Are Stimulants still effective with mood stabilizers?

[cloudmonger]

Lamictal is working well to balance my mood. Problem is, my apathy & motivation level is still in the dumps. I am also concerned about longterm cognitive effects that many people experience on Lamictal, worsening issues I already have (executive function/mental processing speed, memory difficulties, etc)

I was previously on Ritalin (alone) and felt it helped with the above issues. Does being on a Mood Stabilizer cancel out the effects of a stimulant (Ritalin)? I wonder if the Lamictal will dampen Ritalin's effects because it is used to cut mania/high stimulation/impulses? Any thoughts?

[melissaw72]

Idk about ritalin, but FWIW ... I am on a stimulant ... provigil ... and it doesn't cancel out the effects of the mood stabilizer (lamictal) for me.

[cloudmonger]

6 hours ago, melissaw72 said:

I am on a stimulant ... provigil ... and it doesn't cancel out the effects of the mood stabilizer (lamictal) for me.

Is Provigil used for ADD also with increasing attention/focus? Or is it more for sleep disorders/narcolepsy?

[jt07]

Provigil is sometimes used for ADD, but it's off-label and is less effective than Ritalin and the amphetamines in most people. The problem with Provigil is that it is very expensive, and most insurances don't want to cover it at all for off-label uses.

[notloki]

Yes  stims are still effective taken with stabilizers.

 

Edited November 24, 2016 by notloki

[melissaw72]

1 hour ago, cloudmonger said:

Is Provigil used for ADD also with increasing attention/focus? Or is it more for sleep disorders/narcolepsy?

I take it for a sleep disorder.  Without the provigil I can't stay awake at all during the day.  I'm not sure about it being used for ADD and increasing attention/focus though.