I took it for almost a year. 200mg is the usual dose and what I took. Some ppl take more, some less.

I switched to Trileptal as the Lamictal just wasn't working out for me. I would feel good for just a while, but really never stopped feeling hypomanic and having racing thoughts.

Good luck with your pdoc appt. I am sure he will work towards finding the right dosage and medication.

ty surferchica....

I have the same problem crystal. But it's not just with lamictal it's with all medications. I have a high tolerance for drugs. I was told it's because of my drug addiction to crack. It's really screwed me up.

But yes lamictal was like a miracle at first. But now I'm going down hill again. But it's not like psych meds are a cure. Most people have good days when meds seem to be working and bad days when they aren't working at all. So just remember there is no med that's going to cure you. You have to find a way to manage and live around that little problem.

I'd like to tell you what works but I'm still trying to figure that out for myself. So far I just accept that bad days and jump on my doctors right away when the meds fail.

You will have good days again it may also be effected by hormones due to being a woman. If you catch my drift. I know my cycle has a large part in how well my meds work.

ty dk....i kno i will always have moods but something is still off...whn i said i fekt better i ment like my normal self...i mostly have bad days every once in a while i have good days....something just isnt right....i know bipolar is rough but tere has to be a way to live a happy life and feel better....just cant fig it out....i see all kinds of ppl that it took a while to fig out the right dosage or combination but they did and they feel good like their normal agian...just tryn to fig it out

Yes, it could mean that you need a higher dose, but you definitely need to be doing this process through a psychdoc - not your MD - the MD is only relevent in this process in that onced the psychdoc has extablished your dosage of medication, the MD gives you your ongoing prescriptions. Bipolar is an enormously complex illness and MD's are SO not trained to be making prescribing decisions for you about such a powerful psychotrophic drug - even if they think they have the skills.

So being pointed in the direction of a psychdoc is a good thing - and you need to find one who can look after you in the long term.

I am on 400mg Lamictal and I need that much, along with a whole host of other psych meds, to keep me stable and non-suicidal. Your proper dosage will be very personal to you.

I was VERY depressed when I was put on this drug a few years back and I even had to have a psych ward stay to bump up the dose, but it was all worth it. It's an incredibly effective tool in my kit of meds and has reduced my depression and suicidal thinking SO MUCH.

Please however, learn about Stephen Johnson's Syndrome, a rash that can occur in a tiny, tiny percentage of patients who take Lamictal. It's highly unlikely it will happen to you but you need to know about it.

So, yes, go see the psycdoc and they should be able to help you.

Hi Crystal555,

I am on Lamictal 375 and also on Abilify and Wellbutrin. I had breakthrough depression, so my pdoc increased the dosage of the lamictal. I am feeling better so far with the increase. However, I developed swelling of my feet and ankles. I can't take any diuretics because I am allergic to sulfa drugs, so I am kind of stuck. Be careful to watch out for side effects and tell your pdoc right away. Good luck to you and your new pdoc should be able to get you on the right track.

Been taking lamictal for 5yrs.+ I started out at 100mgs for 2 weeks, then increased slowly to 150mgs per day. then 2 weeks later increased to 200mgs, I now take 400mgs per day at BEDTIME!!! Lots of adjusting to the increases! Almost could not hang in there, felt like SHIT!!! But once adjusted to the level, considered appropriate for me, Damn Glad I Hung In There!!! Literally saved my life!! Been on every known meds ever available for bipolar disorder for years and some, to no avail. 18yrs later, a GOD send!! (Joley)thruout theraputic

Lamictal has been a wonder drug for me. I was put on it to stop depression and I have not had a major depressive episode for three years. Wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm on 400 mg at the mo.

I agree with those that say that your dosage seems small. I take 300 mg a day, but it seems to be the best thing for me. I do not know, however, how much it helps with hypomanic symptoms. Lamictal seems to work better on bringing someone up to stability rather than down.

I had a similar experience with Lamictal and I was on 400 mgs. for 3 years. I finally said enough is enough and switched to Lithium with much better results. I also switched pdocs. Hope things go Better for you.

I quite like Lamictal. It made me feel so good that I decided I didn't need it, LOL!!! Big mistake, going off of it. I hope I don't make THAT mistake again.

So say that I was up to 200mg/day back before I went off it.

Now that I'm back on it, I'm at 100mg/day and doing well. If it stops working, I will ask for an increase in dosage, rather than to go off it.

Good luck!!! I hope you find your therapeutic dose and that it keeps working for you!!! (((((Hugs)))))

it's my wonder drug, really does work to keep me stable. i started out at lower dosages but the maximum effective dose is 400mg and i'm at that dose now and have been for a year. it's really done me good. you may be on too low a dose. go into your pdoc with an open mind and willingness to work together, you'll find what works for you with some trial and error. good luck!

Lamictal is a god send for me. It has stabilized me. I agree with the others, it initially brought me up and then stabilized me. I haven't had an exacerbation of symptoms for the last 15 months. Granted I'm on other meeds but lamictal has been a great addition to my arsenal.

I take 400mg~~200mg in the AM and 200mg in the PM. It took two years for me to get to this dosage; my Pdoc slowly titrated my dosage up. I have been find on 400mg for about two years now.

Good Luck seeing your new pdoc. Remember to be open and honest with him or he can't truly help you. I am on 200 mg of Lamictal and I have been on it for about 3 years and I love it. It really works for me. I still have breakthru depression, but overall it works really well. Give it a shot and you may need a higher dose. That will be up to your Pdoc. Good luck and hang in there sweetie, it gets better.