I am currently taking Zoloft and Lamictal (and Trazadone for sleep at night), but I'm feeling like the only way out of the bind I am in is to actually *be* a little manic. (I haven't had a manic episode in a long time - actually, I was only ever hypomanic.) I have had a hopeless feeling and I don't actually think it's depression - I think it's real, and I am wondering about the potential to get *more* depressed if I go off Lamictal, or if it shouldn't matter.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder in November 2011. I was put on Lamictal 100mg 2 times daily,,Seroquel 300mg at bedtime and Cymbalta 60mg daily. The last week and a half Ive been in a crappy mood,,wanting to sleep all the time and just feel like I have no energy. Everything sets me off and Im getting angry and bitter again. I was doing sooo well on these meds. I have gained weight from the seroquel and that weighs on me literally. Is this what the hypomania phase is?
The only things I can tell you are that none of this will happen quickly and that it does take time to get to a therapeutic dose of lamotrigine (Lamictal). When I tried it, I got 6-week starter packs, then after that dosage increases continued to take time. And, on top of the time it takes to build up, it will also take time for it to work. It's unfortunate and none of us like it, but that is simply how many of these drugs work.
This started weeks ago and I was on seroquel at the time, and I may have even started 25mg of lamictal. But yesterday I felt very sensitive after taking my lamictal, and it progressed like a roller coaster making it's incline to the top, then drops down faster as we get closer to my night time dose of lamictal. When it peaked, I experienced an emotional fit in which I cried a lot and and it brought up feelings from my childhood (I was very sensitive and lacked self esteem as a child).
For the last 4-5 days I have been waking up(wide awake) at 3am. I feel a little run down later in the day, but for the most part I'm feeling "normal". I have seroquel for manic episode emergencies, but this doesn't seem to be that, yet. Should I just wait it out, or maybe adjust my medicines(lamictal, risperidal). I don't see my psyche for 2 more weeks. It's not urgent, but any input would be appreciated.
I don't think lamictal is addictive. I've been on many high and low doses over the last 10 yrs: never experienced side effects and never relieved any symptoms. "I am more manic and very rarely depressed when I'm not medicated." Lamictal is prescribed for people who lean more towards the depressive side than manic side and/or hypomania. Did you try lithium or depakote first? They are usually the first prescribed mood stabilizers for mania.
Rapid cycling is very common in people with bipolar. I experienced it in the past before my current recovery and Lamictal was quite helpful on it.
I told my p-doc I was still depressed and she suggested that we lower Lamictal instead of increasing Wellbutrin (which she said I was maxed out on). I have been a proponent of 'less medication', so I am unsure of what to ask at my upcoming new psychiatrist appointment. Since graduating, I haven't spoken with any t-doc or p-doc in around 8 months.
For the last year or so I was taking 300mg/day Wellbutrin Xr and also 200mg lamictal. I have also taken Buspar for around a year.
I have bipolar disorder, my psychologist describes it as bi-polar hypomania. I have always been an excessive sleeper no matter how much sleep I get I’m extremely tired. I take klamicital 200 mg daily and trazdone 100 mg at night along with remeron. I started the adderal 4 days ago, the first day I felt extremely jittery but today it’s better. But after the adderal “wears” off I am even more tired. Would extended release adderal be a better option? I take 1 mg klopin 3 times daily as well.
i am on lithium and lamictal. i don't have mania. i have adhd and talk too much which can really drive away people. am i on the right meds? i don't have depression swings anymore, some anger. would it help if i worked outside the home? how do i read the amswers to the posted questions on this forum?? i am also on tamoxifen and clonapin.
Hello. Forgive me for this being so long, I just want to make sure I'm providing good context because I'm not exactly sure what's going on. I've had depression since childhood, and as of a few years ago I began developing some mild symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety does run in my family, but there's also been some question as to whether or not my sibling also has comorbid bipolar disorder. My previous doctor thought I may have bipolar 2, so she put me on escitalopram and lamictal.
I have resently been diagnosed with Cyclothemia. I am over 40 and for the past decade I have been diagnosed separetely with Depression, Anxiety Disorder & Bipolar II. I have taken many combinations of medications and NOTHING has worked for me. At least now I think I have been labeled right so I want to find the right combination of medications so that I can live a normal life. I feel like my psychiatrist can definitely help but I want to do my own research as well.
However you are taking lamictal and I wonder if you have had past problems with hypomania? Wellbutrin can cause a hypomanic episode in some people so watch out for that.
I think you are doing great tapering your pain pills. That is extremely hard to do and it is good that you found this site. Keep posting and people here will help you through that withdrawal.
One other thought, based on lots of personal experience, the pain pills cause depression.
I was tired of feeling groggy and lethargic. Without the Seroquel I experienced hypomania for a while and felt great but now am in a depression like nothing I've had before. I'm torn between seeking help (meds) again or trying to ride out the roller coaster. I know I'll feel better eventually... I just hate the thought of turning into a zombie again like I was with the Seroquel.
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I see my doc on Friday. The pharmacist said 