Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maggiedelena on April 28, 2006, at 22:11:57
Hi,
Apologies if there are threads about this already -- I did a search but didn't find anything that quite touched upon what I'm looking for.
Anyway, I recently decided to believe the second psychiatrist who told me that I might be BPII. Tried Lamictal as monotherapy and after 2.5 months, when I got up to about175 mgs, I experienced serious agitation (maybe akathisia) spaciness and, a few times, hallucinations. The combined effects made it impossible for me to function at work, so I'm coming off of it. Actually, the agitation in and of itself was probably sufficient to make it unbearable for me.
However, this is the drug that seems to work for everyone, and the fact that it didn't for me somehow makes me question the BPII DX. Also, it did seem to help with the depression, but I still had a fair amount of anxiety (which I distinguish from agitation -- I don't know if that's a distinction that only exists in my head) and never went more than a day or two without suicidal thoughts.
Has anyone else tried Lamictal and not gotten far with it for reasons other than the rash? Also, since my hypomanias are usually quite mild and pleasant, how can I tell if the antidepressant effects of the Lamictal triggered an unpleasant hypomania, or if the agitation and its accompanying nervous energy were just an unrelated side effect? I'm wondering now if I'm not BPII at all, and can just go on straight antidepressants.
PS: I do have a psychiatrist, whom I'm seeing soon and will discuss all this with. I'm just interested in hearing other people's experiences.
Posted by fairywings on April 29, 2006, at 13:13:13
In reply to Lamictal inefficacy experiences?, posted by maggiedelena on April 28, 2006, at 22:11:57
Hi maggie,
Wow! What a horrible experience...yeah, I'd be questioning the dx too - have you tried any other mood stabilizers?
I'm on lamictal, no bad experiences, but my dose is only 100 mg. I don't feel a lot of benefit...other than maybe being less angry, and maybe being able to access some feelings a little more easily. No agitation so far.
What else have you tried - anything with any success? What did the first pdoc tell you about dx?
Good luck with this,
fw
Posted by curtm on May 3, 2006, at 8:41:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal inefficacy experiences? » maggiedelena, posted by fairywings on April 29, 2006, at 13:13:13
Hifw
I'm on Lamictal 400mg (200mg twice a day- that seems to carry me through longer.) That is the only med I am on right now. I did become more amd more stable as my dosage increased, but now that I have reached the max. it feels like something is still amiss. I still ahve mood swings or vulgar outbursts. Geez I get pissed sometimes, but at least it doesn't last as long as it used to. I would dwell on things for about three days. Now it subsides in less thean three hours (still a long time to dwell.) My doc and her head doc are supposed to be looking into another or additional mood stabilizer.Do you take other meds beside Lamictal?
If so, what are they, what are they for?
Posted by fairywings on May 3, 2006, at 16:38:06
In reply to Re: Lamictal inefficacy experiences? » fairywings, posted by curtm on May 3, 2006, at 8:41:23
Will bbmail you curt. ; )
fw
This is the end of the thread.
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