Hi bizi,

I am glad the doctor has listened to you and is helping you to make the changes you desire!

It sounds like you and she have a schedule for changes with which you are comfortable and that's important! Your comfort is important!

I had misunderstood. I had thought you were making all of these changes within 4 weeks; however, the changes are being made over 8 weeks.

Oh, yes, klonopin (aka clonazepam) and alcohol aren't a good mix.

I was mostly concerned if there were rapid changes in Lamictal doses.

As for increasing Lamictal (aka lamotrigine) more quickly than your doctor has recommended, I want to mention the fact that Lamictal is increased more slowly than many medications. The reason for this is to increase tolerance and to decrease potential side-effects. One of the potentially serious side-effects doctors and patients watch for is a rash, referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). This is a serious rash if it occurs.

This rash can become disfiguring and/or life-threatening. SJS is a potential side-effect of many medications, people don't realize this. SJS is considered a "rare" occurrence, yet one which needs immediate attention. Please report any rash immediately to your physician, when taking Lamictal.

Many doctors feel the slow increases with Lamictal help to avoid potential side-effects, including this serious rash. The slow increase also increases chances of tolerating Lamictal.

Lamictal is an amazing medication in certain situations. It's one of the most easily tolerated mood stabilizers for many people. It has few, if any, side-effects for many people if they increase slowly. As a mood stabilizer it is also thought to help to protect people from depression in people with bipolar 1 or bipolar 2 diagnoses. It's very helpful to remain tolerant to this medication. It's well-worth going slowly to help to increase your chances of continued tolerance, with few, if any side-effects. I've seen so many people do extremely well with Lamictal as their mood stabilizing medication.

I also hope these changes work well for you!
I hope you have a fun day, bizi!


DejaVu

Hi bizi,

Unlike the lovely DejaVu, I know nothing about your new meds and their effects. However, know that you have my unswerving support through this transitional period.

Dave.

thanks dave!
hi sweetie, dejavu!
thank you for posting all that you did about the lamictal.
I remember when I first started taking it.
yes we went slow to start then up
like 25mg one week 50mg the next 100 the next then 200mg.
now I am not positive about this as this was 6 years ago or so that I have been taking 200mg. I knew about the rash...but thought that was just when initially starting the dose not for an increase.
I will see if I can find some research.
bizi
I just read that I should not be drinking while taking lamictal or klonipin. But it is ok to drink with the geodon.
It is best to increase the lamictal slowly and I will go as she has prescribed.
again thanks for your concern and good info!
((((((HUGS))))))
bizi

Hi bizi,

I hope you have had a good day!

The Lamictal rash can occur anytime. Some say it will occur early, if it's going to occur. (I have seen just a few people get a rash within 2-4 weeks of starting Lamictal. Some were simple drug reactions. Some looked like the start of SJS. They all had emergency dermatology appointments for determination of type of rash and all had to discontinue the med immediately.)

There is a possibility of the SJS rash (or a different rash) occurring at anytime during Lamictal use. If it occurs, it most often occurs during dose increases and/or when people have been jumping all around in dose -- maybe skipping the Lamictal one day, taking some the next, drastically increasing it another day, etc. (Erratic use.)

Just something to be aware of. Play it safe. 'Cause we love you!

Many people prefer Lamictal, as it's not as sedating as many find the other mood stabilizers. It also has a better history of helping to protect against depression.

I hope you sleep well tonight.


DejaVu

thanks to you for reading my thread.
Thanks again dejavu for your valuable information and support!

jeff and I leave in the morning to go to pensicola for 2 nights for our 19th wedding anniversary. It will be fun.
WE like to walk the beach at night and drink bush whackers.
WE always eat at this restaurant called mcguires. steaks and wonderful food. The tuna steak was to die for if I remember correctly from last year.
I drank 2 beers tonight and feel it.
WE had a great dinner tonight. I am stuffed!
started out with an heirloom tomato with a bit of mayo and salt and pepper and dill. delicious!
then 4 oz of baked orange/ginger salmon
edemame and mixed veggies (red peppers, green beans, zuchinni)
raspberries and strawberries and half of an avocado.
again I am stuffed!!
Great dinner.
jeff has the salmon down pat. 325 degrees for 12 minutes. perfect!

bizi

Hi bizi,

Dinner sounds delicious!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 19TH ANNIVERSARY!!!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Cheers to you and Jeff!


DejaVu

thanks!!!!!!
enjoy your weekend!
bizi

down to 148 this morning had gone up to 151 from all of the drinking that I had been doing. so the bloating is going away quickly. It saddens me thinking about how much weight I gained after losing it. the last time I went alcohol free I was able to get down to 138.5 and that wasn't that long away.
bizi
today is day 3 AF.
edited...I looked it up june 27th I was 138.5.....sigh that was 2 months ago!

Probably a bit easier to go on than come off, bizi, but we are all supporting you.

3 days AF is a good start, keep it up!

Dave.

3 days and I already want a drink.....sigh
bizi