Lamictal anyone?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2003
Lamictal anyone?
9
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 6:38pm

Well I finally bit the bullet and went to pdoc for the first time today. Acceptance is a B!t(h. I feel like I've given into something I have no control over - that's the scariest part, considering I'm a total control freak. I hate not having control especially over my emotions. Pdoc agreed with Tdoc's suspected diagnosis of BP and gave me a starter kit for Lamictal. I start tomorrow!!! The rest of my life starts tomorrow!!! That's the way it feels. I feel very alone right now because no one but DH knows about any of this and he is not very supportive. He has many of his own demons to deal with and is being consumed by alcohol and PTSD, but refuses to get help. I want to save my marriage so badly but I don't see it heading in a good direction. I know I'm crazy to think that me taking some little pill is going to fix my relationships but I'm hopeful that at least I can feel good about any decisions I make in the future hoping that this medication actually helps some.

Medication to me is a crutch. I feel weak in a sense, like I'm not strong enough to control my emotions and actions on my own with out it. Even though I'm hypomanic right now this is the lowest I've felt in months. I feel defeated. Could really use some uplifting words and confidence of people who have been successfully treated with this drug. Also wondering what if any are side effects that have been experienced with it. I am terrified of weight gain at this point as I just lost a ton of weight and bought my first size 4 pants yesterday (I'm very proud, and don't want to go back to a size 10).

What are your thoughts, experiences with this drug and first drugs in general once dx'd with BP.

Jenn

Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 6:56pm
lamictal does not cause any weight gain that i'm aware of.i happened to get the rash (it's like a full blown case of chicken pox)that's the one side effect that takes you right off the drug,BUT i'm one in a large percentage & probably got the rash cause my dose was accidentally increased too quickly.i don't know of anyone else who got the rash.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 7:37pm

Jenn,


Would you think your medication was a crutch if you had diabetes or heart disease?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 9:22pm

Hi Jenn and welcome to the board. I can't add much to what the others have already said. You've received some very good advice and support already. The meds, as Marci pointed out, are not a crutch but a necessity. The same as a person with high blood pressure has to take medicine to control that.


As for your dh's drinking - there's nothing you can do to make him stop but there is something you can do to help yourself to cope with his drinking. If you want to email me through my profile I'll be happy to give you the information.


Give the meds a chance to work. Lamictal, for those who can take it, is a wonderful med from what I've heard. I am among the few who can't take it though. So hang in there and keep posting. We're here for you.


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2006
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 9:32pm

Hi Jenn,

I don't have any experience with Lamictal so I'm sorry that I can't help you with that.

I do, however, understand how you are feeling about the meds. I went to a pdoc for the first time in the middle of July. He dx'd me with bp and started me on Topamax. My tdoc had been trying to get me to see a pdoc for over a year for bp symptoms but I was so against meds I refused. I started taking antidepressants from my family doctor in April and they sent me into a mixed episode that was horrible. I finally agreed to see the pdoc because I just couldn't handle the symptoms anymore- my family was paying too high of a price. I was self-medicating with alcohol, which tdoc was not thrilled with, but I didn't care. One of my major reasons for not wanting to take meds was control. Like you, I felt like I should be able to control my emotions and feelings. But, things just kept getting worse and worse. One of the last things I said to my tdoc before seeing pdoc was how ironic it was that I had to give up control to be able to gain control. As much as I am still not thrilled with taking the meds, I am more accepting of it now.

It sounds like you have a lot going on in your life right now. The best advise I could give you is to take care of yourself first and foremost. Keep in close contact with your pdoc for side effects or change in your symptoms and keep in touch with your tdoc for the emotional support. Maybe your strength will set an example for dh and he will find the courage to seek help.

Sorry if this wasn't much help. I just wanted to let you know that I understand how you feel.

Hugs,
Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 12:46am
Jenn
This is my frist time on a message board and first time talking with anyone who has BP. I read you questions about Lamictal and I recently started taking it. I have been very happy with it. I finally feel like I am in control of my emotions. To be honest I had no idea what was wrong with me for years. I just thought that I was going crazy. Now that I have been on Lamictal I realize what it feels like to be upset not completely devistated if something goes wrong. I am not only on Lamictal they have me on other pills too; Ambien, Lexapro, and Xanax. I was really againist Meds also, I feel like a fricken pharmacy. I have not gained any weight and not gotten "the rash", but I hear the rash is pretty bad. The only side effect I have delt with is my stomach gets upset often, but its tolerable compared to the alternative. I have only been on Lamictal for about a month. I hope all goes well with your meds. It was nice to talk with you.
April
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 8:26am

I gained weight on it...it is a very very very low percentage of people who gain weight on it...I just happened to be that .5% !!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2006
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 8:49am

Hi Jenn,
I have been taking Lamictal for about 6 months now, and it works great for me! I've never had any side effects thank goodness! I hope it works just as well for you.

~Renee

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 1:22pm

Jenn,

I just wanted to weight in with my $0.02 on Lamictal. I was on Depakote but I gained weight so I asked to switch to Lamictal. I lost a little weight automatically but I'm having to work for the rest (but it is coming off). I haven't noticed any side effects although I don't think it works quite as well as the Depakote did in controlling my mood swings.

As far as starting on medication I felt like a darn pharmacy at first also but once the meds were right it was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I felt relaxed and able to cope with life. There's no way I'd quit taking them now. Best of luck to you. I hope you hang around with us.

Morgaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2005
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 3:52am

I started Lamictal 2 years ago. I have worked like magic! We, DH and I, did start fighting less. I realize I was much to blame. I had blurred vision pretty bad at 1st. I had to stop driving for a month or two. I was at 200mg and am now at 75 and still doing graet. One thing I dont' like but can live with is that I don't have any highs. So I dont do the htings I used to like and want to do. I miss that. It is so worth taking for me!

April