should i stop taking lamictal?

Question

ive been taking it for bipolar for about a year now. its had its ups and its downs.

ups: it has stabilized my moods, they aren't as extreme.

downs: when i first started i got dizzy and also got the rash. i went off it once by accident and got a seizure. then my face suddenly became oily. i cant drink with my friends because ill get sleepy or worse. im pretty boring, complacent, and dont enjoy my life like i used to kind of like a zombie. i am a prisoner of this schedule of taking the medication and going to sleep at the same time or else ill get dizzy and tired.

i told my psych but she said its either stable mood and being boring or unstable mood swings and bouts of depression.

i want to ween off this and take something else but im afraid if i do and change my mind the lamictal wont have the same effect as before (ive heard). also im afraid that my brain is now dependent on this drug to replenish itself.
anyone with experience ar advice?

Answer 1

I'm also bi-polar, ive been on every single medication listed here- and fish oil gel caps too. I am currently prescribed respridol, adderal, depakote, lunesta, and welbutrin- but I only take what I need. It sounds like you are physically dependant to lamictal- so ween off it SLOWLY so you don't get another seizure. And never go back to it. Never try paxil or lithium. Bipolar is not a bad thing- you get to experience highs and lows without drugs, a nice array of emotions to experience. Get yourself a benzodiazepam such as Xanax to help with panic attacks and severe attacks of depression. Start a regular excersise pattern and keep up with it. When you need to get something done, make sure you reward yourself only after you complete the task to insure that you reinforce the task and not taking breaks. Stress from worry will build up into depression so get things done as soon as possible. good luck

Answer 2

Wait, you got the rash and you and your doctor decided that it was okay for you to continue taking it? Obviously, it wasn't fatal for you, as you are still here, but I am surprised you are still on it. If its not working for you, I would say change. As soon as a med stops working for me, I ask for a change in dosage or a change altogether. It is important that you are in control of your treatment. I have been on and off of Lamictal for a few years. the last time in summer, but then I got the rash and a swollen tongue so that was it for me. I never had a positive experience with it anyway.

Answer 3

From what i know, and i am bipolar too. They pur me on Depakote for mood stablelizer. I took it for a good while. I then took myself off of it vslowly. But remember how are brains are. You will then probaly need to be put on another stablelizer. To be honest i am off of a mood stablelizer right now, but i am taking Risperdal. I am supposed to be on the mood stabllizer BUT it causes to many side effects. If i were on all the meds the state put me on i would be a zombie. I like to be awake and not starring off into space. I hope this helps. Also, depends what other meds you are on.

Answer 4

diet and exercise have huge impact on depression. supplementation (for example, fish oil) and posture training also help. email me if you want to know more.