More Lamictal??

I've been taking Lamictal for at least three months now (I've also been taking Adderall for a month).

Before starting Adderall, I was still having very mild depression (rapid cycling , so it's hard to notice at times). I know that Adderall tend to accelerate cycling, or just cause general instability of moods (like a crash from the energy rush).

I still feel the mild depression, BUT it completely vanishes as soon as I take Lamictal every night. Which stimulates me a bit, but mainly makes me feel more stable. Since I never had this problem before of daily worsening of my mood (in the evening, about 15 hours after taking it) I'm thinking it may be that Adderall is raising the speed at which I metabolize things.

Even if not, I should probably split the dose. But shouldn't it be lasting at least most of the day? I also think that I should be taking more (like 225mg instead of 200mg) as my moods seem to be a little shifty still, with the mild depression bringing me down a bit. Does anyone take 225mg? I've been told that it's used for treatment resistant depression, but I mainly need more stability in general. Since I just need a slight tweaking to be at an utterly stable mood, would it be justifiable to up the dose?

I can't offer a lot of help with higher doses, but I take 100 mg of Lamictal. I split it, taking 50 mg in the a.m. and 50 mg in the p.m.

gg

I have been on Lamictal about 3yrs now, Just last month my pdoc finally said "okay" with also addressing the ADD besides the bipolar, but wouldn't give me Adderall or any of the quicker acting meds for ADD, fear of peaks and plummets. Sooooooooooooo he has me on Concerta, it is a very slow release and hasn't caused any super "rev up" in the AM after taking it, nor do I get that drop as it wears off, which can contribute to depression, especially in us bipolars. From my past experiences with stimulants, I do prefer the quicker acting but do not like the increased,quick change into to deep depression, till the next day's meds(stimulants) were taken. I just wish the Concerta was a teenier faster acting.
You may need a change in your ADD med and not necessarily the Lamictal. Don't cut back on any of your meds unless your doc tells you too, get in touch with him or her and see what is best for you.
Hope all works out for you. Take care now.

DE

I've been taking 300 mg a day for about 2 years and I can really feel the difference with the higher dose. Sometimes I feel so good I don't think I need it anymore. So I skip a dose or 2 and then I really know it is working. It's worth asking the dr for a higher dose and if you get it, try it for at least 2 weeks to see if it makes any difference.

Good luck!!

I just started on Lamictal in August, taking 150mg. For those of you who have been on it awhile, do you know of any long term effects of the drug? Thanks

Thanks for all of the advice. I think that I'll try to up the dose of Lamictal, as I felt some mood instability (especially emotional, and during the latter two weeks of menstruation) before I started Adderall. I had no idea that Lamictal could be even more beneficial in higher doses for general mood stability; my doc had told me that 225+ was used in cases of treatment resistant depression... which I guess I have, in a mild form. My cycling has been no more rapid than before (usually 30minutes-5hours, w/ mixed episodes too). It's VERY mild now, but it seems to be worsening a bit as winter approaches. Hopefully upping the dose can help.

Thanks,
Jessie

*** bump ***

I've just completed my second week of being on Lamictal, so reading all of this with great interest.

I'm on the starter packet my pdoc gave to me where I take 25 mg every other day for 2 weeks, then 25 mg everyday for another 2 weeks, then 50 mg everyday for another 2 weeks, then I guess I see where we go from there.

When I initially started it, I felt a huge boost in my mood, but now I'm feeling the depression kick in again...hopefully the next dosage up will help.

It takes awhile, hang in there. Regardless of meds or not it isn't abnormal to have occasional down times, they pass.
If they are getting worse or last longer than 2 weeks, I'd be concerned. Things take time, it is important that you start with small doses and titrate up, till the therapeutic dose is established for you.
Take care now and lots of luck,

DE

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{{{{{{{{DE}}}}}}}}

Thanks, hon! I'm sticking with it & thank you for the encouragement!

I have taken lamictal for years now. They say it is one of the less problematic meds out on the market as long as you titrate up slowly enough. I take my entire dose in the morning. You may consider talking to your doc about different doses morning/evening to see if that helps. Please don't do anything without the advice of your doc. Good luck with it as it has really helped me.

That's a good point/idea you just made on "when" to take med.,and discussing it with her pdoc.
I take my Lamictal once in AM and once PM, day's total comes out to 200mg.
I wish all here lots of luck and progress with their meds and/or therapy.

DE


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