Starting Lamictal in 4 days

[Lisa]

I'm making the switch from Effexor to Lamictal this Friday. Very worried, but hopeful.

[MLK]

Everybody is different of course, but I'm Bi-polar I, mostly depressive. I have a terrific psychopharmacologist, and I take both Effexor and Lamictal. I don't want to push you one way or the other, but no Effexor to only Lamictal sounds wrong to me. Why are you doing it? What went wrong with Effexor?

[Noldie]

I was taking lithium for years. Now I'm on Lamictal instead, 400 MG after 5 months. I "crept up on it" and it was worth it. Too fast increase or decrease it TERRIBLE whether your Doctor prescribes it that way or not.

Some Psychiatrists make mistakes ... most of mine did until now and that caused YEARS of misery.. 12 years of living "on the shelf" and not getting on with life, just surviving, and that's no fun at all.

I'm actually feeling pretty good! There are things that I can do now, like plan for a future that is worth taking the time and effort.

All the best finding the right life for you. I cut out ALL caffein and alcohol and BOY do I feel better! I also joined the YMCA ($7.00 per month for those living on SSI). I walk a lot, swim a bit, a little yoga a class on subjects for the joy of it, not the pressure.

I treat myself like a thoroughbred racehorse now. I wasn't born like a racehorse, but without special care, I'm a mess. Like a high-strung horse, I need good food, enough regular rest, grooming (YES! I said grooming!) lots of soothing encouragement by people that know what they are doing. I strongly suggest a PSR, a hands-on counselor that works through each and every goal with you. At home, on bike trails, shopping for clothing in style, starting a savings account, encourages you to keep you on a budget, takes you to places where you can take classes you'd love, social clubs, for walks, for tea and a lot of talking and listening, art therapy, tells you about great books to read and taking you to the library and book stores to show you. Takes you to places where you can make extra money like the consignment stores in your town. Every goal. And medicaid pays for the whole thing! All of it!(For me here in Idaho anyway.)

Keep checking your thyroid levels, our medications mess up some of our glands. Even my mammography led to a sonagram the next week, and a biopsy the following week. Glands, watch out for your glands.

Keep company with upbeat people. You can find them at clubs, classes, churches and all the places where happy people hang out. I'm serious. Don't keep much company at all with gloomy folk. If your Dr or councelor doesn't encourage you and give you hope, you might be able to find another.

[Noldie]

Also, be in calm places where people are content. We tend to startle easily when hypo-manic or manic. And soothing encouragement when depressed can't hurt. Get a pet that you can relax with and pet. It might actually make you happy! Yes, happy when you are cuddling. I know it helps me SO much. And when I felt suicidal, I couldn't leave my pup!

[claire]

Noldie wrote:

I was taking lithium for years. Now I'm on Lamictal instead, 400 MG after 5 months. I "crept up on it" and it was worth it. Too fast increase or decrease it TERRIBLE whether your Doctor prescribes it that way or not.
Some Psychiatrists make mistakes ... most of mine did until now and that caused YEARS of misery.. 12 years of living "on the shelf" and not getting on with life, just surviving, and that's no fun at all.
I'm actually feeling pretty good! There are things that I can do now, like plan for a future that is worth taking the time and effort.
All the best finding the right life for you. I cut out ALL caffein and alcohol and BOY do I feel better! I also joined the YMCA ($7.00 per month for those living on SSI). I walk a lot, swim a bit, a little yoga a class on subjects for the joy of it, not the pressure.
I treat myself like a thoroughbred racehorse now. I wasn't born like a racehorse, but without special care, I'm a mess. Like a high-strung horse, I need good food, enough regular rest, grooming (YES! I said grooming!) lots of soothing encouragement by people that know what they are doing. I strongly suggest a PSR, a hands-on counselor that works through each and every goal with you. At home, on bike trails, shopping for clothing in style, starting a savings account, encourages you to keep you on a budget, takes you to places where you can take classes you'd love, social clubs, for walks, for tea and a lot of talking and listening, art therapy, tells you about great books to read and taking you to the library and book stores to show you. Takes you to places where you can make extra money like the consignment stores in your town. Every goal. And medicaid pays for the whole thing! All of it!(For me here in Idaho anyway.)
Keep checking your thyroid levels, our medications mess up some of our glands. Even my mammography led to a sonagram the next week, and a biopsy the following week. Glands, watch out for your glands.
Keep company with upbeat people. You can find them at clubs, classes, churches and all the places where happy people hang out. I'm serious. Don't keep much company at all with gloomy folk. If your Dr or councelor doesn't encourage you and give you hope, you might be able to find another.

I have just read this, and I am very concerned, I started Lamitical 3.5 weeks ago, very very sore throat.. went to walk in clinic, said there is nothing wrong with it,however, my thyroid is enlarged, and sent me for blood work?. I can't even swallow,this is going on 9 days.. And The medication is actually somewhat starting to work.. HELP.. [e-mail]