lamictal

[QueenMontana]

Is anyone takin lamictal? any reviews? thanks!

[007Bunny]

Not so many meds to pick from really. :( The list is quite short and that's scary. I really do not miss my anxiety and depressions. It is too early to say how it will develop but so far it looks good. But gosh my sleep is a big thing lol. I was always a night owl but somehow able to cope during the day. These days I need my sleep otherwise I am a total monster. So the best meds for me is for free lol. 11 pm here so bed time ;). Speak soon. Xxx

[weaver71]

I chose Lamictal, she was okay with trying it. She wanted to give me Haldol and/or seroquel. I cant stand feeling sedated at all, I think the toxic feeling of lithium plus the lack of mild racing thoughts drove me to the breakthrough mania. Who knows? I studied as many meds as I could to see what I thought would fit. It sounds like I run like your mania all the time, then it goes over the top. Being penniless in Calcutta or confronting Guatemalan military during the Civil War are probably the most severe examples of over the top mania. If I can keep feeling like I do now, then I'll be good to go. They gave me Abilify for if I feel like I am about to go psychotic, but not as maintenance. Never taken it yet. I may resist if I wait too long, the final switch is a tricky moment.

[007Bunny]

I truly hope it will help you. I do not have such manias. I just fly a bit high, very funny, racing thoughts, doing smtg and can't concentrate, talking to few ppl at once etc. not much fun for me but it can get unnoticed from the outside. And all that with just 3 or 4 hours of sleep. I don't like it. Don't mind for a day or two but I know that I will crash later on and have to sleep, do nothing, have rest, not talk at all and get depressed. :( Your case is much more serious. I am able if very upset and in rage shout, scream and broke something if really p**** off. And that's it. But I still know where I am etc. the crash after the rage is awful and I go to sleep as I can't function. I am used to drive and cry and similar. But that's it. I really hope it will help you.
Was it you who picked Lamictal or your doctor? Xxx

[weaver71]

I was doing fine on lithium, but I can do fine with nothing up to 3 months. At 2 1/2 months on lithium, I went psychotic again. Hence the Lamictal. So far the side effects are unnoticeable. I am titrating slow and watching closely. My normal hypo mania and agitation or depression cycles are back, but I don't mind that, I wanted back to drug free before trying another drug. They wanted me to drop lithium to finish it right when the Lamictal was at a therapeutic dose. I went down on lithium as recommended by the pharmacy, not my doctor, and titrating Lamictal like the pharmacy recommends too. I trust my doctor, but I think I scare her and my therapist a little. I guess black out mania is pretty scary, but I think my mind is resistant to mediocre. On lithium I went totally nuts. I want to be careful while adding anything to my brain chemistry. It's all a roll of the dice, but I'm trying to load the dice with knowledge that is current, not what a doctor studied 5-10 years ago in school and their limited experience in our little mountain town. So far Lamictal is much better for me, if I make it 4 months, I will shout it out.

[007Bunny]

Hi, so they changed it? I thought that you are fine on lithium. Keep us posted. Lamictal is mostly for BP2 and I know that you are BP1. So I am interested how it will work with your highs. I am very happy with it - after about 10 weeks. Hoping it will work for you well. Marie x

[weaver71]

Just started it a few weeks ago, I'll let you know. Way less side effects than the lithium I was on.

[robinlyne]

I'm on it. Very happy with it  ........

[Midijane]

I take Lamictal 200mg/ day.

It was a game changer for me when I started it. Definitely helps as a mood stabilizer.

M

[Bubulous]

I am on 400 mg of Lamictal which is the highest dose of it that is supposed to be prescribed.  I love it and it along with my Seroquel makes up the best combination of meds I have ever been on.  As long as I stay on it I can remain pretty stable.

[007Bunny]

Hi, many ppl here are on it - me too. Also there are many posts on this forum related to it - so it needs a bit digging.
I am personally very happy with it but I am on it just two months now and as I go up slowly I take so far 75 mg. it is very helpful meds for me.