[Cocinella]

Hey everyone

Like I promised, I'm sharing my update today as I saw my pdoc.

Well as you know I'm on 100mg Lamictal and 5 mg Abilify. The reason my pdoc thinks I feel so melancholic is probably cus I'm on too many meds, to be specific, on too much Lamictal. So what we'll do now is that I'll slowly lower my dose every 5 days, until I reach zero on Lamictal.

I'll observe mself and see when is it I feel the best, I might just need 25 mg Lamictal or 50, or nothing. So I'll decrease Lamictal and hopefuly won't feel so numb.

So tell me what you think?

hugs to you all** and thank you for all your support and good wishes

[JigssawFeeling]

How exactly does your Abilify work? Is it to prevent mania as you lower your Lamictal dose?

[Eliza Jane]

I think it is important to work with a doctor you trust and come up with a plan that feels right to you.

That said, your pdoc and my pdoc seem to have different thoughts about Lamictal. My pdoc said that most people will first feel effects at 50mg and 25mg doses usually don't do much. He said that some people can get by on 100, but most people seem to feel better on 150 or 200.

So i think if you would have seen my pdoc he would have suggested more Lamictal rather than less! But there are many different opinions and many different options. Basically you have to try things and see what works for you!

Best,
EJ

[Cocinella]

Hey Eliza Jane,

yeah I thought so to, but I already was on 125mg and felt worse, that's why she suggested less is more. I hope for better days, today was my 1st day when I took lees...let's see how it goes... hoping for the best...

HUGS*

[littlemiss1970]

I'm sorry the lamictal hasn't worked for you..I'm on 200 2x a day and it does wonders for me. My thoughts would bee maybe you weren't on enough to make you feel better? But yr pdoc knows best. I really hope you feel better soon. Hugs to you

[Cocinella]

littlemiss thank you for your response

yeah i was kinnda shocked when my pdoc said lower the dose, well not just lower the dose but completely remove Lamictal. i am feeling worse, like melancholic and I WAS 100% SURE she'll add AD or something, yet she said remove Lamictal. i am confused but so far i have to trust her, since she was right all along and made me enjoy life more than 6 months ago.

but i am scared...i hope i'll feel better when removing lamictal, if not she said that i should go back on 100mg and get back to her to see what to do next, maybe change meds, she mentioned another antiepileptic drug, but forgot the name.

now i see how i'll handle this lowering the dose thing, i am hoping for the best. i hate feeling so less energetic and happy...

hugs**

[littlemiss1970]

I.know it's hard to feel so down. I'm just coming out of a bad depression but my new ad is only doing so much. My thyroid isn't working properly so that makes the depression worse. Don't be afraid to be yr own advocate with yr pdoc. You know yrself best...are you currently on an ad? Maybe that is the answer as to why yr so depressed...but being bp we also need a mood stabilizer so we don't go manic. So remember she is there to help you so don't be afraid to speak up! I really hope you feel better soon. Hugs

[StayinAlive]

Cocinella, thanks for letting us know. As we've discussed, it often takes some trial and error to find what works for us. I hope this helps you feel better soon.

[Love&Toil]

Keep us posted!

[Cocinella]

Hey everyone

first id like to thank everyone for being so wonderful all along. It really means a lot to me to write down things only people here can truly understand. I thank you

i know its normal to feel scared.my pdoc is an expert for bp world so i hope she made a right decision. Its great to lower the meds but you know there is always a fear...and the question what if!!

littlemiss i am currently on Abilify 5mg and taking off lamictal. I asked my pdoc wouldnt i need an AD if i feel so sad? And she said that lamictal could be making me depressed cus too big of a dose can make that.

so like i said i have to observe myself and see how i will react.

love you all

[littlemiss1970]

That makes sense but I've never heard of lamictal making someone depressed. You've got me thinking maybe I'm on too much of it and that could be why I'm so depressed. I would continue to advocate for yrself. Push for an ad...I had to and now I'm doing better. Good luck to you hunny.

[Disorder7]

I always thought of 5 mg of Abilify as an add-on for something else. But maybe that's why I'm not a doctor. Lol.

Perhaps in your case, less is better.

[Cocinella]

thanks little miss and disorder

yeah i hope that less is more in my case. the thing is she said my condition is so mild that i don't need much med's. i hope she's right. it's my 2nd day i took 75 of lamictal...

as for abilify she said that 5 mg can work as a boost for AD or another mood stabilizer OR it can work on it's own as an small dose of ad and antypsihotic.

who knows...i really really hope she's right cus i want my life back