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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 12:51:13
Whew!! After all these years of misery and torture, not knowing what was going on in my mind. Anxiety attacks were no longer the main issue, it was the constant mood swings, the instability, unable to keep a job for more than one month, the anger outbursts, the highs, the lowwwwwws, the rollercoaster of a life.
I went inpatient last Saturday, said I was suicidal (I really wanted/needed help). I was hospitalized for 6 days, and I told the doc everything. She said I sound Bipolar II.
She put me on 10mg of Abilify and starting dose of 25mg of Lamictal.... and Klonopin for sleep. They had me on Vistoril for sleep, what crap. I'm assuming Vistoril is similiar to Restoril except it is not a benzo.
Anyone have any luck with a combo of abilify + lamictal? Positive and Negative experiences welcome =)
=O
Posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 13:01:33
In reply to I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + Lam, posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 12:51:13
My experience with Lamictal + Abilify (for depression) has been positive. This combo has gone the distance for me for well over a year. I take 100 mg Lamictal and only need 2.5 mg Abilify. The side effects are relatively minor.
Some startup effects to watch out for while titrating up:
With Lamictal, I felt fluish and had tight, painful muscles at the start. Those resolved within in a few weeks.With Abilify, I had about 8 weeks of insomnia. I used a dash of Seroquel until the insomnia went away.
Good luck.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2008, at 15:12:24
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + » oldschool305, posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 13:01:33
Wow what a relief and the abilfy acts as a mood stabaizer and ad too? With the lamictal high high is the planed lamictal dose? Love Phillipa
Posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 17:52:53
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify +, posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2008, at 15:12:24
Hey Emme, thanks for the info. Very encouraging =P Phillipa, I asked my doc if Abilify works as a AD, he said what it basically does is keep your mood normal, not high, not low... just level which is good I guess. I am tired of mood swings =\
I'm not sure what my target dose of Lamictal is, but I have a follow up appt. in two weeks, so I'm sure they will increase it then. Actually, I do recall the nurse saying the ideal dosage is 200mg, so I guess that's what I'm aiming for. Too bad Lamictal is soooooooo expensive. Lucky for me, my mom works for a doctors office and she gets samples. I have some abilify and lamictal samples until i can actually filll my script. i don't have insurance, so right now it's at $580. WoWzErS.
Thanks guys. =)
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2008, at 19:13:33
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify +, posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 17:52:53
Well if you get any more info please post it as well as your response sounds very promising and yes they are expensive. Phillipa
Posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 19:34:06
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify +, posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 17:52:53
> I'm not sure what my target dose of Lamictal is, but I have a follow up appt. in two weeks, so I'm sure they will increase it then. Actually, I do recall the nurse saying the ideal dosage is 200mg, so I guess that's what I'm aiming for.
Your target dose is the one that works. 200 mg is common, but everyone is different and you may do fine at a lower dose, or you may need a higher dose.
Good luck.
emme
Too bad Lamictal is soooooooo expensive. Lucky for me, my mom works for a doctors office and she gets samples. I have some abilify and lamictal samples until i can actually filll my script. i don't have insurance, so right now it's at $580. WoWzErS.
>
> Thanks guys. =)
Posted by twinch42085 on March 2, 2008, at 5:08:58
In reply to I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + Lam, posted by oldschool305 on March 1, 2008, at 12:51:13
Congratulations on finding what was wrong. I have used lamictal. I started out with 25mg and titrated up towards 200mg. 200mg is the ideal dosage for most people. If you research you will find that anything over 200mg is rather useless. As far as the Abilify is concerned I cannnot comment on it because I have never taken it. I have tried Geodon, Risperdal and Seroquel and I have to say that Seroquel is is best for both Manic and Depressive episodes in Bipolar I or II. It says so on the Seroquel website. Seroquel is the only approved antimanic medication approved for depressive episodes. I don't take the medication anymore because it made me too sleepy. I am now taking an anti-depressant which seems to work better. (I am bipolar by the way). I am taking a low dose of elavil which is good because most anti-depressants cause manic episodes with those who are bipolar. Best of wishes with your future.
GoodLuck ;)
Twinch
Posted by johnj on March 2, 2008, at 15:29:59
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + Lam » oldschool305, posted by twinch42085 on March 2, 2008, at 5:08:58
What dose of elavil are you taking? Are you taking for the AD effect/anxiety or sleep. Thank you. Any side effects?
johnj
Posted by twinch42085 on March 2, 2008, at 15:39:49
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + Lam » twinch42085, posted by johnj on March 2, 2008, at 15:29:59
I am taking 10mg of Elavil for sleep. It really doesn't help that much compared to seroquel, but I am going to talk with my pdoc about that at our next appt. Im starting to think that I dont need anything for sleep because I am tried so many things and they don't work.
GoodLuck! ;)
Twinch
Posted by vitruv on March 23, 2008, at 18:25:59
In reply to Re: I was FINALLY diagnosed BiPolar II - Abilify + » oldschool305, posted by Emme on March 1, 2008, at 13:01:33
Had a similar experience with the Lamictil / Abilify combo I was recently diagnosed with bipolar and prescribed Lamictil (start 25mg, increase +25mg each week). Also felt flu-like symptoms, and joint aches. The Abilify (5mg) is making me feel sluggish and tired, but am also having insomnia. Let's see where this thing goes...
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