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Old Nov 06, 2005, 10:46 AM
darkeyes darkeyes is offline
Elder
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6,684
Hi there,
Have you just started recently with the Lamictal? I've been on it for about 3 years or more, now, with great results.
Lithium was great too but too blunting for me. due to my being more depressive. Depakote, was not good for me, and a couple of others, tried short time and had to quit it.
If you just started with the med. it is important your doc starts you with small dose(s) and then titrate to a level that is therapeutic for you. Actually I am surprised you have headaches from it, this med is also used for migraine suffers, besides it's original use as an anti-epileptic(preventing seizures/convulsions) and now more findings are coming about, for what this med. can be used for.
Many meds. have extra benefits besides treating Bipolar's I and II. I read that Lithium helps protect the myelin sheath around nerves, thus helping prevent damage to nerves from stress.
Best thing to do is contact the prescribing physician again, and see if this is just a temporary side effect, if so it may be worth the weight for them to disappear.
Have you had a physical lately? If not see your GP, and see if this headache stuff isn't coming from underlying health issue. Wishing you much success with all of this, being new with this disorder can be overwhelming at times. So often we do not want to accept we have any mental disorder(s) and I know I first couldn't, and I was beligerant or resistant to the DX. My oldest brother is BP-I, was DXed in the 60's so I finally realized the genetic connection, valid too. Soooooooooo I educated myself by reading books, kept with talk therapy,kept with my meds and kept pdoc informed about any ill effects, and even the good responses my body and mind experience. I am so sorry to hear your husband is so closed minded,and others in the 3D, that don't want to understand, it is NOT something one cures without meds., or by that lame,worn out phrase, "just snap out of it", that just boils me, grrrrrrr! He really NEEDs to be open and learn about this stuff, maybe even a counselor. And that is not true, he is so off saying "everybody's bipolar", sure there is a high and increasing percentage, but not everyone. It is so sad that some wish to feel this way about mental illness, as your husband does. Such ignorance complicates things just more for the person experiencing the disorder/illness.
Bipolar has been found to be caused from chemical imbalance(s) in the brain, as well as other mental disorders, and this requires medication. Have these people get in touch with some support group meetings in you town or county, many hospitals and mental health associations sponser meetings free to the public, to help educate people of this stuff, even helps those who are in denial, closed minded, or just new at the DX. Try "Googling" to find more info., there are a lot of informative site., and some of the "suggested reading" list at the top of the Bipolar threads will be helpful too.
Lots of luck with this, it is a treatable disorder.

Take care,
DE

PS Sorry this was such a long reply. Also, perhaps the fact hubby is not doing well with your DX, can be causing stress, and that may be the root of your headaches? Just a thought.
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