[xRavenx]

I accidentally posted this in the wrong thread a minute ago.....

Two months ago, I was switched from lamotrigine to lamotrigine ER (i.e. Lamictal XR) by my new pdoc. My pdoc also upped my dose (which was much needed). I noticed oddly enough that it says in the pamphlet that the ER version is for epilepsy but "may be used for Bipolar." My new pdoc was the one who switched me to ER version since she said a lot of her patients do well with it. When I read the XR version "may be used for Bipolar" today, it alarmed me since it makes me wonder, Why wouldn't she keep me on the regular release that clearly indicates its use is for Bipolar?

Now I'm wondering if based on this information, I should ask her to place me back on the regular version of Lamictal. My pharmacy never has the XR in stock. I have to always ask the Pharmacy to order it a few days in advance. Even when I check other Pharmacies around me, they always tell me they have to order it. It's such a pain.

I'm surprised she said it's successful with a lot of people with BP since most people I talk to aren't even familiar with the XR version. Has anyone here had any experience with the extended release? I'm wondering if at this point I should ask this new pdoc to put me back on regular release since I hardly ever hear of anyone taking the XR version. With my history of episodes, I'm afraid. She's aware of my history of mania, but still....I don't know whether to trust her on this.
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[Fresia]

ER has made such a difference for two people I know here that have switched to it, a family member and a friend. They are finding there is not such a dip before the next dose. They really like it much better.

The one pharmacy does have to order it in advance and the other stocks it but once they signed up for automatic refills, there were no problems and no calls they had to make for the one that didn't stock it. Check in to see if automatic refills is something available at your pharmacy or see about changing pharmacies. I know it is expensive. It might be worth calling around.

It might be worth giving it a try as you can always go back to non-ER. I hope you find what works best for you soon.

[88Butterfly88]

I could be wrong but I think both regular Lamictal and extended release Lamictal can be used to treat bipolar disorder, but that is not the only thing they treat. I take Lamictal extended release and I'm not bipolar and it really helps me. Lamictal is technically an anti-seizure drug, it wasn't made just for bipolar.

[xRavenx]

Thanks everyone. I'll have to see if I can work things out at the pharmacy. I'm unhappy with my new insurance, and they have me running down to the very last pill before I can refill it. This complicates things further when the XR is out of stock. I think I need to call the insurance I asked my pharmacy if they can set up anything to make this easier so that I don't have to call every 3 weeks and remind them to order it, but they said there's no easier way. Something tells me I should speak to someone else in the pharmacy though, because that sounds odd to me. At least I am tolerating the XR well, so there's that. Whenever a doctor wants to change anything, I start overthinking things, so maybe I just need to give it some time and handle the insurance issue separately. I'll definitely talk to my doctor next time more though.