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Question: I was diagnosed with bipolar (2) eight weeks ago. I am on 50 mg morning and night of Lamictal and 10mg at night of Saphris. I was titrated medications and only went up to 50mg Lamictal three weeks ago. I am undergoing additional stress as my grandmother passed away 3 days ago. I have noticed that I have been getting periods of feeling like my brain is hot, I am giggling when a conversation is serious and when I am talking to people notice that I start feeling manic and my mind feel like it is starting to speed up. Is this normal even on medication? I have MS but I just had a brain MRI which is showing improvement from last MRI. I am not due to go back to psychiatrist until 12 XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes it's normal even with medicines at 8 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries
You have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder about 2 months back and are on Lamotrigine 100 mg and Asenapine 10 per day. You have associated Multiple Sclerosis but the reports are improving. Just recently your grand mother passed and now you have symptoms like feelings that brain is hot, giggling in serious situations, symptoms of mania etc.
Now why these symptoms are there even on medicines?
One reason is that you lost your grand mother recently and this has caused stress which is resulting in poor control of symptoms these days.
In normal course medicines start showing significant response in about 4-8 weeks and in some individuals even longer time is needed to see response. So if you are having symptoms even on medicines, there is no need to worry, the symptoms will go in some days. This is normal to have some symptoms even on medicines. You are on Lamotrigine and Asenapine which are good medicines to control bipolar disorder.
Still if you are facing symptoms which are causing distress then you can discuss with your psychiatrist to increase the dose of Lamotrigine to 50 in morning and 100 in evening. This will help in early control of symptoms. Discuss with your psychiatrist for written prescription.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more doubts don't hesitate to ask again.
Yes it's normal even with medicines at 8 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries
You have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder about 2 months back and are on Lamotrigine 100 mg and Asenapine 10 per day. You have associated Multiple Sclerosis but the reports are improving. Just recently your grand mother passed and now you have symptoms like feelings that brain is hot, giggling in serious situations, symptoms of mania etc.
Now why these symptoms are there even on medicines?
One reason is that you lost your grand mother recently and this has caused stress which is resulting in poor control of symptoms these days.
In normal course medicines start showing significant response in about 4-8 weeks and in some individuals even longer time is needed to see response. So if you are having symptoms even on medicines, there is no need to worry, the symptoms will go in some days. This is normal to have some symptoms even on medicines. You are on Lamotrigine and Asenapine which are good medicines to control bipolar disorder.
Still if you are facing symptoms which are causing distress then you can discuss with your psychiatrist to increase the dose of Lamotrigine to 50 in morning and 100 in evening. This will help in early control of symptoms. Discuss with your psychiatrist for written prescription.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more doubts don't hesitate to ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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