[Hummingbird1950]

Since I started lamictal, I have found all I want to do is sit in my recliner and do nothing. Over the last month, we have started at a very low dose, 12.5 mg and recently increased it to 25 mg (I am an ultra metabolizer per my gene study) and have to start slow with meds due to side effects.


Nothing gets done around the apt, lack of self care, lack of motivation. Only do what I absolutely have to do.


I feel numb, I just don't care. I'm stuck in something, not sure if it is a reaction to the medication or I am sliding into a depression.


Birdie

[unaluna]

This is me too. I dont feel particularly sad. But because i dont HAVE to do anything, i kinda dont.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know the answer to this. It could be a combination of the two I suppose. It would probably be worth talking over with your prescriber. Back when I was on antidepressants, when I would bring up a concern such as this to my pdoc, he would generally suggest I try taking my AD at a different time of day. (I don't recall that this made a whole lot of difference. But it may be something to try.)

In case you haven't already seen them here are links to 2 articles, from PC's archives, on how to overcome the overwhelming fatigue of depression:

5 Tips for Dealing with the Overwhelming Fatigue of Depression

5 More Tips for Dealing with the Overwhelming Fatigue of Depression

[LadyShadow]

It could be a lot of things, but it definitely could be the meds. I know for me, the Seroquel dose I was on was absolutely killing me, and still is. I feel slow, bloated, and don't want to do a damn thing.

I can relate, but I would talk to your doc about it. My doc approved me taking half my Seroquel dose, so maybe you need an adjustment.

[~Christina]

Did you start out with depression and Lamictal added to help ?? If so it’s likely your depression is just getting worse, Lamictal isn’t a fast acting Med and needs time to build up.

I was put on it 8-9 years ago , but I was horribly depressed so I have no idea if it caused me any side effects to be honest.

I hope your fatigue lifts

[Hummingbird1950]

Hi Christina *smiles* Thanks for your response.


In answer to your question, I have had depression since childhood, but with varying degrees. Mostly sad all the time. So, I had depression before adding in Lamictal. The fatigue and depression are getting worse.


True, I have only been on Lamictal now almost 2 months and it's such a tiny amount starting out on. Just increased it two days ago to 25 mg.


I am used to taking the AntiPsychotic meds which are much more fast acting. Zyprexa, for one, helped elevate my mood in 3 days. I had asked to go back on Zyprexa but my psych doc refused. We may add that back on. I'm thinking with my seizure history, he wanted coverage for this disorder before possibly adding back in Zyprexa. I also wanted to go back on Lithium but he refused that as well.


Thanks for the hugs !!

Birdie

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Did you start out with depression and Lamictal added to help ?? If so it’s likely your depression is just getting worse, Lamictal isn’t a fast acting Med and needs time to build up.

I was put on it 8-9 years ago , but I was horribly depressed so I have no idea if it caused me any side effects to be honest.

I hope your fatigue lifts

[Pookyl]

Fatigue is part of depression for me. I did once develop bone aching fatigue after starting a new med. I was taken off the med and the fatigue went away. Sorry I’ve forgotten the name of it.

[Hummingbird1950]

Hi Pookyl ~ I'll give it a few more months and see if it's not a side effect that will eventually go away as I adjust to Lamictal. I just don't want to do anything but sit in my recliner day in and day out.


I see you have Agoraphobia too. Makes it tough to go out and do things away from my home, at least that is how that affects me. Also, what strength of the Seroquel are you on with the XR? Did you find the XR version kept side effects from increasing? My psych doc wants to put me on that at 50 mg, but that would mean going from 12/5 mg to 50 mg all at once.


Birdie

Originally Posted by Pookyl

Fatigue is part of depression for me. I did once develop bone aching fatigue after starting a new med. I was taken off the med and the fatigue went away. Sorry IÂ’ve forgotten the name of it.

[Seafarer]

I am wondering the same thing about my meds and me. I have been on Prozac for about 6 months, and then added a statin about 3 months ago. My blood pressure has gone way down, which is great, but I don't know if it, or the meds, are what's making me tired, or depression.

I live in a huge city where there is nothing fun to do unless you have money and car (I have no car, and little money), so maybe I'm also bored, but I'm too tired to care about finding something to do. And I apparently don't have any friends anymore.

So, virtual hug to everyone here ...