just diagnosed bi-polar manic depressive, have questions - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

laurabell · 01-21-2005, 11:26 AM

hello, my psych. thought i am bi polar manic depressive and started me on lexapro, and lamictal. i also have high anxiety. i am feeling natious and a little uptight, do you think it is a side effect? has lamictal worked for anyone else really good?

Christine1984 · 01-21-2005, 01:06 PM

Yes laura, there side effects!! lexapro and lamictal are not bipolar drugs!! lithium,depekote, or tegretol are bipolar/manic drugs!! lexapro is an anxiety and depression drug!! lamictal is just for moods!! i used to be on lots of meds, but not anymore!! i have bipolar plus OCd and severe anxiety!! i hate meds and refuse to go on any because of the dangerous effects it had on my body. psych meds are very bad. christina

Ruth6:11 · 01-21-2005, 03:44 PM

Lamictal is classified as a mood stabilizer. Which is exactly what is needed when our moods go from so up to so down. There are others out there, and they DO all have one side effect or another - just like many medications for physical illnesses out there.

Lexapro is an SSRI - normally folks who are bipolar try to stay away from these because in a percentage of people with bipolar disorder an SSRI can tip us over into mania.

Sometimes if someone is on a mood stabilizer, like you are with the Lamictal, it will prevent that from happening.

Medication is a problem for some of us as you can tell from other posts.

I've been on meds for 20 yrs and I don't care whether I suffer from a few side effects or not - it's better than going totally bonkers or so depressed I can't move...
I'm hoping you'll work with your doctor on getting the right med or meds for you -
Please be sure to understand that denial can be our middle name and keep reading for different points of view.

princesspea · 01-21-2005, 09:32 PM

Hi Laurabell

,

I too am on a mood stabilizer and a SSRI along with another antidepressent. They are working well for me. I do have some side effects but compare to the "side effects" of being un medicated they are nothing.

I agree with Ruth that you have to keep an eye on being on an SSRI and being bp. It can work though with a good psych. working with you.

Don't be too shocked if you may have to change meds a couple of time before you get the right combo. for you. You may also have your meds changed up or down a little until you get the right dose. That's all parr for the course.

All in all if I had a choice of being bp with meds or without meds (I've been there) I'll take my meds any day. Remember most side effects go away. Usually the neasua does.

Good luck to you and welcome to the board! Hope to see you posting more.

Love,

Jamie

loopyturtle · 01-24-2005, 04:41 AM

Hi Laurabell,

I have taken Lamictal before and found it to be the best med for me for mood stabilization. The only significant side effect I experienced was itching. It took quite a while for any of my doctors to identify this . . . I have a number of allergies. I was told that the only thing that could help would be an ssri (antidepressants) which of course can trigger cycling, and med adjustments etc. I was spared the decision of what to do as I lost my medical benefits, so had to stop everything. Lol. At least I don't itch any more.

I'm rambling . . . sorry.

Anyway, just wanted to encourage you a little. As said earlier, It can take time to find the correct med combo and dosage, so hang in there if it gets rough.