[Livebythesea]

I am in a severe depression, so bad I was let go from my job last week due to my absences and performance. My pdoc prescribed lamicatal today and I'm also switching my antidepressant. Has anyone had luck with Lamictal in helping you get out of a major depression? Thank you

[Eliza Jane]

It might be helpful, but Lamictal is better known for preventing depressive reoccurrence and not so much for pulling one out of a deep depression. This was consistent with my own experience. I tried it years ago in the midst of a deep depression and it didn't do much. I'm on it now (started when I was going downhill but not at rock bottom) and it is helping a lot.

I found Lithium and Abilify better for the purpose you are describing.

Best,
EJ

[LostMom3]

I was prescribed Lamictal, but the doctor didn't even tell me he was prescribing it. So, I don't know why. When I picked up refular meds from the pharmacy I asked the pharmacist about it. She said that it was used to control mood swings. I am on Celexa for depression and Topamax for mood swings, and he prescribed Lamictal which evidently is used for both. I just do not understand his logic

[LiveThroughThis]

In my own experience, I've been on Lithium for a few years now (I'm Bipolar II). Even though Lithium is generally used for people who are more manic (to keep them from getting so "high") it has worked for me in keeping me stable and keeping my dark lows from getting that far much anymore, as it sounds like what you're describing.

However, earlier this year I began having a lot of irritability, rage attacks, etc. I wasn't actually manic, but my P-doc said essentially I was headed that way, so he prescribed the Lamictal to keep me from going too high. The combo has worked very very well so far.

So, it sounds like Lamictal is maybe what you need to get your moods stable (since deep depression is not part of the typical ups and downs average people have). For me, though, I take it to keep me from getting too high. My P-doc says for whatever reason Lithium worked to pull me out of my horrendous lows (after trying lots of other mood stabilizers).

Different meds certainly work differently for different people. I've heard of people having completely opposite reactions to the meds I'm on, and vice versa. I think a lot of it is a matter of one's specific brain chemistry.

I hope your P-doc has gotten it "right" for you. Much much luck!