lamictal? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

caterpillargirl · 03-23-2006, 12:30 PM

I was diagnosed with bi-polar I five years ago and I have been on Depakote since. Plus various other rx when the need arose. A month ago, I was also dx with MS. Talking to my neurologist, he suggested Lamictal rather than Depakote as he feels that it is better for women. Also, he said that Lamictal is safe to get pregnant on (in case that happens). Are there any women out there who have any thoughts on Lamictal, because I'm pretty sure my Psych. never mentioned it before and I would like to bring it up.
-Thanks

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 03-23-2006, 12:37 PM

I'm on 100 mg of Lamictal for Asperger's, but I'm not bipolar. It really has helped me a lot; it's like day and night... I don't know how helpful it is for bipolar disorder, but if Depakote isn't working, it might be worth it to give a try, despite Depakote being much more common in the treatment of bipolar disorder. For me, the little things that would bother and irritate me, causing me to lash out at everyone, barely rouse me now. I love what Lamictal has done for me. Good luck, God bless, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

-GatsbyLuvr1920-

caterpillargirl · 03-23-2006, 12:54 PM

Thanks Gatsby.
I am curious, though, because I was taking geodon and zyprexa (at different times) for a while and both made me feel like a zombie - I didn't respond to anything. Do you find that the lamictal keeps you from feeling emotions, or just balances you out to a more normal state?

weasel · 03-23-2006, 01:14 PM

HI, I used to come on here a lot but really dont anymore....i just happened upon your post and thought i might be of some assistance.

I have been on Lamictal for about 2 years now. It was a godsend. I was diagnosed with bpII, although in retrospect i think that unipolar depression would be more accurate. at any rate, ssri's made me "manic", so they tried stuff like zyprexa (=zombie) and a whole bunch of others. finally we tried lamictal, and it has been awesome. its supposed to work good for bpI as well. i still have emotions, but i find if i miss a dose, especially two days in a row, i get either super worked up and angry, or super despressed. so be careful not to miss a dose. over all i feel "normal"

about the pregnancy thing, they actually do not know if it is safe during pregnancy. there has not been enough data in humans to say one way or the other.....

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 03-23-2006, 01:20 PM

caterpillargirl- The Lamictal makes me have a balanced mood; it doesn't make me feel like a zombie whatsoever. I used to have ups-and-downs, irritability, and breakdowns due to sensory overload almost every day. The Lamictal has almost completely eliminated this, but I still feel strong emotions at times.

-GatsbyLuvr1920-