Posted by MoparFan91 on February 28, 2005, at 13:39:43
In reply to Maybe Lamictal for me??, posted by Spriggy on February 28, 2005, at 12:25:49
I'm Bipolar II myself as well, and I've been taking Lamictal for about six weeks. I'm currently at 150mg. I'm going into my seventh of Lamictal tomorrow and will be upping it to 200mg. So far, I'm tolerating it really well and have absolutely no side effects. I seem to be getting some lift from it now. At 100mg, I started to notice a little benefit in helping with the depression. I can't wait to see what 200mg will bring. ;-)
I also take 40mg of Geodon along with it, and I heard that they mix really well.
> Ya know that feeling "good" I was so excited/scared about. By about 3 hours after I posted it, it was totally gone. I was back to depressed and anxious. *sigh*
>
> I have to go back to my regular doctor this week- he's a great doctor but really knows little to nothing about things like this. He's great if you have a sinus infection or broken arm, but once it goes deeper than that, I am convinced I probably know more than he does (not saying that with arrogance but because I have the time to research and read).
>
> Anyway, it is nearly impossible to see a psychiatrist around these parts. Even the pdoc in the hospital told me that. He said, " you may have to wait 3 months" and that's not possible for me at this point.
>
> I think I have self diagnosed myself with Bipolar 2. It was something the pdoc in the hospital mentioned to me but he was in such a hurry to get to the other 13 patients that it was just in passing.
>
> He officially diagnosed me with "akathasia" and sent me home with Klonopin.
>
> So.. the Klonopin is great for the anxiety- I'm sleeping better (He also gave me Restoril).
>
> BUT, I am still having those mood swings from feeling good to feeling bizarre to feeling anxious to feeling utter depression... and then back again.
>
> I don't have dillusions, hallucinations,hear voices.
>
> I don't get "manic" in the term that I feel euphoric for days without sleep, talk real fast, and spend lots of money (however my father fits that one to a tee!).
>
> BUT, I tend to be more dysphoric. Agitated, restless internally, racing mind, etc..
>
> My highs aren't very high but my lows seem to be getting lower.
>
>
> Looking back now, I recognize that about 6 years ago I went through a "depression." It lasted about 4 months where all I wanted to do was sleep, didn't care about eating or anything.
>
> I didn't have mood swings but stayed in that general state of feeling depressed.
>
> Could this be my round 2 only 6 years later and more intense???
>
> I'm not sure. All this seems to have been brought on after antidepressents but it's not going away even a month off of them.
>
> SO.... I said ALL that to say, would somethign like Lamictal (my father is on it and does well with it) be a good choice for me?
>
> Would Lamictal also help with my depression and anxiety?
>
> Does it cause weight gain? Yeah.. probably not a good time to be vein but I worked hard for 2 years to drop about 20 pounds and don't want to put that back on again.
>
> Scott- if you have any insight especially, I'd appreciate it. You inspire me with your knowledge (well, you all do!).
>
> Thanks a bunch.
poster:MoparFan91
thread:464431
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050227/msgs/464456.html