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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
Hi everyone. I haven't posted in awhile. I have been diagnosed with bipolar for a year now but have had it since I was a kid (30 now).
I started lamictal a year ago. At first it made my hypomanic but I enjoyed that. Then at 150mg I crashed into a deep depression. I went up to 200mg which helped until February when I had a mixed episode. The mixed episode only lasted a week, thankfully, since last year I had one that lasted months (before treatment). I doubled my dose of clonazepam so I don't know if that's what brought me out of it, or if the lamictal shortened it. I have risperdal but it gives me bad side effects, so I can't take it.
After that episode my family doctor increased my dosage to 300 mg. I was doing good again but about 4 weeks ago I had a hypomania, lasting 2 weeks then crashed into a nasty depression which lasted about a week and a half. Today, I'm feeling a little hypomanic whereas, yesterday I was very depressed. I am a rapid cycler (obviously).
The one thing that has been very difficult is I only saw a pdoc once. I live in Canada and you don't get to choose your dr. I live in a very remote area and this pdoc actually had to fly in. If I were to have any problems, my gp was to contact him and then he would give her directions for treatment. When I had my mixed episode I called for a dr appt and found out my pdoc had retired! I freaked because my dr told me it could take a year to get into a new one and she can do nothing for me but increase my lamictal and even that scares her. My family dr. must have pulled some strings seeing as I freaking out and I have an appt. with a new dr next week.
I'm nervous about the appt. because I have to drive an hour (serious driving anxiety) and doctors, especially pdocs make me nervous.
I also want to know what you think my med options will be. I have serious anxiety issues although the lamictal has helped that a bit. Oh yeah, and the lamictal is very expensive so going up in dose is out of the question. I'm using my credit card as it is to pay for it.
The lamictal has helped somewhat but I am still getting cycles and I'm always scared when i'll get another. Many of you have done the med go round so I'm just wondering what the pdoc may do and prepare myself. Sorry for the novel but I would appreciate any input. Thanks,
Crissi
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 20:44:35
In reply to lamictal, still cycling....advice on meds, posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
Gee just when you find a med that works you can't afford it. So the meds have nothing to do with the socialized medicine? Still have to pay? Maybe a fellow Canadian will know more about the prices of the meds. Love Phillipa
Posted by notfred on May 7, 2007, at 0:39:18
In reply to lamictal, still cycling....advice on meds, posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
For BP, lamictal is a good add on but does not seem to be good as monotherapy. At least that is the impression from posts here: http://www.crazymeds.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=lamictal
and here: http://www.crazymeds.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=bipolarmedsSo you might need to add something to the lamictal.What symptoms are bothering you the most ? Is it the cycling ? perhaps others can suggest some meds, I do not know enough about BP meds.
There is a patient assistance program for Lamictal:
http://www.needymeds.com/drug_list.taf?_function=name&name=Lamictal
Posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 13:51:36
In reply to lamictal, still cycling....advice on meds, posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
I toughed it out on Lamictal for a year and a half, with a similar experience (it did not shorten my hypomanic episodes, even as the dosage increased).
My pdoc and I decided to discontinue it after a short taper. That was in January, and I haven't been hypomanic since. This is probably entirely coincidental. I try not to be cynical about it :-) I think the medication just didn't work as intended for me. It was very expensive for me, too (I'm in the usa.), even with health insurance - a very high copayment of $40 a month!I don't have any suggestions for an alternative, but wanted to let you know of my experience with the medication. At the moment I am enjoying the peace of mind.
Scratchpad
Posted by Johann on May 7, 2007, at 20:07:22
In reply to lamictal, still cycling....advice on meds, posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
I underline that Lamictal is not usually used as a monotherapy for BP. I use lithium as well, which while it has more side effects is tried and true for BP, and it is available in generic.--Johann
Posted by fiftylager on May 8, 2007, at 8:51:29
In reply to lamictal, still cycling....advice on meds, posted by fiftylager on May 6, 2007, at 19:51:10
Thanks for the replies. I am doing better now but I'm trying not to kid myself that it will last. It's so easy to trick yourself that you're better, even if it's only for a few days.
I checked out that link to the crazy meds board and am still reading the posts. Thank you for the link.
It's depressing because this is such a miracle drug for a lot of people. I was hoping for a monotherapy. I was looking into trileptal because it sounds not too bad but it sounds expensive and I'm on birth control pills which apparently is a no no with it.
I don't want to get put on depakote or lithium. The side effects sound terrible. I need something that won't make me sleep all the time and gain weight but something that won't cause anxiety either. Clonazepam helps but it's not something I want to take everyday due to the addiction potential.
It's frustrating. I just want to feel balanced. I'm also nervous having a new pdoc. Hate that!!!
Thank you again for the replies.crissi
This is the end of the thread.
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