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How long does it take for lamictal (generic lamotrigine) to work for a bipolar type 2 depression? ? Thanks!

CyberCommie replied: "Two weeks."

C2IT replied: "Lamictal has to be increased very slowly because of the risk of severe skin rashes. UsuallY I start patients at 25 mg and increase by 25 mg/week until I get to a dose of 150mg. After that I may go up higher depending on how the patient is doing. So I wouldn't count on any results for at least 6 weeks. Good Luck!"

Midas and The Muse replied: "I have type 2 bipolar and felt better within 10 days when I increased to 75mg. You'll probably feel even more stable when you reach a 'therapeutic dose'. I take 200mg daily. Lamictal is by far, the best medication for us...well..maybe I should say 'for ME'."

Is anyone else utterly sick and tired of the symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression)? I have bipolar II disorder. I have only been diagnosed relatively recently, and I am not taking medication (which is lamotrigine and sertraline) at a sufficient level for it to work yet (you have to start on a low dose and gradually build up over a period of months to reach a 'therapeutic dose'). I'm finding it so difficult. I'm so sick and tired of the dreadful depressions this condition brings. It is quite awful. I sometimes despair of it. Is there anyone out there who has more experience of this condition than I do, and can they tell me please what they do when they are utterly fed up with the effects of the illness, and does the condition get better over time if you do all the right things, and is it a relatively treatable illness (as my doctor says so). Thanks in advance for any answers.

rednine replied: "I have had bipolar depression for thirty years and have survived two suicide attempts. I suffered from incredible bouts of crying, paranoia and wanting to die to bouts of wild energy and bad spending sprees while on these highs. I had to go into a hospital to get my medication right. The condition is treatable. I am now on four medications that have calmed me down along with counseling. I am on disability now and it pays for my doctor visits and hospital visits. Right now, I am on a level where I can keep a part time job. I know what depression does to you. It robs you of your life but you can be helped.Just give the meds time and hold on, count on your doctor to help you. I did and I'm doing okay. I hope this helps."

niceguy replied: "I've been taking lithium for 29 years. It leveled me off right away.There are worse things to have other than bp. Good Luck trust your Dr."

Lakely replied: "Don't go for the meds first... try other things first. People don't realize that many of these modern maladies come from two sources... chemicals in our junk foods and a disconnect from our inner Self. Yoga and Meditation will correct the last problem over time and the first can be corrected by getting back to real food... stuff you cook yourself. It takes time to do it right... but that is up to you... put the time in, or take the meds and suffer the side effects that come with medications. It's your choice. For some excellent ideas on good eating and Yoga, go to the research section of"

Lisa P replied: "I have suffered from Bipolar & Borderline Personality Disorder for 25 years. There were a lot of contributing factors that developed throughout my childhood. I was used, abused, ridiculed, teased, bullied & hit. I was sexually abused at 5 & 6 & gang raped at 17 (as a virgin), then a couple of months later abducted at knife point & raped again. I became a drug addict (50 Valium & 3 gms Marijuana daily) & I was a very angry person, self-harming & many suicide attempts, in & out of the psych ward, rehabs, counselling. Had a crap life, criminal record, lost my kids, lost jobs, cars & property repossessed, disowned by family, lost friends, became homeless, declared bankrupt 3 times-I tried everything to get my life back on track, I just wanted a normal life & to be happy. They say CBT therapy is best & I tried this for 5 years & it didn't do much for me on it's own, plus statistics prove that 80% of people fail to maintain change in the long-term. However, when I started this new therapy called ACT, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, my life changed dramatically. I stopped taking drugs & I haven't been back to the psych ward since. I had 65 admissions in a 5 year period, I've not had 1 admission in over a year & 3 months now since I started ACT therapy. I participated in a group therapy once a week for 6 months & also an individual therapy session once a week for 9 months. I learnt so much about understanding my thoughts, feelings, & emotions & that I may not be able to control these but I can control how I behave in response to my thoughts, feelings & emotions. They teach many methods to enable you to deal with the most unpleasant emotions & feelings, yet still react & behave in an acceptable way. This dramatically helps with improving self-esteem, confidence & relationships too. I'm closely monitored & take medication which gets altered according to if I'm starting to go 'up' or 'down', I know the warning signs & I'm able to control it before it controls me. I needed a combination of meds & therapy, one or the other on it's own wasn't good enough. I went from drug addict/basket case to a fully functioning, respected citizan who is now studying Drug & Alcohol Work & Counselling & running support groups myself now, I've become a role model-YES my life has improved dramatically!! I thought the marijuana was helping by relaxing me & putting me to sleep & making me feel 'good' but it was messing me up really bad, I've never been better since I stopped the drug abuse. Although I have learned to recognise the symptoms to control the Bipolar, I was re-diagnosed recently & have no BPD symptoms at all, when they once were very severe. It is hard to live with, it's a lot of hard work to keep symptoms at bay, but I'm in control now & enjoying my life, I'm not going to let it sink me again. I'm seriously thinking of going on & studying Psychology because the more I learn, the more I understand & that gives me the confidence to keep on top of it & I want to help others cope with it too. Unfortunately it won't just go away, give your meds time to work, & then learn to recognise & treat the changing symptoms before they take control of you. You'll work it out with a positive approach, good luck!"

browneyes_248 replied: "http://psychcentral.com/ check it out it may help you. i go there alot with questions as i am too bipolar II along with a few other things"

bonnie91156 replied: "I understand your plight. I'm 51 and have been dealing with it all of my life. I was 30 when I was hospitalized for 6 mos and finally diagnosed. I've been in therapy and medicated ever since. I was in my 40's when I accepted it as my permanent reality and began to embrace it, work with it, and understand it as it pertained to me. I learned, contrary to what my brain told me, that if I couldn't make it go away, I was able to control it and make it work in my life, rather than destroy it. I consider myself a bi-polar success story."

suzie37a replied: "I am a Bi Polar 1 and I have the up side of the disorder as well as the down side of it. I was 24 years old when I was diagnosed and I was also a single mother of two children. I have survived ten or more suicide attempts and I am still here. When I get really down I find a place in my head that I can find peace. Usually it entitles to doing something to make me feel better. I to am not on any meds because I do not want to feel LOOPY. I think a lot of our problem is- is the weather. I seem to have a lot of my problems in the winter time. It is cold where I live and I do not get to spend much time outside. Whatever you are feeling you have to understand that it to shall pass in time. This is what I tell myself when I am down."

Is valproate acid (depakote) effective in treating bipolar mixed depressive states? Is valproate acid (depakote) effective in treating bipolar mixed depressive states? I have had mixed bipolar depressive states (maybe ultra-rapid cycling bipolar depression) for many years. Lamotrigine (Lamical) is not that effective in stabilizing mood. So my doctor decide to switch to depakote. But the current literature tells me that valproate acid (depakote) is mostly for the manic state. But I am mostly depressive, anxious and irritable. So Is valproate acid (depakote) effective in treating bipolar mixed depressive states? Thanks for your answer in advance:)

Precious H replied: "Depakote has been used to treat bi-polar disorder for years. I'd say it's probably pretty effective. I had a friend who took it years ago, in like 92 or so but she stopped taking it because it made her hair fall out. Depakote is a mood-stabilizer. Whether it works better for one extreme vs. the other I couldn't tell you. I know that Lithium works well and supposedly so does Zyprexa. If I had a choice, I'd take Lithium. It has been around longer and is a mineral so I personally regard it as safer."

dr.a replied: "You are correct in saying that valproic acid is best for the manic states, however it is frequently and effectively used in bipolar."

shaneris5 replied: "See the bipolar chatsites in section 10, at ezy build, below, and CRAZYMEDS. A previous answer follows: See section 10, on bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise. Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve. If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as Lamictal, or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium" at, and and always research medications first, there, and at & (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John's wort, and also antidepressants, may cause mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening. If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states). Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at: Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John's wort!). As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them, with their attendant risks, and side effects. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime. It is not unknown for those discontinuing medication, and trying the alternative treatments, (which are not quick to work) to lose their jobs, because of unacceptable behavio(u)r, so I'd start 1 week before vacation, and closely monitor the situation, and use medical advice."

How do you get mental health medication (for bipolar disorder - a.k.a. manic depression) when away from home? I've run out of my medication for bipolar disorder a.k.a. manic depression. The meds I have to take are Lamotrigine and Sertraline. However, I'm miles away from where I live so I can't get a repeat prescription from my doctor and for the next week or so won't be settled in one place for more than a day or so (I've just finished a really big exam so am travelling around the country (Britain) visiting friends). Where can I go to get the medication the same day (as I say, I'm moving from place to place each day)? Thanks very much in advance for any answers.

Jasy replied: "sorry dont know...why dont you phone your doctor and ask him?"

ElectronProbabilityCloud replied: "Could you get a member of your family to pick up your repeat for you and post you the meds? My wife does mine."

Minky replied: "Go to a doctors surgery and sign on as a tempoary patient or visit a same day clinic in the area. That is what i have had to do to get my bi-polar meds"

nerak replied: "a hospital might prescribe for you..but will probly have to confirm with your doc first so you may have to wait..."

Autumn replied: "Call your doctors office and have them call in your presciption to a pharmacist in the location that you are that day."

michelin1946 replied: "Just take you repeat prescription with you when you go away, and take it to any chemist and they will fill it for you. We have done this many times. Ask the doctor to ring the nearest pharmacy of the town you're staying in."

bigleybill replied: "Explain your problem to the American Embassy. They should be able to help you hook up with a Dr. and a script."

Lorna D replied: "Minky has the answer,find a local G.P and ask to be taken on as a temporary patient.They will need to check with your own G.P. p.s. Hope the exam went o.k!"

Sylvia D replied: "I was living in South Africa and went on holiday to UK. I ran out of meds and just went to see a local Doctor there and explained. He gave me a Camcolit Lithium prescription for free, no problem."

simply replied: "If you have the empty prescription bottle still you can take to the pharmacy and ask them to call the dr to get it refilled. If you don't just go to a local dr/clinic and explain what you take and why, and bring your regular dr's phone number if possible in case they wish to call and verify. Then you could get a new prescription and have it filled that day. But please do something! Staying off your meds is not a good thing at all! Good luck to you, and enjoy your vacation!"

kaleidoscope_girl replied: "Hi, this happened to me - I managed to get an emergency private prescription for my bipolar meds from the pharmacist but be warned you will 1) have to pay private script prices and 2)bring your box of meds to prove you are on them and the doses. The alternative is to see a GP where you are as an emergency appt or ring the drs on call where you are and explain the situation but again you will need to take the empty boxes to show the dr what you are on. All the best."

ptery replied: "Any local hospital should be able to accomodate you if you explain the situation to them. If you have old bottles or a list of your medications it would help."

rocket replied: "Aye. You'd better get a prescription- you will be out of your element and without your meds, a perfect storm for an unpleasant episode. Call you doc and have him fax the prescirption to the nearest pharmacy... that should not be a problem. You can request the maximum pill count, and then have another prescription written. Someone from home can fill it and mail it to you, rush, express, whatever. It is imperative that you stay on the Lamotrogine... any more than 3 days missed and you have to go back down to 25 mg and work your way back up. That, obviously, will fuck you over for awhile. Good luck Anna"

How treatable is bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression)? I have only very recently been dignosed with bipolar II disorder. I am not taking the mood stabilizer I have been prescribed (Lamotrigine) at a heavy enough level for it to work yet (I am only on 75mg at the moment, gradually increasing up to - I guess - somewhere near 200mg a day, when the psychiatrist says that it usually starts working). I am also taking the anti-depressant Sertraline. So I am just wondering if folks who are more experienced with the condition than I am would be able to tell me how treatable it is? Thanks in advance for any answers.

manicmousy replied: "it's very treatable. just don't go off your meds, even if you start to feel weird. stay on them. TRUST me!"

Evil Chef replied: "Don't know. Talk to a professional."

xxx_devil_from_hell_xxx replied: "it is treatable take the meds you are prescribed and do not come off them unless you are advised to or are under very good supervision talking and medicine should help treat it"

Poppy replied: "I have bipolar I - very severe. I have been hospitalized 2 times in the past and once was in the ICU for a suicide attempt. It took a while to get under control but now I am doing great. I used to take a lot of medicine and now I just take Tegretol. It took a while but I DID get better. Hang in there!!! Just remember you can do everything you want it may just take longer!"

rrvj4 replied: "IT is very treatable. Just hang in there. Don't stop taking it even if you feel fine or you think you could be better of without it."

browneyes_248 replied: "its very treatable i am also bipolar II just dont go off your meds, keep your appointment here is a site that may help you"

Barbara C replied: "I was married to a man who had late-age onset (age 39) of bi-polar disease. For most, it surfaces by age 22-23 or so. I was a licensed social worker at the time and it really came as a shock. A lot of factors go into "treatability" statistics: 1. The type of Bipolar disorder you have 2. Your strict adherence to your prescribed medication regimen. 3. The "insight" you have into your illness 4. The excellence [or lack thereof] of your psychiatrist 5. The support group you have in the way of friends, relatives, etc. 6. The support you seek from other Bipolar II's Let's look at all 6 of these factors and then we can "rate" your personal "treatability" chances: 1. The form of Bipolar Illness: As you may or may not be aware, there are a number of "forms" of bi-polar disorder - all involve episodes of depression and mania to a degree. In case your doctor didn't explain the 5 basic forms, here's a review [this will also make you feel very blessed that you have been "diagnosed" with Bipolar II: Bipolar I disorder involves episodes of severe mood swings, from mania and depression. Bipolar II disorder is a milder form, involving milder episodes of hypomania (defined as "mild mania") that alternate with depression. Cyclothymic disorder describes even milder mood changes. With mixed bipolar disorder, there is both mania and depression at the same time. The person feels grandiose, with racing thoughts, all this energy -- but is also irritable, angry, moody, feeling bad. This can be a very dangerous mix. Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is characterized by four or more mood episodes that occur within a 12-month period. Some people experience multiple episodes within a single week, or even within a single day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness. Women are more likely than men to have rapid cycling. A rapid-cycling pattern increases risk for severe depression and suicide attempts. So, of all 5 types, Bipolar II is the second "best" one to have. That's a BIG YEAH!! I'll make up a "scale" to rate each of the 6 factors. On a scale of 1-10 (1 meaning "most difficult to live with" and 10 meaning "easiest to live with") we'll give you an "8" for Factor 1. [My husband had Mixed Bipolar Disorder and he'd only get a 3-4 for Factor 1] Factor 2: Strict adherence to your medication regimen This is a tough one, since some of the drugs prescribed can have unpleasant side-effects. For example, loss of libido of sexual performance can be a real pain for male patients, particularly. So, it is much easier to adhere to your regimen if: a. You DON'T HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF "I DON'T WANT TO TAKE DRUGS OF ANY TYPE - IT'S JUST NOT 'NATURAL.'" b. You are ABSOLUTELY HONEST with your doctor about any frustration you're having with the side effects of any prescribed drug. One other thing on your side is that you've been diagnosed at a time in history when there are drug options. When my husband was diagnosed there was only 1 drug available, 5 years into his illness a second drug was approved for use in treating bipolar disorder. The latest edition of the Physician's Desk Reference lists 10 drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar illness. Still, if you are taking a drug that has some unpleasant side effects, PLEASE TELL YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. If you don't, as the side effect bothers you more and more, you'll be much more likely to ditch the whole treatment regimen - that's a hallmark of the illness. We want to keep your "comfort" with your treatment as a CENTRAL FOCUS at all times - attack your smaller concerns before they become huge concerns and you decide that you can handle the illness without medication. So raise your right hand, and repeat after me: "I absolutely promise, FOR MY OWN GOOD, that I won't change drug doseages without my doctor's knowledge, I won't stop taking a medication without my doctor's knowledge, and I WILL IMMEDIATELY TELL MY DOCTOR (EVEN IF I HAVE TO CALL HIM BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS) IF I'M DISSATISFIED WITH MY MEDICATION)" I'm going to trust that you took this oath, so I'll give you a "7" on adherence to medication regimen. My husband ALWAYS took his medication - se we give him a "10." FACTOR 3: Insight into you illness The mere fact that you have asked a question about your diagnosis shows that you are at least in the initial phases of "accepting" your diagnosis. THAT'S GREAT!! But, insight also requires that you: a. Accept your diagnosis b. Accept your responsibility for your part of the treatment c. Learn as much as possible about your illness d. Seek treatment for YOU - not, for example, to 'shut up' the wife... or whatever e. Explain to your children (when age appropriate) that you have Bipolar II illness and discuss the heightened chances that they will also be diagnosed with a similar mental illness. f. Take responsibility for meeting with your attorney to draft up powers-of-attorney for FUTURE USE, should it become necessary, for a mentally healthy adult to take over your finances should you need future hospitalization, etc. (I KNOW THIS ONE SCARES YOU - REMEMBER? YOU ONLY HAVE BIPOLAR II - YOU WON'T BE HOSPITALIZED, IT'S NOT THAT BAD. Well, we have to be prepared for "worst case scenarios." Get paperwork in order NOW and they will probably never have to be used. Neglect your paperwork now and I'LL GUARANTEE YOU'LL NEED SOMETHING LATER, BUT WON'T BE ABLE TO SIGN SUCH A DOCUMENT DUE TO YOUR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT - It's sorta' like 'Murphey's Law' or something. TRUST ME, after you've met with your attorney and know that these documents are already in place SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED, your stress level will lessen dramatically!) "Insight" comes with time. But, for now, we'll give you a "9" on insight. Something just gives me confidence that you'll learn about bipolar illnesses and coping techniques. Now, my husband's doctor (who was considered one of the 2 best in Cleveland Ohio) told me that he totally lacked any insight into his illness. Although he took his meds, he lived in a world that said "if I ignore this, the signs that I'm getting worse, my wife's observations that my behavior was becoming dangerous, etc., the illness will go away." So, he gets a "0" in the insight factor. FACTOR 4: The excellence of your doctor Make certain that your doctor is a Board Certified Psychiatrist who routinely treats patients with your same diagnosis. If you know any nurses in the field of mental health in your town, mention your doctor's name and see what reaction you get. Get a feel from your Internist. (Perhaps your internist recommended the doctor in the first place.) This is an unknown for you, but we'll rank your MD as a "7". My husband's gets a "10" FACTOR 5: Your immediate support group If your significant other attends your medical appointments with you - that's a great sign. Let's say, you don't have a wife or partner, its a good idea to have another close relative or friend go along to be a "reporter" for the doctor. ONE OF THE OTHER HALLMARKS OF ANY MENTAL ILLESS is the fact that the patient can often not accurately describe his actions, attitudes, mood, etc. An independent "reporter" is essential for your doctor to get an accurate picture of your progress. IF YOUR DOCTOR WON'T ALLOW YOUR SPOUSE, PARENT, FRIEND, ETC TO ATTEND your appointments RUN!!! Any psychiatrist who thinks that he can treat a bi-polar patient, severely depressed patient, delusional patient, psychotic patient, or almost any other mood disorder patient WITHOUT A THIRD PARTY'S OBERVATIONS either (1) has no "insight" into mental illness; or (2) believes that he is psychic. Patients can put on an act like no one else in a doctor's office and then fall apart in the car on the way home!! FACTOR 6: Support from fellow patients You will have a greatly increased chance of successful treatment by joining an on-line group limited to bi-polar II patients. It is WONDERFUL to know that you're not alone; you feel SUPER when you can offer a helpful suggestion to one of the members, etc. AND OFTEN THES PATIENTS ARE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST DRUGS, NIH drug trials, physician referrals in your home town, etc. YOU REALLY GET SO MUCH OUT OF THIS. These groups are NOT depressing - they are UPLIFTING. Seek one out by searching the net for "Bipolar Support Groups" If you live in a big city, there will be groups that meet in person, but depending on your need for privacy, that might not be your option of first choice. SO WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE FOR OUR YAHOO! FRIEND? Well, for those factors that I could get a feel for - I'D SAY GREAT!! As you know, as of 2008, Bi-Polar disorder is not curable - but it is treatable and it affects at least 2% of the population - that's a government statistic - personally, I think it's more like 5%. Now that you're tuned into the concept of "bi-polar" just watch how often you hear people talking about their own diagnosis or their 17-year old who was just diagosed, etc. AND THE FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BI-POLAR DISEASE ARE AMAZING. NOW NOT ALL HAVE THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS, BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO RUN FOR MAJOR POLITCAL OFFICE WITH THAT ON YOUR RECORD... BUT JUST TAKE A LOOK AT BILL CLINTON, FOR EXAMPLE. The man slept 2-3 hours/night, engaged in risky behavior, was amazingly intelligent (I.Q. 162), had charisma up the whazoo, was filled"

lamotrigine and not clear thinking? i am now taking lamotrigine 50 mg/day for three weeks. But every time when I take it, 15 minutes later, I would feel my mind is suddenly not so clear as before. But the next day without taking it, I would feel better. I am rapid cycling bipolar depression. Has anyone taking mood stabilizers experienced "slower thinking" and "brain numbness"? Will this subside as time goes on? Is this only the initial reaction to mood stabilizers? So far, I haven't experienced any positive effect, instead, I am "numb" all day. Waiting for your answers! thank you for all your answers, especially the lady below my post, thank you for your patience and kindness! thank you again. Yes, I have been taking it only three weeks, and not achieved a higher dosage. i am afraid it is only the initial negative reaction. But i wonder whether it will get better as time goes on. I used to take Valproate, which makes me more irritable (strange!). So I switch to lamotrigine

Get Well Travis and Adam!!! replied: "I have a friend that takes the stuff and other mood stabilizers but I can only ask her tomorrow cuz she is asleep but I will ask her about these symptoms and come back and edit my answer k? I know she takes seroquel and something else too. Talk to you tomorrow-FA I'm still around...but I couldn't get a hold of her today but tomorrow for sure!"

Lion of Rich T replied: "don't take their poison, its called a medical Practice because they are practicing on you. Their medicine wont help you brain think clear. They just make you too comatose to care. i swear those things f*** up ya head. sorry maan i can't say much else, except, i'd rather be stressed out than dribble in front of the tv again. the things we achieve will bring us out of depression, the depressed don't achieve."

TK replied: "i've been on lamictal for around 1 yr. and the side affect i've noticed is memory loss. in every other situation i believe it has helped me significantly. something you may not know about this drug is it is very dangerous to miss doses or not have a regular schedule due to a side affect called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. very serious and fatal in certain curcumstances. i strongly suggest looking it up. if you don't want to take the med then tell the prescribing physician but don't take it if you can't do it on a regular schedule. i don't know how long you have been prescibed this med but if it has only been a short period and you haven't taken enough for it to begin working in your system, call your physician ASAP and report what you have written here."

Bipolar I Disorder--Choosing a Medication? When I was diagnosed with manic depression/bipolar disorder last week, a doctor I met with prescribed Depakote (valproic acid). However, when I met with my regular doctor a few days ago, she told me that she didn't want me to take Depakote because it could cause me later problems with pregnancy and could cause birth defects. She said she would like to put me on either Lamictal (lamotrigine) or Eskelith (lithium carbonate), but I still have the option of continuing on Depakote. She says that whatever I take, it will be long-term, so I want something that won't cause me too many problems if taken for awhile. Could anyone give me suggestions? What I really want is something that will control my depression and possibly improve my concentration, which are my two biggest problems. Thanks to anyone who can help :)

N replied: "Did you go to a psychiatrist? They are the experts on medications and side effects for bipolar. If you have not seen a psychiatrist ask your primary care physician to refer you."

letterstoheather replied: "Hi hon... Lamictal is a good medication, and the worst side effect could be dizziness; however, it's not the same for everyone... I've taken lamictal and so have a few of my friends, with little problem. Please realize that just because one drug works for me, doesnt' mean it is going to be "right" for others... Lamictal is a mood stabilizer, not an anti-depressant... Lamictal is supposed to help with your manic episodes, but discuss it with the doctor. Most of us who have bipolar disorder take an anti-depressant with the Lamictal. take care... and i hope things work out... your doctor is the best resource for that right now!! good luck"

fiVe replied: "Trust the psychiatrist, not the GP. It's true you will be on the medication that works for you indefinitely, but most general doctors have very limited knowledge of mental health and applicable medications. What's most important is finding the medication that works for you. It can take several different trials of medication before you do find something that properly stablizes you. Keep your options open until you find the right med for you."

Herbalzone replied: "Did you thought about using natural remedies for depression. Do some research and learn about natural alternative to medications with side effects. Ask in pharmacy for copy about side effects about your drug and read it. When I have health problem I am asking myself questions: Do I want to deal with cause or symptom of disease??? Drugs are for symptoms but they don't address real cause. When you find cause you can stop symptoms. You have that power. Depression has to do with not dealing with real feelings(it is a long topic and painful)."

lovetobeofhelp replied: "that and lithium has serious side effects when taken long term i was diagnosed bipolar, borderline personality, and panic disorder... the best thing that worked for me was called geodon i have been through everything paxil, prozac, trileptal, klonopin, effexor, imapramine, seroquel, you name it ive taken it but a combination of geodon and trileptal was what worked for me but i was one of the rare people who developed a side effect of geodon that made my legs jump and twitch and like a shuffel like walk (Muscle movements you are unable to control, such as tremor or shuffling ) don't remember what its called but they had to lower it and give me a counteracting medicine but it still didnt stop so it became so uncomfortable i had to be taken off it but it was the only one i found that worked ever too bad of my unfortune but it is a rare side effect Good luck on finding something that works but do check out that link and see what u think"

Bellaruse replied: "Depakote literally put 60 lbs. on me in 6 months! No joke! Check out Abilify. It's relatively new to the bi=polar world, but has worked miracles for me and many others I know that have bi-polar disorder. It has been my saving grace- but Depakote screwed me up. See if your psych. is willing to try out something else. It's really your choice though in regards to what meds. you are willing to take due to the side effects they will have on you. Your psych. needs to be open to trying different options, especially when it comes to bi-polar disorder. Every one has a different reaction to certain meds, but I haven't met any one yet that has had a negative effect from Abilify. Best of luck :)"

Sarah M replied: "Evidence was published today that depakote actually INCREASES suicidal thoughts. (See the blog at - the research study is described in the latest entry) The combo of LOW DOSE lithium and lamictal is gaining popularity as the most effective combo. As a bipolar person who takes lithium and had big problems with depakote I know that my personal experience supports this."

janie replied: "You are wise to reconsider taking these dangerous psychiatric drugs, I spend a lot of time getting this answer together and finding the links so I hope you will read it, consider doing it, and checking out all the links..better health lies down the road..you have the power to help yourself..and by asking this questions and searching out and implementing suggestions, you have much to gain. first educate yourself on somethings your doctors don't tell you on how dangerous these drugs are..the place to start is with the books of Dr Peter Breggin check out some of his book titles here..read the reviews if you wish and definitely read the books start with the book toxic psychiatry..libraries often have his books I personally took antidepressants for over 15 years and had intense suicidal ideation and impulses the entire time. When I quit these drugs, all suicidal ideation went away fro the next 8 years though my continual problems continued..it was not until the last 6 months when I was in a car accident where I missed death by one second said everyone who saw the car and had many physical and financial hardships, lost my mother in death after she under went 9 heart attacks and several hospitalization in the past year, had vicious rumors spread throughout my building, had many problems after my mom's death and several health challenges that all completely overwhelmed me did any suicidal thought cross my mind..but even then they were much less intense and I remained drug free and reached out for help via crisis lines and counseling. I will never take a psychiatric drug again as they are dangerous..now the FDA puts black box warning labels on the SSRI antidepressants telling people they cause increased suicides and exacerbated depression in some people, but when I took them noone knew or was telling people. They are downright dangerous..how many suffered and died and how many families will morn forever because of the drugs that harmed their loved one or that they took without them making the connection to the drug and the thoughts and behaviors and actions. You are wise to consider not taking them..take charge of your own health, First visit websites like and goggle depression or bipolar or manic depression with the terms alternative health, or herbs or natural treatments and do a thorough research of suggestions. At curezone type either manic depression bipolar and deprssion in both the search at the top right of the screen and the center of the page search engines Then read the book feeling good,http://books.search.ebay.com/feeling-good_Books_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQsacatZ267 rational thinking by Ellis , change your brain..change your life =-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&sappl=1&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1 , and 7 weeks to emotional healing. Start following the suggestions in feeling good for changing your thinking as their is a deep co-relation between our thoughts and the illness. Start getting cognitive therapy..practice the law of attraction ideas as shown in the secret. here is a great book I recommend and Start getting the nutrients recommended for depression. As far as concentration, take organic or wild crafted ginkgo. You might even if you find a ginkgo tree, harass the leaves in the fall..I gathered a paper grocery sack worth in an hour or less and make a huge supply of tincture. tinctures not capsules are the way to take herbs as they are far better absorbed. It is easy to make tinctures..just go to google videos and type in Schultz tinctures and watch how it is done (if the video is incomplete, the rest can be found by typing schulze Richard into goggle videos and finding the one of the series under save your life that comes up and finding the one that talks about how to make tinctures..it is so easy and I save about 90% over buying it. If you buy it, herbpharm is a good brand. If you do not like the taste of a tincture, add a spoon or two of grape juice to the dose but if you can, just use water. A good brain formula is found at herbdoc.com he has the best formulas on the planet in my view. see depression and his recommendations in the index for depression brain formula Also learn techniques like EFT to reduce stress and other problems and it can be combined with law of attraction and affirmations to create new beliefs for yourself as in this video..this is a great video Get lots of fresh air, good sleep, sunshine...go to the woods and beach and by streams and waterfalls a lot, Get out in nature..walk several times a week. Use a lot of good water and deep breathe a lot Improve your diet and practice eating vegan/vegetarian several meals a week. Up your consumption of fatty fish (salmon/mackerel/herring/sardines) Buy a juicer and make more fresh veggie and fruit juices. People who started with 8 oz cup on week one..two 8 oz glasses on week two and all the way up to 6 on week six which they continued found all their medical problems leaving. I also recommend doing several colon cleanses. The best are Dr Schulze's formula one and two. (if you want to email me, I will give you the proportions and how to make this formula yourself if you want to save a lot of money but I recommend buying number one as something in it make one sneeze and cough when mixing it and it is too hard o put into capsules) He healed a person with VERY SEVERE depression with colon cleansing primarily..he talks of the case history in his save your life video rare manual (700 pages), so definitely do that..do it at least 4-6 times a year until you see a change in your health. also helpful; to clean the other elimination organs by doing liver/gall bladder cleanses/kidney-bladder cleanse/lung-mucus cleanse/blood cleansing. In addition to Dr Schulze's formulas see Linda Rector Page's book detoxification for many cleanses that get the toxins out. It is a great book and found here I also think taking a green supplement like wheat grass or barley grass or alfalfa (added to smoothies or juice) would be of health. Be sure to get enough omega three fatty acids (take fish oil supplements or flaxseed oil (do not cook with flaxseed but use raw like as salad dressing or even from spoon) these recommendations will help and also make you healthier in general both emotional, mentally, and physically. Finally, copy all this to your email so you have it to refer to..also be sure to copy all the links so you have them as they do not copy when you paste and copy this answer"

Am I Bipolar?Asking help from China ? Due to the backward medical care and doctors of impatience in my country, I have to turn to you, and hope you could give me some opinions and consultation. 1 family heredity （1）My mother has had manic bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms (auditory & visual hallucination) since 1991. Now, her manic and psychotic symptoms have subsided with Lithium 500 mg, valproic acid 400 mg，and risperidone 2 mg everyday. Currently, she is sleeping too much, and her mental ability, memory, and agility decline dramatically, unable to work, read and understand newspaper, making simple mistakes all the time. It seems that my mother is permanently "disabled" and there is no hope for her to recover. My mother's younger sister has excitable and changeable mood, easy to make a angry fuss over dialy simple stuff. But she manages to work perfectly well. (2) My father is easy to get angry and anxious as he is aging (I don't think there is anything wrong with him; his bad temper has a lot to do with family frustrations). And my father's mother got anxiety disorder (I am not so sure) during cu-l-tu-ral re-vo-lu-ti-on. Now she keeps worrying about my health and future. 2 My History At the age 11, I suddenly felt the whole world was collapsing------that was typical depression (morning severe but at night felt better). With no medical intervention, it lasted 6 months and almost completely subsided, only I myself turned to be an introverted person with some sense of inferiority. At the age 15, I felt the same again. Again, it lasted 8 months and gradually subsided, with residual minor symptoms like anxiety, and mild depression. Therefore, I sought psychiatristic help. That psychiatrist prescribed me fluoxetine. Taking it for 2 weeks, 20 mg/day, I felt very typical mild maniac symptoms (fast thinking, unusual excitement, need for less sleep, etc). Then another psychiatrist diagnosed me as ultra rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (predominantly depression), and gave me low dosage of Lithium+carbamazepine+various antidepressants. And I took that combination for 2 years, but felt nothing at all , even no side effects. During that time, I felt as mild depressive as before, plus anxiety and very disturbing obsessive-compulsive thinking. With no effects at all, I decided to stop all medications. Years went by, in 2005, I felt my memory declined and I couldn't focus for a long time, and the feeling of loneliness almost killed me. So I sought local psychiatristic help again. This time, I was prescribed with arbamazepine alone with no antidepressant, (800mg /day). Quite paradoxically and unexpectedly, I felt more agitation, anxiety, and anger than ever before. I could quarrel with my dear parents and threw precious items into pieces. Almost all the anti-maniac mood stabilizers (lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid) seem to make me feel more “emotionally turbulent” Now I am taking Lamotrigine (50MG/DAY), a mood stabilizer supposedly to work for the depressive symptoms. But I am feeling mental dullness, restlessness, and agitation. With addictive tranquilizes (like clonazepam), I could feel much better. I am trying to explain everything to local doctors, but they dismiss me as "somebody beyond redemption”， scolding me with impatience. Other symptoms I am experiencing:loneliness, fatigue, lack of interest, erectile difficulty, premature ejaculation, and decreased orgasm. 3 I have some suspicions and questions: (1) Is it a wrong diagnosis? Is it borderline personality disorder? But I clearly experienced mild maniac symptoms at the early stage. Every summer from 1998--2002, I got elevated mood mixed with mild depression. I even s-to-le things from stores and got a-rres-ted. But in the winter and fall, all goes down (2) Why do anti-maniac mood-stablizing agents worsen my symptoms? Taking any of them (lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid), initially I was fuming with anger, agitation, and irritability. If those were the side effects, how long would them subside???? (3) Will a restart of a medication after short-term discontinuation worsen everything? Due to the discomfort felt, I had to discontinue mood-stablizing agents, and due to the unstable mood, I had to resume the old meds. (4) How would I feel if taking mood-stablizing agents when I am unipolar depression or completely mentally normal?? Thank you very much for reading my long “complaints”, and I’ve lost hope for life now. Since no doctor in my country could offer any help any more, I count on you really! I am in such a dilemma, and I am eager to hear any of your suggestions! I have to overcome the current ordeal, and find a job to make a living and support my family! Thank you again for your kindly help and advice! (Access to this website is not easily available, pls email me: or )

lil bit replied: "It sounds like you have the same symptoms as me - depression, obsessive-compulsive thinking, racing thoughts, anxiety. It sounds like you have Bipolar - but more depressive; along with anxiety and OCD (obsessive/compulsive) I have found that I need to "fight" for my life sometimes with doctors. The best medication that has helped me is - Abilify (an antidepressant that helps bipolar). I also take Luvox (OCD), Wellbuterin (depression) and Klonopin (anxiety). Each person reacts differently to the chemicals we put into our bodies which could explain why you have certain side effects. My doctor doesn't worry about diagnosis - but treats my SYMPTOMS. Sounds like you need similar treatment I am not certain how your body will react to different medications. For me, it has been 19 years of trial - until finding the best combination (listed above) but I am open to changes as recommended by the doctor. Again, Abilify has helped me the most; and Klonopin helps well with anxiety, but it kind of makes my thinking sluggish"

ginabrownshoes replied: "It does sound more like Borderline Personality Disorder to me. The two are often confused for one another but borderline is much less intense and predictable than bi-polar and also doesn't respond to medication, unlike bi-polar. Don't lose hope for life, this is a struggle but it will make you stronger when you overcome. The best advice I can give is to be introspective and notice what sets you off and try to avoid it. Try to think of things that will calm you down when you begin to feel upset, like count to ten, close your eyes and picture yourself someplace where you feel truly happy or think of a person or word that makes you laugh every time and say it or picture the person to distract yourself from what you are upset about."

Bipolar and mood swings are going out of control!? Okay, well I had been doing a mighty well job controlling my bipolar disorder, I'm on Lamotrigine and it has been working very well. I got extremely drunk this weekend, and ended up hooking up with this guy, the guy i am currently in some what of a relationship with (although I am not and never have been his girlfriend) ended up arriving at the party, finding out about everything and left, extremely angry. We talked about it, and he has forgiven me (I think), but my bipolar disorder has been out of control lately, I'll be extremely happy and then plummet into a deep depression. I know that it's just me being bipolar, but it's to the point where I'm tearing myself apart over what happened. I think I'm more frustrated with myself than he is. I can't control my moods at all and need instant relief, before I do something I regret. Please, please please help me! I need to calm down but can't! I need to stop this before it gets out of hand. I don't know whether it's the guilt that's triggering this or if it's all an awful coincidence. Just someone, help.

Emma C replied: "Hey Amanda, I know that this is probably the last thing you want to hear, but I really think that the best thing to do is go see your doctor as soon as possible. He should be able to adjust your medication levels, perhaps refer you to a cognitive behaviour therapist etc."

Pat replied: "Not to sound like I'm lecturing you, but drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages while using your medication is not only dangerous, but it will cause the medication to be ineffective. Alcohol is a depressant. Your medication will stabilize your moods if you stay away from alcohol. It doesn't sound like you're drinking in excess, but any alcohol will render this med ineffective. In addition, your feelings and emotions of anger will be magnified while using alcohol with this med. Forgive yourself for becoming so angry. Focus on the present and future. If you find that your mood hasn't stabilized and if you continue to experience a high level of anxiety, please talk to your doctor. Your doctor may want to add another medication or adjust the one your on now. Good luck"

Memo replied: "I understand what you're saying, maybe not on cheating on somebody, but I can help you with you dealing with the cause of depression. I also suffer from bipolar disorder and don't have it medically controlled. You see, you have to calm down first, find a room where you can be all alone just for a few moments, breathe deeply, relax, and think calmly. Yes i know it's hard to be in a state of relaxation, but you must be very tough with your mind. These things happen all the time, and it wasn't done purposefully. Never beat yourself up subconsciously. If you think you need more words of help or advice, I'm here, and I'm sure you have a few trusting people that have a shoulder for you, so you can let it all out."

Do Lamotrigine (medicine for manic-depressive illness) cause incontinence? I'm taking Lamotrigine for manic-depressive illness (bipolar II disorder). I am very reluctant to stop taking it, as it has been helpful in offsetting dreadful depressions. However, one thing that has happened to me since taking it is that I have had trouble controlling my bladder and, even worse, my bowels. I lose control of my bladder once every 2-3 days, although mostly can 'stop' myself half way through. Even worse, every 5-7 I lose control of my bowels, and there is nothing I can do to stop this. Its so bad I've started buying incontinence pads I am afraid of telling my doctor in case he tells me to come off the medication, as then I will have to start from scratch on a different one, risking the chance of a relapse. And it might be nothing to do with the medication. But then I'm 25 so its difficult to think of another reason why this is happening. Has anyone on this medication had these problems? If they haven't then I might as well not tell my doctor. Thanks very much

orlando replied: "Hi, I've tried this drug. I did not find myself to have incontinence, but I did read: eneral: Fever, neck pain. Cardiovascular: Migraine. Digestive: Flatulence. Metabolic and Nutritional: Weight gain, edema. Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, myalgia. Nervous System: Amnesia, depression, agitation, emotional lability, dyspraxia, abnormal thoughts, dream abnormality, hypoesthesia. Respiratory: Sinusitis. Urogenital: Urinary frequency. I haven't had your experience, but there are other drugs out there and having to wear pads doesn't sound pleasant. I think that you might try another drug. I have found Neurontin to be extremely helpful, both for managing my moods and for helping with my depression. Good luck!"