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I've been on Lamictal 150mg for 3 years now. Depression became quite severe about a year ago, and hasn't let up much. I don't have insurance, so it's hard to get to a regular doc for help, much less a pdoc. Won't have insurance through work until February. But I'm getting desperate and don't think I can hold out much longer. I've read that Wellbutrin can work well with Lamictal, and I'm digging the WB's potential weight loss effects as I'm on the obese side of the fence.
Here's the catch - 10 years ago, a few years before the bipolar diagnosis, I tried Wellbutrin for depression, and all that happened was I became very angry. It did nothing for the depression. I'm thinking that because so many things have changed since then and that I'm on a mood stabilizer, that perhaps it would work this time.
I refuse to go back to SSRIs, lithium didn't work well, and Seroquel, though it works great for depression, turns me into a zombie and makes me gain weight. I'm just sick of the daily "should I kill myself today?" thoughts.
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Lamictal / Wellbutrin combo?
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#2
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Posted 23 November 2008 - 06:14 AM
Coupling it with Lamictal could help with the anger. Also, your situation in general (and your brain) have most likely changed and it may not cause the anger this time. I would try it-- but be very up front with your doctor about what happened last time and keep an eye out for it. I'd be interested to see what happens because Wellbutrin worked for me many years ago and if I try an AD again it will be Wellbutrin. I also currently take Lamictal.
Otherwise, you could try and increase of the Lamictal. When I went from 150 to 200 I found that it helped with depression.
Otherwise, you could try and increase of the Lamictal. When I went from 150 to 200 I found that it helped with depression.
I'm committed to the consequences whether I stand or fall.
"I sat up late and I watched you sleep. You said you'd waited 30 years for me."
“Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.”
"I sat up late and I watched you sleep. You said you'd waited 30 years for me."
“Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.”
#3
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Posted 23 November 2008 - 12:43 PM
I think your insight that WB alone versus WB + Lamictal might be very different creatures is a good one. If your doctor's aware of the past history, and if you're both monitoring for it, that's a relatively safe situation. You can always start low and go up, too... no need to start with the 300 mg XL tabs, the 150 SRs work just fine.
Pardon me for asking, but are you getting your Lamictal through drug assistance? Bridges to Access has relatively high income limits. I ask because the Wellbutrin would be covered on the same program, which would help you save some more money.
Pardon me for asking, but are you getting your Lamictal through drug assistance? Bridges to Access has relatively high income limits. I ask because the Wellbutrin would be covered on the same program, which would help you save some more money.
Bipolar I, other stuff
"Science adjusts its beliefs based on whats observed
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."--Tim Minchin
"Science adjusts its beliefs based on whats observed
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."--Tim Minchin
#4
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Posted 02 December 2008 - 08:36 AM
I'm taking Wellbutrin and Lamictal, and they have helped me SOOOO much. With zero side effects and the Lamictal works as an appetite suppressant for me, I lost 5 pounds, yeah!
These two alone aren't covering all my bases so, this week I'm asking my Doc to add an add-on. Maybe Abilify?
These two alone aren't covering all my bases so, this week I'm asking my Doc to add an add-on. Maybe Abilify?
Bipolar 2 ultra-rapid cycling, BPD
Prozac 40mg
Wellbutrin 150mg
Lamictal 300mg
Risperdal 4 mg
Topamax 75mg (titrating up to 200mg)
old RX: , Lexapro 20mg, Wellbutrin 300mg , Lithium 300mg, Paxil 12.5mg, 180mg Geodon
Prozac 40mg
Wellbutrin 150mg
Lamictal 300mg
Risperdal 4 mg
Topamax 75mg (titrating up to 200mg)
old RX: , Lexapro 20mg, Wellbutrin 300mg , Lithium 300mg, Paxil 12.5mg, 180mg Geodon
#5
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Posted 02 December 2008 - 01:40 PM
i just want to add to this thread long enough to say YAY for lamotrigine and wellbutrin (together, of course)! never again will i consider an SSRI or an SNRI or anything related - not after experiencing what i am actually supposed to feel like. thanks to this cocktail, i remember who i was before i became so depressed. 
ymmv of course. i still wanna say YAY though!
ymmv of course. i still wanna say YAY though!
current rx: lamotrigine 250 mg, citalopram 30mg, 0.15 mg synthroid, clonazepam 0-2mgs, thc, nicotine, caffeine, refined sugar as needed
current dx: depression (maybe bp2), ptsd, ddNOS, anxiety NOS, ED issues, motherhood
current dx: depression (maybe bp2), ptsd, ddNOS, anxiety NOS, ED issues, motherhood
#6
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Posted 17 January 2009 - 03:01 PM
I just took my first Lamictal last night (25 mg generic), and I have been on Wellbutrin for years (450mg generic). After two weeks I go up to 50 mg, and after one month I go back to the pdoc to see how it's working.
This was my first visit with this pdoc - I moved and needed to locate a new one, and also felt that I have started slipping. He said that since I have had five episodes of major depression (I'm 49), he thought the Lamictal would be a good choice for augmentation. He suspects I might be BP II but I don't recall any hypomanias. I will be interested to see other's experiences.
This was my first visit with this pdoc - I moved and needed to locate a new one, and also felt that I have started slipping. He said that since I have had five episodes of major depression (I'm 49), he thought the Lamictal would be a good choice for augmentation. He suspects I might be BP II but I don't recall any hypomanias. I will be interested to see other's experiences.
New Improved Diagnosis: Probably BP II (instead of MDD recurrent), or as the pdoc said, "There's clearly some sort of cycle going on." The more I think about it, the more I think he's right. I've started a mood stabilizer and feel better, so I have my fingers crossed I'll stay far away from the abyss.
RX: Generic versions of Lamictal 200 mg, Wellbutrin SR 300 mg, Ambien 10 mg, Gabapentin 900 mg (for hot flashes), lots of vitamins and fish oil tablets.
RX Graveyard: Prozac, Topomax, Zoloft, Vivactil, Adderall, Provigil
DX: Previously DXed with Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Without Psychotic Symptoms; still enjoying Dysthymia and Binge Eating Disorder
"All persons, living and dead, are purely coincidental." Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake
RX: Generic versions of Lamictal 200 mg, Wellbutrin SR 300 mg, Ambien 10 mg, Gabapentin 900 mg (for hot flashes), lots of vitamins and fish oil tablets.
RX Graveyard: Prozac, Topomax, Zoloft, Vivactil, Adderall, Provigil
DX: Previously DXed with Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Without Psychotic Symptoms; still enjoying Dysthymia and Binge Eating Disorder
"All persons, living and dead, are purely coincidental." Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake
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