[meganb22]

Hi,

So I'm hoping some of you might be able to give me some insight. I have been on a mood stabilizer, Lamictal, for around 5 months now. I'm up to 125 mg. As an aside I'm also on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. Anyway, I have noticed the last couple months that I am still having mood swings pretty frequently. There are a few environmental factors that are causing me stress which I know can cause cycling, but I was under the impression that mood stabilizers should be able to, if not stop, at least LESSEN the mood swing. They are still pretty bad, although I would say they have gotten less intense over the past few months.

My question is, what the heck are mood stabilizers supposed to do? I'm currently looking for a new psychiatrist so I can't really ask a doctor. Plus in the past I have gotten mixed messages. I know medicine won't solve everything. I will be going to a psychologist in a few days here, but am I wrong in assuming that meds should at least help enough to the point where my moods aren't crazy? I'm starting to get extremely frustrated and depressed with this. I feel like my moods will never be semi-normal or level enough for me to carry on a normal life.

Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[wiretwister]

I know people react differently to the same meds,, but having said that lamictal (lamotrigine) works really well for me but I am at 300mg., hope it gets better for you and that you find a pdoc soon.....

[~Christina]

Lamictal works mainly on the depressive side of Bipolar..

I have Bp I and I can't take any AD's they fling me right into a nasty irritable angry manic episode. How long have you been on Lexapro and Wellbutrin ? both be activating for some people.

There are a few other meds that are used at mood stablizers, Depakote, Tegratol, Triliptal and of course Lithium. Not sure if you ever tried any of those before.

[Nammu]

I'm like Cristina I can't take AD even with mood stabilizers it will put me in a crazy spot. I think but I'm not sure most people take 200mg lamictal or higher. It's all different foe each of us. I'm glad you're seeing someon soon.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi megan,

Yeah I ask myself this same question daily.

I'm kind of back to square one with my ms today.

I've been put back on epilim which is what I was originally put on years ago when I was first diagnosed.

Still trying to figure out how useful mood stabilisers are for me, personally.

I'm yet to find one. I'm sure they are out there though.

[Shadesofdark]

After you get hooked up with your new pdoc, they will work to get your mood stabilized, and yes that might take a mood stabilizer like lamictal, or maybe another one or a combo of several, everyone is different and meds effect us all differently and different doses work for different people.
The important thing is to get a new pdoc and start working up the cocktail that might work for you!
Personally, I love lamictal, but that's just me, everyone is different.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Lamictal has been great for me but i didn't find stability until respirdal was added. As my pdoc explained, I had a "floor" but no "ceiling." I can't even look at an SSRI but that's me. My response to them is what sent up the red flags to my T to send me to a pdoc. I would just suggest to be diligent in finding someone soon. My ride got more and more out of control as the weeks passed.

[BipolaRNurse]

You're on a sub-therapeutic dose of Lamictal. The standard dose is 200-300 mg/day. I'm on 400 and need every mg of it to keep the depression away. As soon as you get a new pdoc, check with him/her about an increase.

I am only on 100 lamictal and it works for me. My son is on 150 lamictal.

[THE16THDOCTOR]

125 seems very low to me. I'm on lexapro and lamactil but 300mg daily of lamactil. It works very well for me with the swings. They still happen but not as frequent. But different meds work for everyone. I'd get an increase or try a different one like depakote. But 125 is pretty low.