[brookeK]

I posted this same thing over in the bipolar board as well..

Hi everyone!

A little back story. I just had my first daughter 3 1/2 months go. I have always had a little depression on and off my entire life. When I was 13 I was sent to a psychiatrist who believe I was bipolar, so she put me on Risperdal. According to my parents at the time it made a big difference. I finally decided I didn't want to take it anymore and was put on Zoloft years later which I don't think helped me at all. It didn't make things worse, just no improvement. So I was weaned off of that at my own decision. When I got pregnant, my hormones were just everywhere. That is to be expected. I was hoping after the baby blues, I would finally get my life back. Unfortunately, it just got worse. To the point where I was losing patience way too fast and I was scared I would do something I would pay for and regret in the long run. I wanted to breastfeed for as long as possible (my goal had always been 4 months) but I made it to about 3 1/2 when I decided I needed some intervention (meds). I saw a different psychiatrist (twice) and she diagnosed me with social phobia and bipolar disorder. She prescribed me Lamictal and Trazadone to help me sleep. I'm side eyeing the Traz because I know it is actually an anti depressant too.

What are your thoughts on both of the meds and does anyone have any experience with Lamictal and how was it?

Thanks in advance.

[kaliope]

lamictal is a common treatment for bipolar that seems to have success. my pdoc gave me trazadone for sleep but I did not take it because it was an antidepressant. AD's can trigger a mania in bipolars and after the worse mania of my life being on Zoloft I was not even going to take a chance. I know I wasn't going to take it everyday, but I was only on Zoloft two weeks before I went crazy. there are plenty of other sleep meds out there. take care.

[brookeK]

Thank you. I was reading over in the Bipolar board that in low doses Traz does not work as an AD

[Nightside of Eden]

Trazadone is not an AD until you hit 200mgs or so, so don't worry about that. Lamictal helps a lot of people with unstable moods, regardless of the cause, and often with minimal side-effects, so it's worth trying, IMO.

ETA: My husband takes Trazadone and it works great for sleep with few side-effects. There's a bit of a morning hang-over, but that's why we have coffee, lol

[brookeK]

Is it normal to feel hyper on this stuff?

[Nightside of Eden]

Lamictal can be activating, so yes, that could be making you feel a little hyper.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by brookeK

I posted this same thing over in the bipolar board as well..

Hi everyone!

A little back story. I just had my first daughter 3 1/2 months go. I have always had a little depression on and off my entire life. When I was 13 I was sent to a psychiatrist who believe I was bipolar, so she put me on Risperdal. According to my parents at the time it made a big difference. I finally decided I didn't want to take it anymore and was put on Zoloft years later which I don't think helped me at all. It didn't make things worse, just no improvement. So I was weaned off of that at my own decision. When I got pregnant, my hormones were just everywhere. That is to be expected. I was hoping after the baby blues, I would finally get my life back. Unfortunately, it just got worse. To the point where I was losing patience way too fast and I was scared I would do something I would pay for and regret in the long run. I wanted to breastfeed for as long as possible (my goal had always been 4 months) but I made it to about 3 1/2 when I decided I needed some intervention (meds). I saw a different psychiatrist (twice) and she diagnosed me with social phobia and bipolar disorder. She prescribed me Lamictal and Trazadone to help me sleep. I'm side eyeing the Traz because I know it is actually an anti depressant too.

What are your thoughts on both of the meds and does anyone have any experience with Lamictal and how was it?

Thanks in advance.

I'm no pdoc, but from what you're describing, for anyone who fits in the bipolar spectrum, typically an AD, like Cymbalta would help you, and an AAP, like Latuda would help and a benzo. Best of luck!