Posted by HenryO on September 15, 2003, at 4:39:42
In reply to Lamictal and continuously cycling Bipolar I?, posted by kxxxk on September 14, 2003, at 21:16:20
I don't know anything, clinically speaking, about Bipolar 1. But your description of the situation is fairly detailed.
Here is my personal experience with Lamictal. It greatly lessens my depression and shortens the duration of acute depression. For me it also limits the severity of the mood swing and disrupts the cycling. I can't say how many cycles per year as neatly as you did. I keep pretty poor track of that sort of thing. I would say that I'd be fairly depressed most of the time with maybe three or four very short lived "high" phases in a year, I'm not sure they would qualify as true mania. I have at least two serious meltdowns. The meltdowns consist of what you descibe. Sleeping 19-20 hours a day. Feeling horrible but never thinking of suicide, just an overwhelming need for darkness and no interference. Those really low periods could be three months long or worse.
With the Lamictal I am still susceptible to all of the above, only much less severely in every respect. Lamictal has been great for me.
I think one of Lamictal's designations is a "mood stabilizer" and that is exactly how it works on me. From the little I know, I think it would be a great med to try for the situation you describe. I have been on it for nearly two years with no sign of poop-out, no rash, no weight gain, no sexual disfunction. I have read posts here about short lived effects, headache and lack of any efficacy.
However, in my personal experience, I am pleased with Lamictal, more so than with any other med to date. I hope your wife has a similar experience.
poster:HenryO
thread:260064
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/260147.html