[Kahn]

Hi everyone this is my first post here and I have a question about the effects of medication in the hope of input from others. I've likely had bipolar for a lot of my life but have always lived in denial about it and "hidden" it as best I could. However it got to the stage were I just couldn't do this any longer and was officially diagnosed by a psychiatrist and prescribed lamotrigine. As the dosage has been gradually built up and I have felt what I think is the medication working it's left me feeling "strange" in the sense that I can feel it preventing me from what I knew as "normal" i.e. Bipolar. The only way I can describe it is I feel like when I would normally swing in one direction of the other I now feel as if my mind is hitting some imaginary padded wall and is being prevented from "going there" so to speak. In addition to this I'm finding that situations that would normally make me anxious or agitated don't end up reaching that stage. The struggle I'm finding is that I know how I would normally react and so I can feel myself being prevented from being like this. I feel almost like some kind of zombie that's on a really short emotional leash and it feels very very strange and is proving difficult for me to come to terms with I'm honest. I was hoping that others here would be able to maybe share their experiences or offer any advice at all as at the moment I'm finding this so difficult and quite frightening. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kkrrhh]

I think there are 2 possibilities in that way with mood stabilizing type drugs, where either it can be too much and actually make you numb, or it can just be doing its job and just feel odd at first because you're used to more extreme emotions.
If it's too extreme or proves to be too bad after a while you might actually need to adjust meds, but I think from your post I'd guess it could very well just be the second possibility.
I'm on Lamictal and I dealt with similar feelings at first, and I remember I just had a constant feeling of boredom for a while. It went away though and now lamictal really helps. For me personally the numb feeling that was strong at first wore off, and the more stable moods last but after a bit it stops feeling as different and noticeable and strange as it does at first, and just feels natural. I hope it works out for ya!

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Well I'm glad the meds are working! I tried lamictal and got severe mixed episodes. That's just one example of how meds work for some but not others. If this is the only med you are on, chances are you may need to add or increase meds in the future. And some work, and some make you more crazy. It's a trial and error we've all been through! And most meds have side effects like low sex drive or tiredness. But then you have to sacrifice your energy or sex drive for your own sanity. Drop anything that makes you restless because it might cause hypomania. Also, many of us can't take certain or any antidepressants because they also can cause mania. You may need an antipsychotic in the future to help or prevent mania or even psychosis. If you have anxiety with your BP you'll need to add a PRN like a benzo. I could go on for days! I hope I helped some and if you ever have questions feel free to PM me if you're using the tapatalk app. Good luck!

Trileptal 600mg BID
Buspar 45mg
Seroquel 150-300mg for sleep
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvanse 70mg
Risperdal 4-6mg PRN

I don't get msgs unless the other person using tapatalk app!

[optimistic_dolphin]

i was tried on lamictal because my dr thinks it's a good med and can possibly help me since i had tried many med which didnt work or too much side effects. I was warned about the skin allergy side effect. unluckily, within a few days i started getting skin rashes and itchiness. i had to stop this med

i had been on med which makes me feel like the way you do. i stopped feeling much n was numb. i can't think much n lost my creativity ( I am a very art-ty person who draws and writes a lot). what i end up doing is cut down the med myself which then landed in a spiral n relapses. so don't try my way. try telling your dr about it and discuss if there are other solution or med adjustment. i wish there is med for u to make you feel whole and real again.