[NYBP]

Let me introduce my self. I got diagnosed with bipolar about a year ago after a bad manic episode. When I was younger I used to kick down door, punch walls, flip tables, get into fights, start stuff for no reason....Also take into context that is what my father does so I saw it growing up.

I went to a mental hospital, put on 900-600mg Seraquil and 1000mg Depakote. Made me feel HORRIBLE. Spaced out, drugged, like I was about to pass out. I took my self off of seraquel, felt better. I lowered to dose for Depakote to 500mg, felt a litle better but not much. Was put on 15-10mg of Abilify, felt a bit better and had a lot more engery. I cut my self off completely from the Depakote then stayed on the abilify. I was have sexual side effects at 23. Thats not normal.

I got off of everything completely in Sep.

Just started seeing a new doc who i finally trust. He put me on Lamictial. 25mg right now, then 50mg for 2 weeks, and were going to take it from there.

My questions are, what are the chance of hair loss- That is one of my biggest concern,

Also what about sexual side effects, I was reading and some people say there sex drive is out of control on it, and others opposite (Mainly when combined.)

I Started this Jan 15th, take it in the morning.

Experiences, advice?

Thanks

Chris

[blueoctober]

Welcome Chris. I've been on lamictal since May, 2010 and have had no hair loss or sexual side effects. I'm on 300 mg/day 150mg am and pm. I started at 25 mg and worked up from there. I'm also on 300 mg of wellbutrinXL (I suffer more with depression). I was diagnosed in 2007 and am happy with the lamictal. Hope lamictal helps you.

[BlackPup]

Try taking zinc.... the hair loss from epilim and lithium are both zinc responsive so maybe it would work for lamotigine...
I have not had hair loss from lamotrigine but have had it from epilim. As for the sexual side effects hard to tell cos I'm on so many drugs but no change with lamotrigine... some probs with zoloft and abilify

[NYBP]

Thank You all for your answers.

Just tonight im starting to feel a bit weird. Like more tired then usuall. Not thinking as straight, and almost a dull brain. It could be from the klonopin that ive been taking everyday not sure. But ive taken xanax in the past for 2 weeks straight and was okay. This is a big diffrent, im also a bit wobbly. Does this stuff ware off, or is it my body getting used to it? Im only on 25 mg. I started everything Jan 15th

[sugahorse1]

No sexual side effects on Lamotrigine. Only on SSRI's. I'm battling a bit with hair loss, but as my hair is fairly thick, I haven't worried about it really. I'm on 100mg

Hoep your meds work for you!

[Kymaro]

Originally Posted by NYBP

Thank You all for your answers.

Just tonight im starting to feel a bit weird. Like more tired then usuall. Not thinking as straight, and almost a dull brain. It could be from the klonopin that ive been taking everyday not sure. But ive taken xanax in the past for 2 weeks straight and was okay. This is a big diffrent, im also a bit wobbly. Does this stuff ware off, or is it my body getting used to it? Im only on 25 mg. I started everything Jan 15th

Starting the Lamictal will take a week or so to be effective or start "feeling the effects". More likely coming from the Klonopin, even though you have taken xanax in the past without problems. Both are benzo's but work differently in the brain. Klonopin is a longer lasting benzo and can build up in the system where xanax is short activing and clears the system faster. Benzodiazepines can cause the symtoms you are describing. They can interfer with memory, balance, and can cause fatigue. Talk to your doctor there are several different options then taking a benzo.

[Skully]

I have never experienced hair loss or sexual side effects from lamictal. The hair loss is a rare side effect if I am not mistaken. It is rarer than the rash. As long as you tirate the dosage slowly, like your pdoc is doing, you should be fine and have no side effects. It has been a very "easy" medication on my system and REALLY works well.

[stinkymojo]

I have been on Lamictal (400mg) since 2/08 and Abilify (5mg) since 8/10. I've been taking klonopin as needed since 6/09. Lamictal did not give me any side effects aside from fatigue, and that was solved by taking them before bed. Klonopin makes me kind of zoned out, but it's essential at times for my anxiety and paranoia. Abilify on the other hand DOES have side effects for me. The shakes (parkinsonian tremors), fatigued legs, and muscle cramps. We dropped my dose to 2 mg for a couple of weeks and the side effect stopped, but the paranoia got worse. So, I am back up to 5mg and the side effects are better for now. I have not noticed any hair loss or sexual side effects from any of my meds. Hope this helps.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by NYBP

im also a bit wobbly.

I had that side effect when I was first on the lamictal. I don't experience it anymore.

[NYBP]

Thank you all for your answer guys, I appreciate it! Ill keep you updated

Originally Posted by NYBP

..., im also a bit wobbly. Does this stuff ware off, or is it my body getting used to it? Im only on 25 mg. I started everything Jan 15th

Originally Posted by blueoctober

I had that side effect when I was first on the lamictal. I don't experience it anymore.

I recently got bumped up to 400 mg (been on it quite awhile though) of lamotrigine and only at that point did it cause... yeah, "wobblies" is a good word for it-- as in grabbing walls and furniture while walking. (And vision problems, but that is another issue). Called psych after just a few days because other than that, like Skully's experience, it's been a really "easy" med for me, so I knew I had to call. Splitting it into am/pm doses worked like a charm.

You really are just getting started with it, so your body may well just be adjusting. Still, it's good to mention what's happening to your psych. (I had some small headaches and "hit by a truck" feelings when first starting, but they lasted such a very short time it's almost not worth mentioning...)

As far as hair loss? Nope. Sexual side effects? Nope. (Definitely had issues in that realm when misdiagnosed MDD and put on SSRIs alone, as in... zippo!
With lamotrigine though, no problem. )

And of course, welcome to the forums, NYBP!

[NYBP]

Talked to the doc last night about dosages. He said the highest dose hes going to put me on is 100-125 mg. Does anyone have any experience in that dose range?

[PT52]

Originally Posted by NYBP

Talked to the doc last night about dosages. He said the highest dose hes going to put me on is 100-125 mg. Does anyone have any experience in that dose range?

I was there for a few months and it didn't seem to have any physical side effects, and didn't even when it was bumped to 150. I did have serious episodes of deep depression, but that mostly went away when I added Wellbutrin, and I've had my Lamictal upped again, but only to 200 mg, so I guess we'll see if any side effects develop at that dose.

[NYBP]

Originally Posted by PT52

I was there for a few months and it didn't seem to have any physical side effects, and didn't even when it was bumped to 150. I did have serious episodes of deep depression, but that mostly went away when I added Wellbutrin, and I've had my Lamictal upped again, but only to 200 mg, so I guess we'll see if any side effects develop at that dose.

Im very sensitive to medication overall. So im hopping that that low of a dose will work for me. We'll see how it goes.

[kenneth1987]

i am new here and i was wondering what i could do for medicine for bipolar and add adhd. i was on almost every pill for all that i was on medicine from the age of four to seventeen. i took ridilion colnidine depekot serquail addiral etc.. i stop taking all that because it wasn't working for me and i was never able to function properly then i turned seventeen i tried marijuana and i was able to function a whole lot better then i was taking medicine.

[NYBP]

Originally Posted by kenneth1987

i am new here and i was wondering what i could do for medicine for bipolar and add adhd. i was on almost every pill for all that i was on medicine from the age of four to seventeen. i took ridilion colnidine depekot serquail addiral etc.. i stop taking all that because it wasn't working for me and i was never able to function properly then i turned seventeen i tried marijuana and i was able to function a whole lot better then i was taking medicine.

Age 4? Thats young man, I think even 16-18 is young to be on medication. Your brain isnt fully developed untill 24-25, and your screwing around with your neurotransmitters.

As for the pot. Its funny how that works, pot connects certain neurotransmitters in the brain to. But its not worth it coming from someone who did it for 7 years straight. To me alteast. What worked for me we'll was abilify, i got off bc of the sexual side effects and headaches. But it gave me energy and concentration.

Seraquel and depekot suck. I was on both and couldnt function either. Get a doctor who you trust, even if u have to pay out of pocket it'll be worth it. Always do your research and dont be afraid to ask questions.

Good Luck Ken

[ladyjrnlist]

No problems here from Lamictal. Klonipin will slow you down.

[RRU96]

Once I titrated on the initial pack... they put me on 200mg Lamictal straight away... Not sure if thats a good thing ?! Anyways, the medication was very easy to take. I do not really remember to many side effects at all. Other meds were at fault on the sexual side effects (paxil)

The only problem I have had was that it hasnt really worked for me... so I asked to go back on Depakote.