Considering Lamictal or the Generic Version...

I am pretty sure that i need a mood stabilizer added to the Cymbalta that I am almost finished with my 3rd week of, but I dont think that the Depakote (divalproex generic) would be a good choice, as I have been reading that it can cause more testosterone in females and ovarian issues....anyone on Lamictal or the generic and have good things to say about it, or anything to say? I am very interested in female response, and my moods are generally depressed these days and I hear that this drug helps with the depression part, the hypomania I have is very irritability and anger and snapping....sounds fun huh! I am 30 and have 3 kiddos and will not have any more as I know these meds are not good for pregnancy and we are done with having babies...

Any input is appreciated!

I'm new to this forum - I am newly diagnosed with BP2 - my manic - as well is a snippy attitude. I'm currently on 50mg of Lamictal - working my way to 100 in a couple of weeks. It has been a miracle drug - really wonderful - I'm feeling great - happy - pleasant to be around. I find myself saying I feel happy just about daily....wish is very much out of the norm for me. I wish you luck.

Pam

I'm also on Gabapentin and Wellbutrin - really - I do feel better.

Are any of you taking an anti-depressant as well as the Lamictal?? Looks like the brand name would be better than the generic, is that true? I would be adding Lamictal to Cymbalta if my moods keep changing rapidly like they are now as I am in 2nd week of Paxil Withdrawal -- yeah its no fun :)

This is my first post but I'm on 100mg of lamictal right now and I'm an 18 year old female, sooo...

It seems to be working for me right now. Been on it for...a month or so? Might need the dosage upped soon, but I've been feeling incredibly stable. Which is miraculous, since I was cycling so fast and then they put me on lexapro for my depression (when they thought it was depression) and I went hypomanic then stopped lexapro and then had to get hospitalized for a few days because of a mega suicide scare...so

P.S. My psychiatrist says that lamictal and lamitrogene (its general name) work the exact same, and lamitrogene just costs less. Also, neither of my psychiatrists have ever personally seen a lamictal rash (extremely, extremely rare).

Hi Berry,

I've been on Lamictal 150 mg in addition to lithium (and now also Zyprexa) for +/- 4 months for bipolar II. It takes a while to get started on it, because you have to increase very slowly, as I'm sure your doctor will tell you.

For me, the Lamictal has helped with my depression, but not a huge amount. Although for me it's more about prevention than treatment, because unfortunately, nothing really seems to help me there.

My doctor has me taking the brand name, because he is concerned about the variability of the generics for this medication. The brand name is more expensive for sure, although you can get a coupon either from your doctor or online that takes $40 off of each prescription.

If you get the brand name, you can either get the regular tablets, or the ODT form, which dissolves in your mouth. When I started the Lamictal, I was using the ODT form. It was tolerable at low doses, but at the higher doses it tasted pretty gross, so I opted to go with the tablets. The 150 mg tablets are kind of large & hard to swallow (because they are shaped like a big shield), but at least you don't have to taste them.

Hope you find some of this helpful. Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow. It's all about finding what is right for YOU.

Skeye