[UpDownMiddleGround]

I currently take lamotragine as a mood stablizer. My pdoc wants to try to control my mania by making sure I sleep. Trazadone stopped working within a few weeks and i was manic. Chickens came before eggs, but I don't really know which was which in this case. My pdoc changed me to restoril. I was on 15, then 30 with a prn of 15. Now it seems like I need the extra 15 to settle me down so that I can even get to a place where i can go to sleep. I took it night before last, but not last night. I really don't want to be on it. It is just drugging me to the point that I either lay down or fall. Sleep is not controlling my mania. When I skip a dose I do this sleep a little wake up thing all night and then I'm tired. I'd rather just be up and not be tired the next day. While I'm still working on getting the routine in place, i am exercising and eating healthy more than before. . . That is, During the day. Right before bed, i tend to eat whatever is in sight. To be honest with myself, i know it's because in my mind I think, If I don't sleep, tomorrow is not going to be a good day. Worry, worry, worry, pace, pace, pace, drugs, stumble, sleep, zombie. Hard to work out in the morning if you are shaking off drugs. I've decided that I will continue to take the lamotragine, but due to a recent situation, I've decided that I just don't need a benzo around. Is there anything out there that is worth researching that does not cause weight gain but controls mania? Personnaly, I'll take mania over depression. It tends to bother other people, not me. Well, both poles bother others and not me. . . never mind. I'll be quiet. Suggestions? Pdoc appt next week.

My psychiatrist said sleep is the most important thing to keep from getting too manic. I take zolpidem for sleep every night. Also avoid the classic stimulants-caffeine, chocolate, etc.

I also take a zyprexa on an as needed basis. It has a lot of side effects so I don't take it too often. My doc calls it a chill pill.

[stressedmama]

Ahh....the ultimate question..."anything that doesn't cause weight gain..." I've been waiting for that magic medication as well. I've been on Topamax for going on 7 years, and it's not working anymore. So I've been researching every medication out there to find something else to replace it with. Problem being every single bipolar medication out there has a side effect of "increased appetite" and/or "weigh gain". I know if I see these side effects I'll stop taking the meds. I look forward to others responses and getting some ideas for any medications to replace the Topamax.
Good luck! I hope you can find something that will work for you!!

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by stressedmama

Ahh....the ultimate question..."anything that doesn't cause weight gain..." I've been waiting for that magic medication as well. I've been on Topamax for going on 7 years, and it's not working anymore. So I've been researching every medication out there to find something else to replace it with. Problem being every single bipolar medication out there has a side effect of "increased appetite" and/or "weigh gain". I know if I see these side effects I'll stop taking the meds. I look forward to others responses and getting some ideas for any medications to replace the Topamax.
Good luck! I hope you can find something that will work for you!!

My pdoc is considering putting me on Lamictal instead of Topamax. He said it doesn't cause weight gain (that's a big issue for me, and he knows it).

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Well lamotragine is the generic for lamictal. It helps with depression. Balanced me quickly. Amazing for me. . .but I'm super sensitive to hormonal shifts and will go manic in a heartbeat. My gyn recommended that I get a birth control shot to help. I wonder if that will do the trick. Didn't want to go back on birth control, but i'm considering it. I didn't really like me when I was on bc before, but I was also undiagnosed. it may have been that my ceiling was lowered, but i couldn't find my floor. Depression. I don't know. I'm going to talk to my pdoc about it next week.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

No weight gain with lamictal.