Lamictal for those not bipolar?

Hi, everyone! I've posted here only a few times, so I know that ya'll don't know me well at all and may not be able to help. But I'll put it out there anyway.

My pdoc prescribed lamictal to me last spring to replace the lexapro and I have no idea why. I have asked him several times point blank and he refuses to answer. I've had depression since I was a teen and I'm now 42. I was on 40-60 mg lexapro and 120 mg cymbalta for several years. I became rather sedated and still depressed. I was also at risk of developing serotonin syndrome. So I switched doctors and we cut back my meds. After a year I felt I needed something more so he added the lamictal. I wanted to add wellbutrin which I have had good results with before. But I would try lamictal. Well, the lamictal has killed my ability to enjoy anything at all. I no longer have any good moods. Before lamictal, I would have a few minutes a few times a week of feeling okay and maybe even in a good mood. I was disappointed by that but thought that if the lamictal also wiped out the horrible, suicidal lows, that I could work with that. Well, the lows are worse now. I have expressed this to my doctor several times and he refuses to change the meds or provide justification for continuing the lamictal. I have not ever and currently do not display any manic or hypomanic behaviors. I get the feeling I'm a guinea pig in an ill-constructed experiment. I also feel like bipolar is an inappropriate diagnosis for me - if that what my pdoc has diagnosed me as. He won't even share my diagnosis with me. I'm getting frustrated and pissed off.

Am I missing something here that's obvious to others but unknown to me? Or is this a weird situation to you, too?

Let me know if you need more information. Thanks for any help you can give me!

Jen

Wow Jen
I can certainly understand your frustration! You have a right to feel that.
First of all, I am not an MD or Psychiatrist, so I can't really comment about the medication indication other than I know lamictal can be prescribed for BP, mood disorders or depression. I Certainly don't know why in your case.
What prompts me to write back is the fact that your pdoc is not answering your questions about basic things, re: your diagnosis and indications for medications being prescribed. That is just ethically wrong. I would go in there and be right up front and get the answers you need and deserve or I would high-tail my backside out of there and find another provider. I work in the medical field and it is hard for me to imagine a doctor that withholds that kind of information.
Be proactive for yourself-find out what you need to know! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
noneedtoknow

Hi Jen! That's a sucky situation. And yes, a weird situation as well, not to mention unethical and inappropriate. I know if you've been seeing the doctor for awhile it can be hard, but I just wanted to jump in and agree with the previous poster. You definitely need a new doctor! Maybe ask around for a good recommendation, or even look online? Your doctor should not withhold your diagnosis from you or refuse to discuss your options. Even if he has not determined a specific diagnosis for you, he should tell you that. If you want to find a new doctor, you don't even have to tell him. When you have a new doctor's appointment set up, just call one day and tell one of the front desk workers that you would like to cancel and will not be rescheduling. Good luck!

Lamictal is also used sometimes to treat depression, not just bipolar disorder.

Your doctor though is out of line in not explaining things to you.

For some people with unipolar depression lamactil can have a mood enhancing effect, when used in combination with an antidepressant. It can mean that you don't have to be on as high a dose of the anti depressant. But your doctor should listen to you... if it's not working it's not working, and the lack of emotion is a serious symptom.

I agree with those who said it's time to find a new Pdoc!

Lamictal was prescribed for me for my depression, and I most definitely do NOT have bipolar (as stated by my Pdoc, my T, and my GP). I wasn't on it long enough to know if it would have helped. I know that I have a hard-to-medicate case of depression since I'm sensitive to so many meds so most of the meds I've been on are not mainstream ADs, but as long as it works, I'm happy!

I am on both Lamictal and Lexapro for temporal lobe epilepsy and anxiety. They do wonders for me but then again it's epilepsy.....I have heard of it being used for depression but I'm sure your dosage is pretty low. My dosage is 200 mg/day. That's pretty ridiculous to not have an explanation, though. I'd also be on the look out for a new pdoc. He should be open to your concerns. Hope it works out.

I was on Lexapro for depression and was switched to Lamictal for depression but also for neuropathy. Lamictal definitely is not for bipolar only. Yep, find a new doc.

I am on lamictal as a mood stabilizer and I am bipolar. It has worked well for me. I am also on Pristiq and Seroquel. I would definitely question your pdoc and if he/she does not answer your questions then it is time to find another doctor who is willing to work with you and for you.

I am on lamicctal but have treatment resistant depression. I'm up to 300mg and will likely be going to 400 soon

I was put on lamictal for borderline personality...

I have been up to 400mg for about 2 months now. Still no effect. I have treatment resistant depression and bpd

I'm on lamictal for DID....

Thanks, everyone! I talked to my doctor again and he said since I've tried every other antidepressant available and they haven't worked satisfactorily, there was nothing to lose by trying something else entirely. I can't argue with him there. Just wish he had said that in the first place. Anyway, he's retiring and his replacement is fresh out of school. I don't have much confidence in the replacement, so I'll be looking for a new pdoc anyway. As for the lamictal, I do feel more energetic and much less sleepy overall though the positive feelings remain blunted. We'll see.

Well, thank God he finally said what he was thinking. I'm glad you're less sleepy and more energetic. Thing is, I do have mood swings, and I think lamactil really helps keep me level without killing my ability to feel. But if I went completely numb I'd be concerned. I'm glad that you're having a change of doctors... better luck with the next one? I really hope so anyway...