[moomoocows]

Hello. I am posting this after doing some research on a medication I have just been put on. It is a mood stabilizer called Lamictal.

I have been seeing a therapist since May, after I have been continually depressed, anxious, and suicidal. I have a history of some major depressive episodes since I was 16 including one attempt. In retrospect I have always thought it was really "situational" depression, up until the last year or so when I have been off and on depressed and more recently it does not seem like a major issue has occurred in my life, in fact, quite the opposite -- I should have plenty of things to be happy about, yet I struggle each day. Anywho, that is a bit of back-story. This Tuesday I finally was able to see a new Psychiatrist to be diagnosed and also find out if she thinks I should be on meds because therapy alone has not been seeming to work.

Although she did not give me a definitive diagnosis after seeing me for only 45 minutes, she did say it is possible I am both bipolar AND borderline (BPD) which I have thought I had tendencies of BPD, but not Bipolar. In addition she says she can say for sure that I have recurrent major depression. Although I suspected I had an issue with depression, I was kind of shocked that she said it is possible to have both BPD and bipolar. I thought you could only be one or the other.

She is first putting me on Lamictal for mood stabilization. I am on 25 mg for week 1, week 2 I go up to 50mg and by week 4 I will be taking 100mg.

It has only been 4 days but I am already noticing a change in my mind and moods. Although I have been slightly irritable a couple times, I think it is no more or less than normal. I haven't burst into a sobbing fit or had any suicidal thoughts or severely self-deprecating thoughts about myself in a couple days, and considering these issues have occurred most days for at least a year or so now, this is good news.

I am really not sure if this is the meds actually beginning to work or if this is just psychosomatic, which wouldn't surprise me. I often think I am pregnant when I am not, I am usually just paranoid.

My big question is mostly to other people who use Lamictal or the generic brand name Lamotrigine, which I believe is what I am actually taking (if there is a difference or not?)

1.) When do you take it, day or night? (my pdoc says it doesn't matter when, it is up to me, as long as it is once daily and around the same time - I have been taking mine at night between 9-11pm because it is making me drowsy and I struggle to feel awake as it is at work)

2.) When did you feel like it was working/after how long?

3.) did you feel more energized/productive/motivated on it?

4.) Lamictal & Mania?

I guess I just want to hear what other people have to say about this drug, especially people who take it. I guess my pdoc put me on this because she suspects I might be bipolar (the first time anyone told me that) and she wants to try this first before putting me on an antidepressant which can sometimes push bipolars into mania? I am not even sure I have ever had mania, but I am still confused on the matter.

The first med I ever took (and the last one I took maybe 3 years ago before I stopped going to therapy and taking meds, yet again) was Paxil and although I was in an awful state 3 years ago, when I took it at age 16 or 17, I remember I felt very numbed, began stealing things, and was very sexually promiscuous with multiple partners for no apparent reason. I am not sure if that is Mania or not. I honestly have no idea.

Any feedback from those who take Lamictal or Bipolar people is much appreciated.

[kaliope]

there is no difference between lamictal and its generic..i haven't taken lamictal for years but it seemed to stabilize my moods. I don't recall that it energized me. the high risk behavior you describe associated with paxil indeed could be mania, the side effect of being on an antidepressant. I had a bad reaction to being on Zoloft but I can take wellbutrin without side effect of mania. its all hit and miss with being bipolar. but yes, you can be bipolar and bpd. I have three diagnoses. take care

[jesusplay]

not to be an asshole but if you search the forums bipolar and medication you'll get more answers.

I'm supposedly bipolar

been on lamictal almost 5 months at 200mg.

It does nothing for me.

[Andysmom]

I'm on Lamictal, 200 mg. I take it at night. It has made a difference for me. Definitely lifted my mood and gave me more energy.

[Angel of Bedlam]

I take Lamictal for BPD but find it very helpful. Takes a bit for it to start working but you don't yoyo as much on it.

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[nachocheese]

After a serious manic episode, i sought help. Thought i was strong enough to handle this bpd. Not true and i almost ruined my life. If it weren't for my husband, i don't know where i would be right now. When i started treatment, my pdoc put me om lamictal. I have never been so stable, my life and my moods. Agitation, impatience, wild impulsivities, angry outbursts are now history for me. I have been on it for 3 years now. I'm at the max dose of 400 mgs. I take 200 in the morning and 200 at night. No side effects or weight gain until now but that's because I have been having some depression so my pdoc put me on an rx vitamin called Deplin. I also have valium, but my moods are so stable I don't need it. The antidepressant Zoloft thru me into a severe manic episode where I wound up attacking my husband and trying to kill myself. I was hospitalized. This happened 2 years ago. So I'm hoping Deplin will take care of the depression or I will have to try Wellbutrin. I have high hopes for this to work. The thought of trying yet another drug for depression scares the crap out of me

[bronzeowl]

1.) When do you take it, day or night?
I've been slowly weaning myself to it... I've been taking it midday, though.

2.) When did you feel like it was working/after how long?
I didn't notice any mood changes until week three. Which I guess is the norm, as everything I read said most people don't until around the second week or beyond. To give it at least 2 weeks.

3.) did you feel more energized/productive/motivated on it?
Comme ci, comme ca. More or less, so-so. I had a bad angry outburst today. Problem is, I don't know if it was related to the lamictal or my recent eating patterns. If it happens again, I'm definitely bringing it up with my doctor. Other than that, I feel more energized, more willing to go out and try to enjoy life. The depression still lingers atm, but I'm still in the first month, so I don't know how that will change long term.

4.) Lamictal & Mania?
I had a bit of a euphoric moment about... two nights ago? It lasted all night. I almost thought I wouldn't sleep. I don't want to call it mania, but I don't know anymore. I just don't. Anyway. The lamictal helps me sleep. It ended up knocking me out. My mind tried to fight the drowsiness, but in the end, the lamictal won. And I woke up feeling stabilized. So, it seems to calm the 'ups' for me.

My doctors suspect bipolar, too. I think that's the first time I've said that here, heh. So, I'm guessing that's why they hesitated to prescribe me an antidepressant, as well. I'm on 200, too. I haven't had any serious side effects *knock on wood*. Only side effect has been loss of appetite. Which might actually be very bad in my case, but nevertheless. I had dizziness in the beginning. But I think that was just me adjusting to it.

I have bipolar and have been on lamictal 200 mg at night since mid-August. I haven't really noticed any side effects, although I do take it at bedtime so maybe it's helping me sleep. It probably helped pull me down from the hypomania I experienced this past June/July. As far as pulling me out of my current severe depression (three months standing), zilch.