Lamictal

[GreyWolf]

Thanks wanttobe.
Well, I've been on lamictal for a little over six months now. I was on Depakote for over two years, and constantly going up and down. I'd be manic for a week, then depressed and in bed for at least four days. Then another week of being super hyper - it was the pits. I wasn't getting any better so I asked my doctor to change my medicine. She wasn't willing to, so I checked myself into a hospital and they changed my meds to lamictal and cymbalta. Best move I ever made! Sometimes the hospital can be a blessing if you need a meds overhaul. I just wish I'd done it sooner. So far, I'm doing well. A few minor swings, but nothing I can't handle. I started at 25, now am up to 200 at night. Actually, I think it did make me a little tired at first. Maybe, or maybe that was the cymbalta. Either way, I am fine now. So glad the med is working for you too. It is such a WONDERFUL thing when you finally find a med combination that works! Thanks for asking.

 

[PrairieGurl]

Thanks wanttobe.
Well, I've been on lamictal for a little over six months now. I was on Depakote for over two years, and constantly going up and down. I'd be manic for a week, then depressed and in bed for at least four days. Then another week of being super hyper - it was the pits. I wasn't getting any better so I asked my doctor to change my medicine. She wasn't willing to, so I checked myself into a hospital and they changed my meds to lamictal and cymbalta. Best move I ever made! Sometimes the hospital can be a blessing if you need a meds overhaul. I just wish I'd done it sooner. So far, I'm doing well. A few minor swings, but nothing I can't handle. I started at 25, now am up to 200 at night. Actually, I think it did make me a little tired at first. Maybe, or maybe that was the cymbalta. Either way, I am fine now. So glad the med is working for you too. It is such a WONDERFUL thing when you finally find a med combination that works! Thanks for asking.

Your Welcome GreyWolf !

Glad you're doing well (so far ) It is a WONDERFUL (and I do mean full of wonder ) when you finally find a med combo that works!

Wishing you'd done it sooner...I bet you learned lots about yourself during that time of the "wrong med combo"!

I hope this encourages other bp suffers that there is hope out there!

Wendy

 

[419gam]

I was looking on my insurance forumlary and it says "formulary restricted" under Lamictal - could it be something that my insurance won't pay for for Bipolar? Has anyone had that experience? I know that without insurance Lamictal is very espensive.

Two things, first if you have not yet been on other meds for bipolar, your doctoer might want to start you on something else. I forget exactly why but doctors seem to prefer starting patients on things like lithium or depakote, and then moving on to lamictal if those don't work or have intolerable side effects. Just something to consider.

Also I don't think restricted means the same as not covered. For some medicines, which I no longer take I would need to get a prior treatment authorization in order for my insurance to cover them. What this is, is a basic form which says that my doctor has tried treating me with other medications and was unsuccessful. This shows that there is a specific reason to be on a med that insurance might not otherwise cover. Once again though you might not be able to start out on lamictal right away, you might have to transition to it from other meds.

 

[Texasmomof5]

Hi every one. I'm fairly new here myself, well, kinda. I joined last October but didn't actually post for the first time until last week I think.

Anyway....I have been lamictal for 4 years now. Like many others has stated it was my miracle drug too. We had tried so many things and we were kind reaching down into the bottom of the barrel when my dr decided to try lamictal. With in days I was feeling human again. It was the break that we had been needing for a year and I know that God saved my life, in part, with this medication.

Many of stated that it makes them drowsy. I was on soooo many things when I got on Lamictal and we were having to juggle all of them at once. I was treating one side effect with another drug and treating those side effects with others and so on and on and on we go.

There was one that was keeping me awake all night and another that was making so tired all day that i couldn't function. I had 4 kids to take care of one of which was a little baby. I got so desperate that I asked if I could try something a little different. I asked if instead of taking all of them both morning and night if I could switch it up a bit. So I starting taking the full dose of lamictal 300 mg at night and what ever the other one was during the day. It worked. I started staying awake aaaallll day and sleeping aaallll night. I wake up refreshed every single morning now.

I haven't had a manic spell in over 4 years and only 2 bouts of depression.

So, that in part is my story of how God used Lamictal to save my life when I was at the brink of losing it. I honestly thing that if I hadn't gotten on Lamictal I wouldn't be here today. That is how bad it got for me. I lost a whole year of my life and I have used every minute of every day in the past 4 years trying to make up for that lost time in my life and in my families life. I praise God every day for saving me.

 

[walshclan]

That is pretty incredible Texas.

I am going to be asking my pdoc to change me up. I'm just not sure what he's going to change me to. Lamictal seems like a good drug. Maybe some of that Abilify and I think I'll stick with the Wellbutrin. Anyone on that combo?

Connie

 

[Crystal~Rose]

Today was my first PDOC visit. For severe sleep disturbances forthe past 2 months following 2 years of severe to moderate depression.
He gave me samples of Lamictal to begin taking today. Its been such an overwhelming day, this is not something that is easily acceptable to me, and honestly came as a surprise..(denial maybe) my 14 year old son was DX: Bipolar 2 years ago. By comparison I didnt see this in myself. It has come as a humbling blow, i feel ashamed for whatever reason.
I just wanted to thank all of you for sharing for this is the only hope I have..your words your stories that encourage me that this DX: is not like a sentence of death to happiness. God bless you all.

 

[PrairieGurl]

Today was my first PDOC visit. For severe sleep disturbances forthe past 2 months following 2 years of severe to moderate depression.
He gave me samples of Lamictal to begin taking today. Its been such an overwhelming day, this is not something that is easily acceptable to me, and honestly came as a surprise..(denial maybe) my 14 year old son was DX: Bipolar 2 years ago. By comparison I didnt see this in myself. It has come as a humbling blow, i feel ashamed for whatever reason.
I just wanted to thank all of you for sharing for this is the only hope I have..your words your stories that encourage me that this DX: is not like a sentence of death to happiness. God bless you all.

​

LuvinJC4ever

Denial is such a norm with most mental illness Dx. You may also go thru anger, then the mourning and finally the acceptance! This was my experience. I work in Healthcare, so you would think I would be able to handle this Dx better, NOT, I found it hard to find any underdstanding or support around me. These illnesses are still taboo with society, which is sad considering the advancement in the Mental Health Field.

There is NO reason to feel ashamed! I am so glad you find comfort, support, and encouragement here! I know that this forum has been a overwhelming blessing to me!!!!!!!!!!

Keep posting! I look forward to sharing this journedy with you!
​

With s & s,
Wendy​

 

[Crystal~Rose]

Im fighting back tears every second. I feel hopeless, displaced and I just dont understand why when I have seen my sons drastic improvement since he started recieving the proper treatment. please keep me in your prayers.

 

[PrairieGurl]

Im fighting back tears every second. I feel hopeless, displaced and I just dont understand why when I have seen my sons drastic improvement since he started recieving the proper treatment. please keep me in your prayers.

Let the tears flow LuvinJC4ever Let them flow! You soon will see hope! We are here for you!

You are in my thoughts and my prayers! Have now added you friend to my prayer book!

With Lots of s & s,
Wendy

 

[lemonflavor]

Im fighting back tears every second. I feel hopeless, displaced and I just dont understand why when I have seen my sons drastic improvement since he started recieving the proper treatment. please keep me in your prayers.

Then genetically you may also have a good chance of fast improvement.

 

[walshclan]

Im fighting back tears every second. I feel hopeless, displaced and I just dont understand why when I have seen my sons drastic improvement since he started recieving the proper treatment. please keep me in your prayers.

Dear sister:

You are in my prayers as well. I pray that you rise out of your depression quickly.

Connie

 

[Crystal~Rose]

Thank you all. May God bless your kindness

 

[PrairieGurl]

And continueing to !

s & s,
Wendy

 

[Texasmomof5]

luvinJC4ever,

I'm praying for you as well.

I wish there was a way that I could post my whole testimony. It is too long, I tried a couple of weeks ago. I really don't want to break it up but I guess I will have to.

I was in the same spot you are in now as many others have been. We are all here for you if you need to just talk about it. I know that was one of the biggest things that helped me, talking.

 

[nateboy]

With my specific brain chemistry, Lamictal has been my saving grace (well God is but he provided the Lamictal)!! Praise the Lord because I got really sick of doing the "trial by error" med approach.

I did get headaches, almost like migraines, for the first week or so! I hated it. Then it started to work. I am on 200 mg and my anxiety is pretty much gone. I still have difficulties with sleep. It is 12:00 right now and even after taking two Klonopin, two hours ago I still am wide awake - perhaps cycling.

Lamictal does make me slightly tired but that is what I need right now to help calm me down. I actually may need to increase my dose slightly to help with the sleep issue.

Just my experience. I feel like I have finally found a pill that helps my anxiety!! PRAISE GOD!!!

 

[Crystal~Rose]

With my specific brain chemistry, Lamictal has been my saving grace (well God is but he provided the Lamictal)!! Praise the Lord because I got really sick of doing the "trial by error" med approach.

I did get headaches, almost like migraines, for the first week or so! I hated it. Then it started to work. I am on 200 mg and my anxiety is pretty much gone. I still have difficulties with sleep. It is 12:00 right now and even after taking two Klonopin, two hours ago I still am wide awake - perhaps cycling.

Lamictal does make me slightly tired but that is what I need right now to help calm me down. I actually may need to increase my dose slightly to help with the sleep issue.

Just my experience. I feel like I have finally found a pill that helps my anxiety!! PRAISE GOD!!!

I am almost on week 4 of the taper up packet I will start 100mg in 2 days. I too have almost no anxiety anymore I'ts wierd not carrying aroud that dread, heaviness and discontentment all day everyday. I feel free for the first time in my life and I am so thankful. Still having some sleep issues too, though it is better than it was before I started meds. I take xanax when its really bad, that seems to relax me enough to fall asleep.

 

[Skylight]

I have been taking 100 mg. of Zoloft and 100 mg. of Lamictal for several months now. It has caused no side effects for me. My family can tell that it is working. Praise the Lord I have finally found happiness again.
I wish you would speak to the doctor on the side effects it may be causing.
God Bless.

 

[broken4him]

I take lamictal with no problems. I seem to stay even most days.

 

[Crystal~Rose]

I was tapeed up to 200mg for several weeks now, but noticed I am awful tired all the time. My pdoc has lowered it back to 100mg praying this helps for I dont want to go back on antidepression meds as he suggests if this does not help.

 

[Alive again]

praying for you, you have so much going on!