Lamictal and cocktail

Hello . . . why do we continue to take medications that cause us such physical and mental anguish . . . we hope for a life . . . I am one of those who takes a cocktail containing . . . Lithium, Lamictal, Cymbalta, Sequel, Topamax and other medications for high blood pressure, low thyroid and osteoporosis . . . down four medications . . . because I have a good doctor . . . it is impossible to distinguish which one or the synergism of the medications . . . which do what . . . what I want to say . . . there are more medications now . . . more doctors . . . change doctors . . . change medications . . . you might not feel great . . . but you will feel better about taking control . . . it has happened to me . . . M.

Think long and hard BEFORE you take this medication. I was prescribed a psychotropic cocktail by an irresponsible doctor and was on 200 mg of Lamictal a day ... I am not bipolar ... was part of depression treatment. Like a fool, I continued to take it. It took away my ability to think, my motivation ... it robbed me of my life for nearly two years UNTIL I saw an article on the BBC website that literally saved my life. I am now medication free and happier than I've been in years!
There are NO long term studies out there for Lamictal yet ... you are playing with fire if you are taking it for anything other than epilepsy and even then it's sad, but has to be taken to control the seizures.

Is this a forum for trashing Lamictal? I've been on it for a year and it probably saved my life. If you have negative effects from taking it, why not drop it and try something else? I'm glad I never read all of these horror stories, as I'm sure it would have scared me enough never to have tried it. That would have been a shame .. I've never felt as symptom free as I do now; I sleep well and dream well, put in long days in my business and never have a problem remaining focused and alert. The perfect cocktail for me turned out to be 250mg Lamictal twice a day, 25mg Trazodone at night, and 40mg Citalopram. I feel really fortunate that my psychiatrist only feels the need to visit with me once every 6 months just to check in. If I miss a day, my wife notices immediately as I start to swing "up" again. Drawbacks? The cost (about 7 bucks a pill), and some weight gain which may have happened anyway .. (I'm 52). If you have the insurance to cover it, I say give it a try.

I have been prescribed Lamictal for seizures, and am currently taking 400mg daily, with my 300mg of Dilantin. Had horrible side effects this weekend-nightmares, exhausted, worsening depression, crying jags, difficulty swallowing. Has anyone else experienced mood changes for the worse while on this drug?