The Switch(?)
Posted by Pythia on July 13, 2006
Just for the record, what I was thinking when I decided to try to switch from lithum to Lamictal:
- I need more stability in mood without brain zombification.
- I want, no, need to lose a substantial amount of weight.
- I’m attached to my liver, and would like to keep it (a little paranoia on my part).
- I can only hope that I won’t need as much sleep.
- I want to be able to drink a cup of tea without risking spiraling into a black pit of agitated anxiety.
- And, oh, yeah, I nearly forgot, I want my freaking memory back.
Nadia said
Hi!
I just stumbled upon your website and I love it. I just recently decided to switch from Lithium to Lamictal for the SAME reasons you just mentioned. I was recently dx’d as bipolar II and although I have been working out like a crazy person I can’t seem to lose ANY weight! How has the transition been for you? I’m beginning to wean off the Lithium and up my Lamictal.
Take care,
Nadia
pythia said
Yes, and I forgot to list another, very important reason: it’s making my thyroid problem worse, and I sometimes don’t know if my lethargy is caused by the hypothyroidism or the lithium.
I’m about halfway to the therapeutic dose of lamictal and down to half the amount of lithium I’ve been taking, but I still am very dependent on the lithium and have to take a little extra (old regular dose) from time to time. But then again, I’m also on birth control, which makes the lamictal less effective.
Hope things are going wll for you.
Shanna said
Stumbled over here from BookCrossing…great site you have here. How is the switch going? Personally, Lamictal was a nightmare for me! Wishing you all the best from another mental chick in BR!
Status Update « this is your brain on lithium said
[...] of its freaky side-effects and possible seizure-inducing potential, was scary. But at that point, this is what I felt and why I chose to begin taking Lamictal. And, it seems that Lamictal is better at [...]