newbie w/ ??? about lamictal - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

boopalicious22 · 08-28-2006, 12:09 AM

I haven't officially been told i am bipolar but these mood swings must be a sign of it! I go to the doctor... well today(its almost 2am) I have been on wellbutrin for almost 2 years now and i think i have gotten immune to it, i tried upping my dose but that just seemed to make me meaner, so i am thinking about trying lamictal. I hear it is supposed to be a good mood stabilizer and can help with depression too? I just want to feel and treat people in a consistant way, these ups and downs, hot and colds have to go!
I'll freak out about something and then be over it within 5 min., the damage will be done and I won't even know why i was upset in the first place. my husband is about ready to give up...on a good day when i am happy so is he but those days seem to be 2 far and 2 few between! everybody has a breaking point and i don't blame him, but we both know if i can find the right med. the type of person i really am..i know there is no such thing as a miracle pill but have any of you had sucess with lamictal for mood swings, depression, or OCD? oh yeah without the weight gain?

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 08-28-2006, 07:19 AM

I'm not bipolar and I don't have depression, but I take Lamictal to help with the mood swings and outbursts related to my Asperger's. It has helped me immensely in that aspect. I also have OCD, but mood stabilizers are not meant to help with OCD, so obviously, the Lamictal hasn't done anything for that. I love Lamictal and I recommend it for mood swings. Personally, I think other better known medications, such as Lithium or Depakote, should be tried for those who know that they truly are bipolar, but if you're still wondering and the doctors aren't sure, Lamictal is a good choice. My PCP, psychiatrist, and yes, even myself, all thought I was cyclothymic, but it turned out to be my Asperger's, which I was diagnosed with in March. I am like you- I have mood swings that are only for 5-30 minutes and I have no idea what makes me upset. Usually, it's some hidden aspect of my Asperger's, like sudden change, being interrupted in my routine, sensory issues, etc, but the Lamictal has helped me get over these quicker and helped these to happen less often. Good luck, God bless, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

-GatsbyLuvr1920-

liz49 · 08-28-2006, 11:18 AM

My 20 yr old daughter is on Lamicatal for her bipolarity. It has helped a great deal tho she does miss her manic phases! But since they were inevitably followed by terrible depressive episodes she chooses to be stable rather than ride that roller coaster. She also has been prescribed Buspar for her anxiety but as she is away at college I haven't spoken to her about it and I doubt she takes it. She is extremely bright and has read up a LOT on BP and knows what the later results of not treating her BP can result in. Her pdoc wanst her to change to abilify, which is supposed to help with the cycling of moods better, but, she is content to not mess with things now and as long as she is happy, she is leaving it alone. She does get therapy along with meds, and as she just started with a new therapist last week, I have no idea how she is doing...but for her, Lamictal has been a big help.

boopalicious22 · 08-28-2006, 02:53 PM

Well I went for my appt. today and the dr, somewhat reluctantly, decided to prescribe lamictal. Thanks to all of your positive statments I feel really good about giving it a try

boopalicious22 · 08-28-2006, 02:55 PM

Sorry, double-posted...still trying to figure it all out