Bipolar Support Group

I started Lamictal a few days ago. IM sure it will take at least a month to start working. I don't even know what normal is anymore, and im worried if i ever will know when am feeling normal??! I have days where I feel okay then think that maybe that is how it is supossed to feel? then the next day i am a totally different person. Am i going to wake up one day and feel normal for good? Do these meds cure bipolar? or will i still have mood swings?! im so frustrated

Unfortunately, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. Proper dosages of medication and therapy, however, can help us as we deal with our illness. I understand your frustration about your meds. I'm frustrated about mine as well. I could not take Lamictal because I developed the dreaded "lamictal rash" almost immediately. My pdoc really wishes I could take it because she thinks it is such a good medication. It has helped a lot of people. I hope and pray that you will be helped also.

It can take quite a while before you will find the right cocktail for you. Fortunately I have a great Dr.

He makes small changes at a time. Lowers the dose of one med before trying another. I am on Lamictal 200mg,Prozac 60 mg and Seroquel 400 mg. It works pretty well for me. The only complaint I have is the huge weight gain with the Seroquel. And no matter what meds you find that work, there is no "cure all". But you can feel better and have a few more productive, happier days.

Hang in there,

Dawn

dawn1b, do you feel that you eat more as a result of the Seroquel? Or do you think it hinders weight loss through the metabolism? I've gained about 10 pounds with the Seroquel, and I really want to reverse the trend.

Hi Becca,

The Seroquel makes me hungry at night. It's like in my younger days when I was a pot smoker. I get the Munchies real bad. It usually happens shortly after I take the Seroquel at night. And thats really bad. But since the Doc upped it to 400, I go to sleep faster and don't have so much time to pig out, but I still feel like I am starving.

XOXO

Dawn

Kylie,

You say you just started the Lamictal a couple of days ago. Does that mean that they still have you on the very lowest dose and are going to continue to up your dose provided you don't develop the rash? Because that could be affecting why you're not feeling anything - you're still on such a low dose. But, even if you were at the full dosage, it could still take up to six weeks for you to feel the full effect. I know you're frustrated, but try to be patient and find other ways to deal with your mood swings until the meds kick in. Do you excercize? I don't! LOL But when my meds were not working, my doc recommended at least 30 mins. of vigorous cardio a day, and you know what? It really helped my mood, boosted my seratonin and produced lots of endorphins. I would still be doing it if I weren't such a lazy butt

I hope you find some peace through all of this. I know how frustrating it is when you don't have the proper meds. But believe me, BELIEVE ME, it IS going to get better. Just hold on to that. It WILL get better.

Big hugs...

Hey Kylie, like the others have said, you are still very new on your medications, and it will take a while for them to kick in, I am on the lamictal too, and it felt like it was going to take forever to be feeling any better, I was started on the 25mg per day, there have been others here that have started it at one every other day, and moved up that way, I am currently taking 400 mg per day, and it has really stabilized me, as for what normal is? I can't really answer that, as I don't have a idea of what normal was for me, was it my hypomanic days? or my depressed days? as I lived in depression most of the time, I guess if I had to chose between those two, I would have to say depressed is the normal for me..but guess what? with the medications I am not depressed, I am not having the rages, panic attacks, and anxiety that I had been.. I am re learning what normal can be, and as long as it isn't back in that black hole of depression, I am a happy little camper.. give the meds time to work, worry about what "normal" is later.. you might have to do what I am, have to relearn what it is..

Thank you for everyone on getting back to me.. i feel alot better about this... and i love this website, i definitely dont feel alone anymore.. thank you so much.. big hugs!

Kyliejean,

I'm not BP but my wife is. I know that she didn't think her meds were working because she couldn't tell the difference but after about 2 weeks I could tell there was a difference. The first thing I noticed was how she was with the children. If the baby woke up and was crying she would get upset and be in a bad mood all day but when her meds were working she was happy the baby was awake and felt sorry for him crying. It was a great feeling to see her so at ease. She said she didn't feel any different and didn't need the meds but after I explained to her what I saw and that the children were happier she keep it up. Just want to let you know you might not feel different or see a difference but I promise you your loved ones will. Hang in there.

I have a question my wife got off her meds when she found out she was pregnant, will she have to start off slow and work her way back up or will she just pick up where she left off?

Carmen - Do you know the highest dose for Lamictal?My Dr. said she didn't feel safe going any higher than 150mg with me. I felt like MAYBE it just wasn't a high enough dose? It really kinda upset me that I had to switch. My Dr I go to for meds is not a psyc doc so that could have tons to do with it. I need to talk to my psychologist about going to the psychiatrist LOL..TO many Dr's!

Kylie - It's great to know you are not alone huh!That helps tons all in itself!

Take Care,

Amber