bipolar, does lamictal help? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

poisonivy · 04-22-2008, 11:28 PM

i'm bipolar, been on lots of dif medications, nothing reallys seems to help, i currently been prescribed lamictal havent seen a change yet, i know it can take some time for it to start working. just wondering what some of experiences on lamictal has been with ppl.:atv

serenityqueen · 04-22-2008, 11:41 PM

Hi PoisonIvy!

I responded to your thread about Methadone/Suboxon and although I have no experience with lamictal, I just wanted to say I have noticed you asking a lot of people's opinions on different meds.

My question is, have you talked to a Dr. about these concerns? While I think it's great to ask people's opinions on their experience with different prescribed meds, I hope you are going to your Dr. with these questions and all others you may have.

Everyone is different therefore, not all meds work for everyone.

Glad you're sticking around with us, nice to see our "Little Family" growing!

God Bless,
Judy
:ghug2

***nandm*** · 04-23-2008, 12:31 AM

I have been on lamictal for nearly 2 years now. For the most part it works effectively for me but I do have to make sure that the anti-depressant medication is at an effective dose as well. I see my psych doc for med changes every 3 months and if med changes are made every month or more frequently until I am stable on the medication. In the past 7 years I have been put on a few different medications. I can not remember the names of all of them right now but would recognize them if I saw them. One made me gain a lot of weight so I had to get off that. Make sure that when you start a med that you realize it may take several weeks for your body to achieve a therapuetic level and until then the drug may or may not work as well as it could. Try and be patient, talk with your doctor. Everybody reacts differently to medications. What works for one well may be terrible for another. That is why it is best to be honest and communicate as openly with you doctor as possible.

reader · 04-23-2008, 11:00 AM

Hi, I really like Lamictal, for me it has no side effects. I don't think u will feel any different like u might on a antidepressant. It is more for the cycling and the mania of bipolar. Are u taking a AD? I know for myself it is only 1 part of my med. plan. Good luck finding a good fit for u , it is a process.

shutterbug · 04-23-2008, 10:53 PM

How long ago did you start the Lamictal?
What other mood stabalizers have you tried?
What dose are you on?

SkyeHigh · 04-26-2008, 03:28 PM

I just started on Lamictal about a week ago. Lithium and Invega was working well...but swelling up like a balloon wasn't so fun. Keep us updated with how it goes for you, and I wish you the best of luck.

-Skye

StayinAlive · 04-26-2008, 03:43 PM

after many years of trial and error with different meds it worked well as a stabilizer for me in conjunction with effexer and resperidal. But thats just me. Not even really sure if i was really BPII or just an active alcoholic.

04-22-2008, 11:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
poisonivy Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: somewhere outhere Posts: 6	bipolar, does lamictal help? i'm bipolar, been on lots of dif medications, nothing reallys seems to help, i currently been prescribed lamictal havent seen a change yet, i know it can take some time for it to start working. just wondering what some of experiences on lamictal has been with ppl.:atv

04-22-2008, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
serenityqueen Attitude of Gratitude Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,306	Hi PoisonIvy! I responded to your thread about Methadone/Suboxon and although I have no experience with lamictal, I just wanted to say I have noticed you asking a lot of people's opinions on different meds. My question is, have you talked to a Dr. about these concerns? While I think it's great to ask people's opinions on their experience with different prescribed meds, I hope you are going to your Dr. with these questions and all others you may have. Everyone is different therefore, not all meds work for everyone. Glad you're sticking around with us, nice to see our "Little Family" growing! God Bless, Judy :ghug2 __________________ Just when the Catterpillar thought her life was over, She became a Butterfly 7/25/05

04-23-2008, 12:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 6,579	I have been on lamictal for nearly 2 years now. For the most part it works effectively for me but I do have to make sure that the anti-depressant medication is at an effective dose as well. I see my psych doc for med changes every 3 months and if med changes are made every month or more frequently until I am stable on the medication. In the past 7 years I have been put on a few different medications. I can not remember the names of all of them right now but would recognize them if I saw them. One made me gain a lot of weight so I had to get off that. Make sure that when you start a med that you realize it may take several weeks for your body to achieve a therapuetic level and until then the drug may or may not work as well as it could. Try and be patient, talk with your doctor. Everybody reacts differently to medications. What works for one well may be terrible for another. That is why it is best to be honest and communicate as openly with you doctor as possible. __________________ NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.

04-23-2008, 11:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
reader Alcohol is a cruel mistress!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: crownpoint newyork Posts: 814	Hi, I really like Lamictal, for me it has no side effects. I don't think u will feel any different like u might on a antidepressant. It is more for the cycling and the mania of bipolar. Are u taking a AD? I know for myself it is only 1 part of my med. plan. Good luck finding a good fit for u , it is a process. __________________ Kerry __________Don't Tread On Me______________________ To Thine Own Self Be True!!!!

04-23-2008, 10:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	How long ago did you start the Lamictal? What other mood stabalizers have you tried? What dose are you on? __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).

04-26-2008, 03:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
SkyeHigh Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Amesbury, MA Posts: 16	I just started on Lamictal about a week ago. Lithium and Invega was working well...but swelling up like a balloon wasn't so fun. Keep us updated with how it goes for you, and I wish you the best of luck. -Skye

04-26-2008, 03:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
StayinAlive Crazy Cat Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Left Coast Posts: 455	after many years of trial and error with different meds it worked well as a stabilizer for me in conjunction with effexer and resperidal. But thats just me. Not even really sure if i was really BPII or just an active alcoholic. __________________ never stop growing

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