Comparing Lamotrigine vs Mirtazapine

For Bipolar Disorder: Lamotrigine has been pretty good along with lithium (bipolar). Have been on 200Mg for 3 years and lithium for 15. I decided to ramp up lamotrigine to 400 mg and I had more energy and zest and best moods but also had more anxiety, math/memory issues, and a touch of hypomania. However, I did have incredible orgasms!!! Back down to 300mg and I am experiencing a bit more depression but seem to be pretty level. Lamotrigine seems to lessen the severity of my depressive episodes but does not eliminate them. It helps me enough to stay on it.

For Bipolar Disorder: Have others found after 1st manic episode to be sensitive to meds? I started low dose zyprexa & gained 10 lbs in two weeks, took a half pill of low dose abilify & developed akathisia. Took 600 mg lithium & became toxic. Now on Lamictal. I started at 2.5 mg & felt great & 5 mg even better. At 10 mg became a little aggressive. Then tried 12.5 mg and hopefully 25 mg but I can’t get past 12.5 mg without wanting to rip someone’s head off! I cut that in half to 6.25 mg (1/4 of tablet). I am hyper, it makes me sometimes feel like I’m on speed but my head is clear & I’m extremely active now. I added 5 mg of buspar twice a day to take the edge off & reduce anxiety. Appears to be holding but wonder if I’m the only one sensitive like this. I was diagnosed major depressive disorder & anxiety in 1997. Been on Paxil & Wellbutrin for years but now can no longer handle them after first manic episode. Now I am also diagnosed bipolar 2 & ptsd. Thank you!

For Depression: I have been on mitrzapine for nearly 3 years. I started on a low dose and now take 45 mgs at night. The first time I took this medication I was drowsy but so so hungry, I was literally half asleep eating a bag of Crisps. This medication definitely helps me sleep as my anxiety would run wild at night causing sleepless nights, it's definitely great for the sleeping side of things and now that I'm used to it I don't feel it hanging on me the next day. I've rated 7 as this medication has made me gain weight like mad, I find I wake up during the night to eat, they certainly do give you the munchies but I can deal with that side effect if it means having a decent sleep. I've found if I go without this medication my mood severely drops so it's important to never miss a dose.

For Depression: 2 month now on mirtazapine and from the state I was in, it has turned around a whole lot. I do have highs that can last a few days or weeks then drop to low sometimes. It's makes me want to eat lots which is good if you need to gain weight. If you take it at the right time you can get sleep and wake up easily. Slight groggy-nesss but nothing heavy like other medications I have tried. Experience a lot of vivid/strong dreams which can wake me up sometimes (not so much a problem for me) I work full time and overall I am able to work my shift and get about my day without millions of thoughts running though my head.