SunshineOutside Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I saw this on a T.V. show today. Sorry I can't remember the name of it. I take Lamictal for Bipolar II Depression. Anyone else heard anything about this? Sunshine Outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneMarie Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Hmm. No, I had not heard that. Interested, I did a quick search of PubMed. [link=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19118318?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum]This[/link] supports LGT as an effective anti-depressant. [link=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19008973?ordinalpos=13&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum]This study[/link], however, suggests that it's not very efficacious with major depressive episodes or rapid cycling. I can't speak to the major depression, but am fairly certain that it didn't do anything for the rapid cycling I experienced. Note, though, the study doesn't conclude it makes depression worse. My search was very quick. I'd be interested if there's more behind the claim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I've commonly seen depression listed as a side effect for lamictal. http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamict...effects-p2.html Guess this falls into the whole "everyone reacts differently" category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineOutside Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 I've commonly seen depression listed as a side effect for lamictal. [link=http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamictal-side-effects-p2.html" target="_blank]http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamict...effects-p2.html[/link] Guess this falls into the whole "everyone reacts differently" category. Yes, on the show I saw, they were referring to epilepsy and the drugs that are prescribed for that. It seems to be that so many drugs today can cause depression. I'm amazed that we are alive at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalgas Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Yes, it certainly can. I've personally had it happen to me. Most if not all ACs can potentially do it, even if some of them (like Lamictal) usually don't. The only time it's a problem is if it personally happens to you, though. Just because it might happen and does happen to some people doesn't mean it will for everyone or for anyone in particular. Lamictal made me miserable, so...I don't take Lamictal. I ended up on Keppra instead, which to some people does what Lamictal did to me, but for me it has zero effect on my mood. So it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I've commonly seen depression listed as a side effect for lamictal. [link=http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamictal-side-effects-p2.html" target="_blank]http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamict...effects-p2.html[/link] Guess this falls into the whole "everyone reacts differently" category. Yes, on the show I saw, they were referring to epilepsy and the drugs that are prescribed for that. It seems to be that so many drugs today can cause depression. I'm amazed that we are alive at all! I've noticed that during my lamictal titration, I've been feeling more depressed. Which is disconcerting since I'm trying it for my depression. The fatique doesn't help either. But I'll bump it up to 100mg here in a couple days and see if things don't get better once I get closer to a therapeutic dose. From reading on here, it seems some people feel an antidepressant effect at lower doses but that hasn't really been the case for me. But it's only been four weeks altogether, while titrating, so I know that patience is necessary here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 As Nalgas said, anticonvulsants as a class are known for causing some depression. Often they are used as antimanics. Lamictal is special, many of us know it as the "bipolar antidepressant" because it doesn't cause mania like many SSRIs do. But of course...YMMV. Remember that ACs are meant to stop seizures. That they also help to even out moods is a nice benefit to how they and brains work together. Also, remember that TV shows just want ratings. They don't do real research--we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 ive noticed increased depression while titrating up lamictal as well... i wonder if this is just because im on only 25mg of it, and that i need to increase obviously or if it's really going to cause me to be depressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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