Posted by Dalilah on November 10, 2003, at 11:32:13
In reply to Re: Dalilah: Lamictal side effects, posted by katia on November 10, 2003, at 0:54:47
Hey Katia,
I was on Lithium for about 6 months before the Lam. It helped a lot, but the depression was still pretty harsh. That's where the Lam came in.Oh no, I've been depressed a lot of my life. That was just my first 12-month depression (very scary.) It's so hard to determine my past ups and downs cause I didn't get diagnosed with the bipolar til 32. I'm 35. Now I have to re-examine my whole life in terms of manic/depression, so it's hard to say.
Anyhow, I sure used the drugs to deal with depression. And yes just hypo-mania, and not drug-induced. Of course cocaine made me feel good, but also quite horrible. In my daily life I was incredibly productive, I mean more than the average person. I had several business, completed college with honors, made an endless, amount of art, (all at the same time) and slept very little - in general. I never stopped. It was impressive, but ultimately took it's toll. It's quite possible I experienced a lot of mixed states.
Now I must (when feeling good) force my sleep, not overwork, try to be normal. Cause too much up leads to down (and that's intolerable.)
I too experience good feelings when I up the Lam but it doesn't necessarily go away, maybe just evens out. How much Lam do you take (150?), cause I'm serious, it didn't help me til 200mg.
-Dalilah
> > D: Yes Lithium and Lam. I started Lithium first.
> > D: Still depression creeps in somedays/weeks...
>
> **How long were on Li. before starting Lam?
> Was Li. not effective on its own?
>
> > I don't know anymore. I guess. I was manic my whole life, and a major drug addict. The depression I've experienced since getting sober has been so harsh. I literally did not get out of bed for a year.
>
> **So you've only just been thru' your first depression? wow! How old are you? When you say manic, do you mean hypomanic? So you were in a constant state of near euphoria for how long? Why then did you finally get help? probably b/c you got sober and depressed and then realized that what you had been experiencing much of your life was mania/hypo? Did the drugs induce your mania, or was it there prior?
>
> I've been depressed all my life, interspersed with little periods of hypomania and lots of mixed states/dysphoric. I'm 33. When I up the Lamictal, I get a buzz. I feel great. I love it - it gives me windows into what it feels like to be normal.
>
> take care,
> Katia
>
poster:Dalilah
thread:238206
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/278204.html