[manicdepressive07]

(Long post but I REALLY need help, please someone reply!) So 10 days ago I was put on Lamictal (Lamotrigine) 25mg and I’m supposed to titrate up to 200mg in the course of the next several weeks. But some really weird stuff has been going on: I’ve basically been drinking (beer) almost every single day since I started my meds. Not a lot but like 3-4 beers at night. (Before this I hadn’t drank in like 2 months, because I never felt the need to. And before that it was only occasionally). Also I got a financial aid check from school (actually a loan) and for some reason this makes me “think” I “have” money and I’ve been spending it like crazy. And tonight I just went and bought $35 worth of lotto tickets. Also according to my boyfriend I’ve been having “crazy/radical/life changing ideas” lately. For example the other night when I was drinking I decided that I wanted to start smoking pot to help with my anxiety. I have a friend who deals and he said it really helps with anxiety, so I told my bf I was going to pick some up. I haven’t smoked pot in over 3 years. That same day I told him I wanted to foster a dog from the shelter. We still have plans to… but he told me to hold off on the pot idea until I get my meds titrated up and figured out. The point is, I’m having all these “ideas” that are pretty extreme and sort of life changing. My spending is out of control, and I’ve been drinking like a fish. AM I MANIC??? I’ve been doing SO good on just my Saphris alone, and I feel like all this crazy stuff has been happening ever since I added the lamictal. ALSO it doesn’t help AT ALL that my grandma got sent to the hospital 3 days ago and the doctors said she is dying. Needless to say I’ve been having severe crying spells randomly since I got the news. WHAT DO I DO?!

[SickOfSadness]

Im sorry to hear about your grandma. It sounds like your manic to me. I'm no doctor or anything, but idk if it would be from the Lamictal. I just got put on it a couple of weeks ago and haven't really noticed any change yet (I started at 25mg for the 1 st wk and am up to 50mg now). Everyone is different though and its the only thing I'm on. My doc did tell me that it takes longer than most meds to kick in (@ least 4-6 wks).... I'd call your doc and explain what is going on if I were you. I hope you feel better

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[Curiosity77]

I don't know if the lamotrigine would be causing the problem. It shouldn't make you manic, but like the above poster said, everybody is different. If you can stop yourself from drinking that will probably help, because alcohol can be very destabilizing. I'm sorry to hear about your grandma. Stress from that could be triggering the episode perhaps?

[r010159]

Drinking with your meds is not a good idea for several reasons. And smoking pot would exclude you from pdoc care with most clinics that I know, if they were to find out. I do not think it is possible to go into a manic phase on 25mg Lamictal (or with any dosage for that matter). I do not think it is considered an activating drug like allot of antidepressants. But IMO it looks like that you are in a out-of-control manic phase of your illness. I used to be this way. Now I take meds.

Still I just spent $25 that I do not really have to spend. But then I used to spend hundreds of dollars each week that I did not have to spend. My record this year is $1000 in one week. So my meds have been helping. When I feel a manic phase is coming, I take an extra 5mg of Zyprexa which seems to work.

I wish you well!

[Victoria'smom]

Lamictal can make you manic. Have your bf watch you closely and call pdoc Monday. No more money this weekend. There's a lot of different things going on I wouldn't just point my finger at one thing. Sorry about your grandma.

Sounds stress related to me, rather than anything to do with the med. Your grandmas illness most likely triggered you into this state. You need to put your coping strategies in place to get through. Perhaps try journalling before making any big decisions, weigh up the pros and cons etc. And if you cant control yourself with money get your bf to keep all of your cards and give you a cash "allowance". Try some calming techniques to get you thinking more clearly. Goodluck.

[BipolaRNurse]

Lamictal can be somewhat activating, but I think your symptoms may have more to do with the stress you are under than anything else. It's also spring, which throws many BPs into an episode. I agree with everyone who said to give (temporary) control of your money to someone else. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your Grandma.