Doctor Proposing Adding Lamictal To Wellbutrin

[Retromancer]

Saw my psychiatrist today. I reported that the Wellbutrin (bupropion) is doing what it can do -- 450 mgs. and there ain't no more. Don't miss the bottoming out but my motivation is nil and I am walking around in a fog. The psychiatrist (again) is proposing adding Lamictal (lamotrigine) to the mix. Has anyone here have experience with taking this combination for depression? (Bonus points if you have comorbid ADHD)

 

Edited for stray punctuation.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Retromancer

[melissaw72]

Yes, I am on both lamictal and wellbutrin and have been so for a long time.  They both work well as part of my cocktail.

[saveyoursanity]

I took Wellbutrin and Lamictal at the same time, along with Cymbalta (and I probably have comorbid ADHD, but it's hard to distinguish from my depression at this level).

 

It really didn't do anything for my depression, sorry to say.  But, frankly, I'm apparently a very treatment resistant nut to crack.      That may not be your experience at all.  And it DID help with impulse control, at least I really felt like it did.

[Savannah]

I dont take your combo but I love the effects of Lamictal. It keeps me out of deep depressions. When I first started it I couldnt belive I could feel so good. No way would I get off of it!!

[jango]

When I first went on Wellbutrin, I got kickstarted out of the massive depression I was in at the time. Shortly thereafter I was diagnosed with some form of Bipolar, and put on Lamictal. The combo seems to be working fairly well for me.

[lysergia]

i took lamotrigine & wellbutrin for quite awhile and it was GREAT while it lasted.  it was that combination that got me to work after more than five years at home.  unfortunately for me, the unavoidable switch of generic manufacturers made wellbutrin a fail for me.  that certainly doesn't happen to everyone, though.

[Candybars41]

Hey,

 

I am currently on 400 mg of buproprion IR and 300 mg lamotrigine.  This is all I take and after a helluva time trying out differnet cocktails etc, this has proven the best so far.  It has only been about 2.5 months but I think enough time to get an idea.  I do have a script for 100 mg Trazedone but it is only as needed for sleep.  So- regarding this regimen I figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it  

[Luna-]

I don't have ADHD but I am on Lamictal and Wellbutrin. Works for me, but the Geodon is a confounding factor, so I don't know if I am relevant.

[Catnapper]

I had been on Wellbutrin for about ten years beginning in 1999 +/-, augmented with various other drugs, for a few major depressive episodes.  My current pdoc, new to me at the time as I had just moved to the area in 2009, changed my dx from MDD, recurrent, to BP II.  He added in Lamictal, and it was a great idea.  I have been on the combo for four years, and I hope it works forever for me. 

 

I had had five episodes of major depression, starting in my twenties, by the time I found the Lamictal.  I'm 53 now. 

 

But I must say that hanging around here has caused me to study up on my illness, watch for signs early on, and do all the tiresome things that help like fresh air and sunshine, decent food, exercise, etc. 

 

My pdoc tells me on a fairly regular basis that if I start slipping to get into see him right away.  He said it's a lot easier to treat a slip than it is to pull someone back from full-on depression. 

 

The only side effect I had when titrating up on Lamictal was a headache that lasted a couple of days at every dose increase, but Advil took care of it.

[Alien Navel Cord]

I take Wellbutrin and Lamictal (as well as Viibryd) and am doing pretty good on this combo. 

[crtclms]

I started taking Wellbutrin decades ago, and started taking Lamictal 7 years ago. I like the combo, but I don't adore it.

 

I have been on the Wellbutrin so long though, that we are wondering if it is pooping out and making me more anxious. I also take lithium as an add on to the Lamictal for depression. Adding it has worked better.

[Adam11]

I have ADD and was on a Wellbutrin and Lamictal combo back in 2006. 

 

I think Lamictal can be a very effective medication for depression and bipolar folks, but I think it may have made my ADD worse. (Insert standard: That's just me though, you won't know unless you try it of course). 

 

If you have straight up depression and ADD, I would consider adding a SSRI like Zoloft or SNRI like Cymbalta to the Wellbutrin to help with the depression. 

I'm have ADD, Depression and Anxiety, and have been on Zoloft, Adderall and Klonopin for many years and liked the combo a great deal. I'm getting ready to add Wellbutrin to help with my ADD and with energy. 

[Retromancer]

Eh Wellbutrin (buproprion) isn't amphetamine or methylphenidate. I take Wellbutrin for depression solely. It is the only medication I have taken to date that does so. (If it is not a shit generic.)

[Adam11]

Eh Wellbutrin (buproprion) isn't amphetamine or methylphenidate. I take Wellbutrin for depression solely. It is the only medication I have taken to date that does so. (If it is not a shit generic.)

 

It can help with ADD, my pdoc is regarded as an ADD expert, he says it works 60 percent of the time for ADD. It worked for my ADD. It can help make Adderall last longer. There are some doctors who have been able to get people off Adderall using Wellbutrin. 

[Retromancer]

If it works for you, fine. Capped out at 450 mg Wellbutrin helps me with the depression but doesn't do much for the ADD.

It can help with ADD, my pdoc is regarded as an ADD expert, he says it works 60 percent of the time for ADD. It worked for my ADD. It can help make Adderall last longer. There are some doctors who have been able to get people off Adderall using Wellbutrin.