I Just Need To Chat

I everyone I just started taking Lamictal (I'm just abt to start week 3, 50MG) and so far I've been a little aggressive under pressure. I'm also having problems waking up at 2 AM and not being able to go back to sleep. One day when i was really aggressive was when i woke at 2AM. I don't know if its the Lamictal or just me being BPD1. I am pleased to say that my energy level/ motivation has been higher. I've completed my to-do-list in record time. Usually in my depressed state it would take me a week to finish. I'm in the process of moving out of state and welcome any tips/coping skills.

I am around to chat most of the time. Contact info is on my profile.

I am on Lamictal, too. 150mg.

That good that it is helping your depression. I am on 200 per day and take 1pill in am and one at 4pm or so and I sleep fine. I also have ambien for sleep and lorazepam for anxiety. However Lamictal isn't helping my depression. I am also on 20mg celexa. Perhaps try some over the counter melatonin for sleep if you don't want extra meds. Also start finding resources for healthcare before you change states so you can geta leg up without a med lag. Ask your current Pdoc to give you a 3-6 month supply of meds so you won't go without before finding a new Pdoc.

Has Lamictal helped you with depression? I think it's helping me.

Just keep up with your self care and being kind to yourself. Moving can be such a tough thing to do whether Bipolar or not.

I'm glad that Lamictal is helping you

I wanted to go on Celexa but my pdoc was afraid it would cause mania (it dod last spring but i was only taking it). I'm taking Lithium as well so I thought a AD would be fine. I think Lamictal is working a little for me or I'm manic. I've been going laundry, packing, iron and running errands. Since winter i have not had energy or motivation to do numerous things or bacoc simple things. i found some Trazadone I was prescribed last fall. I took two at 2 AM when I couldn't get back to sleep. I'm be sure to tell my pdoc I'm having problems with sleep.

Thanks for the reminders. I have beenin contact w/ a mental health agency. I also spoke to my pdoc abt getting mea few months supply of meds.

Celexa put me in a hypomanic state, taken off of it then went into depression, noe on zoloft, now have other persinal side effects

Sounds like the meds are bringing you out of the depression, but from your description, you may be toeing the manic line. Best advice, make sure you get quality sleep.

At least 6 consequtive hours my p-doc said. IF you start edging into that 2-3 hours a night or less range, its time to take some action. Believe you me, there's no better way to pitch yourself headfirst into mania than to let yourself get chronically sleep deprived.

It sounds like Lamictal is helping you, that's great! It helped me a great deal with depression. Hopefully the aggressiveness is part of all of the stress of moving (which would be understandable) and not the start of an episode. Take good care and be kind to yourself, moving can be so difficult, but also the start of great things.

Obviously check with your doctor first... but I've found that the OTC sleeping meds "Unisom" have worked WONDERS for me in helping me get to sleep, and stay asleep. My new meds have a slightly stimulating effect on me, so every once in awhile (about once a week or so) I take a sleeping aid and I'm OUT!

"I am pleased to say that my energy level/ motivation has been higher" Very good news! My meds helped with my energy level tremendously also... just keep track of any unwanted symptoms to talk to your pdoc about. You may need a dosage adjustment or maybe your symptoms will level out.

I am on Lamictal as well (250 mg), and it is working nicely, in conjunction with Effexor (225mg) for the depression side of BPD.

Up to a month ago, I was in really bad shape in terms of sleeping. I was consistently getting 2-4 hours a night, some nights 0. At the time I had a choice of Melatonin or Trazedone and tried both many times. The melatonin made me slightly drowsy, but not enough to put me out. The trazedone worked too well, and I'd sleep for up to 16 hours. I tried relaxation tapes with both of those, which worked a bit.

Now I'm on Ambien, which is working great. If I take it around 9:00, I'm asleep by 11:00 and I'm able to get up and going by 6:30.

My advice for moving may be offbeat, but its worked for me for my past 4 moves. I buy something for the new place, and that helps me feel like the agony of packing is a little better. It doesn't have to be something expensive. I've bought things like new rugs and shower curtain for the bathroom or cool curtain rods for my bedroom...

Best Wishes for your move and finding the right sleep aid.