[blo0dchild]

Hi, I haven't been on psychiatric medication since I was a kid, and my mom told me it just made me worse and fat. (story ahead! skip to next or third paragraph to get what you came here for) Come to find out my adolescence was actually misdiagnosed as bipolar! When I was 12 until 14-15, mom took me to therapists and doctors cos my parents "couldn't handle me" after I hit puberty. All these people wanted to diagnose me bipolar, so I was, even though I never felt any of the symptoms. Come to find out that at some point during my teenage years my pediatrician UNdiagnosed me bipolar! And she JUST told me this like 2-3 months ago!! All this time I've been telling people (doctors, therapists, etc.) that I was diagnosed bipolar as a kid even though I never and still don't feel that way! Ugh! But then I found out was BPD was, self diagnosed myself since I had EVERY SINGLE SYMPTOM, then was officially diagnosed with it back 2010, and now I'm FINALLY starting to help for it, but that's kinda my fault for putting it off cos I started using heroin in 2011 (luckily I haven't been on it for +2 months, yay).

ANYWAYS!! Today I finally started a PHP program. It's kinda like DBT, but my track is technically called Emotion Regulation. The doctor I had my intake with today asked me if I was interested in meds, and I said kind of; I need to be in therapy while I'm taking them, so after this program/when we're figuring out my aftercare plans, they're gonna have to help me find one on one mental health therapy that I can go to AT LEAST once a week for a WHILE. Alright, fine; I'll think about. I know I'll get into 1 on 1 anyway cos my name is already in a few waiting lists, plus if my insurance won't pay, Welfare will pay for it.

The doctor told me that since I have a hard time keeping my emotions under control, get upset really easily and have anger (rage) and violence problems/homicidal thoughts, and have poor impulse control, he recommended I take a mood stabilizer. I told him my main issues (besides the therapy thing) are that I'm on methadone (drug interaction) and I'm very concerned about gaining weight since finally at the perfect weight/shape .. I got meat where I want it to be and none where I don't want it to be. He gave me facts sheets on Lamictal/Lamotrigine, Topamax/Topiramate, and Trileptal/Oxcarbazepine. Have you ever been on any? What did you like or not like about any? Did you gain weight even though your diet and exercise didn't change? What else would you like me to know? I'm leaning towards Lamictal cos that was the only one outta the three that didn't say anything about birth control on the fact sheet. I'm not on it; I'm not even in a relationship or mess around with anyone, but just in case ya know?

And for the people who've never been on those three .. could you possibly recommend any that fits my weight and BC requirements? You don't have to worry about the methadone; I'll google or ask my clinic.

Thanks!!

[Altered Moment]

I take Lamictal. I noticed an elevation in mood after a couple of weeks on it and have had no side effects. I am probably bi polar II but low on the spectrum. My primary problem is depression. Docs like Lamictal because of the low side effect profile I believe. There is also Tegretol and Depakote in the same class. All weight neutral. When people talk about weight gain they are talking about the atypical antipsychotics. Those seemed to be used a lot for mood stabilizers now....off label. Lamictal is a good choice i think. better than an AAP.

[Nightside of Eden]

I would start with Lamictal. It has the lowest side-effect profile and helps a lot of people. Topamax has serious cognitive side-effects for a lot of people and Trileptal's efficacy is debatable.

If the Lamictal doesn't work or if you can't take it with your other medication, there are some atypical anti-psychotics which can stabilize mood and are weight-neutral. Geodon, Abilify, and Latuda are probably the three with the best record as far as weight is concerned.

[metamorphosis12]

Lamictal, as long as you titrate up slowly and do not get the Stevens-Johnson rash. Which is serious. Like E.R. serious but your doc or pdoc will talk to you about that and other choices.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Every single time I see a new dr and they see I take Lamictal they tell me it affects birth control! I wasn't even taking birth control but they wanted to make sure I knew to take extra precautions if I were to spend some time with a guy

Originally Posted by blo0dchild

Hi, I haven't been on psychiatric medication since I was a kid, and my mom told me it just made me worse and fat. (story ahead! skip to next or third paragraph to get what you came here for) Come to find out my adolescence was actually misdiagnosed as bipolar! When I was 12 until 14-15, mom took me to therapists and doctors cos my parents "couldn't handle me" after I hit puberty. All these people wanted to diagnose me bipolar, so I was, even though I never felt any of the symptoms. Come to find out that at some point during my teenage years my pediatrician UNdiagnosed me bipolar! And she JUST told me this like 2-3 months ago!! All this time I've been telling people (doctores, therapists, etc.) that I was diagnosed bipolar as a kid even though I never and still don't feel that way! Ugh! But then I found out was BPD was, self diagnosed myself since I had EVERY SINGLE SYMPTOM, then was officially diagnosed with it back 2010, and now I'm FINALLY starting to help for it, but that's kinda my fault for putting it off cos I started using heroin in 2011 (luckily I haven't been on it for +2 months, yay).

ANYWAYS!! Today I finally started a PHP program. It's kinda like DBT, but my track is technically called Emotion Regulation. The doctor I had my intake with today asked me if I was interested in meds, and I said kind of; I need to be in therapy while I'm taking them, so after this program/when we're figuring out my aftercare plans, they're gonna have to help me find one on one mental health therapy that I can go to AT LEAST once a week for a WHILE. Alright, fine; I'll think about. I know I'll get into 1 on 1 anyway cos my name is already in a few waiting lists, plus if my insurance won't pay, Welfare will pay for it.

The doctor told me that since I have a hard time keeping my emotions under control, get upset really easily and have anger (rage) and violence problems/homicidal thoughts, and have poor impulse control, he recommended I take a mood stabilizer. I told him my main issues (besides the therapy thing) are that I'm on methadone (drug interaction) and I'm very concerned about gaining weight since finally at the perfect weight/shape .. I got meat where I want it to be and none where I don't want it to be. He gave me facts sheets on Lamictal/Lamotrigine, Topamax/Topiramate, and Trileptal/Oxcarbazepine. Have you ever been on any? What did you like or not like about any? Did you gain weight even though your diet and exercise didn't change? What else would you like me to know? I'm leaning towards Lamictal cos that was the only one outta the three that didn't say anything about birth control on the fact sheet. I'm not on it; I'm not even in a relationship or mess around with anyone, but just in case ya know?

And for the people who've never been on those three .. could you possibly recommend any that fits my weight and BC requirements? You don't have to worry about the methadone; I'll google or ask my clinic.

Thanks!!

[blo0dchild]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

Every single time I see a new dr and they see I take Lamictal they tell me it affects birth control! I wasn't even taking birth control but they wanted to make sure I knew to take extra precautions if I were to spend some time with a guy

Yeah, when I was doing my research today, quite a few sites and people said that if a girl is going to be on BC to either use another form along with it like a barrier or just don't take hormones, or ask your doc to up your Lamictal dose //shrug luckily I really don't need to worry about it right now although I'd like to. I'll mention it when I speak to my doc and when I see my midwife for my pap next month. Oh, and this doc recommended these three because it seems as if they're the only ones that don't have an interaction with methadone .. I'm surprised on how on point this doc is!

But yeah, after doing my researched I am going to go with Lamictal, woo? People, please tell me about your experience with it.

[lilypup]

Lamictal, although Topamax can actually decrease appetite.

[~Christina]

Lamictal works well for most and really no side effects. Just have to take as prescribed to avoid the possibillty of the SJS rash, its very rare actually.