As may of you know if you’re a regular to this blog- I had a very bad reaction when I changed from brand name Lamictal to to generic Lamictal (lamtrigine.) Others made the switch just fine. If you have switched over from your brand Lamictal to generic Lamtrigine and have noticed a difference in the efficacy of the drug, there are many blog entries under the Lamictal tab to the right that explain generic bipolar drugs in great detail. You can also ready my story- it was quite a saga! But it has all worked out.  My mother who takes Lamictal had no problems and has stayed on the lamotrigine. I went back to brand Lamictal and am very happy with the results. No matter what you take, knowledge of generic bipolar disorder drugs is essential!

Julie

 This is not generic Lamictal…. yes, I am trying to make you laugh!

Oh the itching! If you follow this blog you know that I tried generic Lamictal for my bipolar disorder and then had to go back on brand Lamictal. Well! Since there were little meds in my system, I’m having major side effects from going back on the Lamictal!

I itch! I really itch! And it’s not the rash that comes with the drug. It’s internal like little squiggly creatures are crawling under my skin. It’s like they are amped up on caffeine! They itch.

I also have neck issues that make it difficult to find a comfortable place for my head when I try to sleep!

These are normal side effects and will go away. I was talking with a friend last night and we agreed that it’s such a fine balance between the side effects and the efficacy of the meds! For me, these side effects are uncomfortable, but definitely worth it. My friend is on Zyprexa and she truly struggles with whether the side effects are worth it- sleeping 12 hours, feeling mentally dull and physically tired. But…. the drugs helped her keep her job during a tough evaluation. She of course is great at her job, but the stress made her ill- thus the Zyprexa and the side effects!

It’s always a challenge and a balancing act.

Julie

Bipolar Disorder and Medication Woes: Generic Lamictal ( Lamotrigine)

This is a long newsletter as it is a long story about bipolar disoder and genetic medications!

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Have you noticed that bipolar disorder can sneak up on you in so many ways? I’m always amazed when it sneaks up on me and I get sick no matter how carefully I manage the illness. For the past few weeks, I’ve had a terrifically difficult time working. I have also been really hard on myself. I kept saying, “What is wrong with me! Why can’t I just sit down and finish this book project! It’s only about 20 hours of work and then I can get another book deal! Why am I putting off something that completely affects my future?” This went on for weeks. I just assumed I was being lazy. But I know I’m not a lazy person!

I also found myself spending a lot more time alone – and I’m a very social person. My brain just seemed to shut off. I floated around a lot.  There was little creativity and I had trouble sitting down. I then had trouble with anger and got mildly manic a few times. I started to twitch and felt really itchy. And still… I was hard on myself for not getting things done!

I got out of the house and saw friends- but everything was a struggle. I used all of the tips in my books and that kept me functioning. Soon, I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so restless. But I was also super tired! Then the depression started. It was the kind of depression where I not only felt hopeless, I cried a lot and had trouble completing tasks. I have been like this many times in my life, so I kept going, but it was hard.

Finally, I went to visit a writing friend of mine a few hours away from my house. I had anxiety on the way there and had trouble deciding if I should spend the night or come back and sleep in my own bed. I couldn’t sit and then started twitching again. I alternately felt ok and then anxious. And then it hit me…. it had to me by meds. If you have been following my medication situation on the blog, you will know I switched to generic Lamictal in December.  This is actually called generic Lamotrigine. When I got back from my friend’s house- I had such a bad downswing I had to call my mom, my coauthor John, my insurance company and my doctor to help me. They all agreed it was my meds.

I did a LOT of research to make sure the generics were fine. I was told they have the same active ingredients, but that the way they metabolize in the body can differ with each person. The active ingredients may have been the same, but the way the medication went into my body didn’t work. I’m now back to my Lamictal and am starting to feel better. I also feel relief that it wasn’t me- it was the bipolar. This is the reversal of the typical, it’s not you, it’s me!  Ha ha.

Generics work for most people- my mom is on generic Lamictal with no problems. There is a long discussion regarding this topic on the blog. If you go to the right menu and click on Lamictal, you will see the entries and comments.

I wrote this long newsletter for a few reasons- first, we have to be so vigilant (as do the people around us) and notice the signs of illness way before they go too far. I had been doing much better work wise for almost a year, so when it got tough, I should have seen that there was something wrong. Also, isolating myself is not the real me and I am very rarely tired. There is a long list of what I could have seen. I also knew in my heart that generics were not right for me as I am ridiculously sensitive to medications.  The person with bipolar disorder and the people around that person are the best tools for managing the illness. When I got out my Health Cards and looked over my symptoms, I saw so many signs that I was ill. I wish I had opened them sooner!

I am doing quite well these days. It’s great. Now I can finally get my book proposal done and be proud of myself!

 FYI:  The brand Lamical is made by Glaxo Smith Kline. It’s an anti convulsant that is especially effective for treatment resistant depression. It also helps my rapid cycling, hypomania, OCD, psychotic and ADHD symptoms! This is why I got so ill with the generic lamtrigine. Whether you take Lamictal or the lamotrigine works for you, as it does many people – it truly is a miracle drug and I hope it works as well for you as it does for me.

Julie

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 A final note: I want to reiterate that I am not against generic medications at all! I just want all of us to monitor symptoms very carefully whenever we change meds or try new meds. We know our bodies best!

I just did a post called My Meds are Working- there are some fantastic comments under the post. I have learned a lot from readers.

Here are the facts on generic Lamictal (Lamotrigine). There can be problems with the generic formula. This does not mean it won’t work for you- it does for many people. It does mean that you will need to monitor your moods once you switch. It’s a gradual change if the meds are not working- it seems to be around five weeks.

I really want to stress that generics are good things in many ways- costs, availability, etc. But as people with bipolar disorder, we have to take charge of our own health care. If you use my Health Cards treatment system, it’s a good idea to read your normal card while you take the generics.

Doctors can prescribe ‘brand’ Lamictal if the generics don’t work for you. I can’t believe that I lost a month of work time simply because I didn’t know the meds weren’t working!!!

This is about awareness- when and if you start generic Lamictal, educate your health care professional on the reality of the drug and then work together to make sure you stay stable. Most people do!

Julie

Hello to Everyone,

Wow, thanks so much for the nice comments. It has definitely been a tough week. I made it to all of my appointments- saw all of the people I said I would see and basically kept functioning, but work definitely suffered. I started with the correct meds two days ago and I’m already feeling better.

I receive a lot of blog comments with questions. Please feel free to offer tips to the person asking the question  as I think that we all have ideas on what can help manage this illness- and advice for those we care about people with the illness! I will answer all I can in the next week.

I will be back in action soon. I know the new meds will really help. I have a book proposal due, lots of email to answer and an article to write for BP Magazine. I have to get myself in gear!

julie

 PS: If you are new to this blog, you can start at the bottom and read up- I started to get sick about a month ago and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I finally realized it was my generic Lamictal and I switched back to the regular stuff and am doing a lot better! It’s important to note that most people do fine with generics- some of us don’t!

I’m really struggling today. I swear I would do anything just to get rid of these constant mood swings. I have friends with bipolar disorder who have a lot of normal days- by normal I mean that they aren’t in some kind of mood swing. I rarely have a normal day. Today seems to be a mixture of mild depression, worry, lack of focus and a definite concern that my meds aren’t working correctly. I have a big writing project due and it feels like climbing Mt. Everest even though I only need a few more days to get it done.

Every day since I came back from a trip to Texas and Florida has been difficult. Not it a bad way- in other words I didn’t have a terrible depression when I got back- but there is always something to deal with. I just feel physically uncomfortable and can’t seem to find a good place to sit down and write.

I wrote Get it Done When You’re Depressed to deal with times like these. I use the tips daily- right now I’m ‘working with a friend.’ I traveled south to Eugene, Oregon to see a writer friend of mine who also has bipolar disorder. So she understands me! She writes her own books and also edits manuscripts. She’s very good- and she struggles the same way I do. These darn mood swings really affect our ability to work the way we want to.

So, I’m struggling today- that doesn’t mean I have to struggle tonight. It’s 4:30 PM and it’s starting to get dark. I know that I will feel so much better if I get work done- and if I have a plan ready for tomorrow. I constantly remind myself that this is an illness. I have no desire to be depressed and restless- it’s an illness. I can get better and I always do!

Julie

I’m just plain worn out!

I honestly think that switching to the generic Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has made me more tired. I know it has increased my other side effects. As I’ve said in a lot of other posts, it’s working exactly the same as Lamictal in terms of mood swings. Which is good! But I am not myself physically. I am sure this will end, but it’s definitely proof that generics are not the same as the original product in terms of the non active ingredients. If you look under the Lamictal category on the right, you can read some great discussions on what it was like for those of us who went from Lamictal to generic Lamotrigine!

I wonder who else has had trouble changing to a generic? I’m not even sure if trouble is the right word as the meds are working, but I do know we should get more information when we have to switch!

Julie