All 9 patients were treated to remission. From the lowest daily dose to the highest daily dose, mean increase in lamotrigine was 102.8 mg. Clinically adequate seizures were obtained in each patient. Lamotrigine had minimal effect on each measured ECT parameter. The interval between ECT treatments was spaced to a mean of 15.2 days. The treatment combination was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events, no rashes, and no worsening of cognitive side effects.
I had about 10 depressive episodes in 2-3 years and they stopped completely when I started lamotrigine (well, apart from the one, but it was work related). You probably already know lamotrigine (Lamictal) works better for the depression side more than the manic side.
I've been on lamotrigine (lamictal) for years. I've taken many other medications for bp and not much has worked for whatever reasons. I did not find relief until I got on lamictal. It took several months to work the dose up a little at a time and some fine tuning to get the dose right. Now I'm on 300mg lamotrigine. I had some tremors and had some balance problems on the higher doses. I also take 450mg lithium carbonate and 60mg methylphenidate (this one's in the morning).
In about 2011 or so (i was like 17 I wanna say) I was perscribed Lamotrigine for bipolar disorder. Taking that medication seems to have been the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life. Or, the most coincidental occurance I've ever heard of. Just a week after tapering daily to the regular dose, I began to feel what I called "crippling anxiety". My doc hardly believed me when I said it and, get this, UPPED my dose of Lamotrigine.
I am also on 200mg of lamotrigine and 50mg of Trazodone. I took my first full dose of Abilify on Friday the 6th and today is the 11th
The Abilify is working about 70%. I have been crying more, I wrote a big long blog about how life is useless because I can't work full time and be a parent and all those other 'normal' things the drug companies promise you that you can do if you just take their drug. I am feeling not depressed but more morose, and just generally in a slump.
Medication cocktails can be a nightmare, finding one inparticular is no easy task but my current ( not working ) cocktail is aripiprazole, lamotrigine, nimodipine, pregabalin, clonazepam and last but not least modafinil. I have just increased dose on one as I try to head off a not so nice mixed episode coming to a head, I've tried alot of different medications so far, I can't take antidepressants they make me worse and regarding a good medication to try?
When I started taking that I noticed it helped about the same way for me. I still have my ups & down's but it's better. I'm gradually increasing my dose. Have had some side effects but they have gotten better.
Talk to your psychiatrist about getting a lamotrigine serum level - 100 mg is often not an adequate dose.
Talk to you psychologist about Acceptance and Commitment therapy.
Second what Jaquta had to say.
Although there are other mood stablizers out there such as Depakote and Lamotrigine. I take lamotrigine. Fairly low side effect profile, fairly weight neutral, although my understanding is it is better for bipolar depression and Lithium is better at controlling manias. I don't know much about Depakote. I don't think it is used as much now.
If you don't see a psychiatrist I'd get a referral to one when you see your GP on Monday.
It remains to be seen whether Lamotrigine can bring relief on both sides once you are up to the full dose. It is, after all, a mood stabilizer, and it may therefore do the trick. I was on it for years and found it quite helpful (had to quit because it gave me the shakes). One often reads that Lamotrigine works better for depression than for hypomania. So in the end it is also possible that Lithium may turn out to be effective for you. Do keep in close touch with your pdoc.
m bipolar with psychosis and am currently tapering off of ziprasidone 80mg twice daily. I totally dropped my second dose along with lamotrigine,and Lexapro. So right now I am currently taking ziprasidone 80 mg, chantix 1mg, topamax 50mg 3x day, and ropinirole for side effects 1 mg once a day. I can't believe I actually made it through the night last night.
Lamotrigine has been successful in controlling rapid cycling and mixed bipolar states in people who have not received adequate relief from lithium, carbamazepine and/or valproate. It also appears that lamotrigine has significantly more antidepressant potency than either carbamazepine or valproate.
Lamotrigine is also useful as part of the treatment of some people with major (unipolar) depression.
I was diagnosed with manic bipolar depression when I was 19. I was 7 weeks pregnant when I found out. And I was talking a mood stabilizer called lamotrigine (200mgs) twice a day... And my mood swings got worse when I was taken off of it.. wondering if there's any suggestions that with help with it.. my fiancee gets upset when I get MOODY....
ve just found out I am pregnant and I have been taking Abilify (Aripirazole) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for the last year, against bipolar disorder, my doctor recommended to reduce it slowly and then stop it. He said that I have taken it so far wouldn't harm the baby. I am still very worried and wondered if anybody has any experience with this. Thank you!
Recommended
