I'm on 250mg lamictal daily and would like to go to 300. I'm sure 300 would be the cats meow for me. Just that 50mg more would eliminate the swings totally. I read that 200 is supposed to be the max for bipolar and my doctor does not want to increase. I'm going to beg her again this Friday. Meanwhile, I would like to hear from those taking better then 250mg. Thank you, Karen
Ps: I might have to find another good pdoc in NJ, that may oblige, anyone know of one?
Not sure exactly, your doc should do more research. I just read a study where epaleptic patients were given as much as 350mg 2x a day! That seems really high, but keep in mind this is not the same demographic as BP people, it only shows us that this dose may have been perscbd. I take 200mg, and if I remeber correctly, if this did not work my doc would have brought me up to 250-- could be wrong. Like you the 50mg made a huge difference.
Thanks for responding. Why the Abilify? Does it help with your mania or depression? How long did it take before you saw an improvement? Any side effects with such a low dose? My doctor did want me to try Seriqual (sp?) but I heard so many bad things about it, I was to afraid to try it.
Abilify helped with depression, lamictal took care of mania. I did not like saraquel at all, made me very lethargic and did not help depression. No side effects with the abilify, it took about 1 week to feel a difference....
Personally, I have been increased from 200 mg to 400 mg of Lamictal daily because of occasional seizures, but I find that it does NOTHING to help with my depression. My psychiatrist wanted me to be on a sufficient dosage of Lamictal before he added an anti-depressant to the mix, so I'll find out what he has to say this week. But Lamictal just is not doing it for me as far as my bi-polar mood swings, even though it does admittedly control my seizures.
About 7 months ago I had been on 300mg of Lamictal and it was managing my mood swings as well as it was at 200 and 250, but my doc just kept upping it. Eventually it made me so flat that I didn't care about anything. I wasn't depressed, I wasn't manic, I wasn't anything. I took myself off my meds for about 4 months which was the WRONG decision. I am now back on lamictal(with a new doc), at 100mg and it's working so I won't let it be increased unless it is absolutely necessary. Be careful, if your doc thinks its a good idea NOT to go to 300, stick where your at. Lamictal alone can not get rid of all your swinging, but it deffinitely helps, at least it has for me. Good luck
