Noob question:Lamotrigine/Propranolol vs appetite/happiness.

(also hello all, I just joined in)...

I was diagnosed with very rapid cycling bipolar a couple of weeks back after hours sitting at the hospital and mental health clinic. Doctor put me on Lamotrigine (25mg a day and increase dosage by 25mg every 7 days until 100mg a day, 2 x 50mg) and Propranolol (2 x 10mg a day). I have lost all my appetite since. I am thin to begin with and I feel almost 0 hunger. I am currently on 3 x 25mg Lamotrigine a day and it has helped me somewhat with my sudden anger bursts and almost panic like feeling when I get upset as it has dialed it down a notch. I still get episodes (daily) where I feel like I'm getting very upset and it leads to waves of nausea and tightness in my chest but thank god I haven't fully "blown up" since I started the meds. I also noticed almost complete inability to cry (I am a BIG cryer...), my throat closes and again, I feel nauseous, teary and then ... nothing. Just like my brain is shutting off and leaving me only depressed and empty.

I have a difficult relationship with my "boyfriend" who is helpless what to do to help me or what to say if I start to get agitated. He responds with anger because of simple frustration. It doesn't help my situation either and I feel like I should break up with him just not to give him anymore headache. Then comes the feeling that I can't make it alone either. This causes me a major feeling of depression and I can't fully act on it.

I'm hoping the "infinite sadness" will go away after I get to prescribed dosage of 100mg, but if it doesn't... what experiences do you have in the similar situation? One of my friends mentioned to ask for Wllbutrin (or whatever the name is) added to the current ones but I'm a sissy and afraid of taking a bunch of meds...

Thank you in advance for any advice and feedback!

s0lace wrote:(also hello all, I just joined in)...
I still get episodes (daily) where I feel like I'm getting very upset and it leads to waves of nausea and tightness in my chest but thank god I haven't fully "blown up" since I started the meds. I also noticed almost complete inability to cry (I am a BIG cryer...), my throat closes and again, I feel nauseous, teary and then ... nothing. Just like my brain is shutting off and leaving me only depressed and empty.

I have a difficult relationship with my "boyfriend" who is helpless what to do to help me or what to say if I start to get agitated. He responds with anger because of simple frustration. It doesn't help my situation either and I feel like I should break up with him just not to give him anymore headache. Then comes the feeling that I can't make it alone either. This causes me a major feeling of depression and I can't fully act on it.

I'm hoping the "infinite sadness" will go away after I get to prescribed dosage of 100mg, but if it doesn't... what experiences do you have in the similar situation? One of my friends mentioned to ask for Wllbutrin (or whatever the name is) added to the current ones but I'm a sissy and afraid of taking a bunch of meds...

Thank you in advance for any advice and feedback!

Best of luck to you, you're going through a tough phase.

Message is 3 weeks old, how are you doing now ?

Be patient. You were diagnosed which is good, but maybe not fully yet; meds need to be adjusted, its a process.
Sounds like you might have a anxiety disorder too, talk with your doc about the pressure on your chest etc. Tell your doc EVERYTHING, gee, only this way it can help you. I learnt to open up to them, and trust them (ey Im also judging/checking what they suggest). If depression is your main issue, tell him its your main issue you want adressed.

With your boyfriend: tell him to be please patient, and gentle, and ask him humbly for help.
Ask him to come once to the doctor with you perhaps, so that the doc can explain your disease, your state. Ask it as a favor. This has been good for our couple.
Then maybe watch the movie 'Touched with Fire' together, by Paul Dalio.

s0lace wrote:
I'm hoping the "infinite sadness" will go away after I get to prescribed dosage of 100mg, but if it doesn't... what experiences do you have in the similar situation? One of my friends mentioned to ask for Wllbutrin (or whatever the name is) added to the current ones but I'm a sissy and afraid of taking a bunch of meds...

Thank you in advance for any advice and feedback!

I take Wellbutrin mixed with a mood stabilizer (Lamictal) and an antipsychotic (Vraylar), those three have me stable. I'd tell the doctor that you are still very depressed and so they know that that combination at those dosages are still not working. I am not sure how long Wellbutrin takes to fully be in your system, but just ask your pdoc. Some antidepressants can take weeks to actually begin to work. Let us know how it goes.