Has anyone been prescribed Lamictal for depression, Bi-polor or anxiety?

Forum Rules | Help Manual | Chat Rooms | Moderators | Volunteer

HealingWell.com Forum > Diseases & Conditions > Depression > Has anyone been prescribed Lamictal for depression, Bi-polor or anxiety?

Forum Quick Jump

35 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Rianna
Regular Member

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 366

Posted 9/24/2005 3:54 PM (GMT -7)

I was prescribed this - is anyone on Lamictal for Bi-polor, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder or anxiety? The Psychiatrist said this is a very good medication for these disorders, but was wondering if anyone has had any success with it. It looks like it is more of a anti-convulsant or seizure medication...

Thanks!

eyecatcher
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2005
Total Posts : 3

Posted 9/24/2005 5:57 PM (GMT -7)

hey! Rianna, My name is Cecilee im 15 and live in missouri i was reading your post and yes i think your right lamictal is for mostly anti-convulsant and seizure medication i take lamictal i was taking depacote but they took me off of it because it was too strong but i dont see how lamictal would help for bi-polar and anxiety or depreession and so on. Anywhos just thought you should know another persons view so write bac if ya want or have any questions i would probley know the answer ive been going thur this part of my life so laters-Hugs! -Cecilee

HW_laura_s_2002
Regular Member

Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 114

Posted 9/25/2005 4:36 PM (GMT -7)

I have taken lamictal in the past. It's a very good med for depression with very little side effects. It is anti-seizure med but it has also been approved to treat bipolar depression. I took it for 5 years.

"It is not easy to live life sometimes and face the world with a smile when you're crying inside. It takes a lot of courage to reach down inside yourself, hold on to that strength that's still there, and know that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities. But if you can hold on long enough to see this through, you'll come out a new person - stonger, with more understanding and with new pride in yourself from knowing you made it" Kathy Obara

Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: http://www.healingwell.com/donate/

dream_flies
New Member

Date Joined Oct 2005
Total Posts : 2

Posted 10/10/2005 10:07 PM (GMT -7)

Hello. I was put on Lamictal about 7 weeks ago and what a differents it made in my life! I had been on just about every thing one can take for anxeity and sleep disorder. I went days with out sleep to sleeping only a couple hours a night. Sense I was put on Lamictal my whole life has changed. I sleep 8 to 9 hours a night and when i say this i mean it. Never in my life have i been able to sleep a whole night and I am 42 years old. My moods are so much better, i feel like a whole person and not so ready to fight or flight. My firends and family has seen such a good postive change on me.

I hope you can find what helps you but try not to give up, it may take some larger doses to make it work!

Take care of yourself no one else can!

Chris

Rianna
Regular Member

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 366

Posted 10/11/2005 11:19 AM (GMT -7)

Thanks everyone - I think the high doses of Lamictal (up to 100mg) and also the possible side effects of Johnsons Stevens Syndrome (a rash that can be severe or fatal) scares me. I guess I am not quite ready to try it yet.

roz999
New Member

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 3

Posted 3/28/2007 12:30 PM (GMT -7)

LAMICTAL is the only bipolar medication proven to provide long-term stability up to 18 months. In two studies, LAMICTAL provided 129% more intervention-free* days as compared to placebo.

Use beyond 18 months should be periodically reevaluated.

Ask your healthcare provider if LAMICTAL is the right bipolar medication for you.

*Intervention is defined as time until additional treatment was needed.

I edited your post,as I do not want anyone to feel uncomfortable and be discouraged and not post on here.

Thanks
Shy

Post Edited By Moderator (ShynSassy) : 3/29/2007 5:05:16 PM (GMT-6)

hope3
Regular Member

Date Joined Feb 2006
Total Posts : 216

Posted 3/29/2007 6:37 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Rianna, I was put on lamictal for mood swings. I didn't like how it made me feel so I stopped taking it. I feel more like myself now. Everyone noticed a change in me when I was taking it, and not a good one. I was too quiet and felt very drugged up. Medicines effect everyone different, so I hope this one works for you. Just thought I'd let you know that it made me worse instead of better. Good Luck to you!

raisin
New Member

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 3/30/2007 1:20 PM (GMT -7)

Hi everyone. I have stuggled with depression for the last 15 years. Medications seem to work for about a year and then begin to taper off. Today I was precribed a dose of lamictal. Has anyone heard of taking this just for depression? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

ShynSassy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 3036

Posted 3/31/2007 6:18 AM (GMT -7)

Welcome to the board raisin,
I am not taking lamictal,but alot of other members on here have at least tried it so hopefully you will get some good advice.
Meds can be frustrating I know. And I will add that my doctor had to try 5 or 6 different combos of meds before we found the right ones.
So,give it a chance and remember that sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks to take full effect.
If after that you do not feel the difference,then call the doctor and see what else they can do.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Shy

Mod- Depression

Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia

www.healingwell.com/donate

"I am woman,hear me roar one day and cry the next!!!"

Bonnie/2
New Member

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 4

Posted 4/3/2007 4:08 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Raisin, I have just started taking lamictal for depression only. I also take zoloft and wellbutrin. Have you started it yet. Tonight i will take my 4th pill. I hope you are doing ok with it.

Let me know.

Bonnie

olivia of course
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 1492

Posted 4/4/2007 8:33 AM (GMT -7)

Rianna,

Actually 100mg is considered a low dose. When I took lamictal in the past, I was on 300mg a day. I took lamictal for a little over 1 1/2 years as a mood stabilizer and for depression. I stopped taking it because it stopped working well, and I didn't like the way it made me feel too.

I too was terrified of the rash when I first started taking Lamictal. Also, your dose should be increased slowly 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and so on and so forth. Or maybe even smaller doses if you are too nervous. From what I understand, the chances of getting the rash is really low. But some people still go on to develop it, even with a low dose.

Good Luck!

@~ Olivia

"What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story,
And the greatest good is little enough:
for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams."
~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Life is a Dream

netter01
New Member

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 2

Posted 4/4/2007 9:03 AM (GMT -7)

I was just prescribed this yesterday. I am also on 225mg of Effexor XR. I have been diagnosed with depression for most of my life and just recently with bipolar disorder as well. My doctor says this medication works well with bipolar disorder especially those who tend to have depression more than manic episodes which I do. I hope it helps because I am tired of being depressed all the time especially since I am on so much meds to make me feel better.

Bonnie/2
New Member

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 4

Posted 4/4/2007 11:57 AM (GMT -7)

Well, since Ihave been taking lamictal, I have not felt like myself. I started with 25 mg. and am on my 6th pill today. First I had headaches, now I feel tired and achy.
I guess this is just my body getting used to it. I will take it for 1 month and see how it does. My doctor prescribed it to boost my antidepressant. I am not bipolar, just depressed. Have been for years. I too am tired of feeling this way. I have a good life, but when it is chemical you have to do something.

Bonnie

netter01
New Member

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 2

Posted 4/9/2007 1:44 PM (GMT -7)

I am currently on my 7th day. I have not really noticed a difference but it has only been a week. I have noticed that I am very groggy in the morning but that could be due to the Ambien CR I am taking as well. I have not noticed any mood changes but again, like I said it has only been a week.

Zomese
Regular Member

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 150

Posted 4/11/2007 7:38 PM (GMT -7)

I started taking Lamictal Monday of this week. My Dr. prescribed me the Blue starter kit. So Im on 25 mg everyother day for 2 weeks, then 25mg once a day for 2 weeks and so on. Today is my second pill and I feel really good. I have no side effects what so ever but it's only my second pill. This is also the only thing I'm taking. I was prescribed this for Bipolar II.

I do feel a bit groggy in the morning but only for about 10 minutes until I get out of bed. But I certainly don't feel agitated like I often do. And I have not had one thought like "I hate my life" or "I'm so miserable" or "Whats the point", which I often do. I feel really good. I also have more energy and I'm very optimistic that this medicine is going to work. I'll have to see later when I start taking higher doses of the medicine.

We should all keep each other posted for support.

sassycat
New Member

Date Joined Jun 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 6/9/2007 3:08 PM (GMT -7)

Chris, I identify exactly with you. my dr just perscribed lamictal today, and found this message board, and hope it will help.

Let's keep eachother updated frequently, so I can have some idea of what to expect.

Anyone know if there is any differance if you take the medication with or without food?

Sassycat

ShynSassy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 3036

Posted 6/10/2007 5:21 AM (GMT -7)

Alot of doctors encourage you to take the meds with food. I would give them a quick call just to be sure.

Shy

Mod- Depression

Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia
Meds I have taken throughout the years:Wellbutrin,Tranxene,Paxil,Prozac,Valium,
Currently taking none.
www.healingwell.com/donate

www.myspace.com/ShynSassy315

"I am woman,hear me roar one day and cry the next!!!"

miagolano
New Member

Date Joined Jun 2007
Total Posts : 6

Posted 6/10/2007 6:13 PM (GMT -7)

i am currently on wellbutrin 300mg a day. it doesn't seem to be working that well. i've been through most ssri meds, and they only work for about 6 months and just make me fat. so, my doc has recommended i try lamictal and i've been staring at the starter box for a week trying to make up my mind.

i'm worried about the rash but if it starts i'll just stop taking the meds. i've been told that weight gain is not a side effect of lamictal but then again i was told the same thing about ssri meds and i gained about 60 pounds on them. i'm concerned about 'flattening'. but, after spending yet another beautiful day on my couch sleeping most of the day because i just can't seem to get myself to move, i feel like i have no other choice but to try lamictal.

i suppose my biggest concern is having side effects so bad (other than the bad rash) that i can't function at work. i live alone and don't really have anyone to look after me if necessary, so becoming incapacitated is not an option.

anyway, i guess i'm just glad i have someplace i can post this rant and know that there's folks out there who understand what i'm going through. any words of support are welcome - or words of warning even. i'm just tired of doing all this alone.

peace!

Kandelz
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 9/10/2007 12:50 PM (GMT -7)

I was put on this Lamictal to, and It made me feel the same way, i have only been on it 4days, today is the 5th day, but I didnt take it today. I got tired of feeling drugged up, and weak, and i got alot of headaches, and hotflashes, i had alot of side effects from it.

hope3 said...
Hi Rianna, I was put on lamictal for mood swings. I didn't like how it made me feel so I stopped taking it. I feel more like myself now. Everyone noticed a change in me when I was taking it, and not a good one. I was too quiet and felt very drugged up. Medicines effect everyone different, so I hope this one works for you. Just thought I'd let you know that it made me worse instead of better. Good Luck to you!

djdaz_1985
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jan 2006
Total Posts : 2408

Posted 9/24/2007 4:12 AM (GMT -7)

Hi MLynn,

I have moved your post into a new thread so that you will get some more responses. I dont think your post quite matches the title on this one and I think this will cause people to over-look it. The new thread is called "Combining Zoloft and Lamictal... What are your experiences?"

Darren

Everyone has a guardian angel. They help pick you up when you fall, comfort you through your times of need and help you appreciate the times when things are going well.

Moderator - Epilepsy Forum

Co-Moderator - Depression Forum

Help support the forums so we can support you: http://www.healingwell.com/donate

Another Day
Veteran Member

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 1051

Posted 9/24/2007 11:10 PM (GMT -7)

sassycat said...

Chris, I identify exactly with you. my dr just perscribed lamictal today, and found this message board, and hope it will help.

Let's keep eachother updated frequently, so I can have some idea of what to expect.

Anyone know if there is any differance if you take the medication with or without food?

Sassycat

I was on Lamictal for several months for epilepsy and my neurologist always stressed that I take it with food. Of course, I got up to the higher dosage after several months and that made it even more important to take it with food.

Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism

Patricia B
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 9/28/2007 6:57 AM (GMT -7)

I started taking Lamictal about three weeks ago after taking Effexor and other SSRIs for a while (which seemed to have stopped working for me). I am definitely feeling better. My energy level is up and I am less sad and anxious. I am nervous about long-term effects, but I must feel better or I will be unable to function properly. It sucks taking all this stuff, but depression sucks more. Thanks for all the posts. It's very usefull to hear what others are experiencing. It's been a very positive change, so far.

olivia of course
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 1492

Posted 9/28/2007 8:02 AM (GMT -7)

Patricia,

I took Lamictal for over 1 1/2 years in the past and didn't notice any side effects afterwards. There are people who are still on it and have been on it for a while, and I have not heard them complain about it at all.

Olivia

Moderator, Bipolar

^_Dx:_{^{Bipolar I, Anxiety-Panic Disorder
Support HealingWell:}}_{^{http://www.healingwell.com/donate}}
^{_{"Don't let your yesterday, ruin your today"}}

wen4003
Veteran Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 1193

Posted 9/30/2007 8:48 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Rianna,

I am just going into my 2nd week of Lamictal and haven't noticed a difference yet, but it takes a while for these things to really kick in. Especially since it gradually increases to the desired dose. This is being used for my Bipolar as I cannot take Lithium.

Wen

I have Bipolar Disorder, Panic/Anxiety Disorders, Agoraphobia, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Severe Acid Reflux, Barrett's Esophagus, Sleep Apnea, and Narcolepsy

A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

Benjamin Franklin

Akram
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 613

Posted 9/30/2007 2:06 PM (GMT -7)

hi, I take lamictal with belbutrin and bunch of others, started on it 2 years ago, made me sleep better at night. I have Bi-polar and deppresion. I take 2x 50 everyday ( morning and night ).

To be or not to Be

35 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2

Forum Information

Currently it is Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:33 AM (GMT -7)
There are a total of 869,179 posts in 100,101 threads.
View Active Posts