My only question would be do you ever have highs? For me the mood stablizer cuts out my high highs so I don't have the crash to lows. My depression is treated separatly with anti depressants.
I'm not sure that this helped. Just my experience.
I have severe depression and was just wondering if this would help me out.
If you are not bi-polar, probably not. Remember, it is a mood STABILIZER, not an anti-depressant. Have you been to the doc? Although a mood stabilizer might not be the right choice for you, there are plenty of anti-depressant medications out there that could help.
Lamictal (lamotrigine) is a mood stabilizer that also has antidepressant properties. It has helped some people with unipolar depression that has not responded to other drugs.
My Dr just gave me the 5 week sample of Lamictal to start. I'm not bipolar, but suffer from major depressive disorder. I'm on 80mgs of Paxil (its so high because I also have OCD), seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist, yet am still having serious problems with depression. My doc thought that since Lamictal treats the depressive aspect of BD so well that it might help me.
Jules, from what I've been reading it seems that you should start slowly on this med to avoid a rash. I am so sorry for your suffering. I really hope this med is the one for you. Please let me know how it goes. I may ask my doc to let me have a chance at it. Hang in there
Last edited by momsbrandi; 02-25-2005 at 06:19 AM.
I am diagnosed as bipolar II which is quite a different thing from bipolar I (we don't get manic only hypo manic occasionally) I spend my time coping with the depression side of the equation. For years I was diagnosed only as major depression and only took an anti-depressant. That could be you too. Now I am on both an anti-deppressant and a mood stabilizer and I feel much better.
momsbrandi: Thanks for your concern, but don't worry, I'm titrating the meds. My dr. gave me a 5 week starter pack, 25mg/day for 2 weeks, 50mg/day for the next two weeks, then 100 mg after that. I have another appt. then to see how the meds are working.
Besides the paxil, I'm also on .5 mg/day of xanax, and I think adding the Lamictal is making me sleepy, but if it works I don't mind!
My dr. asked if I've ever had any manic episodes, I assume to see if I was bipolar. I don't fluctuate back and forth between moods, but I do occaisonally have times when I'm really really happy and think everything will be okay and I feel motivated and actually feel like doing things - but normally I'm just really depressed - does this sound like BD-I?
I am diagnosed as bipolar II which is quite a different thing from bipolar I (we don't get manic only hypo manic occasionally) I spend my time coping with the depression side of the equation. For years I was diagnosed only as major depression and only took an anti-depressant. That could be you too. Now I am on both an anti-deppressant and a mood stabilizer and I feel much better.
I didn't know that there was two types of bi polar. So, it seems from what you've said that you have the calmer version? If you don't mind sharing, what antidepressant and what mood stabilizer? How long have you been taking this mix? Thank you for posting and sharing with me, I really appreciate it. mb
momsbrandi: Thanks for your concern, but don't worry, I'm titrating the meds. My dr. gave me a 5 week starter pack, 25mg/day for 2 weeks, 50mg/day for the next two weeks, then 100 mg after that. I have another appt. then to see how the meds are working.
Besides the paxil, I'm also on .5 mg/day of xanax, and I think adding the Lamictal is making me sleepy, but if it works I don't mind!
My dr. asked if I've ever had any manic episodes, I assume to see if I was bipolar. I don't fluctuate back and forth between moods, but I do occaisonally have times when I'm really really happy and think everything will be okay and I feel motivated and actually feel like doing things - but normally I'm just really depressed - does this sound like BD-I?
Jules, I don't know if it's Bp or not. Not too familiar just yet. Either way, wouldn't it be great if this med combo made you feel better. Please keep me posted on how you're doing. Keeping my fingers crossed for you my friend. mb
I'm glad I could help some. I actually take more than two medications. Lamictal as a mood stabilizer, Wellbutrin XL for depression and Seroquel which I believe is categorized as an anti-psychotic but is also helpful in stabilizing moods. I have PRN prescriptions for both Klonopin (tranqulizer) and Restoril for sleep. My God, it sounds like I'm really bad off when I list all those but the reality is I'm just a normal person enjoying my grandchildren. Bipolar doesn't have to take over your life. You just can't ignore it or the signs that it could be worsening.
Alexgranny thank you for sharing. I will be going to see a physchiatrist in a few days. Maybe I am bp. I don't know. Antidepressants and Ativan for anxiousness doesn't seem to do the trick anymore. Not to mention, the antidepressants usually only work for a very short time with me. I just really need some relief. Than I worry so much about my having passed this dreaded disease down to my 12 year old child. She has symptoms. I just can't imagine her going through all that I have. Can you relate? Anyone?
Last edited by momsbrandi; 02-28-2005 at 01:18 PM.
HI Momsbrandi,
Yes it is true that there is a genetic component to all mood disorders but it doesn't help either you or your daughter when you worry about it. My first husband (father of my three children) is bipolar as am I. Two of my children have been diagnosed bipolar and one struggles with depression. I try to focus on the improved treatments available today (not just lithium). My younger daughter and I are vigilant about watching the grandkids so that we can provide help and support if it becomes necessary. I guess what I'm trying to say is you have no control over your genes so the best you can do is to be supportive and vigilant regarding your daughter. It is NOT your fault!
Alexgranny, I guess I wasn't through after all. I also have 3 children. Oldest shows signs of depression, middle shows signs of bipolar, 3 child to young to tell. I just can't imagine what their future will be like. I want so badly to look forward to the future for them. I want them to have a good job and to be able to care for themselves. But, this disease is so disabling, it's almost not possible. What are your thoughts on that?
Last edited by momsbrandi; 03-01-2005 at 04:08 PM.
Momsbrandi,
Please don't give up on your children! Everyday they are finding new meds and better therapies to treatment mood disorders. Your kids will take their cue from you.
I would also like to tell you that my three adult children are living happy productive lives.
There is always hope for the future.
Please be sure to take care of yourself.
Alexgranny
Momsbrandi,
Please don't give up on your children! Everyday they are finding new meds and better therapies to treatment mood disorders. Your kids will take their cue from you.
I would also like to tell you that my three adult children are living happy productive lives.
There is always hope for the future.
Please be sure to take care of yourself.
Alexgranny
Thank you so much for posting. So, your children have depression/bipolar and are able to work, raise kids, take care of themselves......... ? Those are the things that worry me.
your children have depression/bipolar and are able to work, raise kids, take care of themselves......... ? Those are the things that worry me.
Mental illness is by no means a death sentance. My husband is bipolar, and I have struggled with depression for years. We both hold down full-time jobs and "take care of ourselves" (no kids yet - but three very demanding cats!).
I know it is hard not to worry, and I am not saying that things are always easy, especially for my husband. But that doesn't mean there is no hope. There are plenty of people posting here who lead perfectly normal lives, even with their bipolar disorder. Please remember that you are much more likely to hear about those who are struggling than those who are just going about their everyday lives with no major problems.
Hi! I just wanted to add. I went to a new pdoc yesterday and he thinks that I am mildly bipolar more toward the depressive side and prescribed me lamictal. He actually told the anti-ds were most probably making me worse and making me cycle more. Good Luck! Lori
mb
