I like the lamictal better! No shaking with the lamictal.

Do you have to watch your water?

I've never been on Lithium. So far no problems with the Lamictal. Make sure your Pdoc starts you on low dosage and slowly brings you up in dosage. The bad thing about this drug is that you can develop a very bad rash from it. Whether it helps you or not, you will have to go off it.

I had the WORST side effects on Lamictal just in the two first weeks. I took it at night and i couldnt sleep, i became itchy, i felt like there were ants crawling all over me, i kept forgeting shit, my vision was blurry for a while, i cried randomly, i was VERY irritable,achey all over my body especially my neck and back and there are probably a few more im forgetting. Once my dose went up my feet swelled up and i had to stop taking it. I was allergic.

I was on Lamactil before Lithium. I broke out in a severe and almost deadly rash and slit my wrists. Although with research they claim this is a wonder drug for alot of people, for me it has ruined a great portion of my life and I am still trying to recover. If you get a rash stop, and research, my doctor didn't take my off immediatley and I have started a law suit regarding this. Stevens-Jonson Syndrome is a risk.

I was on lamactil for a little over two weeks and loved it. I had NO side effects but did have an allergic reaction. So I guess you could say one side effect, but inside of those two weeks there was already a change. The side effects are definetly easier. If the rash hadn't of popped up I would have stayed on it. Hope this helps!

I love lamictal over lithium. You will get some of your highs back and the lows are cut down as well. I went from Lamictal to lithium because the lithium is stronger for me than the lamictal and I kind of got out of hand on Lamictal.... That is my two cents.

I liked lamictal over lithium and started it but after I got down with the docs free start up doses, I bought my first prescription with my insurance and it was a $90 copay each month. So I had to get off it.
Do they have a generic for it yet?

no generic, too new.

hmmm, well, i was already on lithium and stayed on it when given lamictal and yes it did help me,, but i've never taken it alone... why is he not just cutting it down first??

Lamictal is generally more effective with BP's who are more depressive than manic. It also has some antidepressant effects, too. I have been taking it for a month or two, and have had some stomach ache, headache, and chest pain. Not terribly bad, though.
You need to watch for "the rash" which is rare, but happens usually when you take too much too soon. You have to build your dose up gradually, a couple weeks at a time.
With lithium, (which works better for those who are more manic than depressive) you have to watch your water and salt intake, to keep a balance. It also can damage your thyroid gland.

Both meds have possible bad side effects, but you just have to be careful and watch for them. Neither are likely to hurt you so fast you can't get help, unless you OD or ignore the symptoms.

Thanks Benitro, will have to wait for generic

I personally had more side effects on lith then lamictal. its been a really good med as far as handeling my depression but i have had some hypomania. my pdoc said he will add lithium if
they become out of hand.apparently some pdocs use them together because one is good for mania and the ohter depression. good luck

I'm screwed...I take both

I've been on Lamictal since 9/6 and I think it's working...not nearly as depressed or sucidal...but I do get short bouts of depression some days...but at least they are short lived and it could also be caused by anxiety. Sometimes my anxiety becomes paralyzing and it causes the depression.
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Anyhoo..it's working so far. I had a few physical side effects at first, sore throat, muscle aghces, headaches, etc. but the are gone now.

The WORST side effect was that it made me hypomanic and impulsive for about two weeks or so. I had bizarre thoughts and had to be careful not to act on impulse. My pdoc put me on Zyprexa for that and it's working.