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
If you read my blog below, you can tell I’ve really had trouble lately in terms of getting my work done. I always have struggles, but I use the ideas in my books and just keep going. When it’s hard for me to even sit down, then I know something is not right physically.
My friend Sherri called last night and said, “Are you ok! I just read your blog and I’m worried about you!”
Hmm.. I didn’t mean to sound that bad! But it has been pretty bad. I have many ways to figure out what is wrong when I’m having mood swings- the first is to check the triggers. I know that troublesome relationships cause me a lot of trouble- which leads to mood swings- book deadlines that are too intense can also make me quite ill, but I always keep working.
This time, nothing is going on. There are no triggers. Yes, I have a book proposal I must finish, but it’s not really a trigger. So, if there are not triggers but I’m still having a lot of trouble focusing, I feel slightly out of touch with things and I’m tired, it has to be meds- on other words- the generic Lamictal.
Now that I have the answer, I can focus on the meds instead of calling myself LAZY!
I will keep everyone posted on what I do. I have a few actions I have to take today.
Julie
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 [... Read More ...]
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
Hi Julie,
I was taking generic Lamictal for 4 weeks during December, but around Christmas the side effects-headache, anxiety-became too much on 50mg. I know you’re not a doctor, but in your experience do these subside over time. I’m a street musician in Portland and just getting turned on to your bi-polar crusade. Your work looks pretty amazing.
Regards,
Ted
Hi Ted,
Well, side effects are so tricky as they depend on the person. For example, I take 500mg of generic Lamictal (also called generic Lamotrigine) and have more side effects when my dose gets too low!
The normal Lamictal dose is 250mg- but that is just an average. What matters is that it works- the dose depends on the person taking the meds.
My first question would be just that- did it work? If it did, you may want to wait out the side effects if you can- if they are even moderately tolerable. It’s such a great drug when it works, but the side effects can be tough. I had them for three months until they got better. Mine were severe neck stiffness and breathing problems. Now I get the restless legs and twitching! It is an anti epileptic drug, so it makes sense it would really affect our nervous systems. If the side effects really are impossible to live with, you have some options.
If you are well enough to function in terms of bipolar- then you can talk to your doctor about going onto a lower dose until you can tolerate the side effects and then very slowing [... Read More ...]
I’ve written a lot about Lamictal and Generic Lamictal (Lamotrigine) the past few months. This is the drug I take as do many other people with bipolar disorder. One reader commented that she couldn’t sleep when she was on Lamictal. That was a side effect I had not heard. Other people have had the same problem- here is a comment from a reader:
Hi Julie,
It took nine months before I could sleep without some sleep aid. Low doses of Zyprexa or levomepromazin helped.
Lena
Hi Lena,
A friend of mine has had trouble sleeping and her doctor suggested that she use a small dose of Zyprexa. She knows it will work, but she’s scared to feel like a zombie again. She just started a new job. It’s frustrating for her. Others use the Zyprexa with great success. She has to find something that will work for her.
I wasn’t familiar with the other drug you mentioned, so I looked it up.
Levomepromazin is an anti psychotic that has strong sedative effects. I can see how it would work like Zyprexa in terms of sleep. Currently, Levomepromazine is not registered in the USA. In Europe it has been marketed for decades as Neurocil® and Nozinan®.
Nozinan® is also available in Canada.
I also read that it has a lot of side effects in high doses which may be why it’s not used as an anti psychotic in the US. Or, of course, it could just be something economic!
Severe sleep problems are really dangerous for people with bipolar disorder, so if you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to [... Read More ...]
I really want to answer the comments I get under my blog entries, so here is one from today!
Hi Julie,
I was recently diagnosed with bipolar.I am now taking Lamictal. The only side effect Ive had is sleeplessness. I ’ sleep, I cant sleep, I quit coffee. I quit drinking coke. I have done everything to sleep. I get maybe 3 hours if ’ lucky. I’m new to this drug on my first week so I am on a low dosage. 25mg. for the first 14 days. Does this get better?? Do you sleep finally as the dose gets bigger! UGH!!
Hi Deborah,
There are so many different side effects with each drug. The drugs can even cause opposite side effects such as making one person sleepy and the other revved up. I have not heard of Lamictal causing sleeplessness, but it’s certainly a possibility. Also, that really is a small dose. It’s very good to start small and go up. The general dose is 250mg though it ranges greatly. My mom takes 100mg and I take 500mg! I started at 10mg.
Sleep problems can really exacerbate bipolar disorder as they can lead to mania- on the other hand- mania can cause the sleep problems. Here’s how to know the difference:
When a person has sleep problems with mania, they don’t tend to be tired the next day. They can get up and get on with their day with energy. Do you feel normal the next day?
Sleep problems due to a drug often make the person tired, upset and unfocused the next day- or [... Read More ...]
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Reader Comment: Lamictal and sleep
I really want to answer the comments I get under my blog entries, so here is one from today!
Hi Julie,
I was recently diagnosed with bipolar.I am now taking Lamictal. The only side effect Ive had is sleeplessness. I ’ sleep, I cant sleep, I quit coffee. I quit drinking coke. I have done everything to sleep. I get maybe 3 hours if ’ lucky. I’m new to this drug on my first week so I am on a low dosage. 25mg. for the first 14 days. Does this get better?? Do you sleep finally as the dose gets bigger! UGH!!
Hi Deborah,
There are so many different side effects with each drug. The drugs can even cause opposite side effects such as making one person sleepy and the other revved up. I have not heard of Lamictal causing sleeplessness, but it’s certainly a possibility. Also, that really is a small dose. It’s very good to start small and go up. The general dose is 250mg though it ranges greatly. My mom takes 100mg and I take 500mg! I started at 10mg.
Sleep problems can really exacerbate bipolar disorder as they can lead to mania- on the other hand- mania can cause the sleep problems. Here’s how to know the difference:
When a person has sleep problems with mania, they don’t tend to be tired the next day. They can get up and get on with their day with energy. Do you feel normal the next day?
Sleep problems due to a drug often make the person tired, upset and unfocused the next day- or [... Read More ...]