Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 338100

Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal

Posted by Cyleilo on April 20, 2004, at 12:30:29

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but not to depression. Tried lithium for Bipolar II many years ago, it didn't do much except make my hair fall out. Stopped it after a couple of years, did okay, then did poorly, tried Prozac for a couple of months, which made me completelly manic, so got off that. Lots of stresses for the past 9 years (i.e., had a baby at age 42, 3 years later had cancer and chemo/radiation, lots of sleep deprivation for the past 10 years). I collapsed into a serious depression last fall and now am faced with the decision to try Lamictal, or to try alternative approaches. I'm so afraid of drugs. So afraid of side effects. How can a depressed person make such a difficult decision? I don't have the energy. I was hoping alternative therapies my help. I did try fish oil (about 5 grams/day) for 3 months, but nothing much happened. There are other alternatives to try, but I don't think I have the energy or commitment needed to try them. I have a bottle of Lamictal and can't seem to bring myself to start. I'm just so afraid. But I'm desperate for some relief from this life which is wasting away. Does Lamictal work?

 

Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal

Posted by T_R_D on April 20, 2004, at 14:39:46

In reply to To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal, posted by Cyleilo on April 20, 2004, at 12:30:29

I'm just starting Lamictal and so far it's been fantastic. No other drug has helped me this much. I don't want to cast a negative light on things but I believe BP is best treated with permanent polypharmacy. I don't expect to ever be off drugs and I am BPII...rapid cycler etc...

Don't be scared. If the side effects are really bad then you can just stop taking the drug. Try something else. There are lots of things out there...some with less side effects than others.

 

Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal

Posted by Cyleilo on April 21, 2004, at 12:18:23

In reply to Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal, posted by T_R_D on April 20, 2004, at 14:39:46

Thanks, TRD. I hear great things about Lamictal. "Changed my life," said a friend who's tried everything else. I don't know why I'm so scared, except I had some less than positive experiences on other drugs some years ago. And, who wants to be on medication? Not me. What a pain. But life as I'm living it now is more painful. So I think I'm slowly accepting that this is my fate. Thanks for your input. Good luck to you.

 

Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal

Posted by T_R_D on April 22, 2004, at 12:03:18

In reply to Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal, posted by Cyleilo on April 21, 2004, at 12:18:23

Good luck to you too! I know about the battle with meds. One time, a long time ago I thought I would someday live medication-free...still a goal to shoot for but perhaps not so likely for little ol' bipolar me. And for the record, it's been three weeks on the Lamictal for me now and I join the fan club. I haven't felt like this in years.

Take care,
Karen

 

Re: To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal » Cyleilo

Posted by Viridis on April 22, 2004, at 22:25:05

In reply to To Lamictal, Or Not To Lamictal, posted by Cyleilo on April 20, 2004, at 12:30:29

I've found Lamictal a helpful adjunct to the other meds that I take (Klonopin and Adderall, mainly), and aside from slight activation at first had no problems at all. It seems to smooth out the rough edges, and I'll probably increase the dose (currently I'm at 100 mg/day).

Everyone's different, but I find it very gentle with no side effects. There is the rash issue, but doctors are so aware of this, and the titration schedule is so gradual, that it seems unlikely you'd run into problems as long as you watch carefully for any skin reaction and see a doctor immediately if anything pops up. This appears to be very rare and is mainly a problem in children.

I have a good friend who is bipolar I (classic "manic depression"), and he's benefitted tremendously from Lamictal. I have mood issues, but not as severe (although the depression can be awful) and Lamictal seems to help avoid the crashes. I can't tolerate the "standard" antidepressants I've tried (Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) at all, yet Lamictal is very different. My pdoc was leery about it at first but now says he's seen wonderful results in some of his patients and is very excited about this med. I really think it's worth a try.

Good luck!


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