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#1
Feb 05, 2015, 07:15 PM
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Why did my doctor prescribe both Lithium (900mg) and Lamictal (which will gradually increase) together? They both treat the same thing so I wonder why the need for both?
I think he means to keep me on Lamictal long term but I think he is mistaken. I think Lexapro(SSRI) just sent me spiraling into a bipolar manic episode, and once Lexapro is out of my system it should be back to normal. sigh I hope this doesn't become permanent damage too, like the wellbutrin gave me permanent brain damage, giving me anxiety and panic attacks for the rest of my life. I feel like the more I get treated the worse things get. When all is said is done, will I live a normal life even? I'm depressed. |
 Anonymous100173, Axiom, newtus
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#2
Feb 05, 2015, 07:25 PM
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I think the lamicital is for the depressed stage and the lithium is for both depression and mania.
The lexapro (most of it) should be out of your system. Unless the anxiety/mania/agitation started near when it's supposed to kick in for depression, the mania should be gone. I can see why Wellbutrin causes brain damage.. It's well known for causing seizures more than most stimulants and lamicital is a seizure medication. Just thinking.. Sorry you're dealing with this stupid * hopefully it'll get better. |
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#3
Feb 05, 2015, 07:33 PM
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The crying, and rage fits started two weeks into taking Lexapro, which is when it's suppose to kick in. So, it's not out of my system just yet. It will take a couple weeks. However, he wants to put me on Lithium for a few months and I think Lamictal indefinitely.
He still hasn't even addressed what's going to treat my anxiety and panic attacks either. I'm 99% sure Lamictal is a fart in the wind when it comes to treating it. At least from the articles, forum posts, and testaments I've gathered. |
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#4
Feb 05, 2015, 07:39 PM
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I found this on wiki..
"While traditional anticonvulsant drugs are predominantly antimanics, lamotrigine is most effective for preventing the recurrent depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. The drug seems ineffective in the maintenance of current rapid-cycling, mania, or depression bipolar disorder; however, it is effective at prophylaxis or delaying the mania, depressive, or rapid cycle". I guess it's just something that is like "I'm gonna put you on this in case it works and gives me time to treat the manic depression". But don't take my word. Personally, I'd rather be on the lithium alone if the lamicital causes such sedation. I like my brain zaps.. |
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#5
Feb 05, 2015, 07:41 PM
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You might want to cross post in the bipolar or meds forum or even schizoaffective since these meds are more commonly used for those illnesses.
__________________
Hugs! 
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#6
Feb 05, 2015, 07:50 PM
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yea i would try the bipolar or meds forum
__________________
"We're all born to broken people on their most honest day of living"
The Dopamine Flux www.thedopamineflux.com Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/MozePrayIII |
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#7
Feb 05, 2015, 08:50 PM
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Tried the bipolar community. My post fell still born.
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| Sometimes psychotic
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#8
Feb 05, 2015, 09:40 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Hugs!
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#9
Feb 05, 2015, 09:44 PM
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Lithium is for mood stability and can be added with an anti convulsant such as lamictal for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. It's usually a good combination for someone that does nto need an antipsychotic, but I've seen people on all three. I was going to go on lithium and lamictal, but once I was truthful about my hallucinations my old pdoc said lithium may not work well for me and to not bother trying which is what I was okay with.
__________________
"Unable are the Loved to die For Love is Immortality" -Emily Dickinson |
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#10
Feb 05, 2015, 09:49 PM
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People from the bipolar have responded. this is what I think is up: Lithium 900mg mood stabilizer for a few months because it's fast acting and is better for manic episodes, like the EXTREME HULK RAGE I was feeling. The Lamictal is a mood stabilizer is better for depression, which I'm more prone to. Since, I don't react well to SSRI's he will keep me on that one long term I believe. However, I might just taper myself down from it after awhile. I really don't mind depression to a certain degree. I find it inspiring.
As for the anxiety and panic attacks. Who knows what the **** my doctor is thinking. I believe he dropped the ball on this one or is running out humane solutions. To be honest, I'm happy I'm off the SSRI. It took away my muse. |
 newtus
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#11
Feb 05, 2015, 10:40 PM
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i find docs misdiagnose and claim something small is something big enough to ruin your body, brain and life. All thanks to capitalist fat cats bidding on what drug goes with what diagnosis..to bankroll their lofty college bills and summer homes.
__________________
I will never believe im mentally ill because i always believe in logic, reason and scientific observation. |
| Takeshi
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#12
Feb 06, 2015, 06:11 PM
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The more stories of similar stories to my own the more I learn doctors just don't know in this case.
What did happen was the SSRI I was taking triggered symptoms of Bipolar 1: Manic and depressive episodes. Doctors, including my own, don't know if it was just going to happen in the future anyway, that I had bipolar dormant. Or that this could all just go away after months of treatment with Lithium and Lamictal. I hate uncertainty. Regardless, I'm a pragmatic person. The lithium is temporary (3 months) and the lamictal will stay and treat depression and might mask bipolar 1 if I do have it too. I'm collecting quite the resume of disorders. God, I'm a wreck. Moving in with my mother now. Seeing doctors constantly. My home is a wreck. I barely have nough energy to brush my teeth. It's amazing that I still get up in the morning and white-knuckle it to work. __________________ |
| Sometimes psychotic
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#13
Feb 06, 2015, 06:32 PM
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Quote:
I know the med changes and uncertainty suck but are you at least feeling better? Have the rages and panic attacks stopped?
__________________
Hugs!
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#14
Feb 06, 2015, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Sunday at the library I felt agitated so I left and it only grew into anger... then extreme rage that didn't subside until late at night. It was horrible. So if this weekend is stable then that's an improvement! All I want to do in life is read, write and drink once in awhile. I'm not very dependent on external things, but when my mental life is robbed my soul is crushed. |
| Sometimes psychotic
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#15
Feb 06, 2015, 07:05 PM
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Quote:
While it's no doubt different given how differently we think about things after I got sick and couldn't function at the same level I told my mom I must know how it would feel to have acid thrown on a beauty queen like its the worst thing that could happen to someone who prized that attribute. To have my brain not function when all my life I was praised for that one thing....well it's terrible. Thing is after enough time/brain training and med reductions I'm back to where I was....that's the key thing...there is recovery...the mind is resilient...hold on to that.
__________________
Hugs!
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