Medications

[zooyork79]

Is anyone taking Geodon or Lamictal for their bipolar disorder?
Are there any side affects?

[LordByron]

Hi
I was on Lamotrogine for 3 months early on following my diagnosis, set off great seemed to help me out of my Bipolar Depression at the time along with the usual Prozac!
But had to come off to go on Lithium as it caused me to get stuck in a Mixed High State which was very distressing. Tried smaller dose with Lithium this time caused me to be irritable most days.
now on Lithium/SeroQuel/Clonazepam/Prozac still looking for the silver bullet of combinations!

[rogelio63]

I've been on Lamictal 200mg per day for almost 2 years now.  No noticeable side effects.  I wouldn't say I love it,,I don't know why.  In fact I wouldn't be surprised if my dose needs to be upped.  I feel a little cyclic at times.

[lindahand]

I am on Lamictal and Geodone. It is a good combination for me. Didn't get any side effects with the Lamictal. With Geodone I have a few side effects. One side effect is I lost a lot of weight. Which was good to begin with as I was a size 12 going on to 14 but I am now a size six. I really have to watch that I don't lose anymore weight. I'd like to gain some muscle tone too. I also have some agitation, or it increased what was already there. I alway fidgited now I do it more. I also think as part of the agitation it is making me more shakey. I have a familiar tremor so I am always a bit shakey but it is much more noticable now.

Compared to being a crying, agitated ultra rapid cycling mess the side effects are nothing.

Good luck and I hope you get the success you are looking for. Don't forget it takes time (sometimes up to a month once you get to a therapeutic dose) for it to work as it should.

[some1nthecrowd]

I have always heard good things about lamictal. There are no side effects and its the best alternative to Lithium. I am on Lithium and love it, it just took quite a while for me to adjust to it. I think about four weeks. It made me really sick to my stomach you have to make sure you drink plenty of water and eat good before you take it. Also the upside to Lithium is it more natural then the other medications, and it only cost $4 at wal-mart hehehe. Lamictal is a little bit on the pricey side.

[otis69]

I have been on Lamictal for 18 months now and I have found it to be a lifesaver for me. I have found that I am not as impulsive as I was, nor do my moods fluctuate erratically anymore. I have experienced some side effects such as going through a period of being emotionless, and my weight has increased. I did still suffer with some depression so the docs have added Cymbalta and Abilify with my 200 mg a day of Lamictal. Now, life is good! Otis

[laivie]

I have been on Geodon for 1 year now and It keeps the "voices" and paranoid thoughts at bay.  I really can't think of any side effects.  Hope this helps.

[shiverl]

I've been on Lamictal for 2 years and it's been good to me.  I did have blurred vision with the generic version and have to use the brand name.  Supposedly, blurred vision is a common side effect with the generic, and also isn't as strong as the brand name.

[LeftCoastChick]

I've been on Lamictal since October, and it's been a godsend to me. It is slow to titrate up to therapuedic levels - but it's done a world of good. I'm about 85-90% depression free all the time. The difference now is, I get down if something external happens, like regular folks do, everyone gets blue at times. I'm at 250mgs/night, I've also noticed my anxiety has dropped and I've pretty much stopped my emotional eating/bingeing, I binge at times when I pms, but it's much easier. I've also dropped the amount of ativan I take, but I think it's both the Lamictal and the Seroqual which has done that.  I did have a bit of blurry vision in "hindsight" but it went away and I didn't even notice!  If it's working for you, then keep going - it's a first line drug to treat BP depression. It's nice to hear a positive story!

[beatfreak]

Hi! I've been on lamictal for starting 5 weeks now. I have had no side effects at all. Oh actually a little blurred vision sometimes but only for like a second at a time. nothing to be concerned about though. I love the lamictal.