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Has anyone been prescribed Lamictal for depression, Bi-polor or anxiety?

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Posted 10/21/2007 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi - I have had a terrible bout of depression and anxiety.

First started with Zoloft 100 mg for almost two months.

Then added Lamictal about a month ago. I was given the starter pack, and am now
on the 100 mg. Will start 200 mg later this week.

I am keeping my fingers crossed, because I believe I may be breaking through - at least starting to.

I had headaches when I started on the Lamictal but they seem to have subsided.

I do take naps when I get tired, but hey, that's depression.

I pray for all of you and myself that we will heal from this horrible disease of depression.
I also hope the anxiety goes away.

Blessings to all.

I'll try to return and keep you updated, any questions please let me know.
Posted 10/24/2007 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
so far I have been on my 5th week of taking lamictal, just started to take the 100mg, I feel like it has been positive and I know I am not trying to jump to conclusions but I feel like it is good so far I will see.
I hope to stay on 100mg, I do not want to worry about increasing my dosage too much.

Also I am a bit scared cause I heard from people that sometimes depression meds can backfire and suicidal thoughts can occur, I find that weird, is there anything that might be associated with that theory if that is true?

thank you for everyones comments and etc. I really appreciate it. :)
Posted 2/12/2008 6:00 AM (GMT 0)

miagolano said...
i am currently on wellbutrin 300mg a day. it doesn't seem to be working that well.

...but, after spending yet another beautiful day on my couch sleeping most of the day because i just can't seem to get myself to move, i feel like i have no other choice but to try lamictal.
peace!

hello,

I was just browsing this forum because I was prescribed lamictal for my depression. I never heard of it, so I checked the internet and was SHOCKED to discover that it's used to treat bipolar disorder! I was actually thinking of not taking it-- I'm not bipolar, nor am I familiar w/the medications and I was concerned about long-term effects etc.-- but I continued to look into lamictal for depression only, which led me here.

Miagolano, I quoted your post because I related to two things-- taking wellbutrin which didn't seem to be working, and not wanting to spend another beautiful day on sleeping on my couch. That resonated really strongly as that is basically what I do EVERY DAY (if I don't have to go anywhere).

I hope people will please continue to post their experiences with Lamictal for depression because this is so new to me and I'm a little apprehensive. I noticed several people mention treatment-resistant depression which is why I think it's been prescribed to me. I've been on Celexa, which I think worked but that was a long time ago, and for whatever reason, the dr. I saw today didn't pursue it. I've also been on Wellbutrin during which I continued to sleep on my couch, but I did stop smoking! And, I just started taking Effexor. I've been on it for 2 weeks, and the dr. thinks I should have seen something, so she's weaning me off of that and starting me on the Lamictal.

Any and all thoughts, experiences, and advice are greatly appreciated. I'm so relieved to have found this forum!

many many thanks,
sab
Posted 8/16/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
miagolano-

I was diagnosed for depression about 10 years ago. I had been taking Paxil for a long time, but didn't feel much different, but at least I tolerated it better than Lexapro, Celexa, & others.

Then I had a genetic test done. This specific test consists of taking a DNA sample and checking to see if the genes for producing certain liver enzymes exist - enzymes needed for the body to process about 80% of all medications we take. One of the key enzymes for SSRI's and the like is PY450 2D6. The test showed that I do not have the gene to produce 2D6! No wonder I didn't have much success. In fact, since I have no 2D6, it explains why the side effects I had on the other SSRI's (other than Paxil) were so bad - since they weren't being metabolized, they were becoming toxic in my system (kind of like an overdose).

With this in hand, my doctor just switched me to Lamictal for my depression. Lamictal does not depend on 2D6. Unfortunately (or fortunately, in this case) I have a lot of experience with Lamictal. Both my wife and son have been diagnosed with BiPolar, and have been on Lamictal for a couple of years. Lamictal is the only reason my wife and son  can get along, 'cause if they were both in a manic phase they couldn't control their anger.

Yes, there are risks with Lamictal, as with all medications, but if you start slowly and very gradually work with your doctor to achieve a therapeutic level, it is a relatively safe and potentially life-changing medication.

Best wishes for finding what will help you.



P.S. I have no affiliation with the company, but here is the website of the company that did my test. THere's a lot of informational content that I haven't found elsewhere (outside of medical textbooks). www.signaturegenetics.com

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 8/15/2008 8:34:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2008 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
 

My daughter is 22 and and has bipolar disorder with oppositional defiance.  Each is week a different girl

arguementative everyone else wrong, then vindictive anger,then crying and very depressed, then nice and normal. I have tried to help in every way but she didn't want it. She would not stay on a med long enough to see if it worked. She resorted to self

medicate. I would never wish this on anyone. 

Her life was in turmoil and she lost her boyfriend to drugs.

 I felt I needed to share others so they will seek out the right help

 I have had anxiety and depression all my life. I dealt with major stress for a long time. till a tragedy hit our family  I became ill I could not eat,lost 30 lbs in a month, didn't sleep and started feeling the physical symptons of anxiety (which scared me) I needed to be healthy for my 6 yr old and new grand daughter that I was now gaurdian of.  I also need to be strong and not unable my 20yr old and deal with all the feelings I had.

Then I realized I really needed help. Many docters tried to help until one said I can't help you.  She sent me to my psychiatrist. He tired dif meds till he found the right mix. 

On  Lamectal I felt a little better. he wanted to help me with the depression. I thought I was fine but tried  150mg of lamectal (NO RASH) and 20 mg of celexa.  With in 2 weeks I felt better then I ever had.  It was like a doom cloud lifted.  Stress still exists but I can deal with it. I am happpier then I have been ever been. My concerned family & friends see that.  I have gained the weight back and some but I never want to go back.  I am amazed. I realized that I need to care of me first to be healthy enough to take good care of my family.   

 

Posted 10/15/2008 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brenviastar,

Welcome to HealingWell depression forum. I think that you will be very glad that you came here.

I am so happy that you found the medication that works for you. Sometimes that can take years and there are those of us who never find what is right. So you are one of the lucky ones.

I am sorry for the problems with your daughter. I hope soon that she comes to realize that she needs the medications to help her. And I hope that she gives them a chance.

There is a thread of introduction, you might want to post on there, or start a thread of your own, for this is an older one.

Keep your chin up and enjoy your day.

Keep posting,
hugs, Karen
Posted 10/16/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)

Hello and Welcome to HealingWell.

I am Kitt and I am so happy you found a combo that works for you.  My Pdoc prescribed Lamictal for me as a mood elevator but I was so afraid of the side effects that I only took one or two and then stopped the med.

I am very happy that it is working for others.

Your story about your daughter is so sad.  Thank you for sharing.

Kitt

Posted 5/2/2009 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,Im not bipolar,but i was on abilify and dr stopped it i was on a low 2 mg dose since jan 09.Today is my 4th daay on Lamictal 25 mg. and i feel more depressed.............Im scared to take more has anyone else felt this way so soon after starting it? Im kinda worried about the rash.I also take KLonopin.Im not sure how i will get a reply from anyone But i hope I do.............I could use some advice IM down enough without getting worse...........I cant take ssris.
Posted 5/6/2009 3:30 PM (GMT 0)

I was on lamictal for a short while.  It has an "off label" use as a mood stabilizer and I did quiet well on it at first as I have done in the past with all my medications.  As the dose was increased I had alot of annoying side effects (I am the side effect queen), but I am sure it works well for people who can tolerate it.  Do remember sleeping wonderfully on it though.

Good luck and give it time to work.

Gem

Posted 5/6/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
i stopped the lamictal due to sweating and worse depression and went back on abilify as i had been on it 3 months but its seems to cause me dizziness and balance problems dont know what to do or who long the abilify will be before it starts working
Posted 10/8/2010 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Edit:  Multiple identical posts in the same topic forum are  not permitted. I have deleted this post as you have the identical post in another thread. I realize you may not have been aware of this rule.  Thank your for your undertanding. 

Kindly,

Kitt 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 10/8/2010 7:48:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/26/2010 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
hi guys, i was just prescribed lamotrigine (generic for lamictal. i went to the docs today to get my meds adjusted as i have anxiety and depression.

i cant stop worrying about things...so the doc prescribed this new med.i looked it up and iam confused like many i have read on here. i can hardly find anything about this med being used for anxiety.well except for here.
i take 25 mg for 5 days then i take 50 mg after that.

i hope this is a good med.
Posted 10/26/2010 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Re: Lamictal
My doctor said that the rash is extremely rare, one in 15,000 I believe, occurs during the first 2 wks, or during dose increases, is easy to spot as it is "all over" you, and any ER you go to will know what to do for it, just go ASAP.

So, I didn't worry about it, and have since read many people have had marvelous results with it.

As with all meds, it takes 4-6 wks to work. Don't know why, it just does. Have to be patient. Its not easy. May not feel so well yet, but just think 6 wks from now you will have at least have done something in an attempt to get relief, and voila - maybe you will see a big difference. Hope so
Posted 8/5/2011 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
 I know this post was written some time ago, but I wanted to reply anyway. I have severe depression with anxiety. Last year I prescribed Lamictal to supplement my Paxil CR. It has really helped a lot. I sometimes take it if I am having too much anxiety where I cannot sleep or feel like thoughts are racing in my head.
Posted 9/14/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)


I have had trouble with anti-depressant resistance all my life, for on and off depression. I tried all the big name anti-depressants. Paxil worked the best for for awhile. But then it also seemed to not work as well after a year. Then a friend I knew was on Lithium. She suggested I try it as she was on it for Bi-Polar. I didn't feel I met the criteria for Bi-Polar, but I talked my doctor into it. I was desperate. It seemed to work, and work well and pretty fast. (a couple of weeks). Lithium does have quite a few side effects and I had several. When they were all acting up, it was putting in bed until they subsided. But it was worth it.

Then, my friends doctor put her on Lamictal with the Lithium. She thought it helped even more. So I ask my doctor for the Lamictal. I tapered of the Lithium and started with 50 mg of Lamictal for two weeks. No side effects. The up to 100 mg for two weeks, I started to feel better; Much better. Then I finally topped out at the recommended dosage of 200 mg. I have been on it for two years now. Sometimes I forget to take it. I tried one pill every other day. Then I tried backing down to 100mg. I didn't notice any difference between 100 mg and 200 mg. So I have backed down to 100 mg. To me, it has been a wonder drug. I have had NO side effects, I feel like a normal person again. I don't feel down all the time. I feel like what I feel most normal people do.

Before I took Lamictal, I researched it thoroughly. While it is prescribed as an anti-convulsant. it is used off label for the treatment of Bi-polar and Uni-Polar. Unipolar is either manic, or depressive moods, most all the time. It is also used to treat depression that is anti-depression medication resistant. Uni-polar and anti-depression medication resistant was the description of the symptoms I had. I am part Native American and many Indians drink a lot of beer and alcohol. I would say 50-60 percent of Indians drink everyday. It is believed that we have a gene that makes us prone to depression. A lot of Indians are poor so they can't afford medications, so they choose a six pack or cheap wine. Bottom line is, I suggest Lamictal to anyone who has the same symptoms as I. Being the fact that I had NO side effects, and it noticeably worked within two weeks, it was a miracle drug to me. It still is. I am a supervisor and have to be strong for my 60 subordinates. I can't have outbursts so I turn my anger or problems inward. I always have. Anger turned inward is depression. Anger turned outward is aggression. I am more focused now, I don't sweat the small things anymore, I don't get very angry anymore, and if I do, it usually goes away if I remove myself from the situation for a few minutes.

For the people that have been prescribed Lamictal, there are a ton of drug interactions. Over 400! It is mainly because it will enhance the other drug that you are taking. If you take Xanax, with Lamictal, it will enhance the effects of the Xanax. I suggest you look up any prescription that you are currently taking, on a Lamictal drug interaction website. If you are taking an anti-depressant and it is on the list, you may not be experiencing Lamictal side effects. It maybe the enhancement of the anti-depressant. I personally think you don't need to be on both an anti-depressant and Lamictal at the same time. I would talk to your doctor about tapering off your anti-depressant at the same time you are taking the starter doses of Lamictal. It will take about a month to taper off the anti-depressant. By then, the side effects of Lamictal, if any, will be gone and you will be feeling much better.

This medication may not be for everyone as no one is the same as the next. Do research on Lamictal and any medications you are taking. They as a rule don't tell you the problem of the drug interaction unless you dive deeper into the research. My friends and family could see the difference in my personality and my energy level. It's not an upper. Take it at night before bedtime. You just feel better cause your rested. Better rest is a better mood. Better mood is more energy. I have my quality of life back. For those of you that are scared of Lamictal, I can't tell you it won't cause you side effects. All I can say is I gave it a try, without taking other medications, and suffered no side effects, or any problems. I suggest you give it a try as it should be prescribed. Either chopping it up in four quarters which is 25 mg per quarter, and take it for a week. Then go up to 50 mgs, (two quarters) You can start out on 50 mg. If taking 25, take it for a week. if your on 50 mg, try it for a week. If there are issues, stay on the 50 for two weeks. If your tolerating 50 mgs, go up to 100 mgs for two weeks. These pills are scored and can be broken in half. Each half is 100 mg. Then finally go up to 200 mgs. If you are tolerating it well, you should be on 200 mgs by the end of the first month. You should feel better and notice the differences in two-three weeks. Higher dosages are possible but are not the norm.

One last thing, I took my prescription to Wal-Mart, Walgreens and CVS. All three were charging me around $125.00 for a month's supply. Then, I was in K-mart one day and had a prescription filled, and he ask what medications I was taking, and could he have the chance to save me money on my prescriptions. He beat all the big named pharmacies by several dollars on the lower priced ones. When it came to Lamictal, it went from $125.00 down to $25.00! A savings of $100.00!!! I don't have insurance so $100.00 is huge. Plus, I now have a K-mart savings card, and everytime I buy something in the store and use my savings card I make money. You can use it towards your next purchases or let it save up to buy a large item. Pretty cool.

I am just relating my experience with Lamictal, my research, and findings from the research and taking it. You can confirm them by going on the different websites when you Google Lamictal. It is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. One last thing. Neurontin (Gabapentin) is similar to Lamictal. It is also used to treat convulsions, and off label, chronic pain caused by nerve issues. Now, it is also used off label to treat depression. Each capsule is 350 mg. To get to the recommended amount for depression, you will need to take between 1800 and 2100 mgs a day. I tried it several years ago. It worked as well as the Lamictal. Maybe even better. It is very expensive and couldn't afford to keep taking it even in the generic. It can cause drowsiness until you get used to it. So take it at night. It helps to take one pill in the morning, two in the afternoon and two at night. It works. Do the research. Many regular doctors are not aware of the benefits of larger dosages, over three pills a day that are prescribed for chronic pain. Find one, usually a psychiatrist,he or she will know the benefits for depression. Feel free to email me. Good or bad feedback. I'm just trying to pass along a wonder drug for my issues. Good luck!

JCH4638 yeah
Posted 9/14/2011 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
HinJCH4638,

welcome to the depression forum. I take abilify, It is a mooed stabilizer. I think it is used for the same things the lamictal is used for, for me it is for my mood and it makes my opristiq work better. Forgive my mistakes I am using my laptop and it is harder to type for me, I am not use3 to it yet,

Thanks for the information and your expeiences.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/14/2011 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
No Charge!
Posted 10/22/2011 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
hello,
my pdoc just added lamictal to my tegretol and zoloft for bipolar depression. She said it has the least side effects but has to be taken slowly. I believe a rash is the first side effect if you get one you need to stop. I'm only into the second week and starting to feel like my mood is lifting. Anxiety is still there but not as bad as it was. This depression is due to a lot of stress in my life. I've been fine for a long time. I'm hoping it really kicks in so I can get back to living my life again.

cookie
Posted 10/22/2011 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
cookie, my husband was on lamictal and effexor xr and it was terrific...at first he missed manic moods (like a high to him) but then he turned into the guy i married 15 years ago. He stopped taking them 8 months ago and it is a living hell in this house....My daughter whohas been dxd w/ ADHD and depression asked him too and he said he would

Anyway, a very successful combp pf meds for alot of people

Maggie
Posted 10/24/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
I took it for a little over a year. It really stabilized my mood and uplifted it a bit. I have mild bipolar with more tendency to depression. This drug made me feel better in a matter of days on a really low dose though my doctor said I have a slow metabolism for drugs or as my liver goes so a low dose takes longer to metabolize and effects ten times as much as a person without this problem. I went off it and as negative things happened over the next year I slowly developed the same patterns I had before so I just started back on it. I will let you know if it work again as well as the first time.

I have to say though that some of the drugs people are on here effected me so strangely that it made me even more depressed to be on them. I tried over a half dozen diff drugs. Some made me so groggy and drugged up I could hardly function and that was on the starter dose. No way could I even work up to the therapeutic dose. Others made me feel speedy and wierd. The lamictol had no side effects I could not even tell I was taking it but I felt like myself again when I was young and happy and had not felt that good and happy for ages. It gave me a sence of wellbeing. My family said that was the only drug I took that they really noticed a big diff for the better. What I want to say here is that I feel these doctors are being very irresponsible to prescribe people these cocktails of various drugs. I know they all effect pepole in diff ways but come on I mean with such little research or knowledge about how they even work I feel it is dangerous to be mixing and matching them all like these docs are suggesting. I think youi would all be feeling a lot better if you took lower doses and one med at a time. There comes a pt where the effects of the meds are just compounding your orginal prob of why you took them in the first place. Researchers have little statistical info on how these drugs even work, what so called normal levels of seritonin in the brain really look like etc. To medicate yourself to this extreme is compounding your problem and very dangerous. At least insist on trying only one drug at a time and then at a low dose even if they tell you to get it up to several doses higher, the lower dose may be all you need and the higher one just make you sick. If a low dose doesnt work try another drug. But to add two or three more to the cocktail at a high dose for ea of them is insane if you ask me.
Posted 10/24/2011 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

And welcome to the depression forum.

Thanks for the advice, but most of this thread is over a year old. So I don't know how much response you will get.

I take three different meds, and were introduced to them one at a time. Though had tried several before I found what worked for me. I believe most doctors (if they have any sense) introduce the medications at a low dose. Then gradually raise it or introduce something else if needed. I don't think all doctors slam you with medications of a high dose unless it is an extreme case. Though I am sure that there are some that do. Which is very irresponsible.

csh, feel free to start a thread to introduce yourself and address any issues if you have that you would like to. We would love to get to know you better. If you don't want to, that is okay too. Feel free to contribute to any thread.

I hope that you are having a good day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/28/2012 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi im up to 200mg everytime my dr increased it ive had headaches omsomnia and nausea after 4 days these symptoms go away.im feeling so good after 6 days on 200 mg im starting to taper of my anxiety meds im rapt with this med and ive tryed heaps this one is it for me!!i actually said to my dr i dont want to try anymore this is the last one and im thrilled to say it has worked no more i want to crawl under a rock and die or hypomania attacks from hell i cant praise it enough.i was terrified of taking it initially after reading about the possable sideffects but im lucky so far and ive had plenty of rushing to hospital due to adverce effects in the past stick with it its early days have a little faith apparently it doesnt really kick in properly till 200mgs and after 6 days it gets double thumbs up from me good luck
Posted 2/28/2012 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yay Molly,

I hope this continues to work well for you...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/16/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again,

I was prescribed Abilify 2mg today to go alongwith Lamictal 50 mg. I wanted to know if anyone has had success on this combination and what you feel about Ability in general.

I am terribly afraid of gaining weight this will add to my depression. Does anyone know if Abilify is a drug that simply makes you hungry or is there something about the drug that tends to put the weight on.

I was reading good reviews about the drug. I would love to know how people feel . Has it helped? I now believe I have TRD.

Thank you for your responses
Posted 3/16/2012 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sam,

I take it with pristiq, and before3 that, I took it with effexor. It has really improved my quality of life. I am losing weight at this time. With walking and cutting out pop. I drink maily water. I do watch what I eat. I watch it go in my mouth. But I am careful. lol...

I think once it starts working of ryou, you will be happy for having it. How long have you been on the abilify? Let us know.

Hugs, Karen
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