Has anyone ever heard of Lamictal?

Question

I was prescribed Lamictal for Bi-Polar disorder.

Is anyone currently taking it? Has anyone taken it in the past?

I have a problem taking prescribed medication. I almost NEVER take it, except maybe for the first few days or weeks. I didn't take the Lamictal, I flushed it one day when I was freaking out and angry, and haven't been to any of my therapists since. I've been trying to cope on my own, and now I'm in a situation where if I really do need help, I won't be able to get it.

Sorry for rambling.

Again, Lamictal. It's supposed to be for people with epilepsy or something. Does it work for you, or anyone you know?? I'm sure I should have given it a chance, but I didn't. I had a manic episode and Threw It Away! And now I can't get back on it.

Before when I was getting treatment, I was on Tricare (military insurance)... But me and my military spouce split up, and now I have NO insurance, and NO money at all to see a therapist.

Plus I get this feeling that I don't WANT to be in therapy because I KNOW nothing is wrong with me, I think they're all liars and all the doctors are out to make me feel like ****, and push pills on me. Since after all they do get paid for me having a problem. I think they're trying to scam me, my thoughts start racing and I don't want to have anything to do with them. Even though part of me believes the meds would really help me!!

>.<

I get so frustrated sometimes.

Manic, Depressive, Paranoid... I've been up and down since I was 12 years old, I'm 20 now, and it's already taking its toll on me.

Answer 1

I have been on Lamictal in the past for the treatment of my Bipolar disorder. It worked well as a mood stabilizer for me but I had an allergic reaction to it so I had to change medications. I think you should contact your doctor and explain what happened, I know being bipolar myself we sometimes do things we regret later. Please don't make it any worse by staying off your medication. Oh and I almost forgot, Many of the drugs they prescribe for us as mood stailizers are classified as anticonvulsants. It's because they target the same areas and chemicals in the brain.

Answer 2

They say I'm bipolar too BUT not all the bipolars require the same medication!!It doesn't mean it will work on you if it works on another bipolar person.It's all a matter of the personal situation of chemical inbalance of individual's own brain.
Since I am opposed to using lithium and depakote for myself , they have tested how Lamictal would work on me for 1 month (last month)
It made me agitated and didn't cure my depression either.Both hypomanic ajitation and depressive pessimism went on at the same time . It was disgusting for me . BUT , that might be because I didn't accept a secondary medicine along with it.It also made me sick (seroquel) gave me the panic attacks which is still taking its roots from my personal situation.Most people take Lamictal along WITH an anti-psychotic WITH a sleeping pill WITH this WITH that bla blah blah and the list goes on.That way Lamictal might help.I dont think it will work as a single tr on you.
The meds used to treat epilepsy are common with that of manic depression mostly(if one doesn't use lithium).
I've been diagnosed like 6 years ago but 2 months ago,after I have had an EEG , it's been released that I have a very small irregular phenomen only on one side of my brain about the electrical waves.So this is not epilepsi but is an epileptic phenomenon.The docs don't know the link between epilepsy and bipolar yet but they have come to the conclusion that anti epileptics are used in preventing MOSTLY the MANIC sometimes the DEPRESSIVE episodes of the illness.
P.S.I am a wrong role model for you cos I hate meds and choose to live mostly without them.I reject any continous treatments but am gonna choose to get some help whenever I need it very desperately(perhap when I have an attack(if I ever have it again))
I chose to live like this with some obligations I've made to me like never touching alcohol or soft drugs,avoiding any kind of a trigger and maintain a healthy life as much as possible.

Lamictal can be good as an adjunction to other drugs,otherwise it can easily drive you insane on its own.

Answer 3

My doctor just prescribed Lamictal for me. I thought I've been depressed all these years, but no med has ever worked, and all had really bad side effects. I'm also afraid to take new meds, so I'm completely sympathetic about that. I get extreme side effects from just about everything.

I'm going to force myself to take it. The doc explained that he thinks I'm type 2 bipolar, not depressed, since the symptoms are mild highs and many more lows than bipolar type 1, and that antidepressants don't work on bipolar disease. So, I can't answer your question right now, but since I'm going to start taking Lamictal today, maybe I'll have an answer soon....

Answer 4

I am bipolar also. I never took anything! Lamictal is pretty good. I have been on it 1 month now. I notice a slight difference. It does not cause weight gain, it suppresses my appetite actually.
It can be used for epilepsy. Anti anxiety's like klonopin are used for epilepsy also.
Give it a shot. It does not make you a zombie like other bi polar drugs.
Bi polar is nothing to mess with. Who wants to be so up and down anyway? It is really an unstable way to live.
Take care.

Answer 5

i have in the past taken lamictal and have Friend's that currently on it i took it for epilepsy and my friends for bi-polar and to tell you the truth i was fine on it and suffered very little if at all and my friends too did not suffer at all. if your manic or were that really is not the time for taking new meds is it? you need to be in a space where you one:willing to try something new and two can comprehend that it will help if given enough time maybe you should see a psychiatrist instead. i have borderline personality disorder and i find mine really understands better than a therapist.

Answer 6

Lamictal is an anti-seisure medication. It starts off with a low daily dose and slowly increases. Its not effective untill you have used it for a while as it has to build-up inside of you. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and rash.
Lamactil for bi-polar dis-order...
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/lamotrigine.htm

Answer 7

Im on Lamictal, but its for my epilepsy.

Give me a sec and Ill give you the info on it :)

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Lamotrigine(Lamictal) is used alone or with other medications to prevent or control seizures (epilepsy) in people aged 2 and older. It may also be used to help prevent the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in people aged 18 and older.

This medication is an anticonvulsant. Lamotrigine is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

Lamictal Oral is used to treat the following:

Bipolar Disorder in Remission, Manic-Depression, Epilepsy of the Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, Simple Partial Seizures, Convulsive Seizures, Epileptic Fit

Lamictal Oral may also be used to treat:

Bipolar Depression

The following side effects are associated with Lamictal Oral:

Common side effects:
Double Vision - Severe
Blurred Vision - Severe
Problems with Eyesight - Severe
Voluntary Movement Difficulty - Severe
Rash - Severe
Disorder of the Digestive System Less - Severe
Drowsiness - Less Severe
Dizzy - Less Severe
Head Pain - Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up - Less Severe
Throwing Up - Less Severe

Infrequent side effects:
Depression - Severe
Lower Seizure Threshold - Severe
Toxic Effect on Brain or Spinal Cord Function - Severe
Involuntary Eye Movement - Severe
Easily Angered or Annoyed - Severe
Confused - Severe
Mood Changes - Severe
Anxious - Severe
Change in Mental State - Severe

Rare side effects:
Erythema Multiforme - Severe
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - Severe
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - Severe
Fever - Severe
Small Reddish-Purplish Pin-Point Sized Spots on the Skin - Severe
Giant Hives - Severe
Reaction due to an Allergy - Severe
Anemia - Severe
Decreased Blood Platelets - Severe
Decreased White Blood Cells - Severe
Increased Eosinophils in the Blood - Severe
Blood Disorder - Severe
Inflammation of the Nose - Less Severe
Conditions of Excess Fluids or Stomach Acid Secretion - Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping - Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering - Less Severe
Difficulty Speaking - Less Severe
Feeling Weak - Less Severe