Lamictal fears?? am I crazy??

Oh Tondalaya, your pdoc is very naughty! -- He/she should never say something like this without fully explaining!! The risk of death is only present if you develop a serious skin reaction to the med. Many people get a slight rash at first, and, since it isn't clear at that stage if this will develop into the more serious skin condition patients are told that they should always contact their pdoc if this appears and have this evaluated by them. Apart from that, I have heard both rave reviews and negative ones about Lamictal: as always it depends on the person -- #1 rule: different meds work differently for different people. It may be your godsend, or it may be something that doesn't help and you'll need to change, but you won't know until you (and your pdoc) have given it a go (and it normally takes up to 12 weeks for the meds to have their full effect -- unless you have to discontinue because of adverse reactions -- and oyu should only ever do that with the full support and cooperation of your pdoc). Ooooh, I am cross at some pdocs: too many of them recently seem to be giving very little information or saying things tactlessly.

I'd advise you to get a book on bp that will help you find out more about your meds, and all the other bp stuff (although of course still come here and ask and join in too!!!). Websites tend to give minimal or very "clinical" info. I'm always recommending one particular book because it just opened my eyes and took the scare out of bp so much (as did coming here): it's by David Miklowitz and is called "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide". I'm constantly referring back to it too -- money *very* well spent! You can get a copy through the Resources/Books section of this side (accessed by the yellow link in the column on the right of this page).

I'm off to bed in a sec, but know that I will go there shaking my head in disappointment at you pdoc for causing such worry!!

Rosie x

Hi Tondalaya,

Any chance you can find a new pdoc? If this is not the only instance of naughtiness (i.e. this isn't just her having a bad day) I would think you'd be more comfortable (and potentially *safer*!!) working with someone more competent!

I know there are all sorts of reasons why this may not be possible, but I really worry about the damage some of these pdocs ca do by not being clear and precise.

You are totally welcome to any help I can give you hun.

Rosie x

Lamictal has worked well for me. I take it with lithium and an antidepressant, lexapro. I also take klonipin for anxiety. I have had a difficult time lately, but that has been personal and a mix up with my lexapro dosage. If you want to find out what a lot o people have to say about lamictal and other medicatons, they are rated according to their effectivness, side effects, cost, ect. on a site called remedyfind.com. If you go there you will find lots of posts about different psych. meds as well as meds for other illnesses. It's a very informative site, and the people rating the medications are consumers like ourselves. I hope lamictal works for you. I know you hae to take it slow going on it, but it's worth it. For many , it's been a miracle drug.

Good Luck

Judy

Hi Briar -- great to see you!

LOL -- yes, good pdocs seem to be a rare thing don't they!

Great link suggestion -- thanks! :)

Rosie x