[blueoctober]

I was just put on lamictal 5 weeks ago. The first 3 weeks I was to take my dose once a day at night. Now that I'm getting to a full dose I am supposed to be splitting it into 2 doses (am/pm).

I am having a hard time being on lamictal during the day. I find I'm a bit dizzy and tired. I'm not sure if this is psychosomatic?? Just wondering if anyone else takes their lamictal in 2 doses and experiences this? Taking it at night is no issue, but I take it at bedtime, so I go right to sleep.

Hi blueoctober! I take my Lamictal in two doses (am/pm). When I had a p-doc, she said she'd found that it tended to work better that way. I don't remember being dizzy and/or tired (but that doesn't necessarily mean I didn't experience any, it's just that being at the 5 week point like you are, was awhile ago, and memory simply doesn't serve. I *do* remember having a bit of a light headache and a bit of muscle soreness, but they were pretty minor and lasted only a very few days.

[Shakti]

Lamictal is generally rather activating. I take it as one dose, first thing in the morning. My fatigue and depression are so bad I was purposely put on Lamictal with Wellbutrin for an activating effect. But maybe it just affects people differently...? But nope, one dose in the a.m.

[blueoctober]

[quote=Innerzone;1425939]Hi blueoctober! I take my Lamictal in two doses (am/pm). When I had a p-doc, she said she'd found that it tended to work better that way. ]

Thanks innerzone for your response! I had assumed there was a reason I was prescribed to do 2 doses/day. I will keep trying the am dose and hopefully it gets better. Thanks for your insight.

[sugahorse1]

My mood stabiliser I take in 2 dose per day too.
I think I should be on Lamicatal though, as I'm just generally so fatigued all the time. I was on an AD (Which my pdoc has jsut taken me off, prob as it could have just made me more depressed) and that used to energise me a little. But now I'm generally tired.

[blueoctober]

sugahorse, so far Lamictal is working for me, but it tends to work for the lows better than the highs, so it depends what your symptoms are. I am also on a AD, but it's not a SSRI, it's wellbutrin and it works for me. Definitely speak to your p-doc. I wish I had spoken up sooner.

[sugahorse1]

I was on an anti-dep, but now am only on Trazodone (At night) and Epilim (Sodium Valporate - mood stabiliser)

My biggest issues are the lows. I rarely suffer from hypomania. Depression and mixed episodes are the order of the day for me!
And I sleep an awful lot. I can also get very irritable. If I ever get energy spells, it's usually a few minutes, up to a few hours at a time.

[blueoctober]

sugahorse that's what I experience as well.

[BlackPup]

Suga, i slept a lot on Epilim...
also my doctor said that the tiredness was a lot to do with an underlying mild depression. it certainly has improved with lamotrigene (split doses -but doctor said could be either)...
I go up to 3 AD (SSRI, SNRI, lamotrigene), lithium and only go for additional mood stabiliser when hypo, rispiridal. I like it this way coz I can adjust to how I am feeling and when things are good I can decrease ADs and when they are high I just add the risperidol.
Only the lithium stays the same...

[sugahorse1]

A lot of you talk about being on lithium - I find it strange that in South Africa it's hardly used - Lambigotrine seems to be the drug of choice.

I've slept a lot, even before the Epilim. But on the reboxetine (anti-depressant) i was a lot more energetic.
Sure, the mild depression does add to the sleepiness.

I am just unmotivated, tired, irritable - I just want to be left alone, but be held and hugged at the same time. Sounds like someone who's mood stabiliser is not doing its job... :-(

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by sugahorse

A lot of you talk about being on lithium - I find it strange that in South Africa it's hardly used - Lambigotrine seems to be the drug of choice.:-(

Lithium can be a great med for person with BP I or II, but it's known to control the highs better than lamictal. Lamictal is known to help with the lows better, so often there is an ad-on med to control the highs. I have heard people say that lithium has anti-d properties, but that wasn't my experience. I was on 1 or 2 anti-d's when on lithium and I still struggled with depression.

Thanks to all your responses to this! I have been successful for the past 6 days doing a second dose in the am with no dizziness and my mood has been stable for just over 2 weeks. Yay!

[butterflyeffect]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

I was just put on lamictal 5 weeks ago. The first 3 weeks I was to take my dose once a day at night. Now that I'm getting to a full dose I am supposed to be splitting it into 2 doses (am/pm).

I am having a hard time being on lamictal during the day. I find I'm a bit dizzy and tired. I'm not sure if this is psychosomatic?? Just wondering if anyone else takes their lamictal in 2 doses and experiences this? Taking it at night is no issue, but I take it at bedtime, so I go right to sleep.

I have been on Lamectal for years and it has saved my life. I split my doses, 300 a day 150 morning and night. It does not make me tired, in fact I have little to none side effects. My suggestion is to try and wait it out for you to get over any new side efects. It is worth it, it is not time released so I feel better and have always been instructed to take it morning and night. It also has anti depressive properties without being a anti depressant so it really helps when the depression kicks in. I would be lost without it Hope it works as well for you!

[shebutterfly]

I take mine (100 mg so far) once a day, at night. I just started a month ago, though, and just finished working my way up. I felt better at first, but now I'm starting to feel really down again.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by shebutterfly

I take mine (100 mg so far) once a day, at night. I just started a month ago, though, and just finished working my way up. I felt better at first, but now I'm starting to feel really down again.

I started mine at the end of May and had a depressive episode in June, but I have now been stable for the last 2 weeks. It takes time to know if it's going to work and I hope it works for you.

[sugahorse1]

Hey Blue - I'm in your camp now.
Starting Lamictin (Generic called Epitec here in South Africa). 12.5mg for the first week, then working my way up by 12.5mg each week, up to 100mg. (something like that - I have a piece of paper with the breakdown )
Thereafter I see pdoc again, and she's discussed that wellbutrin for the depression may be the plan.
Gee - I like being able to talk the same language as you guys - Blue, I think we're in a very similar boat!

Not starting the Wellbutrin now, as then I'd be starting 2 new meds, and we wouldn't know which are working -I like this approach!

[blueoctober]

Your p-doc sounds great! They start us slowly on lamictal because that lessens the chance of getting a rash. Apparently it's quite serious and you should see a doctor immediately if you get it. I have always liked wellbutrin and it gives me a bit of a pick me up in the am when I take it. This could be psychosomatic LOL!

[sugahorse1]

Cool, looking forward to some relief and stability