Posted by karen m. on July 14, 2004, at 12:10:22
In reply to Lamictal: could someone give me a briefing?, posted by utopizen on July 13, 2004, at 12:19:04
> My doc and I are considering Lamictal (he likes Risperdal, a little too much, but we comprised by getting a script for Abilify).
>
> The idea is I'm a mixed bipolar, which explains a lot. I go from depression to elation multiple times throughout the day.
>
> But it's weird to me how slowing down such cycling lets you be happier (or at least not manic or depressed).
>
> My one concern is, sleepiness. Does it become activating after awhile, or is it going to make me feel like I felt on Neurontin at 1600mg or more-- borderline mental retardation experiences.
>
> I hope it's activating, but this is one drug I know nothing about. It takes weeks to work, right? Anyone notice some help from it? thanks!hi,
i am on lamictal and know what you mean about the mental retardation aspect of it. i drop things, i can't remember words i'm looking for when talking, i bump into walls, etc. i don't mean to make it sound excessive, it's just irritating.i take 275 mg. and each time i have increased (by 25mg and its' taken forever!)it seems i go thru an adjustment period of about 7 days. i'm hoping that this recent stuff still goes away at this higher dosage. lamictal is a good drug at keeping the lows away. it also does not have the weight gain issue or a lot of the other side effects that the anti-depressants have.
lamictal used to be activating but as i get higher in the dosage it makes me sleepier. i am thinking of switching to taking it at night as a sleep aid! although one can function a lot easier during the day than with some ssri's which used to really knock me out.
i'm not a true cycler or most of the other symptoms of a true bi-polar but my doc thinks this is a good alternative to anti-depressants as the side effects got me on those.
hope this helps. i don't seem to see a lot of posts on lamictal. i'd like to know how others are doing.
poster:karen m.
thread:365667
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366068.html