Does anyone have experience with lamactil

[JustAMum]

My 17yr old d has just started taking lamactil as a mood stabiliser. She started off on 25mg for the first 2 weeks and then 50mg until she sees her psych. She said she has been feeling teary and suicidal. How long does it take to kick in? She sees her psych in a couple of weeks.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[SoSoSoTired]

Report her worsening symptoms to her psychiatrist ASAP. If she is having thoughts of killing herself,   immediately take her to an ER.

Do not abruptly discontinue this medication!  Abrupt discontinuance can cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome which can be lethal.

Lamactil caused a dramatic decline in my daughter's thyroid functioning (made her hypothyroid).  After discontinuing Lamactil for 3 months, her thyroid tests were normal again. 

[SoSoSoTired]

If your post meanS that your daughter was prescribed Lamactil because she was teary and had suicidal thoughts, know that 50mg/day is still a low dose.  If your daughter does not develop side effects, it may likely be SLOWLY increased to 100 mg/day or more.

[meantcorn34]

I have been taking lamictal for 15 years. It really helps me with depression. Typically meds take 2-3 weeks to kick in, but you need to factor in the low starting dose and the additional time needed to reach a therapeutic dose.

I agree  with keeping the doc updated and going to the ER if needed.

[bpdmom1]

My daughter takes lamictal.  She was on lithium prior.  I believe she is taking around 125mg.  I'm not sure it is helping as she is still struggling with her moods.  She is at a therapeutic boarding school who would like to take her off the medication.  I would like to see them increase her dose to see if it starts helping as I've heard lamictal is a really good medication to take if it works.  I don't have the answers.  She doesn't have any side effects from lamictal, where she did with lithium.  She is in good hands and I have to trust that they know better than I.  I've already voiced my concerns and they taking them into account.

[bpdmom1]

Please keep us updated if you feel the Lamtical is helping.

[DisneyMom]

Lamactil did wonders for finally lifting my DD's depression. Her moods stabilized, she was actually happy and thinking clearly. Everyone around her noticed the marked improvement. Unfortunately, she also got the rash, so she had to discontinue after only one month. Wellbutrin was substituted and she continued to do pretty well. Well enough that we took her home from RTC. I think the Lamactil gave her enough forward momentum to stay in partial remission for a long time.

[bpdmom1]

Do you recall her dose?  My daughter was very slowly brought up to 125mg to prevent her from getting the rash.  I understand that doesn't always help. 

[raytamtay3]

My DD16 is on it and is doing well on it.

[DisneyMom]

I'm sorry I do not remember her dose, but I think it was low. I think the plan was for her to build up and increase gradually. It was awhile ago. She was in RTC when she developed the rash, and they took her off immediately (as they should have) because in some cases it can be severe. I have a relative with bipolar (not blood related) who has taken Lamactil for years and it has worked well for her.