Medicines working in unexpected ways

Wow. So I started lamictal and am up to 75 mg and I’m on lithium 600 mg.

The lamictal is acting more like an antidepressant which is expected but the unexpected is before I started it , the affect lithium’s been having. It almost completely has gotten rid of my anxiety and panic attacks and agoraphobia. I’m going to ask if I should raise the dose a little more because my blood levels are just under the effective range. I think that will totally take care of it. I still have bad fatigue but I can’t explsin this feeling it’s like I can cope and handle things. I can get through my day with out dreading getting through my day. It’s not hard.

I dont know which drug helped or if it was just from not feeling g depressed anymore but my sex drive is back. My husband loves that part. I’m still tired and fatigued but it’s not an exhaustion where I need to lay down. I’m actually thinking about trying swimming with my daughter.

There’s no magic pill I know that and I’m worried about my thyroid because it’s 2.6 now and was 2 a month ago and 1.7 last year before starting meds. But I think I’d almost rather have thyroid meds than go off lithium I feel like it’s saving my life.

Still have some tremors from when I tried Wellbutrin. Not as bad though. Hoping they go away and aren’t permanent.

Ok thanks for listening

Thats great you are feeling so much better! I just started on lamictal as well, at 75 currently but also on depakote which increases the effect. Not sure if lithium does the same with lamictal.

Did you have any time in between the wellbutrin and lithium? I didnt have tremors from wellbutrin but lithium gave me minor tremors that didnt go away in the 2 months I was on it. If you had tremors in between the meds it is likely still from wellbutrin though. Otherwise it might be hard to tell.

I dont really know anything about the thyroid levels but perhaps you might want to get more information on that from someone other than a pdoc so you know exactly what that could mean long term for you. Of course if you already have or feel you have a good enough understanding just disregard that lol

Glad you're feeling better!

When I was on Lamictal I found I was getting tired and dizzy too so my pdoc suggested I try taking it at night instead of the morning. That made a huge difference for me since I slept through the side effects and felt fine by the morning.

You might want to talk with your pdoc about your lithium level and Lamictal dose and make sure they're both in the theraputic range. I know you titrate up on Lamictal so maybe you're still on the way to increasing your dose.

I felt great once I reached my target dose of Lamictal.

Thanks yeah we’re totrating me up to at least 100 but I think the lithium needs to go up too thanks for telling me about how you take yours I’m going to see about taking it at night instead! 😊

I'm so glad you're feeling better, MJLouise.
I have anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia accompany depression too. It's great that coming out of depression can take care of them too. Glad your sex drive is back. Woohoo!

I was on lithium and lamictal for over a year and did great on them. It's a good combo for me. I had to go off of the lithium though to protect my kidneys. Glad to hear it's working for you.

I too am on Lithium and Lamictal. My Lithium blood levels are 1.0 so perfectly in the therapeutic range. I am on 300mg of Lamictal as lower doses were not working. I am also on Thyroid meds due to the Lithium but on them my levels have been fine for years. I have been on Lithium for about 8 years. The only other side effect has been occasional tremors and thirst. It is worth it as it has saved my life by restraining me during bad episodes. Unfortunately I still get the episodes though. The addition of the Lamictal last year, and the higher dose since November seems to have calmed things down. This combo works for many people. I hope it helps you.

That’s fantastic! I am so glad you’re feeling so much better!

That’s great you’re feeling better.
I’ve been on Lithium for 4yrs. (Current dose 1350mg). It works so well for me that despite some side effects I won’t be ceasing it anytime soon. Lamictal and Abilify didn’t work for me.
My Lithium levels are perfect at 0.8, my thyroid levels are normal on thyroid meds and my renal function tests remain the same. I have a long term renal condition that I manage well so I’m not too worried about it.

Lamictal plus Lithium works very well for many people - if you have to go on Synthroid, it is a small price to pay for stability. Lithium, unlike Depakote, does not increase the effect of Lamictal, so you will just titrate Lamictal up until you reach what is clinically an optimum dose for you. Lamictal does not come with a blood level test / range, unlike Lithium and Depakote, but you will know when you hit the sweet spot and it might even be that 75 mg is enough or that 100 mg is your sweet spot. Sex and swimming are wonderful things to do!!

Glad you found a good combo !

Very true thanks for your insight I guess I’ll see when that sweet spot is as I get higher on the dose.

Haha sex and swimming are both very good when you put it together like that it sound like a punchline to something Hahahaha