meds for hypomania??

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2007
meds for hypomania??
4
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 10:17am

I've been on Lamictal for about 10 months now. Have increased up to 300mg. Am still experiencing many symptoms of hypomania, that I am desparately trying to get under control. I'm at the point where I feel that my marriage is at steak if I don't get myself under control. The Lamictal has helped in some regards, with the racing thoughts, and mood swings are less, but still an issue. Mostly though, the constant need to be active, partying, promiscuious, saying innapropriate things without thinking about the consequences, and innapropriate behavior at work (too hyper) are things that I really want to get under control, so after the fact I don't hate myself for acting/being the way I am, which in turn causes short term depression, until I get over it and then it's right back to the hypomania.

Anyway, I believe that the Lamictal seems to work for a while, and then my body gets used to it, and I have to increase the dose. I don't want to have to continue to do this, and am wondering if any of you have the same symptoms concerns and what medications/therapies you have found that have helped.

I have an appt. with pdoc for next Tuesday and would like to bring some suggestions with me. Met with tdoc last week and he said that I needed to make my appointment like yesterday! I'm so tired of this constant battle with myself, and I'm only 27. If I don't get this under control soon, I'm afraid my entire life will be flipped upside down because of it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2006
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 10:53am

Hi lost_at_c,


The meds that are used for mania are used for hypomania also but at a lower dose. From what you explained to on your post you seem to be manic. Talk to your pdoc about all you wrote. Maybe even print out your post and let him read it. Tell him/her that your marriage is in jeopardy and the things you have been doing that are causing problems. It seems to me, but I am not a doctor, that you need another mood stablizer or anti-psychotic ( anti-psychotics are not just used when someone is having psychotic behavior but also to calm you down or help with sleep)

     ~ Tina ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 6:26pm

Wow, reading your post was like reading a past chapter of my life.

The only way I got the mania/hypos under control was by taking a very small dose of Lithium, 300 mgs, with my Lamictal. THE ONLY WAY!

Being on such a small dose doesn't cause any side effects for me, and it totally keeps the hypos at bay.

I know exactly what you mean when you say you are tired of being at war with yourself. Hang in there...I'm glad you're here! It helps!

Hugs!!

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2007
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 11:12pm

Thanks for the advice.
I've been thinking that Lithium might be the way to go. Not sure how my pdoc is going to think about that, but it's worth mentioning. Hopefully at a small dosage, the side effects (mainly weight gain) won't be an issue.
How many mg's of Lamictal are you taking with the Lithium?

Jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 5:35pm

Hey Jen. I take 150 mgs of Lamictal and actually I forgot that I'm now taking 450 mgs of extended release Lithium. Its definitely worth a shot.

Hugs!

Keli