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Reviews
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LuLu80
Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: Alabama
Posts: 47
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Mon November 12, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.67| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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Decreases my irritability and the severity of mood swings
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CONS:
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Price (my stupid insurance company!)
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I'm diagnosed with depression but my doc thought Lamictal would be a good addition to Lexapro because of my irritability. Not perfect, but great improvement with no side effects.
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Eleora
Member
Registered: May 2006
Location: Canada and D.C.
Posts: 359
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Tue October 23, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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Not many side effects, doesn't make me sleepy
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CONS:
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Weird dreams
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I've found this medication to be pretty good. Doesn't control my moods as much as I wish it would (might have to add another med), but it's pretty low on side effects. I'm at 200mg, and I haven't had any problems.
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saintsandsinners
New Member
Registered: September 2007
Location: prairies
Posts: 1
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Sun September 16, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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wonderful anti-depressant
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CONS:
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allergic/ sensitive to drug
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I am writing this in the hopes that I might save someone's life. I realised I was a manic-depressive and hand-picked Lamictal to try because of it's lack of side effects. Within the first few days, I developed a bumpy red rash on my neck. It was like sunburn/windburn. It hurt and peeled and was embarrassing. I was determined to give this drug another try though. (I got this reaction from taking as little as 15mg a day or less.) My primary doc. advised me to stop, but I stubbornly sought another way. I researched the web, which can be a wonderful tool, and one doc suggested re-trying at very, very small doses. So I literally took maybe 2mg a day for weeks and had no ill effects. I got to a psych.doc and he upped me slowly. I was at 200mg and there for a few good months. I still felt a sense of unfullfillment, but by far this was the first drug I had ever taken that resolved depression. I knew what it felt like to be "not depressed". So we decided to press the dose to 400mg. I went up 50mg about every 4 to 5 days. This may have been too fast, but I think ultimately this drug was toxic to me. I suddenly felt short of breath, in an anxious way, couldn't sleep and just felt "not myself." After 5 nights of no sleep, I cracked. My husband took me to an emergency room because I thoguht I was going to stop breathing. It was most likely a very bad panic attack/allergic reaction.(my tongue was swollen and I itched in other areas.) I was switched to a new drug and then re-met with my doc. We decided to start out slow all over again. After 2 days of taking 12mg on day one and 6mg on day 2, I felt like I was going crazy again. I was home alone and terrified. I called my doctor at home. This is something I would not normally do. I took 2mg of Ativan and still felt highly anxious. I had to make the heart-breaking choice to stop this treatment. It was the first thing that has really helped my depression and I was sad to see it go. On the second try, I had experienced suicidal thoughts because I knew I could not go on like that(not even for another day.) I have taken Accutane in the past for acne. Before it, I regurlarly had fever blisters. After, it was as if my skin dried up and I didn't get blisters anymore. I think had it not been for the Accutane, that I would have blistered and indicated a problem to Lamictal. However, it was not apparant. Only I knew that something was terribly wrong. For those who find relief with this drug, I congratulate you because it is very good. I just want people to know that even though the side effects are rare, that still means it can happen to you. Listen to your body and sometimes things don't seem to make logical sense. If I had blisters on my body, I have no doubt that my doctor would have said no to continuing the drug at all. He thoguht I was just having panic attacks and a mild rash that would eventually die down. But because I knew that it was not just an ordinary panic attack, I called him. Be careful with this drug because only you know your body best. For example, on the second low-dose day I developed two pimples. I thought they were pimples, but they felt more like blisters. Don't discount something you think is nothing because it could be something. Today after having stopped, the things that I thought were pimples have gone down. I hope this helps someone who reads it who might be feeling the same way or just so they can know to be safe and smart. (This is especially for those patients who may have taken Accutane prior to Lamictal. The evidence of blisters may not occur if your skin has dried up.)
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Prada
Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 26
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Fri September 14, 2007
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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None
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CONS:
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Extreme mood instability
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I was on this for a month before I stopped taking it on my own(couldn't wait a month to see the doctor). I got progressively more and more irritable and angry. Starting hitting myself, screaming, and laughing for no reason when I took it. Will never take it or recommend it.
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Merlin
Magnate
Registered: May 2004
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2316
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Sat August 25, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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an anti-depressant mood stabilizer
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CONS:
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losing efficacy
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A few months ago I would have rated it higher, but it no longer seems to be working as well for me.
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Anonymous
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Sat August 25, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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Doesn't make me sleepy at all!
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CONS:
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Had some sexual affects but they are decreasing
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I'll give it a 6 now because I am two weeks into it at the 25mg dose. I also take Prozac and Adderall. I think I might need Adderall increased because it feels less effective since starting Lamictal.
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lhanson
Junior Member
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 7
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Tue August 21, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Helped with depression and mania
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CONS:
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Caused excessive tiredness
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Helped with depression and mania for a while, but didn't completely solve the problem. The sleepiness caused by it was almost unbearable. I'd sleep close to 14 hours a day sometimes. Once I shifted to taking it at night and lowered the dosage, the sleepiness got better. The fact that it has such little side effects is good.
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mamakitty
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Sun July 22, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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mood is stable
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CONS:
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none that I notice
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works so far!
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drummergrl
Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 218
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Fri July 6, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Has helped stabilize my mood swings totally......like day and night.
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CONS:
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occassional tremors, but duly noted by physician
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I was diagnosed with Bi-polar 1 Disorder last Dec. '06. I went through a number of months on Depakote, but didn't like the side effects or the dosage I was taking. I found Lamitcal online and asked my doctor about trying it. I'm so glad I did. It made a big difference in how I'm managing my Bi-polar episodes. I do not have too many nowadays, as before I was having at least 2 a week. This drug has been a God send for me. I would reccommend it to anyone. I also take Luvox for my depression.
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Nellie
Junior Member
Registered: June 2007
Posts: 9
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Wed June 27, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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helps with mood stability A LOT
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CONS:
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easy bruising, the "Lamictal headache," difficulty concentrating, sometimes mild aphasia and other memory problems
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I was diagnosed with bipolar II over a year ago, and I have been taking Lamictal ever since that time.
My experience with Lamictal has been very positive. It helps with my depressive episodes a lot. Unfortunately, there is no miracle drug to cure bipolar disorder, but this is probably as good as it gets. I still cycle, but the episodes are about a tenth as severe as they would be without. If I'm cycling and I miss a dose, I can definitely feel the difference.
The thing I've noticed about Lamictal is that people are hesitant to say anything bad about it because it is such a wonderful drug and it works very well. But some things have definitely changed since I've started taking the medicine.
The physical side effects that I've experienced are headaches and easy bruising, and whenever I do bruise, it takes much longer to heal. I started taking some vitamin supplements and that seem to help (a multivitamin and vitamin K).
The mental side effects are much more difficult to realize because they are subtle. But as a person who writes often, I've found myself unable to find the right words to express what I want to say. I also frequently have difficulty concentrating, and sometimes in a conversation, I blank out or lose the thought I was having. This only ever happened to me before during a depressive episode when my mind felt cloudy. But now I hardly ever feel depressed and my thinking doesn't feel cloudy anymore, and yet this keeps happening. The aphasia (a disorder where it is difficult to find words) and the memory loss might be pure speculation on my part. But I have a few bipolar friends who have told me that difficulty concentrating has been a problem for them ever since starting Lamictal.
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this drug, as it has helped me put my life back together. The side effects I've had are miniscule compared to the side effects that I've heard with other drugs prescribed for bipolar disorder. I just thought that I would share both the good and the bad that come with taking Lamictal.
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PiperWilson
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007
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Fri April 27, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Mood stabilizer
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CONS:
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none
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(y)
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DePressMe
Grand Magnate
Registered: March 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 3921
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Fri April 27, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.66| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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No side effects
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CONS:
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Takes a long time to find the right dose
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Helped stabilize my mood swings. It took forever to titrate up to a workable dose, but the wait was worth it.
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Roxme
New Member
Registered: March 2007
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1
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Sun March 25, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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its worked great for me as a mood stabilizer
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CONS:
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makes my hands tingle alot, like they are asleep
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I've only been taking this for about 2 months now, but its been a good thing so far. I feel alot better.
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adamsgirl
Member
Registered: July 2006
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 56
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Sun March 4, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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it worked well for me for about a year
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CONS:
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i developed a bad rash and itching
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this medicine worked very well for me--unfortunately i developed a bad rash and had to stop taking it
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Anonymous
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Thu March 1, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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good medicine, i didnt have any side effects when i was on this. i was on it for over 2 years
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bizi
Bizi is bizi
Registered: November 2005
Location: cajun country
Posts: 11142
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Sun January 28, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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like the some what anti depressant qualities as a mood stablizer 200mg at nite
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CONS:
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needed to take geodon under stressful situations. I am bp1
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Been happy with this med due to increased motivation to get up early and go to the gym...started to go back to the gym after a 2 month hiatus,
3-15-07 update...still really like the lamictal feeling really well, hopefully stay on this for a very long time. I still have not been able to get up to go to the gym....sigh
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WinterRose
Grand Poohbah
Registered: January 2007
Location: here 'n there
Posts: 1647
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Fri January 26, 2007
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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works well with other medications
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CONS:
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dissolves quickly and tastes bitter
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My only complaint is that I have had to buy gel caps and crush the drug and repackage it so I can actually swallow it because of the bitterness.
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jlove973
Grand Magnate
Registered: October 2006
Location: I think I\'m in the US?
Posts: 4593
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Tue November 14, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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I take it with other mood stabalizers works well together
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CONS:
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Bad dry mouth
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I like it. I have been on it for about 3 years as well. I too would recommend it.
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Kikique
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2006
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Fri November 10, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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works like a charm
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CONS:
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did get the "rash", but lowered dosage and been ok. sexual side effect
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this med has been a lifesaver for me. i would recommend it to any bipolar II person.
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bipolar_bear
Wise Elder
Registered: August 2005
Posts: 8106
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Mon September 25, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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works well in conjunction with other mood stabalizers
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CONS:
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none
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I have taken this med for many years now. In combination with some other mood stabalizers it was part of the combination that finally stabalized my mood.
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Sun September 24, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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works well to combat my depression
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CONS:
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none that I can tell
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Been on this about 4 yrs. for bipolar I (with other drugs). Seems to work well for depression.
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darkeyes
Elder
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6684
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Mon September 18, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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non drowsy,no weight gain,and has a great anti-depressant quality
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CONS:
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none,that I have experienced
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I have found Lamictal to be terrific,after trying meds of this kind,previously.
I highly suggest it for those with Bipolar-II,suffering more with depression,than mania.
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lenjan
Grand Magnate
Managing Editor, PC
Registered: April 2004
Location: Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 4572
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Sat September 9, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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terrific mood stabilizer
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CONS:
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well, it almost killed me......
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I really miss my Lamictal! Takes forever to titrate up the dose safely, but once you're at a therapeutic dose, it works wonderfully well, or did for me, at least.
On the downside, it caused mouth ulcers, thrush, and aplastic anemia -- a condition in which your bone marrow shuts down almost completely and stops producing all 3 kinds of cells. It's in the fine print if you read it, but who reads it? This is a good time to start -- I'm lucky to be alive.
Sure did work well on my mood, though!
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DaveyJones
Grand Member
Registered: September 2005
Location: Big Orange Country
Posts: 912
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Fri September 8, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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Works well in conjuction with lithium...it has virtually ended my bipolar depression.
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CONS:
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None
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By taking Lamictal along with lithium I have been able to discontinue all SSRI's (I still take trazodone for sleep). I feel better than I have for 10 years. A miracle, in my book.
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Anonymous
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Sun July 2, 2006
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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Mood Stabilizer. Lengthens the time between manic and depressive episodes. It works well in conjunction with other medications like lithium. No weight gain.
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CONS:
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May cause drowsiness. Possible very dangerous rash but extremely rare and only if the dosage is raised too quickly.
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I have been taking lamictal for three years now in conjunction with other meds. and it along with my psych. and therapist have kept me much more stable.
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