Comparing Lamotrigine vs Sertraline

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 Anxiety and Stress: I have decided to help myself. Today is my third day of Sertraline at 7am every morning: Weird lump sensation in my throat coupled with sicky feeling in tummy. I've totally lost my appetite by midday, forcing myself to eat. By midday I'm yawning a lot, a pretty tired and achey. By evening I am sleepy and drowsy. The main thing above all that I have noticed is that I feel flat, which is not a bad thing at all. Just days before I went on these meds I was constantly crying, shaking, wanting to my life to be over. I couldn't have a moment to myself without thinking negative thoughts. I had some bad news this morning from my energy provider which would normally send me into melt down, but I handled it with calmness. Very surprised and proud of myself. Bottom line: I'm bracing myself for side effects to worsen, but fingers crossed they don't. Right now they are certainly manageable and I'm glad I didn't let the reviews put me off.

For Anxiety and Stress: Started Zoloft 15days ago and have been having a tough time with the up and downs. The past two day’s have been bad with lots of anxiety, and shaking with lots of crying on the floor. The doctors warned me of these symptoms and encouraged me to be strong and that it will get better with time and to trust its the process as it balancing me out. I’m not having suicidal thoughts anymore so that’s a relief. My appetite has surely decreased although it seems that smoking a little marijuana helped me with that but would prefer not to have to smoke to eat. I should feel grateful that I’m actually feeling something again even if it hurts because nothings is as bad as the place I was at — I look forward to happy days again. Stay strong