[Taipans]

I'm currently working on the Lithium leveling to try and see if that will work for my disorder, but someone at work mentioned their wife had no luck on Lithium or Depakote and went on Lamactil and it worked great? Anyone had any experience with this drug?

[darkeyes]

It is great, I take it, and had tried the others mentioned.
Lithium was great, but I, being more proned to depression vs mania, Lamictal was the best alternative.
Of what I read and heard from my pdoc. Lamictal is beneficial to those mostly with Bipolar-II vs Bipolar-I.
Taipans, I believe if you look at past posts/replies here about those using Lamictal, you'll see more info on others experience with this medication.
It is an anti-seizure med, used for those who are epileptic, but in recent years showed to be beneficial to those with Bipolar and even migraine sufferers.
Doesn't cause drowsiness in most people, allowing one to function at their jobs and/or duties.
Great to hear from you again, hope you are feeling well.

DE

[darkeyes]

Actually there is more on Drug Questions forum's past posts/replies, sorry I goofed.
DJ, as well as others had a lot of info and their experiences with it, too.
Hope this can help, as you await more replies to this post you made here today.

[Twisted_Soul]

I have been taking Lamacil for several months.
I have BP II. I believe it works better then others.
Got to be careful not to get the rash they talk about.
I haven't had any side effects.

[darkeyes]

The chances of the rash are very rare, I mean the fatal one, is it called, Stevens Johnson? I forgot, but mild rashing not related to this, can happen, but rare when compared to the percentage of those not having any side effects. When titrated gradually the chance of side effects are minimized.
I think it's been a good med for me.

[bizi]

I take lamictal and I am bipolar1 this is my only medication at the time other than a sleeping pill at night.
I am really happy with taking this medication...have been on it for 6 months now.
good luck and keep posting!
bizi

I've been on Lamictal about 5 years along with Abilify, Concerta, Provigil, now Trazadone, too. I have bp 1 & have found it very helpful. I just went through a sudden bad spell, though, & the doc increased the Lamictal to 300 mg--was on 200. Seems to be working great. Good luck.--Suzy

[tracy33]

I have been taking 300mg Lamictal for 3 years along with Lithium and Abilify. I have changed several meds throughout but never messed with Lamictal. My last change was adding Topamax and then I tapered off of the Lithium. This is the right combo for me. I have bp 2.

[DaveyJones]

I have taken Lamictal off and on for a couple of years now...I have had a rash (like hives) develop lately, so I'm having to taper off for a while to see. It has done very well for me, mood-wise.

Don't get too impatient over any of this, Mark...it just takes a while.

DJ

[JonB]

I've taken Lamictal for BP for both the depression and manic phases. Seemed to work good for both, though slowly with the mania. I always keep going up a little at a time until I get to that dreadfully boring "stable" dose.

I thought it did all the things doc said it would do. And I never get migraines when I'm taking it and I used to get migraines at least twice a week before. I like it because it makes me less irritable and that's nice for the few people that have to deal with me. Can't say that I don't miss the mania though.

When I took it for major depression, I liked it way better than any of the usual antidepressants because it didn't have those pesky side effects like switching on your mania or giving you the sex drive of a 80 year-old nun.

It's a pretty easy breezy pill to take in my opinion. Doesn't work too fast to clamp down on mania, though, if you need that. More of a magic bullet than a big gun.

Might be worth a try if your doc agrees. best of luck to you

[Taipans]

Well today the doctor put me on Lamictal 25mg and took me off Lithium. He told me about the rash to an extent but nothing in depth. He also said usually this med starts off at a little bit smaller dose but he felt 25mg would be ok since it would give me a months worth?

WTH! I remember this med, I was prescribed it a few years ago, it had me taking mini-steps up to the full dosage? I never took it because I was afraid of getting the fatal rash and dieing!

If I react to the 25mb and get this rash and I stop taking the meds what do I do then? E.R. or will it go away on its on as long as I stop?

Anyone else start out on 25mg? The prescription says 25mg bottle of sixty, so obviously im taking 50mg daily?

Oh and he kept me on Klonopin, and told me not to have any babies while on Lamictal? My wife and I arent trying but have been not so careful and made a deal if we have one more by summer then fine if not im getting fixed. Is this stuff dangerous for the male to take if your having a child?

Thanks so much everyone!

Mark

[bizi]

I was started out at 25mg...there was a bubble/starter pack that I used...slowly increased my dose...I think I went from 25-50-100-150-200mg and that is were I am at right now...I htink it took me about 6 weeks to get to this dose I think...
The rash is very rare I believe.

[Taipans]

I remember the bubble pack from awhile ago. Do you guys think its ok to just jump up to 50mg daily to start off? Or am I going to jump into it, break out into a massive rash and die? lol

Also if anyone can give any input on pregnancy, as I said my wife and I aren't trying to have a baby but wouldn't mind if it just happened? I don't want Lamactil or Clonzepam to increase the rate of deformities.

[darkeyes]

25mg increments are done slowly, till a therapeutic dose has been astablished for you, cause keep in mind not everyone will respond the same to the same doses, sort of like "customized".

If you should develop any rashing, be sure to call the prescribing physician, usually there is minimal side effects when this medications (like many others) is titrated properly, as well as patient being checked by the doc, if anything does develop.
To anyone, I cannot stress enough to keep your doc updated on any negative changes, as well as the positives.
I was on 200mgs for a couple of years, now I'm down to 150mgs,which my pdoc said anything under that may and usually is no longer therapeutic. I did start at 25mgs and was gradually increased up to the 200mgs.
For me, I find it a pretty good med, but I am also in a better place (mentally,emotionally and family situations) so that may reflect why I am having so much success compared to when I had been first DXed in 2000.
Lots of luck with this, and keep the faith.