Bipolar Disorder - I accidentally deleted my acct. but am back. my question is I'm bipolar type 1 mixed not a rapid cycler, i've been on lithium and now have added lamectal to the mix to help control mood issue's, can anyone tell me how long it gen. take's to feel and see a diff. with the combin. of these two med's
How long does it take for Lithium and Lamictal to work?
- Asked
- 15 Oct 2010 by Anonymous
- Updated
- 10 November 2011
- Topics
- lamictal, bipolar disorder, lithium
Responses (2)
I am 42 and also suffer from bipolar disorder.
I have been on lamictal 250 mgs for 4 years now, and it usually takes several weeks to reach it´s full benefit depending on the dose you are on. When starting lamictal one starts with a low dose and gradually one´s doctor will increase the dose this is the reason why it could take up to several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from this medication.
With regards to lithium I also took it for several years and it may take 1 to 3 weeks to notice improvement in your condition.
Take care.-
I take both medications and the lamictal took less than 2 or 3 weeks at most to get a recognizable improvement. I could tell that there were mini stepped improvements each day that I took the medicine. I have the same diagnosis as you, in addition I take neurotin. As time has gone on, the doctor and counselor have been able to see my particular form of bipolar in action and have been able to fine tune my medications. My biggest problem is that I can't sleep very well. Hang in there.

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maso, what did you replace the lithium with?
Hello springer,
I replaced the lithium with the lamictal, they both are mood stabilizers.
Take care.
I am 31 and was diagnosed w manic depression in high school. I took anti dep for a short period of time before having no insurance and well those were VERY HARD YEARS in my life, let's just say that. I have been on Effexor now foralmost a year and w my Doctor even updated dosing I knew it wasn't enough. I just went to a physicist yesterday and was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder. I didn't know that manic dep was the same until 2 months ago. She ( my new Doc ) started me off at 200 mg of Lamitical. From all the reviews I've read so so many people have had great results w this drug. I hope its the sight dosage seems to be a lot to start off on. Also, she put me on Propranolol ER 80 MG to hopefully prevent my massive panic attacks and to get me off of the Alprazolam ER 4mgs per day. Best of luck! I start my first dose of these two drugs today.