Lamictal? for my bipolar

[pensacolafl26]

I am on Lamictal for my Bipolar, but i have also had a seizure. i know it is also a seizure med, and my bipolar issue is WAY more important. How much of the lamictal will be helping for my actual bipolar? I'm trying to understand, the doctor said it will treat both, but i need to be sure that the motivation was not for epilepsy, because that takes a backseat to bipolar, as i have only had a couple seizures, and am not diagnosed epileptic, and my MRI showed nothing of the sort. since my seizure in Sept, i have been taking the lamictal regularly, but am also suffering from post concussion syndrome where my memory is foggy etc, and i sometimes have to take pain meds due to the fall on my face, in which i will now need reconstructive surgery, so i guess my question is, since i am so foggy, how good of a med is Lamictal for bipolar/ mood stabilizer?

[MyChristNpeacebewU]

I have been prescribed Lamictal (taking the generic Lamotrigine) for about 3 years now for my bipolar disorder alone. I started with 25 or 50 mg to see if I'd be allegoric and develop the rash that rarely happens but can be severe. My body didn't reacted poorly to it (my mother also took it before me and was ok as well) and I was moved to 100 mg then 150 mg and now have been on 200 mg for a year and a half. It has worked well for me as a mood stabilizer and in controlling my manic episodes. I still had a bit of depression or lack of too much emotion and happiness so I was prescribed abilify shortly after I started and moved up from 5mg which can be very effective for some but I did better at 10 mg. Without insurance it is very hard to take because of it's price but I'm back on it recently and waiting to see if it helps me live a more balanced life. After lithium, various antidepressants before being properly diagnosed, and a few other mood stabilizers Lamotrigine has worked the best for me. I know this post is many years later but I wanted to add my input for others as well. I hope you have found the right meds for yourself alsoPensacolafl26!

[cornyguy]

it is least number of side effects.

[cornyguy]

Lamictal is an effective mood stabilizer and one with the lease number of side effects except for a rash.If you get any rash  inform your Doc immediately otherwise you dont need to get any blood tests on this med.

[pensacolafl26]

i no longer self medicate. I have seen a neurologist, ent, catscans, MRI''s, university level surgens, psych, etc. my only confirmed diagnosis is bipolar, lamictal was given as a trial mood stabilizer, as many other had bad side affects, a coincidentally, i had a seizure therefor resulting in them keeping me on lamictal, Neurology and brain imaging found nothing, as conluded seizure derived from Tramadol(lowering seizure threshold) as well as dehydration. i just would like to know how affective is laictal for a mood stabilizer.

[cornyguy]

You need to see a Pdoc and Neurologist ASAP as you need to know the cause of seizure and pls dont self medicate.I too have done it earlier.Take your meds under the guidance of a good Pdoc.All the best.

[pensacolafl26]

Well doctora, i dont have a psych appt. i have been self medicating. alcohol for a couple yrs, the pain pills last few mos. I am unsure how the lamictal is working for me, as i have not had my right mind, after the seizure, i've suffered memory loss, so i haven't been able to  guage what is doing what for me. I'm w/d from vicodin,, so i need all the info i can

[opus88]

Hi pensa....I am also on Lamictal only 150mg..but did start on double that amount..I am on it for B/P...but only a mild B/P possibly referred to as cycothemia (sp...sorry).
and it does stabilize my moods effectively. I guess with time you will see how this is working or not working for you and monitor with your doctor.
good luck to you.

[pensacolafl26]

i had a grand mal this time and the year before as well. the psychiatrist around here are booked for months out, and nobody just wants to stop or change your meds. So is lamictal a good bipolar drug?

[doctora]

Wow, Im sorry to hear about your bad luck. I had a seizure Dec 07, died, and was revived. They also put me on Lamictal, but only for a month, until they could see if I had another seizure, I did have a small one, nothing like the grand mal I had in Dec. so they took me off that med. and they never found out why I had the seizure.

Shortly after that, I decided it was time to take stock of my life, and deal with what I thought was depression, it turned out to be that and more.

Some antipsycotic meds serve more than one purpose, for example, the Seroquel I am on now also affects seizures, you should look it up and you may see what he is talking about. I also take Abilify and Cipralex.

If you have decided to deal with your BP that is great, make sure that you research the meds you are prescribed. At the beginning I was given quite a few meds that either didnt work or gave me side effects.

You should go to your GP and have a good talk with him/her about your Bipolar, make sure you get all your questions answered, and be truthful and open with your answers otherwise you wont get the solutions you are looking for.

I also take Demerol, Morphine, Fiorinal C1/2, Tyl #3, Oxy IR, all when required for pain, as I have severe osteoporosis and break bones often.

Do you have an appt with your Dr already set up, or with a Psyc.?