I often get questions on how to talk a person with bipolar disorder about their medications. Here is a question from Cheryl. I use a tecnhnique I use called ‘scripts’ with all of my coaching clients. I explain a bit about scripts in my answer.
Hi Julie,
My boyfriend just started taking Lamcital about a year ago and his doctor only has him on 40 mg and it’s just not enough. After almost 20 years of refusing to take meds this is progress for sure, but both he and his doctor are being so very conservative I’m still waiting for the miracle to kick in. Don’t get me wrong, even at 40 mg it’s helped, but there is still irritably, cycling, sleeplessness, etc. His mom is at 400 mg so at least in theory he should be able to tolerate a higher dosage. How does one call attention to this issue without seeming to do [ Read More ]
I have no insurance and BP meds are very expensive, is the medication assistance for a single woman with BP disorder. I know I don’t qualify for medicaid benefits and so often I go without meds because of the price. Does anyone know where I can recieve assistance?
Jasmin
I know readers out there have many suggestions, please send them in for Jasmine and I will post them ASAP.
Here are two tips:
1. All of the drug companies have some form of assistance- from coupons to discounts. Go to the maker of your meds and look for the assistance program.
2. Generic meds are VERY cheap. If you can tolerate them- in other words, if they work for you- check out the Walmart pharmacy program. Some generics, such as Lamotrigine (the generic for Lamictal) can be as little as $7 a month.
I’ve been on my medication (Lamictal- generic Lamtrigine) since 2005. Unfortunately, the Lamictal has stopped working three times in the past six years. Well, it hasn’t stopped working exactly- if it did I would be suicidal pretty quickly. I should say that it is not working as well as it usually does.
All medications have an average/recommended dose as a guideline for prescribers. But this is only a start. People have such different brain chemistry that the dosage can be all over the place.
My problem is that I’m on the highest dose as possible for the Lamictal. 700mg. When the lower dose stopped working last year, my prescriber and I upped it to get me out of a really serious rapid cycling depression. (A few mood swings a day- waking up crying in the middle of the night, etc. )
And now it’s happening again. I can’t raise the dose. I use the management plan I write [ Read More ]
Here is the link to one of my most popular posts. You may notice that I write a lot about Lamictal on this blog. I’m not someone who believes in drugs only- but I do know that of all of the drugs on the market for bipolar disorder – this is the best depression drug used today. It’s always a risk for people with bipolar disorder to take anti depressants such as Prozac or Zoloft as they have a high risk of mania if not used with a strong dose of a mood stabilizer. I believe that my constant rapid cycling is due to the 10+ antidepressants I was put on the first three years after my diagnosis.
Lamictal is a much, much safer drug for those with bipolar disorder and has relatively few side effects- the [ Read More ]
I take a lot of Lamictal for my bipolar disorder. (My dose is really high: 700 mg)
This can be hard on the system if I only take it during the day. I now have it on a 24 hour cycle. I take half throughout the day and then take the rest throughout the night.
It’s hard to keep track of bipolar meds- I find it very frustrating, upsetting, worrisome, etc when I look at my daily bottle and all the meds are sitting there. I forgot to take them! That happens rarely, but it’s still a problem.
Here’s what I do to remember my meds. I have an empty bottle that I fill every day with my Lamictal dose. I put that in my bag and take the half of the meds. Then I come home and empty the bottle on my counter next to a glass of water. I take a pill, then [ Read More ]
As you may already know, Lamictal changed and saves my life. It’s the only drug I’ve been able to take since I was diagnosed in 1995. I am always singing the praises about the drug.
It comes with side effects for sure- the main one being a rash that can be serious. But it’s very, very rare. Many health care professionals are wary of Lamictal because of the rash, but I always remind people that a potential side effect is just that. If monitored correctly, the potential is small. Also, the rash is normally benign. Make sure your prescriber knows all of the history before saying no to prescribing Lamictal or Lamotrigine. A rash doesn’t mean you can’t take the drug. It often means you just need to start with a lower dose and increase is slowly.
What is Lamotrigine?
The generic form of Lamicatal is called Lamotrigine. Lamictal is the brand name and is [ Read More ]
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
