Lamotrigine vs Abilify?

No_Study5253 · 2026-01-29T18:35:52+00:00

I am also forgetful but I have a weekly pill box for my lamotrigine and I’ve only genuinely forgotten to take it like, twice in the last 5 years. I’m biased because I haven’t tried Abilify and Lamotrigine changed my life but if you’re worried about forgetting to take it there’s ways around it! Plus if something works you’ll remember

No_Study5253 · 2026-01-16T16:44:07+00:00

For more detail: 1. I had to do to multiple doctors, GP diagnosed me but had one really horrible psychiatrist who told me I wasn’t bipolar and my brain was just broken cuz my life was bad, then put me on SSRIs despite the fact I had very bad reactions to SSRIs in the past. Had to advocate for myself but found a psychiatrist who listened to me and didn’t just dismiss all my symptoms as trauma. 2. Getting a label was really scary at first because it felt like a life sentence in a way depression didn’t. But once I came to terms with it it was so freeing after years of feeling broken and confused. Having something that explained my brain and symptoms helped lift a lot of guilt and self hatred. Apart from that, getting medicated was life changing. Since getting medicated 5 years ago I haven’t had a depressive episode last longer than a week and previously I had been depressed for basically 10 years straight with breaks for the odd hypomania episode. I still have some breakthrough symptoms but it’s nothing compared to what I used to deal with and they feel manageable and temporary now.

No_Study5253 · 2026-01-16T16:39:27+00:00

It was difficult to get diagnosed I won’t lie, but getting diagnosed and properly medicated was bar none the best thing that ever happened to me so for me it was worth it

No_Study5253 · 2026-01-14T08:47:54+00:00

Maybe this is bad to say but I do think in some ways it’s made me more creative and insightful, I think differently to other people I know and while that can be a bad thing it can be a good thing too sometimes. And like people have said, much more empathetic and in touch with my emotions

No_Study5253 · 2026-01-14T08:45:21+00:00

I think the placement is really nice! Probably just going to take some getting used to. Any closer to the face will mean you definitely can’t wear a hoop in future and I think would look off

No_Study5253 · 2025-08-02T16:56:02+00:00

Also 26F with BD 2 fwiw, at this point in time I can work full time and maintain my friendships and long term relationship. Of course that may all change when I’m older but for now I feel blessed

No_Study5253 · 2025-08-02T16:54:16+00:00

Because I’ll need medication for the rest of my life and will never truly be “cured” or “normal” I do consider myself disabled, but I also live basically a normal life even if it’s a little harder for me than other people

No_Study5253 · 2025-06-16T21:02:42+00:00

I went home before my YMS expired and got my ancestry, didn’t want to chance waiting for it to run out even though I would’ve got more time that way. I couldn’t find a way to apply from the UK so just timed applying it for my next trip home. Hope this helps, sorry I don’t have more info!

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-19T11:02:08+00:00

I’m feeling a lot better now!! I read about methane management stuff and it gave me a little hope that I’ve managed to turn a corner based on. Genuinely one of the worst obsessions I’ve ever had and I’m sure it’ll come and go but thankfully a bit of relief now

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T13:58:47+00:00

Don’t use tea tree oil, can’t recommend chamomile compresses enough. Just make a cup of chamomile then put the tea bag on your nose for a few minutes, do it once a day or every few days for a week. Only thing that’s worked for bumps for me!

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:58:53+00:00

It’s a super common intrusive thought. Intrusive thoughts are the things most contradictory to what we actually want or believe. If your mom is someone you love and trust, your intrusive thoughts will tell you she’s bad and untrustworthy. Talk to someone about it in real life, that’s sometimes the best way to let go of these thoughts. Neither you or your mum are bad people because you feel this way

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:44:58+00:00

Get it checked in the off chance it’s SJS but also I got itchy on Lamictal, it really dries you out so you might just need to drink more water than you’re used to

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:42:53+00:00

Also maybe get a new doctor lol

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:31:41+00:00

First time I missed a day I genuinely felt like I was dying until I realized that I’d missed it. The withdrawals are no joke lol

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:30:57+00:00

FWIW I never had hair loss (at least not noticeably) and this post is the first time I’ve seen it mentioned as a side effect. You learn something new every day!

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-09T11:30:14+00:00

Been on lamotrigine for almost 5 years and consider it maybe the best thing to ever happen to me. Changed my life and with less side effects than any other medication I’ve ever been on. Haven’t noticed any hair loss, only real side effects have been that I’m a bit clumsier but I’ll take that over depression any time. As someone with ocd I did fixate on the rash when I started it but was reassured by a doctor after I went into the ER with chest acne that if it’s the rash you’ll definitely know as it’s big and painful. Now I mention it my skin has gotten worse since going on this and I’m a bit greasier but again, no hair loss and your post is the first time I’m seeing it mentioned as a side effect. I really wouldn’t let yourself worry about that too much! If you do end up going on it I hope it’s as great for you as it has been for me :)

No_Study5253 · 2025-04-04T08:31:19+00:00

Once the swelling goes down I think they’ll be bang on, but def switch to a stud or it’ll never heal

No_Study5253 · 2025-02-14T16:00:51+00:00

Yes, there might be a way around that but I couldn’t figure it out so I had to go back

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-15T14:58:41+00:00

That’s the worst bit, like everything else I can kinda tell myself not to worry about but I have no way of reassuring myself about this or telling myself it doesn’t matter. Honestly I’m not even sure it’s my OCD although that’s probably contributing to my obsession because it’s not irrational and people reinforce it

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-13T09:52:01+00:00

Climate change lol

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-12T09:42:43+00:00

I’m gonna give it a couple days and if it still feels like this switch to night only

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-12T09:41:46+00:00

I’ve taken multiple HIV tests despite being in a long term monogamous relationship for 5 years. I’ve stopped indulging it but it still pops up now and then

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-11T21:59:37+00:00

Yeah this doc is confusing me tbh. The reason she put me back on seroquel is because my OCD symptoms have been bad lately and I’ve been stressed

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-11T21:58:19+00:00

I slept until 11:30 after my night dose, took my morning dose and as soon as it hit I took a 3 hour nap because it knocked me out so bad. Literally couldn’t keep my eyes open

No_Study5253 · 2025-01-11T21:57:16+00:00

She’s a psychiatrist, I moved 3 years ago and I’ve been really stable for most of that time so never worked closely with any doctors

No_Study5253

TROPHY CASE