Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 a year in a half ago. After a year of being on medications I was feeling pretty good about things, I took myself off the medications like a idiot. Today I am not in a good place. I went back to my doctor Friday, told him that I thought I was slipping back into depression. He wants to to start back on my meds at the same dose that I quit at. I was taking Lamical 200mg, Sertraline 50mg, and Aripiprazole 30mg. Know to remember I have been off meds for five months. I'm scared to death to start the Lamical at 200mgs.
Know with the Lamical is the side affect of the rash, and is recommend to start at a lower dose. Is this fear real or is it just in my head? I talked with my case manager about and she said take the medications as described. But the fear is preventing me from doing so.
The other things going on are, I had to quit work because of the stress and them wanting me to more every week. I can't do it. I'm on ssdi/ssi and the fear of losing that, on top of everything I had no idea that I was suppose to turn in pay stubs to sis ever month, I have not been doing, the more that I read about it scarred I become.
All this started about a week ago, and I'm falling deeper into depression side. I have been feeling withdrawn, I don't care about anything, I want to give up. I'm tired of trying, no matter want I do it's not right, feeling of losing everything.
I want to know if this is all my head, or is their something else going on hear
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
Welcome to the group.
"If the decision is made to restart a patient who has discontinued LAMICTAL, the need to restart with the initial dosing recommendations should be assessed. The greater the interval of time since the previous dose, the greater consideration should be given to restarting with the initial dosing recommendations. If a patient has discontinued lamotrigine for a period of more than 5 half-lives, it is recommended that initial dosing recommendations and guidelines be followed."
Source if you want to show your doctor: https://www.gsksource.com/lamictal
The information is listed under "Dosing and Administration."
The half life of Lamictal is 25-32 hours, although that can be affected by other medications.
Your fear about starting Lamictal at 200 mg is a reasonable one. I'd encourage you to share the manufacturer's recommendation with your doctor. If your doctor won't prescribe you a lower dose to start, then you might consider looking for another doctor. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!
Its imperative you restart the lamictal at the lowest dose, and titrate up. Especially after 5 months. I would challenge your doctor. If he doesn't know the basics with this med, I'd be a little unsettled. Your fears are grounded. Look after yourself as best you can.
When the meds are working well it's not unusual for people the think that they don't need them...... I think most of us have gone through this at one time or another.... Big hug......xo