so far i like it, but me being on this med does this mean I'm bip...

All p-docs use starter packs because you have to ti-trate dose up very slowly due to potential rash. There's a much lower risk of side effects if dosage is increased very slowly. Sorry to say, yes you are very likely BP. Maybe your p-doc (I assume you do see a psychiatrist?), because if some gp gave you Lamictal, who knows what he was thinking, anyway... the p-doc may sugar coat it somehow and say mood disorder or something or maybe there is some other reason to take Lamictal -- other than the obvious -- do you have epilepsy? But, if your are not taking Lamictal, an anti-convulsant, for seizures, you're pretty much taking it as a mood stabilizer for bi-polar disorder. Don't freak.

Also, to all: I'm new to this. I always thought p-doc meant psychiatrist. If it means pill doc (I just saw that in another posting), it is NOT WHAT I MEAN. Anyone who has mental illness and has no respect for psychiatrists have multiple hurdles -- not just their mental illness(es), but their ignorance and stupidity -- yes they are two different things. A medical doctor who specializes in the brain and neurology, pharmacology, and all us "crazies" to boot only to be called a pill pusher, etc. is .... I can't even describe it! If I knew how to do some great computer graphics, I'd make it show my head exploding!

Be thankful you have great insurance. I currently have no insurance a 100mg pill costs about $5. So, I recently went to Walmart and shelled out $300 for a bottle of 60 pills. The brand name medicine can be ordered from Canada for $2 a pill. This is a good medicine with minimal side effects. It is important to have a good pdoc that you trust. If you have good insurance, find a pdoc that you respect and trust. I spent many years with Kaiser being misdiagnosed aud suffering needlessly.