Quick Update and a Few Questions

Hi guys! I guess it's been a while since I've been on here. I've been so busy. So, for the update:

I've been relatively stable (no major, long lasting depressive episodes) for a month or two now. This is probably thanks to an increase of my lamotrigine. I was prescribed fluoxetine for my anxiety about a month or two back. It made me incredibly irritable and sleepless at first, but as time has gone on it's begun to actually work! With my medication and therapy I've been able to get my undergraduate dream job as a lifeguard at my local waterpark. It sounds sad that it's my undergrad dream job, but I've wanted to lifeguard there since I was a child. I'm currently taking a class so I can get my WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certification through the red cross so I can teach little kids how to swim. I feel like teaching children may be my calling. Additionally, my boyfriend and I just celebrated our 2 year anniversary and it feels like most things are going well. However, I've started slipping back into the extremely restricting mind of anorexia. I'm terrified of relapsing, but at the same time I want to relapse because I hate how disgusting I've become. Does that make sense?

So, question time. I was reading the forum and noticed something about mood stabilizers and birth control. I've just become sexually active for the first time with my boyfriend. Given that I was raised in an extremely conservative household, have very unstable finances, and still live at home, this worries me. I'm on Sprintec for birth control. Does the lamictal I take cancel it out? We use other forms of contraceptives as well as the birth control. We always use condoms and the pull out method with the birth control. Should I be concerned?

Sorry for the long post! Thanks for reading!

Sounds like you're really getting on with your life. Sounds nice.

For the question... A better answer than I provided in the post you referenced is to point you to the CDC's website on contraception... It shows the actual statistics of methods currently in use.

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm

Here's a bit about the interaction of lamictal and sprintec.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-64195-S ... genumber=9

Exiled. wrote:Sounds like you're really getting on with your life. Sounds nice.

Except for the feeling like you're relapsing with the anorexia... (Missed that first read through... Sorry!)

According to the site I linked about the interaction of lamictal and sprintec, sprintec might be lowering the amount of lamictal in your blood. This, in turn, may be effecting your mood, which may have an effect on the anorexia. It's important to let your doctors know you're taking it if they don't know already and per the site I linked...

Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

(including the sprintec...If you stop taking it the amount of lamictal in your blood might be more than planned... Just talk to your doctor about it...)

I can't even pretend to know anything about Birth Control, and meds so I can't really answer that. Although I can see it is important to be insightful, and you are on the right track about figuring this out.

Second don't feel bad about what you want your job to me. All that matters is you're doing what you love and not many can say they like their job. Sounds like you're doing well!

Take care,
PFF810

nerdgirl wrote:... anorexia. I'm terrified of relapsing, but at the same time I want to relapse because I hate how disgusting I've become. Does that make sense?

Wanting to relapse because of how disgusting you have become is your mind playing tricks on you.
It makes sense as a mind trick, but does not make normal sense.

Your dream job as a lifeguard and furture plans of teaching swimming sounds just like that. Your dream job... My son is an Ironman Triathlete and dreams of qualifying for Ironman Hawaii. He is a personal trainer and supervises the weight room at the local rec centre to pay his bills. Go for it! You are only young once!

Becomming sexually active is something almost everyone goes through in their own way. It can add a special richness to a committed relationship. I hope you can relax and find that richness.

Take care,