[kazine]

Okay I found out yesterday I have been officially diagnosed with BPD. This isn't news to me though I have highly suspected it for years. But I'm pretty certain I have Bipolar II as well but my psych seems to think not... I have severe depressive episodes that last 4-5 months and have had episodes of what I believe to be hypomania... I get:

- High Energy Levels
- Unrealistically High Self Esteem
- Inability to sit still
- Rapid speech
- Hypersexuality
- Increased Motivation
- Decreased Need For Sleep
- Short Attention Span

The Quetiapine also completely got rid of both the depression and the hypomanic symptoms, which adds to my suspicions that I'm BPII.

My psych even said that everything I described was textbook Bipolar so I don't really understand why she doesn't think I have it... I also posted about this in the Bipolar forum for this reason, and that I know more people are likely to have been on Quetiapine/Lamotrigine that have Bipolar.

Coming off Quetiapine I am hoping that I will lose weight... I am currently taking 600mg in 150mg tablets. Have people lost weight easily coming off Quetiapine? Also has anyone put weight on with Lamotrigine? The sleepiness and the weight gain are the reasons I'm coming off Quetiapine in the first place and I'm hoping I will lose a fair bit of weight when I finally come off it...

Also what is it like adjusting back to sleeping unmedicated? I can get to sleep on 150mg as long as I take it early enough, but how easily will it be to go from 150mg to 0? My psych said that Quetiapine is less sedative as the dosage gets higher? I think that's #######4, I get knocked out more with 600mg of it than I do with 50mg of it...

What are all experiences with Lamotrigine? Like I asked, weight gain? It put my BPII ex in hospital as he got that rare rash disorder, so he wasn't on it long enough for me to really get a good picture of what it's like. I've read that it's the first choice and most effective medication for BPII so my hopes are high for it. Also wondering people's experiences with it for Borderline? Just hoping to get rid of the heavy sedative and the weight gain!

Kaz x

[greentires4me]

I have never taken lamotrigine but I once was on quetiapine but I got rash from it so that ended it for me. the weight gain happens with most psych meds i have found I gained 75lbs off of olazapine when I was taking it in small amount of time.

being borderline is like a whole host of symptoms that happen daily weather it be emotional or not its like everything has this rollercoaster effect up and down all the time. for me borderline has been rocky I have been in and out of hospital numerous times all trying to hurt myself less time trying to actually die. of course not everyone has or deal with this....

if you feel strongly about BP2 then I strongly say dance around with a little flag until someone hears you because its safe to say that BP2 can coincidence with borderline.

[mednurse80]

I have BPD and i have been taking Lamotrigine for more than a year with about four other psych meds. I agree, unfortunately, they all have the potential for weight gain. Just go to the gym and be more aware of what you are eating. I haven't really gained weight on the Lamotrigine, but I go to the gym three times a week and count calories (I also have an eating disorder). I have found Lamotrigine to be very helpful in controlling my rages and mood swings. My doctor Rxed topamax in conjunction with the Lamotrigine to help combat the weight gain, as well. Just something to think about. I think you should give it a try. Good luck.

[ScrewedUpMe]

I am on Quetiapine currently for BPD. I have been on it since being diagnosed about 5 years ago. It has been a wonder drug for me and diminished my symptoms overnight. That's not to say I don't still have 'episodes' and all the BPD symptoms but they are much more under control now and much less frequent. As for weight gain, I did really struggle with this. I was on 300mg Quetiapine initially and definitely gained weight as well as not losing the weight from my previous pregnancy. I managed to reduce right down to taking 50mg most of the time and I did lose weight. I think it affects your metabolism as well as increasing appetite. I increase my dose at times of stress up to 150mg and then reduce it back down again and it works for me and I have no problem now with weight gain. Hope this helps. Have never taken Lamotrigine.

[k123]

I'm currently taking 600mg of seroquel (quetapine or however u spell it) I have bpd and bi polar traits....it's helped me so far but I still get lots of bad thoughts...not harming myself thoughts but jealousy, paranoia etc. I have been on this current dose about a month but have been taking this med since aprox November. I have too put on a lot of weight but I don't know of its the tablets or just that I eat like a pig? I always go between 60-70kgs all the time but this is the first time I've actually reached 73!! Disaster as I have major body image issues I feel like I need to lose weight but I can't stop eating. As I have said in my other posts, I take my seroquel same time every night and some nights it knocks me, I get so tired I need to go to bed then others (such as tonight) I am not tired at all...does this happen to you? I'd this cos I'm manic? Hmmm please reply

[kazine]

Quetiapine pretty much knocks me out every night k123. I get so tired I physically can not stay awake.

Kaz x