Does Lamictal Help Ptsd If You Are Not Bipolar?

[LisawithPTSD]

I was recently prescribed Lamictal but see that it is used for bipolar. I'm not bipolar so I'm unsure if it will help. My PCP has prescribed this but she won't discuss it with my Psychiatrist and I can't get into see the Psych until 2017.

 

[Silver.]

Lamictal has multiple uses, as a lot of drugs tend to do. It is an anticonvulsant used to treat bipolar and epilepsy yes, but off label it also treats seizures and depression. (migraines, mood stabilization, OCD, and so on)
If your doctor felt that it was appropriate to use, then it is worth giving it the fair trial run that we are asked to give medications. (I have always been told to give a med at least 6-8 weeks to know if it works for sure)

 

[Forgetful]

I was recently prescribed Lamictal

Do you know why it was prescribed? I was recently diagnosed with Bi polar and take it as a mood stabilizer to control anger issues. Could you be taking it to control your mood? If so, I don't see why it wouldn't work. If it doesn't help you, you can always discuss this with your PCP.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Well, here's part of the issue that is giving me pause: The Dr who prescribed it is not a psychiatrist. She is my Osteopath. She has been trying to diagnose me as bipolar for at least a year, despite my continued assertions that all three psychiatrists and the handful of psychotherapists that I've seen have all ruled it out. I don't have the mania.

So part of the problem is whether this drug has any benefit to those who are not bipolar. I'm not seeing a great deal of evidence other than a small study and anecdotal.

The other part is that She has tried to put me on Lithium and I acquiesced and it really, really, really messed me up. I've repeatedly asked her to contact my psychiatrist and psychotherapists for consultation and she won't. I need to fire her but I also need help and can't get into the psychiatrist before the end of the year. So, I guess I'm wary of her and a new med but I need help.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Also, from what I understand, medicine for bipolar are not helpful if you are not bipolar. I don't need another drug to take for no reason.

 

[Silver.]

I don't know what you have (depression etc), so if I were to hazard a guess, she is trying to prescribe something (that isn't an antidepressant) to help you along.
Meds are hit or miss, while they might work for some, they won't work for another, and you wouldn't know until you have tried it yourself. Many commonly prescribed medications are prescribed for their off label uses more often than their original intended use. If you are hesitant about a med at all, then it's best either to not take it, or to get a second opinion.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

I have PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. Other things too--like Hypothyroidism. My worry is that she is trying to continue me down the misdiagnosis. So I wondering whether this med works for those that aren't bipolar. I need a 2nd opinion but can't get it anytime soon. I appreciate the response--I guess some of this is me being hyper-vigilant. Her role is as much a factor as the medicine. I'm probably over-analyzing and can't stop.

 

[Friday]

So you're in a bit of a Catch22... Even if it's the perfect mood stabilizer for you, she'll just see that as confirmation of the bipolar misdiagnosis & keep trying to treat you for something you don't have.

Quite frankly, since you have multiple psychiatrists & therapists saying you do not have this disorder she keeps trying to treat you for? I would stop taking her medical advice. But I'm of the mind that no help is better than bad help. Because bad help isn't help!

 

[LisawithPTSD]

So you're in a bit of a Catch22... Even if it's the perfect mood stabilizer for you, she'll just see that as confirmation of the bipolar misdiagnosis & keep trying to treat you for something you don't have.

Quite frankly, since you have multiple psychiatrists & therapists saying you do not have this disorder she keeps trying to treat you for? I would stop taking her medical advice. But I'm of the mind that no help is better than bad help. Because bad help isn't help!

You nailed it.

 

[joeylittle]

I have PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. Other things too--like Hypothyroidism. My worry is that she is trying to continue me down the Link Removed. So I wondering whether this med works for those that aren't bipolar.

It does - at least, I'm a sample of 1, but it was effective in buffering the worst aspects of my depression. I've also got MDD, severe, refractory, recurrent.

I would not recommend it as a monotherapy - certainly not as the second drug to try following Lithium.

Have you ever tried SSNRIs: cymbalta (duloxetine), effexor (venlafaxine)
Or any SSRIs
Or, buproprion (wellbutrin) or lurazadone (latuda)?

Also - how would you describe the aspects of your depression you need the most help with - what are your main symptoms, how do they show up for you?

Edit to add: these drugs (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers) are all developed with a target diagnosis in mind, but when you are dealing with depression, any one of them could help - could being the operative word. There's more concern about giving someone bipolar the wrong med and exacerbating their mania.

Lithium is not usually a first choice monotherapy because of the monitoring that is required as the dose is being established. Lamictal is not usually a first choice monotherapy because it's a pretty strong drug with risky side effects at higher doses, and some people can't tolerate it at all.

 

[Panda Bear]

It could help, if you've tried other options like @joeylittle suggested. It's not usually a first line drug....bi-polar or not.

I tried it and couldn't tolerate the sideffects. Even on the tiniest dose. But, I'm not a candidate for SSRI's or SSNRI's or Wellbutrin....

My diagnosises is PTSD and not bipolar, but I'm having success with a mood stabilizer, Abilify. In the tiniest dose...

 

[EveHarrington]

Why is an osteopath diagnosing mental disorders? I think she's way out of her league on this one!