Hey
I'm not bipolar but know about some of these meds and have been on combinations at various times. Obviously I can't talk for your doc, you'll have to ask him/her exactly what their reasoning was but I can tell you that in some cases certain drugs take a long time to work so you'll be put on them as well as other quicker acting ones which you can then come off when the one's that take a while to start working kick in. Lamotrigine is one of the one's that takes a long time to start working. You say you've just started the Lamotrigine? Are you increasing your doses VERY slowly? I fully endorse what someone else said about not reading side effects on the internet as it will just freak you out, but make sure you ask your doc about any side effects you are having and I'm sure you'll have been warned about this but if you get sores in your mouth, a very sore throat (and um even soreness and itchiness .... down there with it) and especially a rash you must tell your doc immediately.
With Lamotrigine you have to know this because there is a higher percentage chance of having a reaction to this drug than to many others. I had a reaction and my doc was unavailable and the docs at the hospital didn't know what it was, one even refused to read my lamotrigine pamphlet etc but luckily I knew what it was and stopped the drug so it couldn't get worse while they found another doctor which I insisted on who knew about the Syndrome you can get from it.
OK off my soap box now, this particular drug is just VERY close to my heart as it caused me such trouble!
And, having said that though, I'm about to start a very similar one because the general mood stabilising effects of those anti-convulsants can be very very useful with less other side effects than many other meds.
Good Luck!
Ce
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