Newly Diagnosed Medication Question

Written by

Fri, October 05, 2007

I am newly diagnosed and was put on Lamictal starting at 25 mg and titrating up actually at 50 starting today. I also take effexor XR since I was originally diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

My questions are how long until I feel the effects and does any one have expereince with this medication. So far after 3 weeks I feel fine but am worried what it will do to me as I go higher.

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Eric

10/ 5/07 2:26pm

I'm really surprised that your Dr. didn't discuss this with you. Usually most will tell you 6 to 8 weeks until you will see the full effects of the medications.

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions concerning your medications and what are the short and long term plans.

TryingHard

10/ 5/07 2:29pm

I began taking Lamictal over 5 yrs ago. Currently I'm at 300 mg/day and have no side effects that I'm aware of. Everyone reacts differently to meds but I consider Lamictal a good choice for a mood stabilizer. If you're titrating slowly then you may not have any ill effects.

china41602

10/ 7/07 8:41am

I have taken Lamictal for about three years now. I was first put on Zyprexa and then Symbyax, both which put me in a fog, caused me to gain 30lbs, and seemed to increase my depression symptoms. I take 200mg, and I have no side effects. I even lost the 30lbs I had gained! I also take 25mg of Seroquel at night to help me sleep or control severe irritability, which I don't have very often anymore, and I usually break that in half. I think Lamictal, when it works, is one of the best choices for treatment of bipolar.

Anonymous

10/ 9/07 5:54am

Hey there flighty,

Ditto to the above posters. I take 100 mg of Lamictal in the morning and 150 mg of Lamictal at night, and I only have good things to say about it. I don't notice any kind of negative side effects from it, and for the most part, it keeps my moods fairly stable. I also take Cymbalta 90 mg at night, as well as Risperdal 2mg at night, Risperdal .5 mg twice a day, and Ambien for sleep 10 mg. I am just now being weaned off Klonopin, at my request, through my doctor's guidance, and this is a good feeling for me.

I take other meds for other things, but these are the psychotropic meds I take. I have been on Lamical for about a year and nine months now and I haven't experienced a significant depressive episode in all this time.

Best of luck to you. Some people do well with a lower dose and some do better with a higher dose. Everyone is so individual. I hope you find a winning combination for yourself.

Warm thoughts and best wishes,

Kay

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