Lamictal experience?

[SeekingAfrica]

I don’t know about lamictal, but I do know that my mood stabilizer works on anxiety. My guess is that your doc thought you needed extra help in addition to your antidepressant.

I definitely do, I went to see her sort of urgently, because the stress of recent events stopped my progress, and somehow I got really depressed and suicidal really quickly. Hopefully it will be beneficial, I just have to get through this time, somehow.

 

[joeylittle]

It's just that recent situations made my health drop back to really bad level,

because the stress of recent events stopped my progress, and somehow I got really depressed and suicidal really quickly.

These were probably the reasons she went with Lamictal. When it's working well, it cuts off the depth of the depression. Makes the bottom not as deep. And that generally helps with suicidal ideation as well.

When I went on it, I started noticing effects after about 14 days. I was on it for awhile, and it really did help with the worst of the depression. I eventually stopped taking it because I started getting a little too floaty/disconnected/shaky, and couldn't function well enough at work. I was also having a little trouble with the disconnected feelings, b/c it started to make it easier to think about suicide, again. (A sort of 'well, this isn't so bad, right?' kind of thinking). That wasn't the drug contributing to suicidality, that was my own deficiency in being really disciplined about other kinds of mental health support.

It's a strong drug, and it will probably do what it's supposed to do. My advice would be to make sure you are not relying on it for a mood lift; rather, think of it as making the bottom less bad. Partner it up with as much behavioral health support as you can - be getting exercise, be getting sleep, be doing self-care, use skills to challenge negative thinking, give yourself a routine.

I'm sorry you're suffering so much - I hope it helps.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

It's a strong drug, and it will probably do what it's supposed to do. My advice would be to make sure you are not relying on it for a mood lift; rather, think of it as making the bottom less bad. Partner it up with as much behavioral health support as you can - be getting exercise, be getting sleep, be doing self-care, use skills to challenge negative thinking, give yourself a routine.

I'm sorry you're suffering so much - I hope it helps.

That helps a lot! That is quite a long and detailed explanation and it really helps. Actually before I went to my doc I saw the situation was getting serious and I already started making changes. I made a tracker for the month that has my morning and evening ideal routines in detail, so I can mark these off. I was trying to set routines in January/February, but then the whole stress situations happened and I stopped. Before that I hadn't had such for years. Since I made the tracker it's been helpful in setting those, and they include things like journaling, meditation, yoga, etc. I usually do also go to ballet class so that does keep me afloat at the worst of times.

The tracker I made also has other small changes I am trying to implement, like 15min cleaning, applying for certain type of jobs, going outside. So I have already started making changes. In time I would also like to read more on DBT to be able to use it to my advantage. Of course once I get new job that will help a lot, but sadly I can't be sure how long that will take. The mood stabilizer is mostly needed to give me the energy and ability to take actions towards making a more balanced and less stressful future for myself. But because of my current stressors I had gotten to a point where I saw no point and no chance for change. I am having my first mildly okay day in 2 weeks, so I am enjoying that.

So yes, I know I will need behavior changes too, I'm ready. Just needed a bit of extra help to get there. Hopefully it works.

 

[whiteraven]

I'm on Lamictal for seizures. Doesn't affect my mood at all.