does any one take lamotrigine

3/16/08 5:32am

It's been one of the better drugs she's put him on. It doesn't cause eating or sleeping disturbances and his moods have been stable for 4 months. It will probably take a couple of months to really start working for you but as long as you don't get the rash, you won't have many side effects probably. If you start to get the rash, I believe you just stop taking it and it goes away.

Jane

3/17/08 10:30pm

Genel,

I take lamotrigine. I was diagnosed 18 months ago and had to be hospitalized for a week. They put me on it then. It is a low dose, 100 mg morning and night. I had some problems getting used to it, being off balance, but after about a month, it decreased. If I miss a day or two, I am crashing into depression....therefore, I now rarely miss my meds. (I also take Wellbutrin) About that rash thing - it is EXTREMELY rare, but docs have to warn you of stuff to cover themselves.

I fear the symptoms of bipolar alot more than the side effects of drugs.

Jane

3/17/08 10:44pm

Genel,

It is my understanding that anger outbursts are common with the manic side of things. If celexa, zoloft, and prozac make you feel anger and out of control, then you must take a mood stabilizer WITH the antidepressent. We bipolars cannot take antidepressants without a mood stabilizer. Give it a try!

BPJourney

3/18/08 2:04am

I've been on Lamictal for 2 years and no problems except for some bizarre dreams at first and a while later...nothing major. The rash thing is rare but can happen so you do have to watch out. Personally I think Lamictal is pretty good and has helped me a lot. Only you and your doc can decide if it is the right med for you. I agree that antidepressants alone with bipolar don't usually work. I was on antidepressants alone before I was properly diagnosed and they did a bad number on me. Celexa really knocked me for a loop. Just make sure you stay totally connected with your doc. We can all give our opinions and personal experiences but what works for one may not work for another so make sure your doc is on top of things. Only he or she is the one you should take advice from.

Kerri Rogers

3/19/08 12:56pm

When I began taking mood stableizers I started seeing things that were not there. This frightened me so much that I waited several months before seeing my Dr again. Eventually I acepted her advice and tried Lamotrigine. I was worried about the rash and kept a sharp eye out. Amazingly it changed my entire life! I had been on various meds for 7 years and during this time spent nearly 2 1/2 years unable to function - literally I couldn't do anything and slept night and day. After a very short time on the Lamotrigine I experienced a complete clearing of the fog that enveloped my thoughts. My body relaxed and I felt like "myself" for the first time in so long I could hardly believe it. For me a small dose works the best, and when I try to increase my dosage I become irratable and uncomforatble so I stick with the lower dose. I now look forward to my day and can think clearly at work.

Eric

3/23/08 12:28am

Do this under the close supervision of your doctor, as it is a preventative measure in developing the skin rash, SJS. Doses are usually titrated up in 25 mg increments for Lamictal. You may do well with this mood stabilizer, which has also been effective as an antidepressant. My experience was that I felt great for several days, then plateaued, and eventually became manic and very agitated. This was on a dose between 100mg and 150mg. I was, however also taking 100mg of Zoloft at the time, which likely contributed to the increase in the agitation. Lamictal has a strong antidepressant effect, more pronounced than other Mood Stabilizers. The combination of Zoloft and Lamictal was too much for me to handle and eventually triggered mania and extreme agitation.

Nancy Nielsen

4/29/08 5:38pm

Hi there. Lamotrigine, 150 mg. at night, has been used by me for years without any known side-effects. I need to add that, I also take Seroguil, and Oxezapam, to help with sleep and anxiety. Good luck with it. In the past I did hallucinate on Starnok right away and it was very scary.

It is always a never ending battle to keep our meds in balance. Try to write down symptoms that bother you as they happen. If you are anything like me, by the time I get the doctor's office I have forgotten most of what I needed to say.

Always be an advocate for yourself!! All the best, Nancy.

Nancy Nielsen

4/29/08 5:39pm

Hi there. Lamotrigine, 150 mg. at night, has been used by me for years without any known side-effects. I need to add that, I also take Seroguil, and Oxezapam, to help with sleep and anxiety. Good luck with it. In the past I did hallucinate on Starnok right away and it was very scary.

It is always a never ending battle to keep our meds in balance. Try to write down symptoms that bother you as they happen. If you are anything like me, by the time I get the doctor's office I have forgotten most of what I needed to say.

Always be an advocate for yourself!! All the best, Nancy.

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