Lamotrigine?

[Maggiemay]

Thanks for all your replies :)

@cherryblossom - my therapist is a psychologist. I've been seeing her on and off for 2 1/2 years. She's the only one that's helped me when the NHS has turned me away. I currently see her privately, but for free... My PTSD symptoms are a lot better since we've worked through trauma stuff, but I feel very stuck at the moment and like I'm wasting sessions. I don't know where to go from here to move forward. I've been on mitazipine a lot in the past- it's the only anti depressant my body will tolerate and has any effect. I need something to help with sleep as sadly lamotrigine isn't sedating like quetiapine I was on...

@KwanYingirl - I was only officially given the diagnosis 2 years ago, on the premise that I did a certain type of therapy 9 years ago that was meant for people with BPD. At the time I was diagnosed as PD NOS as I didn't fit the criteria for BPD, and I fit it even less now I'm not self harming and can control my anger! Urgh!! I don't deny I have traits but it's definitely not the best fit! :( I know lots for people with BPD on its own, but I now seem to have been diagnosed as BPD, bipolar, CPTSD, as well as issues with depersonalisation, but no one seems to take them seriously!! Groan! My therapy has focused around trauma work. I was on quetiapine and mitazipine for about 2 years and I've put on a lot of weight boo! :( I've got to a place where I'd rather be happy and bigger than skinny and miserable...

@catjudo - I'm taking mitazipine as well as need the sedation in order to sleep... I'm hoping it'll help stabilise my mood... Pleaseeeee.... Fed up of having to settle for the roller coaster ride of emotions!

@open eyes - Yey! :) Good news :)

@FridayJones it's so true!! When I tried to inc my dose of quetiapine beyond 100mg, 1st time it sedated me to the extreme, and second time it made me manic! Psych said it was an interesting reaction - sorry I can't help the way my body reacts! Grr!!

@Ayesha - it's good to have positive feedback :) Psych told me it had to be increased very slowly because of the rash.

@spookedlife - If she was testing me I failed! LOL! I became quite upset and anxious about it all as I felt very threatened and judged. I felt like she wasn't listening at all :(


@Justmehere - I often have inappropriate judgement because of the diagnosis by professionals - it does my head in! :( Thanks for the link, I'll have to read it :) I really hope it works. I need something too as I need to be stable in my job... Sigh...

 

[spookedlife]

@spookedlife - If she was testing me I failed! LOL! I became quite upset and anxious about it all as I felt very threatened and judged. I felt like she wasn't listening at all :(

no...if you didn't lash out, or become melodramatic in claims intended suicide...you passed. And no...her not listening was part of provoking you..the "does this hurt? does this...?" Pdocs aren't there to be out friends..they're there to shake our cages, collectively, to listen to the rattle. They're responsible for what happens when we walk out of their office into the real world, after all...and need to see whether we're a dangter to ourselves or otherse, before all else, as a result. They have their own set of professional protocols to observe...and own licenses and reputations to protect, therefore. The best way to determine these things is to precipitate a stress reaction...which is therefore uncontrived, and so, more genuine in its reflection of your internal state. "Does this hurt?...Does this?...". You're the patient...and if you're a mental health patient..then you may be a danger to yourself or others without your being aware of it....and it's there job to determine that...to get past the "social niceties" you present with, initially.

 

[Maggiemay]

This is why I hate psychiatrists! Not at all caring! :( & I'd never lash out & be melodramatic - even @ my fullest 10yrs ago! *sigh* This is why. I hate BPD diagnosis as so diverse & no 2 sufferers are the same... :(

 

[d-art13]

These are all great replies.... I have been on Lamictal now for 8 yrs. It has worked for the initial mood disregulation but hasn't done much in the way of helping me with the nightmares, flashbacks or intrusions of PTSD. My T is going to reassess me for proper diagnosis because at that time, I was diagnosis with a mood disorder but no one took into fact that trauma was the main focus of my mood instability. Ptsd was never diagnosed. So I just want to know what diagnosis I have .....then try to medicate properly. Maybe the lamotrigine will be used in conjunction with something else....not sure. But the right diagnosis would be helpful

 

[spookedlife]

While there are medications that can help with PTSD related nightmares, as well as depression, my understanding is that little can be done regarding the intrusive thoughts/flashbacks, reexperiencing and numbness without psychotherapy specific to trauma disorders. The right diagnosis is crucial to receiving that therapy specific to trauma, but I'm unaware of any medication that can address such symptoms, specifically. Benzodiazepines may be helpful in the short term, but are only a barrier to long term recovery...both from my readings, as well as personal experience.

 

[Maggiemay]

@d-art13 - my concern is around flashbacks returning and hypervigilence that quetiapine stopped... Eeek! My hope is that I've dealt with the trauma enough in therapy for them not to return. My PTSD was not even mentioned when I saw psychiatrist - she couldn't see past me having a personality disorder *sigh* It's had a very negative impact on my mood :'(

 

[Maggiemay]

@spookedlife - I agree therapy is so important, I wouldn't be able to function without it! ;) But medication has helped too...

 

[d-art13]

@Maggiemay -are you still seeing your T at present?? Maybe keeping in touch with her might be helpful if you have concerns about flashbacks returning. Or to just be monitored for any further symptoms. Dealing with trauma and their effects is hard. It kay be benieficial to keep that connection with the therapist for now until you know how your body will react to the medication treatment (reduction or loss of seroquel) :)

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks @d-art13 ;) I therapist fortnightly. Am seeing her on Tues :) She knows what's going on at the mo as I keep in touch with her between sessions via text. She's been checking in with me a lot as when I saw her 2 week's ago I admitted I was low & hadn't contacted her as didn't want to worry her... Urgh! I've now slumped a lot lower to a very self critical and hating place which is very unhealthy for me as usually leads to self destruct. Luckily at the moment it's being expressed in my body with the return of physical symptoms, rather than Me actually acting out... Urgh! Hate being me right now :(

 

[d-art13]

Its good that you have a supportive therapist :). Don't be afraid to reach out to her or to a close friend. Try to do things that may make you feel good or better when you are feeling low...like a warm bath..go for a walk..read a book or journal what you are thinking. How you feel are all parts of the trauma or symptoms there of. And if there's medication involved then you should be monitored more closely anyways. Its not a reflection on you. That's why self care is so important. Rely on your supports to help you through this and keep talking. Don't be afraid to reach out to your T. Sounds like she is concerned about your wellness and that is really awesome.

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks @d-art13 my therapist is pretty awesome and genuinely cares :) she's seen me on and Off for the last 2 years and has helped me a lot with trauma work and is not put off by my complexity that a lot of professionals are... Trying to look after me - I've spent a lot of time with the family to get me out with people which has helped to some degree. Am off work on holiday at the moment (I'm a teacher) I always find it hard when I have no structure...

 

[d-art13]

@Maggiemay ...stay strong! This is not an easy road. Rely on your supports..sounds like you have some really good ones. You can chat with me anytime as well. This forum has helped me tremendously and wish I had known about it before. Speak out anytime :)