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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Effective Alternative Medicine For Lamictal

Yes, I am asking about Lamictal XR 200 being used to treat Bi Polar. I have been using it at least 10 years, actually when I tell someone I am Bi Polar they do not believe me. I would like to know if there is a comparable medication available. My Insurance will not cover this medication. It cost 700.00 a month....
Fri, 9 Oct 2015
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Psychiatrist, Child,  's  Response
BIPOLAR DISORDER IS A LONG STANDING DISORDER, USUALLY EPISODIC IN NATURE, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF INTER-EPISODIC MORBIDITY IN TERMS OF SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL FUNCTIONING. THE GOAL OF MEDICATIONS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER IS TO REDUCE THE INTENSITY/SEVERITY AS WELL AS THE FREQUENCY OF EPISODES AND TO OPTIMIZE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

IF U FEEL THAT THESE GOALS ARE BEING ACHIEVED WITH UR CURRENT MEDICATION, PL DO NOT CHANGE IT.SPENDING RS 700 PER MONTH IS QUITE REASONABLE, GIVEN THE CHRONIC NATURE OF THE DISORDER AND THE NEED FOR INPATIENT TREATMENTS IN CASE EPISODES BECOME SEVERE.

THE OTHER OPTIONS ARE LITHIUM (UPTO 600-1200MG) SODIUM
VALPROATE (BETWEEN 500-1000MG) AND GABAPENTIN. PL TELL ME UR AGE BODY WEIGHT AND GENDER BECAUSE SOME OF THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE MEDICATIONS ARE GENDER-SPECIFIC( ACNE EXACERBATION, POLYCYSTIC OVARIES).

KINDLY DO NOT SWITCH OVER TO THESE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING A PSYCHIATRIST WHO IS AN EXPERT IN BIPOLAR DISORDER. COST FACTOR IS MORE OR LESS THE SAME, MAYBE SLIGHTLY HIGHER FOR VALPROATE

DR SMRITHI
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Suggest Effective Alternative Medicine For Lamictal

BIPOLAR DISORDER IS A LONG STANDING DISORDER, USUALLY EPISODIC IN NATURE, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF INTER-EPISODIC MORBIDITY IN TERMS OF SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL FUNCTIONING. THE GOAL OF MEDICATIONS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER IS TO REDUCE THE INTENSITY/SEVERITY AS WELL AS THE FREQUENCY OF EPISODES AND TO OPTIMIZE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INDIVIDUAL. IF U FEEL THAT THESE GOALS ARE BEING ACHIEVED WITH UR CURRENT MEDICATION, PL DO NOT CHANGE IT.SPENDING RS 700 PER MONTH IS QUITE REASONABLE, GIVEN THE CHRONIC NATURE OF THE DISORDER AND THE NEED FOR INPATIENT TREATMENTS IN CASE EPISODES BECOME SEVERE. THE OTHER OPTIONS ARE LITHIUM (UPTO 600-1200MG) SODIUM VALPROATE (BETWEEN 500-1000MG) AND GABAPENTIN. PL TELL ME UR AGE BODY WEIGHT AND GENDER BECAUSE SOME OF THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE MEDICATIONS ARE GENDER-SPECIFIC( ACNE EXACERBATION, POLYCYSTIC OVARIES). KINDLY DO NOT SWITCH OVER TO THESE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING A PSYCHIATRIST WHO IS AN EXPERT IN BIPOLAR DISORDER. COST FACTOR IS MORE OR LESS THE SAME, MAYBE SLIGHTLY HIGHER FOR VALPROATE DR SMRITHI