[ohlala]

I reached the 200 mgs. theraputic dose of Lamictal and felt "normal" for about 12 days. Then I had one day of hypomania and started to drift downward from normal. P-doc increased Lamictal to 300 mgs. He discussed adding an anti-depressant and mentioned several--Lexapro, Abilify, Topamax, Prozac, etc. but said he would first prefer to see how I responded to the Lamictal increase. I agreed. Several years ago I took Topamax and I felt doped. For me, Abilify was like a placebo. I don't remember much about Prozac and I never took Lexapro. Based on my experience with many SSRI's over the years, they seemed ineffective for me though I never took one in conjunction with Lamictal. I am really concerned about weight gain. I am already 20 lbs. over due to 6 months of depression related eating. If I have to add an anti-depressant to the mix which would be most weight-neutral?

[sugahorse1]

Wellbutrin may be an option

[ohlala]

Tried Wellbutrin 2 years ago, but then I wasn't on Lamictal. It didn't seem to do anything to improve my mood but it did give me tremendous sweating as in I was sweating so much I took 3 showers a day and still my scalp was dripping wet. I always give meds a decent trial (like 16 weeks) because I'm desperate and seeking something, (anything actually) to improve my various levels of consistent depression. I know P-docs usually insist on a mood-stabilizer for BP's before adding anti-depressants due to the risk of mania. I've also read somewhere that AD's may not be very effective for BP's as opposed to the general population. Over a period of many years before I was diagnosed I was on just about every AD except for Effexor and the older tricyclics. As a matter of fact, now that I'm reflecting on it, I did try Elavil as well! I really hope the increased Lamictal does the job because I really don't want to start up again on the AD merry-go-round.

[MSsMom]

I had problems like yours and have been on tegritol geodon and wellbutrin and all have been weight neutral which has been a blessing ater weight gain pills like zyprexa!!!!!