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Lamotrigine As a Mood Stabiliser?

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May 4th, 2007
I currently take 150mg of Lamotrigine (all in the evening) in conjunction with 150mg of Venlafaxine XL (all first thing in the morning) as my 'mood stabiliser.

I have always suffered from feeling nausious, and dizzy with Lamotrigine, which is why, after much experimentation, my consultant and I have decided that I take it all at night (on a full stomach)

It has taken me a long time to get as far as 150mg, in 25mg stages.


Question;

Is it worth my efforts trying to continue with Lamotrigine?

What do people find is an 'effective' dose?

Have other people experienced the same nausious side effects?

What other 'mood stabilisers' work well for you?
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tgarnet
replied November 12th, 2007
Lamictal
hi,I think it is well worth it ,it took me awhile too get use to it also,I am very sensitive to medication.after a month being on it, my system finally ajusted to it.My doc gave me a start kit,50mg two weeks 100,two weeks,150mg two weeks now I take 150 in the morning and 150 at night,hopefully your doc is starting you slow on this medication.I might of even started at 25mg,Ihave been on it for 4 years now,I even took it during my pregnancy. Ask your doctor about the lamictal start kit. good luck.
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DavidMo
replied November 13th, 2007
I tool lamotrigine and felt great, except that I developed the dreaded allergy and had to stop. Depakote works really well for me now, but I kinda miss the Lamictal -- I definitely felt peppier on it.
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puzzld
replied November 20th, 2007
Supporter
i'm in my first week of lamictal, slow starter kit, and seroquel 300mg to start. i take the seroquel at night and the lamictal in the morning every other day for now. i guess i'm better... dunno. i know the seroquel needs to go higher because it's not knocking me out like it did before and i'm waking up during the night. but i do have a bit more energy. oh, i also take 60mg of cymbalta and 4-6 mg ativan daily. seems like too much medicine to me.... ?
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Dadaist
replied October 13th, 2012
I'm currently taking 200mg of Lamotrigine daily. I've been on it for two years now and so far I haven't had any problems. I get dizzy sometimes and if I miss a dose I tend to get really irritable and confrontational.
I've found that it works great for the depression but doesn't really do much for the hypomania. Are other people finding this as well?
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Bipolarchick33
replied October 16th, 2012
To Dadaist
Hi Dadaist,

I'm on 900mgs of Lithium and I just recently started Lamictal. Apparently, Lithium helps with the manic side of the disorder. Lamictal is more for the depression and not so much for the mania.

It's a great combination for me at the moment. I just hope it stays this way.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,

Irene Smile
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