pinkeetoz
05-23-2006, 12:27 AM
Can someone tell me how long it takes for Lamictal to start working? I started 25mg four days ago. Will be on that dose for two weeks, than on 50mg, ...... anxious to see if its going to be the right med for me, I also take 20mg lexapro and adderall, thank you, pinkeetoz
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fallen_angel
05-23-2006, 04:25 AM
hi pinkeetoz, i cant speak for lamictal personally but ive just been put on mood stabiliser and have been told it will take around a week to work and 2-3 weeks to reach full benefit. was told if it wasnt controlling manic episode after 28 days then to consider discontinuing it. good luck, Fallen :angel:
daisy-duke77
05-23-2006, 05:21 AM
I was on Lamictal for about 4 months. It took a good month before i felt anything............unfortunately i had severe side effects and ended up going off it! I didnt sleep for 3 months. It did help lift my depression.
Carla8Fire
05-23-2006, 07:37 AM
I just started Lamictal as well last week (5 Days ago) thanks for asking the question as I was wondering my self, the deppression is very hard for me to handle.
pinkeetoz
05-23-2006, 02:07 PM
Carla, you're not alone with trying to deal with depression! Waiting for Lamictal to perform a miracle. I do know that I have to get out of my house daily, even if it's to run to Walmart or grocery. If I stay in all day and sleep, I feel much worse. Sometimes it's hard,but, it's so beneficial. I'll keep you posted on the Lamictal. Please do so as well, good luck, pinkeetoz
Daisy, so sorry it had side effects. Have you found something to work for you?
Fallen, good luck!
Daisy, so sorry it had side effects. Have you found something to work for you?
Fallen, good luck!
pinkeetoz
05-23-2006, 02:08 PM
Carla, you're not alone with trying to deal with depression! Waiting for Lamictal to perform a miracle. I do know that I have to get out of my house daily, even if it's to run to Walmart or grocery. If I stay in all day and sleep, I feel much worse. Sometimes it's hard,but, it's so beneficial. I'll keep you posted on the Lamictal. Please do so as well, good luck, pinkeetoz
Daisy, so sorry it had side effects. Have you found something to work for you?
Fallen, good luck!
Daisy, so sorry it had side effects. Have you found something to work for you?
Fallen, good luck!
pinkeetoz
05-23-2006, 03:34 PM
Is it possible that Lamictal can cause anxiety? It's only day 5 .I know that everytime I try a new ssri I had anxiety for the first couple of weeks. pinkeetoz
klawk316
05-23-2006, 09:28 PM
I've been taking Lamictal for 2 years. I like it. I didn't start to feel any better until I reached 150 mg, I am now at 250 mg with 5 mg abilify. Each time my dose was increased I became moody and weepy but held out, and am glad I did. It took a while to get really stable but I was able to see an improvement with each increase, so the wait was tolerable. At first, I too had some anxiety but I really think that was more from fear of taking a new drug and of the rare rash side effect it could cause. I did have some memory issues while going up to 250 mg but since stable, my concentration is much better, henceforth my memory is much improved. My sister takes 400 mg and would recommend the drug too. I would also recommend you become real familiar with Lamictal's side effects, and note that most will go away with time. Good Luck, k.
pinkeetoz
05-23-2006, 10:15 PM
Thank you Klawk. I am sooooo ready to feel better. I've been praying for a med that will work for me. I'm scared to get to hopeful, but, from what I've read it's helped a great many of people. Please pray for me, thx, pinkeetoz
klawk316
05-24-2006, 11:50 AM
I know what it means to feel hopeless; even with my very occasional, short term, low intensity mood swings (about every 6 months, as opposed to every 3-5 weeks), that old-unfriendly-feeling of hopelessness raises its ugly ugly head. The lamictal works 90% for me, the abilify helps greatly with sleep and really levels me out the other 10%. I hope it continues. The lamictal helps me more with depression and the abilify takes better care of my mania. I hope you find your mix. k
Emerson80
05-24-2006, 12:37 PM
I was on Lamictal for about 4 months. It took a good month before i felt anything............unfortunately i had severe side effects and ended up going off it! I didnt sleep for 3 months. It did help lift my depression.
I am having a problem sleeping as well. My doc also just increased it from 200 to 400. I am nervous I will have more of a problem sleeping.
I am having a problem sleeping as well. My doc also just increased it from 200 to 400. I am nervous I will have more of a problem sleeping.
pinkeetoz
05-24-2006, 03:52 PM
Update!!!! Unbelievable!!! I've been on lamictal for 6 days now. I woke this morning and for the first time in 2.5 months did not need to take xanax. :bouncing: Praying for continued success, pinkeetoz
pinkeetoz
05-25-2006, 07:44 PM
Day seven, woke with no anxiety again this morning!!!! No need for xanax as soon as I open my eyes. Thank you GOD!!! Noticing that I'm irritable in the afternoon, but, that happens when I start ssri's too. I do still need xanax at bedtime to sleep. Carla8, how's it working out for you? I'll keep posting. I hope this helps someone who has been in my shoes! pinkeetoz
Milkmaid
05-26-2006, 01:17 AM
My daughter's pdoc put her on Lamictal because he thinks she may have Bipolar II. (Gosh, her grandmother died in a catatonic state from BP I, and her father was diagnosed with Cyclothimia (sp?) - so why wouldn't she have it?). She's taken Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Neurontin for 3 years now with no real help for her depression and mood swings. She's been on the Lamictal for almost 2 weeks and her moods (except for a couple of wild days) are smooth sailing. And that's only 25mgs! I hope she doesn't have to take a high dosage of this medication, and I look forward to her getting off some of her other meds soon.
Good luck to you - and to her!
Good luck to you - and to her!
pinkeetoz
05-30-2006, 02:00 AM
Day 9!! I have been bringing my kids swimming, helping out at the end of the school year functions, going to church, visiting friends, going to my son's baseball games......... Keeping my eyes focused on the Lord, pinkeetoz
Hedgehog No 1
06-01-2006, 08:02 AM
Hey pinkee,
I've been following your thread closely.
I've reached the stage that you are at with the lamictal. Isn't it great.
However I have been suffering badly with anxiety and panic attacks. You mentioned in an earlier posting that this was a possible side effect. Is that right? If it is does it go away after a time or is it a constant side effect????? You have more information than me (nothing at all) as lamictal isn't used over here very often.
Glad you're feeling better, keep it up.
Hedge.
I've been following your thread closely.
I've reached the stage that you are at with the lamictal. Isn't it great.
However I have been suffering badly with anxiety and panic attacks. You mentioned in an earlier posting that this was a possible side effect. Is that right? If it is does it go away after a time or is it a constant side effect????? You have more information than me (nothing at all) as lamictal isn't used over here very often.
Glad you're feeling better, keep it up.
Hedge.