Hi all. I'm dictating for my mom since she's not very familiar with the computer. She's 54 and most of her life has dealt with anxiety and/or depression. Recently, she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder by a Psychologist and was confirmed by a Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist took her off of her antidepressant and put her on a low dose of Lamictal. It's been 2 weeks and she still doesn't have any relief. Has anyone out there taken Lamictal for Bipolar Disorder? How long did it take to kick in? Here are a list of side effects she's dealing with - most since her recent increase in dosage: insomnia (she's taking Ambien for that), anxious, nervous, chest hurts, antsy, muscles in back, shoulders, and neck in knots, headache, and bad tummy ache (upper part). She feels like she's having a panic attack. What do you do about any of it? Do you just deal with it or is there some relief? Her Psychiatrist is telling her to tough it out, but I'm afraid there's a point where toughing it out is too tough. Any thoughts? Thanks. Kim
Hi Kim,
Welcome to Healingwell. I take lamictal and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for it to kick in. It's a pretty good med for bipolar but I don't recall having side effects like that. If they don't seem to get better soon I would talk to the psychiatrist again.
Laura
"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
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Welcome to Healingwell. I take lamictal and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for it to kick in. It's a pretty good med for bipolar but I don't recall having side effects like that. If they don't seem to get better soon I would talk to the psychiatrist again.
Laura
"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
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