Epilepsy and Cyclothymia -- Lamictal for Both?

I was wondering what dosages of lamictal are used to stabilize mood, espcially hypomania. What are the side effects? I am already on 400mg daily for seizure control. It is a low theraputic dosage for epilepsy, what is a typical dosage for anyone without epilepsy?
This is my first posting here and I tried to make it short and to the point. I have never been able to do that though.
I am epileptic with sleep grand mal siezures (diagnosed at 17) and found a counselor who agrees that I most likely have cyclothymia. I think I always have; found a name for it on accident. I used to say I had bipolar lite.
Let me tell you what a relief it was to find someone who knew exactly what cyclothymia is!! Most look at me like, hey maniac, just stop making stuff up, you think you are so clever...
When my (OCD, Psycotic break) husband got a good job and the girls all started school for the whole day, I figured the my moods (angry/hypomanic/slight depression with semi-rapid cycling) would even out somewhat. No, I had even more time to analyze them...
My hypomania is no longer being directed at things like painting a room or gardening. It is now centered in my thoughts. A thought leading or meandering to another thought that I haven't even thought of yet, making a connection that I haven't even seen until I do...But I always sound so clever! and think that I am so dadblam interesting!
This process, in my head and outloud to a friend or my family, has always been a part of my personality. The way I am, until everyone starts saying whats wrong? are you ok? what's wrong? because I am through the hypo state. Maybe I am just too old for it now. When I am having a mind meld, the process is so rapid and simultaneous that I sometimes feel somewhat psychotic.
I was wondering what dosages of lamictal are used to stabilize mood...side effects? suggestions re: cocktailing with another med? Side effects are a strange thing to me, is it a rash or is a pimple?
Is it trouble orgasming or am I just not in the mood? is it weight gain, or have I just quit smoking? I am going to stop typing before I make any more connections...except one more, how many epileptic cyclothymics sometimes feel like it is all some form of a seizure?
Thank you for reading this. No one ever knows what I mean, you know what I mean?

Initially what got me interested in your story was the drug itself. As a pharmacist any mention of drugs catches my attention. A more intimate reason is that Lamictil happens to be the first (and only) medication I was put on for cyclothalmic/bipolar disorder. And I can testify with you that it works. As a side note I would need to know more about your medical history to know if this relevant or not. i.e. what medications you've tried and failed with, how old you are (Lamictal reached the market in 1994) and possibly more as I keep writing.

Good news:
I hope this doesn't come off as rude but I am fascinated by your medical history more importantly the use of Lamictal for both of its indications. I personally haven't seen that before. Lamictal is not generally usually used as monotherapy for seizures but added on as others fail.
The good news, actually for you, great news is that all the popular seizure meds are used to treat bipolar disorders. (They aren't all approved for bipolar treatment but are used in confidence).

The dosing for seizures depends on the indication (in your case 2 indications) and what other medications you may be on. Since its grand-mal seizures you're treating you can go upto 500mg a day. 400mg a day is the highest dose I've ever dispensed and 100-200mg a day is the most common dose. For bipolar disorder 200mg a day is the most that should be given.

The bad news:
If you are taking 400mg a day and having break through hypomania or really just cycling through the course of the illness thats not a good sign. If 400mg is not enough you should really not have the dose increased. A better option would be the addition of another seizure medication. You rarely increase a drup to its max dose before adding on another. Giving two at lower doses decreases the chance of side effects. So by adding on lets say Depakote or carbamazepine for to help control your fluctuating moods you would be unintentionally be increaseing your seizure control. It doesn't sound like you have problems the them but its worth mentioning.

I would go on about side effects, taylored dosing regiments, best drug combinations and most anything else you want to know but I think this is long enough. But in the chance that you do just ask (reply) and you'll receive.

-Mixer