[Titus1331]

Hi, just newly diagnosed bipolar type 2. I think I was a little offended to read my diagnosis on paperwork from my psychiatrist. I'm probably more offended that he didn't even tell me that's what he thought was wrong with me, I had to read it myself. I have always thought there was something wrong with me and from what I have read about this disorder there are some similarities I must admit. he started me on Lamictal. I have been gradually titrating up, started out at 50mg/day now on 125mg/day. I cannot take it in the afternoon or PM because it makes me have insomnia. I have been on it for 6 weeks now and I'm still experiencing some irritability and depression. Not sure if I should try something else, or if this med takes longer to work. I definetly want to feel better, I have felt like crap for a long time. Anyone had good experiences with Lamictal? I have told my MD my concerns but he only spends about 10 minutes with me each visit, and he always asks me how school is. I'm not in school, i haven't been in school for years, and I always feel rushed to get out of his office. Any help is appreciated greatly!

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi Titus1331

Thank you for telling us about yourself here at Psych Central.

It's a great place to be for online support.

I can understand that you felt offended at reading your diagnosis on paperwork.

Doesn't seem right to me that you weren't told to be honest.

So yes, if I were you, personally, sure I would have felt offended too.

I guess the only consolation is the fact that you are being treated for bipolar 2 now.

Well, it is not so much that there was something "wrong" with you per say as this is the word that you have used; it is just more that you would have noticed episodes according to the characteristics of this disorder that would have matched your mood / energy etc.

Lamictal is good, this is my personal experience when I was on it. It can be a good mood stabiliser in the long run.

Yes, titrating is the usual.

I couldn't take lamictal in the afternoon / evening either because I also had the sleep disruption issue so I used to take mine in the morning.

I can understand that you still feel irritability and depression; remember; you are not quite at the optimal dose of lamictal just yet and you are working your way towards there, so please hand in there.

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily say rush out and try something else just yet - I'd still wait, but this would be me, personally. Just because your dose of lamictal is still going to increase.

Yeah look as for your MD asking about school well yeah that's weird. I'm scratching my head at your MD's lack of actually knowing this simple fact ..... oh well I guess they're all different. But if proper notes were taken I guess they ask about work/school etc to monitor if there are any disruptions etc so you would think this would be something your MD would know ...... I'm not sure .......... (maybe it could just be something as similar as slight confusion)

I the mean time, please keep us up to date on how you progress.

This forum may be at use for you for looking around when you are feeling irritable:

Coping with Emotions - Forums at Psych Central

And there's this one too for depression if you want to look around:

Depression - Forums at Psych Central

I hope your mood is able to stabilise soon.

Hey hi welcome to PC!

Pdocs are human too. They hand a sheet of paper in Greek and say nothing about it. The only way I learned anything was to research the meds scratched out on that pad.

Lamictal takes awhile to get to a therapeutic level per individual. I hit it at 300 mg and it's been a very side effect free drug for me. When you get there to your therapeutic dose, you'll know. I felt content and flat when I hit that dose, actually. Don't be surprised that some tweaking will be needed as you acclimate to the drug. That's the same with all drugs, so give it time.

I have my doses split between morning and evening, 150/150. Good luck