken.

I'm hoping you can drop the lithium, just because of the potential side effects of it. Keep us posted.

Yes, I like that aspect of it, too. Plus like you mentioned I want to minimize side-effects, so Lamictal would seem like the drug of choice if it works as advertised. I'll let you know what my Pdoc says, but usually he's pretty open to my suggestions so I'm hopeful.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I am no doctor but Lithium is known to be hard on your liver- and lamictal as well. Now you are taking both and I caution you to get regular blood work to keep track of your liver enzymes so you dont cause any damage. Of course consult your doctor first.

Thank you, that sounds like another good reason to discuss quitting the lithium. To be honest I'm not really sure about the benefit of lithium in addition to Lamictal in the first place. Maybe it was just meant as a fallback until I got to the right Lamictal dosage. I did have kidney and liver check-ups along with my bloodtests for lithium levels. I will ask for another check-up after I quit lithium (assuming I will).

[FluffyDinosaur]

I spoke to my Pdoc, he's okay with upping the Lamictal and stopping the lithium. I'm taking the first step in reducing my lithium dosage today. I hope it helps and doesn't backfire on me.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by FluffyDinosaur

I spoke to my Pdoc, he's okay with upping the Lamictal and stopping the lithium. I'm taking the first step in reducing my lithium dosage today. I hope it helps and doesn't backfire on me.

Excellent! I just have a feeling that stopping the lithium will be healthier physically and mentally.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Excellent! I just have a feeling that stopping the lithium will be healthier physically and mentally.

Thanks, yes, I think so too. Physically for sure, and I hope some of the brain fog will clear up so I can think better. Maybe it will even help with the anhedonia.

[*Beth*]

I just noticed that I haven't seen you around lately, FluffyD. How are you doing?

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I just noticed that I haven't seen you around lately, FluffyD. How are you doing?

Thanks for checking in! I've been lurking but I haven't posted much because I'm just too tired to type a lot of the time. I'll start a message but then just give up halfway through. I'm still hoping the Lamictal will start to help with that once the lithium is gone. I've asked my Pdoc if we can reduce by 200mg per week. I was on 1000mg so that way it would take just over a month.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by FluffyDinosaur

Thanks for checking in! I've been lurking but I haven't posted much because I'm just too tired to type a lot of the time. I'll start a message but then just give up halfway through. I'm still hoping the Lamictal will start to help with that once the lithium is gone. I've asked my Pdoc if we can reduce by 200mg per week. I was on 1000mg so that way it would take just over a month.

Ugh, he wants to do 200mg per 2 weeks.

[*Beth*]

Well, that's frustrating. That's one thing about psych meds that is so hard to take, the slllooowww withdrawal.

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Well, that's frustrating. That's one thing about psych meds that is so hard to take, the slllooowww withdrawal.

Yeah, it is frustrating. I don't know if it really makes a difference once my blood levels get below therapeutic anyway. But at least I've made a start with tapering off the lithium.