I had been on 200 mg of Lamictal for about 5 years. I think I increased the dosage every week until I got to that level. I was just increased to the 300 mg due to my having an OD last Aug. I had been hypo manic & then suddenly switched into a deep depression. I think it took about a month to increase the 100 mg.

I was on Xanax at night to help me sleep, but since the OD my pdoc has changed me to klonopin & Trazodone at night. She told me the Trazodone was an old anti-depressant that causes sleepiness so it is used often to help with sleep & that the anti-depressant properties might help me. Both of them seem to be doing fine, as far as sleep, but I'm still having some breakthrough depressions so she has increased the Abilify for just a week to see if that will maybe get me out of this crying mode.

It is a long process to find the best results with medications. I wouldn't be afraid of klonopin. I just take it at night. I was on Xanax for about 15 years before I switched to the klonopin., I had no trouble switching--just quit the Xanax & added the klonopin. Take care,--Suzy