Crawling back to a med you hate and swore you'd never take again?

Question

Hi. I have depression and mild ADHD. The depression was mild and well controlled until recently. I've been taking Wellbutrin and it was very helpful. But I think I was doing better when I paired it with Lamictal.

Lamictal, it seems, was a mess for me. My hair thinned, I couldn't find words and I had tremor in my hands. But my emotions were even. My husband and friends thought it turned me into a complete slug.

I feel my depression worsening and am thinking of returning to it. I get serotonin syndrome with all the SSRI/SNRI pills, so that's a no-go. And MAOI's just look scary to me.

So, I'm very conflicted. Doctor says yes, husband says no.

So has anyone had the experience of making the decision to return to a med you don't like?

Please share. Many thanks!!

Answer 1

There are many types of "alternative " treatment available, which will try to help you without using drugs. The trouble is that  it can be expensive - but if you find the right practitioner they really do get results. Keep asking around and see what you can find out.  

Answer 2

There are many different medications to choose from and you have to decide on balance what works best for you in the final combination.  The effects of Lamictal that you describe sound worse than the depression.  There are other medications for depression, you don't have to use Lamictal.  You say MAOIs "look scary", but you don't say why.  Maybe they deserve a trial run.  Another thing you should consider is that ADHD is not treated by just taking a pill.  The most successul approach involves medication in combination with learning coping behaviors, ways of doing things that compensate for behavioral problems of the syndrome, or work with them to make them assets.  There are also dietary changes that can help reduce your symptoms.  Look into all of these avenues.  With some persistance and determination, you can find what works best for you.