[*Laurie*]

I'm bipolar. I had a bad physical reaction to lithium about 2 weeks ago and, unfortunately, pdoc had me stop it. She put me on Lamictal. I took the starting dose for the recommended 2 weeks and last night I went up to 2 pills, as my pdoc instructed.

In the meantime, I am hypomanic. Of course, that has it's upside (I'm creating things non-stop). The problem is the downside. My opinions seem like the most important and valid ones in the universe. Suddenly I can't see "the other side". I'm just furious. I did something recently that someone I respect called me down about and I am so ashamed and angry that I never want to see that person again. Never.

Anyway, getting to my question: If you've been on Lamictal how long was it before you felt stable? Did you have to get up to a full dose, or...?? I'm getting pretty desperate, here. Thank you.

[Guiness187055]

I started to feel it at 100mg. I am at 200mg now and doing good.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you so much for your reply, G. I looked around on google and read all kinds of answers to my question, but the most common one seems to be 100mg. So, 1 month.

Yikes. Well, 2 more weeks to go...

[possum220]

Hang in there Laurie. Maybe avoid people for a little bit and get some jobs done around the place.

[~Christina]

150 here

[*Laurie*]

That is a very good idea, possum. Thank you!

Thank you, Christina.

Why don’t you ask the pdoc something fast-acting to bring you down?

I keep emergency Olanzapine on hand.

Regarding the person you spoke of—you could tell them that you’ve been suffering from a bad case of insomnia, and your judgment has been off due to no sleep.

God knows that’s a truthful statement. I’ve used it before re: hypomania.

[*Laurie*]

Thanks key tones. My pdoc did increase my Seroquel dose, just for a month. It does help me sleep, but that's all it does.

Yeah, I take Seroquel too. I feel the same way.