Dr. Vandana Patidar
Psychiatry
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am currently in the middle of a cross taper off of Gabapentin (previously at 600 milligrams, now off of it) and Lamictal (previously at 400 milligrams and now at 100 milligrams). In comparison, I continued taking 300 milligrams of Wellbutrin, which I titrated up to several days after starting. I have been on Wellbutrin for two and a half weeks now. The first several days were great but brought more awareness of where I am in life, which caused despair and suicidal thoughts. My depression got very severe over the next week, and my psychiatrist downed my dose of Lamictal because he thought it was an interaction. Now I am severely depressed and have no energy after coming down from 300 milligrams to 100 milligrams over a week.
Is there anything I can do in the short term to improve this?
Also, could the issues with the other drugs impede Wellbutrin's ability to work?
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Here are my opinions based on your description, which may or may not be right because to diagnose an Illness, you need details of symptoms.
So, in my opinion, if Lamictal or Lamotrigine and Quetiapine helped you and now tapering, it is causing a problem. But, on the other hand, maybe the diagnosis made by your previous psychiatrist is correct because Lamotrigine help in bipolar depression, and Quetiapine (Seroquel) is an effective mood stabilizer.
When an antidepressant alone, like Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride), is not effective in getting you out of depression, then there is a chance that you are suffering from bipolar depression.
Regarding the issues you faced, I do not think it was due to the interaction of Lamotrigine and Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride). Still, it was due to the tapering off of Lamotrigine.
If I were your doctor, I would start you again on Lamictal 300 milligrams and Seroquel (Quetiapine).
Thank you.
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Psychiatry
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