Day 3 of the lamictal (lamotrigine) for me. Of course I'm on the typical starting low dosage of 25 mg and working up towards the 100 mg at 5 weeks (then we'll see where things stand). I am definitely noticing that I am very tired after I take it (within an hour). For me, that has been a good thing because I have a tendency to have problems getting to sleep. I've been asleep by 10 pm each night (instead of midnight or 1 am). I have woken up at 3 am every morning, and I'm not sure yet if that is to be blamed on the lamotrigine or if it is likely because when I would go to sleep at midnight, I would wake at 5 am when my husband left for work before going back to sleep (maybe my sleep cycle is used to waking after about 5 hours is what I mean). I've read other people's experiences say they had the drowsiness each time they increased the dosage for a few days. If it does cause drowsiness more than temporarily, I will be okay with that. I have had a slight, dull headache each day since starting it, but nothing very extreme. I know it is really early in the dosage and maybe it is just hopeful thinking, but this morning I have noticed a significant change in my thoughts. Could that even be possible this early? I could see how someone might describe it as slower cognitive function, and that very well may be what it is. But what I have noticed is that I normally have about 7 or 8 things going through my mind at any moment, many of which are dark thoughts that I'm constantly redirecting while also thinking about whatever I'm doing. (Not sure if that makes sense, but that's the best way I can describe it.) Honest-to-goodness, it's the weirdest thing, but my thoughts seemed quieter for a few hours this morning. I found myself just thinking about two things this morning...watching the rain and talking to my husband on the phone. I didn't realize it at first, but then I had this strange realization that there weren't all these other things going on in my head. Subtle, but different than normal. I like it. I like it a lot. I'll put up with a heap of side effects (though my N.P. said the side effects should be minimal) if this benefit becomes a steady, regular thing on the lamictal. I asked my husband if what I'm starting to notice is what "normal" people's thoughts feel like. He just laughed, but I do wonder!

My NP told me she will be adding Lexapro in three weeks. I didn't really want to add an antidepressant that fast. I do have severe anxiety/PTSD/panic attack issues, but I really think I have learned how to deal with them relatively effectively and know how to minimize those problems. She was receptive to me not wanting to take any benzo's - I told her I don't trust myself with them. But she said that if I don't want to have anything for the anxiety that she really needs me to be on the Lexapro to help even things out. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but she does seem to have a very clear set of reasoning for why she is prescribing the way she is. I'll give it a try, I guess.