BiPolar II and Lamictal | Meds, Supplements, Devices | the chipur forum

For those who have followed me on the Viibryd forum, I am posting a new topic because, well, because I'm not taking Viibryd anymore. In fact, I'm not taking any SSRIs anymore. After a brief brush with Prozac (and the worst suicidal ideation I have ever known – I almost hospitalized myself) I was taken off everything except Wellbutrin. This was to determine how I was doing with the change in my thyroid medication. I was still feeling depressed but became aware of how I was cycling up and down during the day. My psychiatrist determined that I was more in the category of BiPolar II (rather than your run-of-the-mill depression) and started me on a pediatric dose of Lamictal (12.5 mg). Within an hour of taking my first dose I felt different – I felt normal. I felt more in control of my life. That was last Friday. Yesterday and today I started to have some break-through sadness and tears about 3-4 hours before my next dose. I anticipate being titrated up to 25mg when I go back to see him tomorrow. For the first time in almost a year I am making plans and thinking about the future. I am also seeing a counselor as well as starting relationship therapy with my significant other. I don't feel stuck in a rut anymore, but I don't want to make any changes in my life until I am as certain as I can be that these will be good and positive changes for me. I don't want to run away from my problems, but I do want to move towards happiness and being well.

So hang in there, all of you. If your MD or Internist is not meeting your needs, please find yourself a psychiatrist who is specifically trained to help you. Get into counseling and try to face your fears. Getting better is not only an option – it is a possibility.

I'm now taking 100 mg of Lamictal and a small amount of Seroquel to help with bouts of crying and sleeplessness. So far, so good. I'm feeling more confident and in control, but it's been gradual.

I switched psychiatrists because I wanted someone who would add meaningful therapy to the mix. Turns out the diagnosis of BiPolar II may not fit for me – after all, I really do not have any mania going on. So far the shrink and I are still at the "getting to know me" phase and I look forward to having someone in my corner who knows me, my concerns, my history and my medical needs. I find it curious that Lamictal is helping with the depression. I always thought that SSRIs were the only answer.