Hi, there .

I'm on Lamictal at 25mg. Today is my 20th day. It's really helped in that it had pulled me out of a deep depression. The last 18 days have been absolute Heaven. I haven't been depressed, nor have I been high as a kite. I'll go as far as to say I've been stable. Almost normal.

Things changed on Thursday. I've been battling with rage, and I've been going through a fairly roughly mixed phase. I've been craving company, but have been pushing close friends away from me. I've damaged friendships that mean a lot to me. My temper has been well and truly out of control. I'm hating myself, but at the same time, loving my strength. I'm aroused easily, but at the same time, disgusted by my need for sex. It's been a rough few days.

I've recently learned that this might be because my system has gotten so used to being on 25mg of Lamictal, that it's lost it's effect. On further research, many people have moved from 25mg to 50mg after two weeks.

I see my psych in a couple of weeks, although, I do plan to call her in a couple of hours. I'm hoping she can shine some light on this, too.

My question is how long was it before you moved from 25mg to 50mg?

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your experiences with me.

[Ripose]

I went from 25 to 50 in two weeks and I have been gradually going up. I am at 250 mg now and will most likely go to 300 the next time I see my doctor.

Yes, there is a starter kit that has everyday layed out dose for dose for each month, or you should see your pdoc bi-weekly or like get more doses for the month.

Actually the manufacturers recommended dose adjustment is 25 mg every 7-10 days. My pdocs did a weekly med adjustment, 7 days exact.

Therapeutic dose varies per individual, like I need 300mg. Others do fine at 150mg or 500mg. I think I'd be asking your pdocs to step it up, but a slow build up is better, but not so slow that it quits working to fast.

When I felt content was when I reached my dose.

You'll know when you get there.

[cashart10]

I went up every 7 days in the beginning but even less in later doses. I now take 600 MG which is well above the recommended dosage for Bipolar Disorder. But, my pdoc may be a little med happy.

[BipolaRNurse]

I increased Lamictal every 2 weeks until I got to 200 mg., stayed on that for quite awhile but the effects wore off. I've had to keep increasing it over time, from 200 to 250, then to 300, and then finally all the way up to 400 which is where I've been for a year now. I don't know what will happen if that dose stops working.

I've heard of people taking 600-800

I get cognitive issues at 400mg.

My doctor has very specific directions for up-ing the dosage. He even wrote it out in a word document for me. I am going up to 100mg tomorrow. I did 25mg for 17 days, then 50mg for 13 days. Now I'll do 100mg for 7 days and then up to 200mg.

Hope this helps.

Mrs J

I've taken Lamictal since my initial diagnosis and just recall following the starter blister pack. It's not uncommon for a dosage of 600mg, IMO. I currently take 350 mg but took 600 mg when I was very unwell.