Finally… some answers

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, [ Read More ]





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 [ Read More ]





GlaxoSmithKline prescription assistance programs…

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the great comments on the Lamictal posting below. Here is some information on Glaxo’s program. They make Lamictal- it’s now available in generic, but if you qualify, this may be cheaper. For those of you new to Lamictal- it’s an anti convulsant used to treat bipolar depression.  It has helped so many people, but it’s expensive. Thank heavens for generic!  

**

Most major drug companies have programs to help low income people with bipolar disorder get prescription help.  Here is a link for GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Lamictal.

http://www.gskforyou.com/

I have to ask this- where is the help for the middle class!!!

Julie





Reader Comment: Running out of Lamictal

Here is a comment from Gina about running out of  (Lamotrigine):

Hi Julie,

I’m gonna run out of Lamictal before the year ends and insurance won’t cover any till after 1/1. I take 400mg per day, what can I do to stretch this out? I can’t afford to buy them! The doctor didn’t have any samples. :-(   Any ideas?

I called GSK and because I can’t scrape up $600 worth of receipts for this year they won’t help me. Other drs office has no samples. It was like $18 per day to get just enough to get me into next year. It’s nerve wracking coming off 400 mg per day down to so little though. I definitely had some bad timing this year. I’m on medicare part D and am in the gap [ Read More ]





Reader Question: Lamictal doses

Hi Julie,

 

You’ve mentioned taking Lamictal at 500mg a day a couple of times in your blog. Recently my psychiatrist has increase my dosage of Lamictal from 200mg to 300 mg and lately 400mg.The depression and anxiety are still taking a toll. I was wondering what type of relief you get from your dosage of Lamictal.

 

Does it take away the depression and anxiety or does it just keep it at a manageable level? I’ve been on the 400mg for a week now and the depression and anxiety are worse than ever. I’m facing going out on disability for awhile and I’m hoping its only going to be a couple weeks until we can get this under control with the new [ Read More ]





Reader Question: Lamictal dosage (lamotrigine)

I just received the following question from Janine:

 Julie,  

I was just prescribed Lamictal and doing a little research it seems most people are starting on 25 mg and slowly increasing. I have just started today…100mg a day for a week, and then I bump up to 200mg next week. Is this too much too soon?

 **

Hi Janine,

 My coauthor Dr. John Preston as well as many of my doctor friends say that medication dosing is a fine science. For many, it’s a shot in the dark when you start.  There are defintely guidelines as to what drugs to use and at what dose, but so much depends on you and your background. Are you on any other drugs? Have you had trouble with drugs? Do you have more mania than depression?  How well does your doctor know your symptoms? etc….

Starting at 25mg and then going up is called microdosing. Lamictal tends [ Read More ]





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