Any success for BPII with Lamictal? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

becksA · 11-02-2004, 06:47 AM

I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar 2...(I only suffer from the depressive symptoms)...although I take Xanax for severe social anxiety/phobia...but we believe this is because of the bipolar depression. I'm VERY slowly starting Lamictal to help. Has anybody had help with Lamictal, and if so...how long did it take, and what were your symptoms to begin with, and what changes did you notice? Thanks.

weasel · 11-02-2004, 08:23 AM

it has helped me quite a bit. we did have to up my dose when fall came, i started to slide back into a depression. i think we caught it....we will see. it took a little while to kick in, as its something you have to build up. the only side effect that i can think of to tell you that i have is short term memory problems. and a little sensitivity to heat, but i dont have to worry about that in new england for most of the year. good luck with it......

anni · 11-03-2004, 10:22 AM

I have been on Lamictal for sometime now. It does seem to help. I am Bipolar two and get much more suicidal and depressed than manic. I know what makes me manic so I just don't go there. My friend was on it but she had to quit because of a rash. Becareful because if you get the rash it can be deadly and contact your Dr..
Good talkin to you, Anni

mother of six · 11-03-2004, 12:41 PM

Lamictal has also helped me. I've been using it for about 1 1/2 years .

becksA · 11-03-2004, 02:41 PM

ok, im at the very beginning of lamictal treatment so who knows what the future holds. In the past years, I've tried pretty much literally every single AntiDepressant on the market, none of which worked. You'd think the doc would try another approach. So I switched, was diagnosed with BPII and am SLOWWWWLY starting lamictal. I'm taking 17.5mg every other day the firsts week, next week I'll take 17.5 every day, the next week 25mg every day...and then I have another appointment to see how things are going. Trying not to get my hopes up because nothing has helped in the past....We'll see..