Lamictal and bipolar II

I was just prescribed Lamictal for Bipolar II. I've never heard of this medication and don't know much about it, my psychiatrist seemed very enthusiastic but I'm nervous. If any of you have been put on Lamictal for Bipolar, I would love if you could share your experiences and opinions on it.

Hi, my pdoc put me on Lamictal about two months ago. I'm now at 300mg. And will be at 400mg come next week. I feel no change what so ever as of yet. But he told me that becuase i've suffered with severe depression for so long it will take much longer for the med to start working. He mentioned that when i see him in two weeks that an anti depressant will most probably be added to the additional meds im taking. I'm also taking klonopin 1mg twice a day.

I dont know if this info has helped at all. But im sure many more responses from other members will help you.

I'm on Lamictal too. I like it and I'm only up to 100mg and it has really helped me so far. I had a headache the first couple days but that went away. You have to start out slowly because of the risk of a rash. Next week I'll be going up to 150mg and then 200mg. I'm also taking Trileptal at night to help me sleep. I'm not perfectly better yet but I'm glad to already be showing improvement. Plus I like that fact that it is considered a weight nuetral drug which is good since alot of bipolar meds are known for weight gain.

yep, that is my DX also, and yes I was put on Lamictal after going through several other meds. I am preoccupied by medication side effects and that is what ultimatly made me stop Lamictal. I also got vertigo at 200 mg.

I am on it, too. I am up to 150mg and I can say that it has helped a little so far with the mood swings. I was on it before and it really helped, but then had to ween myself off due to no insurance. I am really thankful to have insurance again as this is the only thing I found that works really well.
Mind you, I have tried like.....8 other meds before I found this!

Good luck with it, but just remember that not everything works for everyone.

BJ

I'm on Lamictal for Bipolar II, and am at 150 mg. So far, I don't see much of a change, but my family says they do. Pdoc may add Risperdal for OCD, but we are trying to get the moods stable first. As if psych-meds didn't take long enough to show results, Lamictal takes even longer due to the time it takes to get to the right dose for you. I'm hopeful, so hopefully you can hang in there, too.

I've been taking Lamictal for years, it's just one of my meds for BP2 (see siggy below)... I do think it is helpful, and I've had no problems with it. I believe it is an anticonvulsant, (used for epilepsy, etc.) as are several other drugs used for BP.

I hope things go well with you.

DJ

I also have bipolar II. I was taking Lithium. It was doing okay but when I added Lamictal to the mix WOW did I feel better. BTW, I take 200mg of Lamictal and 600mg of Lithium.