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Suggest Treatment For Sleeplessness And Mild Depression

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Posted on Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Question: Hi I am taking lamictal for bipolar 150 mgm per day. I recently reduced from 200mgm per day, because I seemed to have some sexual dysfunction on that i.e not able to climax or ejaculate, whereas I did not have that with the lower dose. I have a less serious form of bipolar, in that I don't have hypomanic episodes when I am good, but merely a bit euphoric and quite social, with slightly disturbed sleep. I recently returned from a holiday with a close friend, which I very much enjoyed, then seemed to crash as soon as I returned. I now have some depression and sleepiness, tho I would not call it major depression. Up to then, I had been doing quite well on the lamictal.

I intend to see my psychiatrist soon, but in the interim, would you have any suggestions, e.g increasing my lamictal back again? Thanks XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Go back to 200 mg and take sedative on needed basis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.


I read your query and understand your concerns.

As I can see you are having bipolar disorder type 2 and current problem is just sleeplessness and mild depression, holding on current medication is likely to help with add of sedative on needed basis. Since you recently reduced from 200 to 150 mg, indicating that maintenance dose for you is somewhere near 200 mg so reverting back to 200 mg is likely to helpful.

Using Z drugs like zolpidem 5 mg/6.25mg is better choice among all sedatives considering your age at which benzodiazepines to be avoided due to potential risks.

In addition to this increase exercise activity as it is likely to boost mood. Preferably it should be 45 minutes 1 minutes a day or 200 minutes a week.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3347 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Sleeplessness And Mild Depression

Brief Answer: Go back to 200 mg and take sedative on needed basis Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. As I can see you are having bipolar disorder type 2 and current problem is just sleeplessness and mild depression, holding on current medication is likely to help with add of sedative on needed basis. Since you recently reduced from 200 to 150 mg, indicating that maintenance dose for you is somewhere near 200 mg so reverting back to 200 mg is likely to helpful. Using Z drugs like zolpidem 5 mg/6.25mg is better choice among all sedatives considering your age at which benzodiazepines to be avoided due to potential risks. In addition to this increase exercise activity as it is likely to boost mood. Preferably it should be 45 minutes 1 minutes a day or 200 minutes a week. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards