lamictal esp. vs lithium or w/ lithium

by **sincefour** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:51 pm

kimberly,

no problem, good post!

I have tried six anti depressants and was manic on all of them in less 2 days, except for 1 - which got me at day 4, too bad I was feeling good!

All of those results was when on 1500 Mg Lithium which is a lot.

I have bad news, my Lamictal after early promise is getting dumped ....

clear thinking, followed by moody thoughts (also very heavy duty T about lifelong trauma issues adds to this, but I had that before too, and did have these symptoms)

made my sleeping less sound

got neck aches and dry/tired eyes

I am going back to Lithium only for a few months to get all stabalized before I try something new again. Damn...

w

The first time I was on Lamictal it was all I was taking, and I had a psychotic break. It was prescribed to me in the depths of a major depressive phase, because the anti-depressant Effexor made me too manic. I guess in the hospital they thought Lamictal would elevate my mood but not too much. This was before I was diagnosed with bi-polar, back when I thought that maybe I was just depressed. But apparently Lamictal doesn't block mania, because I had a wicked manic break. Anyway, now, days after another break with reality, I'm on Geodon and Lamictal. Geodon prevents mania, and Lamictal takes care of depression. So, something to think about.

by **sincefour** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:31 am

see the zonegran post for my full reply, I'm off, didn't work out. Still many say that Lamictal does the job for them.

w

by **sonya** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:30 am

hey walt,

sorry to reply so late... been kinda busy coz doin my summer project. i'm an IT student in my final semester. which makes life pretty difficult for a young bipolar haha.

i feel very sad for u and others like myself who are battling bipolar everyday. i'm thankful for my faith but i have many moments when i feel very hopeless as well.

this past week i've been kinda depending on xanax and stilnox coz of the high level of stress i'm undergoing. sometimes i feel very alone in this war i'm in coz very few people can understand the pain and suffering, and even shame that i go through. (but i know i many bipolars feel that too).

couple of days ago i had a mild reaction to stilnox (again) when i walked around as though in a dream. this makes me very frightened coz i know not what i might do in that state. sometimes, i wish i could die earlier to be spared of all these, but my faith keeps me from doing anything silly. right now i'm very weary but i'll choose to believe God will heal me.

i truly hope He heals u too (relax, this is not chiristian propaganda haha) try to stick to ur meds and slowly adjust. keep up the good fight!

regards,
sonya

sincefour wrote:sonya

Thanks, I am glad to hear that you are feeling well, and fighting the good fight against overuse of drugs. My story is different.

Firstly Lamictal has been amazing so far, I think it is 15 days since I started. My mind is functioning better, and I feel that there is hope, just simple hope. I have hardly ever felt that before.

I was undiagnosed until I was 42. I was angry, moody and difficult (a lot of early abuse figures in as well).

The only time I made any friends in my life was ages 14-26 when I smoked vast quantities of weed, that calmed me down pretty well, but it wasn't perfect. The last two years I am getting a lot more likable, mostly from maturity and Therapy.

Even when I go from 1500 mgs to 1200 of lithium there is a huge effect. I get sensitive to random sounds, and my temper starts to boil for no good reason.

Even as I continue to make big strides in therapy, it doesn't help the physical manifestation of my mania and/or depression (I'm either mixed type or ultra ulta rapid cycling, depends on which "expert" you ask).

I take 8 drugs every day, and 4 on occasion.

2 for mood

1 for sleep (used to sleep < 80 hours a month for 25+ years before this, not a chance I give it up - and don't talk diet, excercise, meditation, its all of minimal use)

5 for heart/blood (physical changes brought on by aortic valve replacement requires 4).

4 others occasionally (anxiety, skin condition , herpes, instant mood stabilization).

Even if I could ween off of all of them, I wouldn't live very long or very well without them. So, I am going to optimize in that direction.

Thanks again,
W

by **sincefour** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:17 am

Hey Sonya...

I understand your plight I think. I've been in IT for over 25 years. Today I lost my job. I shall probably never have one as well paying again. Oh well. Soldier on, wife, two kids, means no rest for the weary!

W

lamictal esp. vs lithium or w/ lithium

ADVERTISEMENT

hallO!

Who is online