[Ion1280]

I am currently on 150mg of lamictal and it is not enough. It has helped in terms of stopping mixed episodes but I am still super depressed with constant intrusive suicidal thoughts. I see my psychiatrist next week and I want to talk to him about adding something, because I am in a really bad place.
he doesn't want me on AD because he thinks the prompt mixed episodes, so are there other options? He has given me a sample pack of latuda to take on an as needed basis, is this something I could suggest to add as a regular med? Have people been on this combo? I know meds are different for everyone but any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[pinkflower17]

Originally Posted by Ion1280

I am currently on 150mg of lamictal and it is not enough. It has helped in terms of stopping mixed episodes but I am still super depressed with constant intrusive suicidal thoughts. I see my psychiatrist next week and I want to talk to him about adding something, because I am in a really bad place.
he doesn't want me on AD because he thinks the prompt mixed episodes, so are there other options? He has given me a sample pack of latuda to take on an as needed basis, is this something I could suggest to add as a regular med? Have people been on this combo? I know meds are different for everyone but any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is a huge controversial topic in the psych world, Whether to add ADs to mood stabilizers in Bipolar (I'm guessing type I?)

Lamictal is kind of a funny med, it's more effective for unipolar depression at lower doses and more effective for mood stabilization at higher doses. While ADs don't prompt mania in everyone, studies show they also aren't very effective most of the time in treating depression in bipolar disorder. Latuda has been shown to be effective for bipolar depression. It's not commonly used as an as needed med. It has a really long half life (18 hrs), so it's not really practical to dose it repeatedly over the course of a day. Different things work for different people, but some other things approved for bipolar depression are lithium - very effective in a lot of people and symbyax (olanzapine and Prozac). I've seen Seroquel used a lot in bipolar depression, even though technically it's not FDA approved for that, only approved for manic or mixed episodes. I've also seen all the other mood stabilizers used - the other atypical antipsychotics - tegretol, caromabezipine, Depakote, occasionally Topamax and zonegran, Neurontin etc. used for general mood stabilization with lthium, latuda, lamictal, symbyax or occasionally Seroquel added for depressive episodes.
I think it would be worth a try to try adding the latuda regularly, along with the lamictal and see if you get a response. I hope any of this rambling helps some. Good luck.

[Moogieotter]

The Lamictal/Latuda combo has been good for me. Good Luck,

moogs

[Ion1280]

Originally Posted by pinkflower17

This is a huge controversial topic in the psych world, Whether to add ADs to mood stabilizers in Bipolar (I'm guessing type I?)

Lamictal is kind of a funny med, it's more effective for unipolar depression at lower doses and more effective for mood stabilization at higher doses. While ADs don't prompt mania in everyone, studies show they also aren't very effective most of the time in treating depression in bipolar disorder. Latuda has been shown to be effective for bipolar depression. It's not commonly used as an as needed med. It has a really long half life (18 hrs), so it's not really practical to dose it repeatedly over the course of a day. Different things work for different people, but some other things approved for bipolar depression are lithium - very effective in a lot of people and symbyax (olanzapine and Prozac). I've seen Seroquel used a lot in bipolar depression, even though technically it's not FDA approved for that, only approved for manic or mixed episodes. I've also seen all the other mood stabilizers used - the other atypical antipsychotics - tegretol, caromabezipine, Depakote, occasionally Topamax and zonegran, Neurontin etc. used for general mood stabilization with lthium, latuda, lamictal, symbyax or occasionally Seroquel added for depressive episodes.
I think it would be worth a try to try adding the latuda regularly, along with the lamictal and see if you get a response. I hope any of this rambling helps some. Good luck.

Thanks for the info...When i initially got the latuda I did some googling and it seemed odd to take it as needed. I'm actually not diagnosed bipolar psych said depression with mixed episodes and therapist says major depression (i have never been manic or hypomanic but have had what seem like mixed episodes), however, the ad's really weren't working (tried zoloft, effexor, and celexa). I think i'll ask about adding latuda in.

[simplydivine1030]

I take lamictal w/ abilify and it is working for me

[phizzler]

I take lamictal 150 and lexapro 20.....perfect combo for me.