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Lamotrigine experiences to share?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 11/29/2012 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

Long story short...after many years of not knowing how to help my daughter (now 22)...and knowing that she was affected by some mood disorder, Bipolar, BPD, possible ADD...something, we had a doctor give her a dx of Bipolar 2. (she was tested for Bipolar 1 as a teen and it was eliminated as a possibility)

He recommended therapy, which she has had some in the past, so I will be finding a therapist here in our area for her to see, since she has moved back home...

but I also wanted to know of your opinion/experiences with the Rx that he prescribed.  It is Lamotrigine, and I am unfamiliar with this med, so any insight would be appreciated.

Also, if anyone would just like to share some basics of BP2 with me, I would appreciate it, as I am just learning.

I will also continue to steer her here towards the forum...I mentioned it yesterday, and maybe she will join in!:)

Thank you all and look forward to talking to you soon.

Scaredy Cat

Posted 11/29/2012 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cat,

Lamictal/Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure med that is used as a mood stabilizer. Mood stablizers either control mania or depression. Lamictal controls depression.

Lamictal is generally well tolerated and the intial side effects subside. After 2 years on and off Lamictal on a range of doses, I no longer have side effects - even with dose changes, starting and stopping it.

I think the best book out there is "Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder". It's small, and easy read, and tremendously helpful!
Posted 11/29/2012 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Chloe,

Thank-you so much for your input!! I will get that book for sure.:)

I will keep you posted on how she does!

All the best.

S.C.
Posted Yesterday 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat,

Hello, and i'm sorry your daughter is struggling as well. i have been on Lamotrigine (lamictal). i to, have been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder for a couple years now. My experience w/lamictal has been great. i am on the max dose and just a few months ago they introduced Abilify to add with the lamicatal. i am also on a list of other meds, but lamictal has stabalized me for the better.

Per DSM-IV...Bipolar

*Depressed mood most of the day, feeling sad or empty, tearful

*Significant loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable

*Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain, decrease or increase in apetite

*Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

*Agitation, or slowing down of thoughts & reduction of physical movements

*Fatigue of loss of energy

*Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

*Poor concentration or having difficulty making decisions

*Thinking about death or suicide

i just put this together for my Nami Bipolar/Depression Womens Group. Now i have not added in there manic or hypomania episodes. Hypomania is more prevalent with Bipolar 2 and Manic is more with Bipolar 1. Not to say you can't have either.

Hope this helps some: Serenity537

Bipolar 2, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, OCD, Anxiety/Depression, Chronic Pain...List of medications and 17 surgeries

Posted Yesterday 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Serenitee! That is very helpful.:)

I don't see the depression manifest itself in the form of her being sad so much...it is more in anxiety, frustration, combative behavior, anger and thinking that everyone is against her, ect.

She does have sleeping problems and poor concentration (we thought it was ADD for the longest time) Her hypomania states would be evident in talking extremely loud and fast...and all the time.;) Having 'The best idea ever!!' and starting many projects that ultimately are rarely finished

I know that everybody has many of these things in their personalities from time to time...but these are extreme and all of the time.

Does this ring true for anyone? Should we feel confident in her dx?

Thanks again!

S.C.
Posted Today 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I am BP2 with mixed mood. I'm on Lamictal and I love it. I have experienced barely any side effects, no weight gain on it and im on the highest dosage. I do have weight gain due to my abilify, but nothing with lamictal. I hope the same for you. Best Wishes!
Posted 12/3/2012 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for sharing! I am glad to see that there are positive experiences being shared here...

However, she is on day three and seems to be having a meltdown. The doctor and pharmacist said that it could take up to 2 weeks for improvement, so I don't know if this is just her normal cycle...

or if she is having a reaction?

I know that with SSRI's you can get worse before you get better...but this is a different classification of med. Can it happen with this one as well?

I will call the doctor tomorrow...but if anyone can shed some light as well, I would be grateful!

S.C.
Posted 12/3/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
It'll be like 6 weeks before her dose will be high enough to work. It's started out at a very low dose to avoid a potentially fatal side effect. She should start having results after 2 weeks of a therapeutic dose. For many, that is between 100 and 150 mg.
Posted 12/3/2012 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yea I'm with Chloe. It takes several weeks.
Posted 12/3/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both so much! I can't tell you how relieved I am to finally have a dx...however, there is such a mix of emotions for both of us of course...

...and as her mom, it is scary and hard to see her go through all of this and to worry on top of it that she might be having a reaction to the meds...but your responses are very reassuring!

I will continue to post with updates, and questions, I'm sure!!

Thanks again.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/3/2012 7:56 AM (GMT 0)
I FIND IT VERY HELPFUL, ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH
OTHER MOOD STABILISERS. USE OF CAPS DUE TO SEVERE VISION LOSS.

WITH HEALING COMPASSION,
JAMIE.
Posted 12/3/2012 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
THANK YOU JAMIEE...THIS IS MOST REASSURING!:)

I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR VISION LOSS...MY MOTHER IS LOSING HER SIGHT DUE TO LOW PRESSURE GLAUCOMA.:(

IT IS DEVASTATING, BUT BOTH YOU AND SHE STILL LOVE TO HELP OTHERS AND THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING...THOUGH OUR BODIES MAY NOT ALWAYS BE AND DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO...THE SPIRIT TRIUMPHS...AND YOURS CERTAINLY SHINES BRIGHT MY FRIEND.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/4/2012 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
SORRY 2 HEAR about YA MUM SC. AND THX 4 THE KIND WORDS.
EXTRA THX 4 THE BLACK FONT, IT REALLY HELPS. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
MY DEAR FRIEND,

WITH HEALING COMPASSION,
JAMIE
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