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Abilify, Effexor, and Lamictal combo-

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Posted 11/10/2007 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thursday I went to see a psychiatrist. I told her I felt sad and disappointed with my life AND I had anxiety and fear about the future. I also explained for the last year I had no energy and I felt down all the time.

After talking with her for 15 minutes, she gives me three prescriptions. One for Abilify, another for Effexor xr, and the last one for Lamictal. Then she wrote out the directions and said come back in one week. I was a little shocked by this because I was not told why I had to take three different pills-- and I didn’t have time to ask because I was being ushered out the door.

I would like to ask you all a few questions—
Is a combination of pills normal to take for depression and anxiety?
Has any one else taken Abilify, Effexor, and Lamictal all at the same time?
And why would the psychiatrist start me out with three different pills after talking to me for such a short time?

I wonder if I should get another opinion from another psychiatrist. What do you think? Please write back if you have any thoughts about this and thanks for listening to my concerns.
Posted 11/10/2007 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Patti - I am not on the same combo but my Dr. gave me a low dose of Lexapro & Celexa, said the new treatments for both depression and anxiety are now combos to cover all the reuptake inhibitors. I've been on it for a week & need to give it longer - but don't feel any different yet - maybe a little edge off.

Give Dr. a call with concerns & ask why the combo. Ny Dr. is never available for phone calls but a very competent nurse is.
THere must be a reason & it wasn't explained to you.

Good luck to you.
Posted 11/11/2007 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Patti,

What amount of effexor are you taking?. i take 150mg which is for anxiety, im not sure about your other meds as i take mirtazapine for depression. Asking you to come back in a week is a little strange as the meds wont take full affect for at least a month.

Hope all works out for you.. :-)

Posted 11/11/2007 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Patti,

Welcome to Healing Well. I am Kitt. I will give you some information but please remember I am not a professional so I am only making a suggestion as to why the meds you are taking were prescribed. J

Some of the physician's use what patient's refer to as a "cocktail" which is a combo of meds that works for them. My pdoc does not practice this way but that is not to say yours is wrong.

You should have had an indepth explanation re the meds, how they work, the side effects and when to expect results. I am sorry you did not receive that piece of information so I understand your concerns.

Abilify

Some newer antipsychotic medications approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being prescribed to millions of Americans for depression, dementia, and other psychiatric disorders

I would make an educated guess that the Abilify is being used off label in your case for depression

Effexor

Effexor is an Antidepressant medication. Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. They may take as long as 4-6 weeks to see any improvement. This appears to be your physician's drug of choice for the depression.

Lamictal

The US FDA approved Lamictal for the treatment of epilepsy in 1994, and bipolar I disorder in 2003 . Off-label psychiatric usage it is used as adjunctive therapy for "treatment-resistant" unipolar depression. It may sometimes be helpful as a mood stabilizer in low dose. Reference: PDR Pocket Guide; 7th Edition

Please talk to your Pdoc re the meds and reason for prescribing them. It is one of many "cocktails" prescribed and each individual reacts differently to meds.

I wish you the best and please stay with us and keep posting.

Again a warm and caring welcome.

Kitt
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