Lamictal and drugs

I have been very concerned about my memory loss. It is so humiliating. I am a teacher. Today at work I said to my co-worker, "OMG, I forgot to mark Makayla absent!" She gave me that look. "We don''t have a Makayla this year." I feel like such an idiot and am afraid someone is going to tell my principal that I'm losing it. I am also unable to spell. This was never a problem before. And my vocabulary? I don't have words to describe it. LOL. I'm 44 and thought for sure that I had early onset Alzheimers and also severe arthritis because my hips hurt. So glad it's drugs, not me.

Has anyone noticed any vitamins, foods, etc. that helps? I will be devastated if I have to ditch my nightly glass of wine! Anyone relate?

I take Lamictal for seizures for 3 years. I had my first unexplained seizure at 25 and another 6 moths later. Both times I had drank heavily two nights in a row. After the second seizure I was put on the Lamictal. I was slowly ramped up to 100mg in the morning and 200mg at night. On occasion, I get horrible "poop pains" as I call them. It feels like my insides are being ripped apart. I can sit on the toilet and poop incredibly runny stool, then I have to wait up to 15 minutes for the second batch. The pain doesn't subside until the second batch but it is immediately gone. It usually only happens when I wake up in the middle of the night. I have tried to correlate it to foods that I have eaten and can't match anything up. I also have horrible short term memory. I sometimes tell the same person the same story twice and they will be like "you just told me that." Also, golfing is the best example. I have a hard time remembering my strokes. My long term memory is fine. As fair as hair loss, I was already on track to lose my hair before I was on the meds so I don't know if they made it any worse or if this is a natural progression. It seems somewhat rapid but I never loose it in quantities or clumps. I just notice it in my hats and beanies every once in a while. I also have a hard time falling asleep on occasion and if I wake up in the middle of the night I have troubles falling back asleep as well. The bottom line is that this drug WORKS. I can live with the side affects cause they are random and not that often. I am a volunteer Fireman and cannot risk loosing that again so I am too hestitant to change meds as the doctor said Lamictal has the least side affects of the seizure drugs.

I have been on Lamictal for 8 years and take 200mg every night. I take it in combination with Lithium, Seroquel, & Wellbutrin. My diagnosis is rapid cycling bi-polar. There was also Depakote for about 12 years but that's gone, thank God. The Lamictal, combined with the Seroquel, can knock me on my butt, I feel like a drunk. I stagger and my speech is slurred, and I am very sleepy. I have dry skin in my ears that never resolves and that is itchy & painful. I have bowel issues. I also have vivid dreams but not violent ones. No sex drive but I'm single so that's not a problem. I also need a nap every day. I'm sure that there are others but it's hard to tell because of the other drugs I take. Glad that I'm not the only one with issues.

I have been on Lamictal for about 3 and a half yrs now for Bipolar 1. Overall, I have had a really great experience with the drug. I started with 100mg and then went to 200mg after a year and a half. Now I take 225mg as of a month ago. For about a year and a half I had the acne on my chin and then it went away suddenly (thought it was cutting out dairy from my diet though). I have been extremely fatigued for awhile now. 7hrs of sleep is not good enough for me so I end up taking long naps when I have the opportunity each day- I always want to sleep. I feel stupid and lack focus and motivation. I use to be a social butterfly and now I feel so exhausted when entertaining. I am a personal trainer and am in the business of making others feel better, but I seem to be feeling worse. I have experienced weight gain as well and that is hard for me since I use to be bulimic and have always had poor body image issues. I was on the NuvaRing for 5 months and it made me sooooo depressed so I finally got off that and feel better- don't mix those 2 drugs.
I am going to ask my doctor to take me off of it this week because I am ready to trust God with my mental health. I have a great support system to help me through the tough times and if I want to get pregnant, I have to go off it anyway.

I am 32 years old, and still have acne. I have been taking it for almost 14 years now. I know that Lamictal causes skin rashes. I asked my neurologist if Lamictal causes acne. He said no. I will never be able to get rid of acne, as long as I keep taking it. I have been seizure-free for over 2.5 years now. Dad won't let me get off of it, and be on primidone only. It's more important to keep driving seizure-free, than to have clear skin.

WOW. I have been taking Lamictal for about 4 months for my BP and up until now I have never known all the side effects. You see, I am uninsured and am forced to go through MHMR. They (at best) give you an idea of what the side effects are. It is very difficult to even get a one on one with an actual doctor. You sit in a chair for 2 minutes and walk out with a bad full of drugs. Needless to say, my mood hasn't been "stabilized", in fact, I think it's worsened. What's worse is that between the weight gain and the loss of my short term memory I feel FAT and STUPID; causing me to be even more depressed. I never even thought that the memory loss was related to the Lamictal; the weight gain, maybe. Today I thought, "let me check this out." and I stumbled upon this blog. THANK GOD! I mean I'm sorry that we are all suffering but I'm relieved to know that it's not ME. Thanks for sharing all, and good luck!

Hi. I went on Lamictal April 2007 after being diagnosed w/ BiPolar. The key issue that brought me to the psychiatrist to begin with was acute depression following a divorce, move cross country, losing my job and my only son going off to college. All the big stress factors - short of death in family. Nonetheless, I was nervous that one year after all these crises that I was, if anything, feeling worse. I had been able to handle all the changes during them, but now that they were over all I wanted to do was sleep all day.... Anyway, I had been on Paxil for years re anxiety, and my psychiatrist decided to keep my on the Paxil till I tolerated the Lamictal, then get me off the Paxil..... Well, the 20 mg of Paxil and the 100 mg of Lamictal worked great, I thought; the Lamictal really raised the bottom.... BUT, apparently Paxil fuels mania, so after a few months, I was taken off the Paxil completely and my Lamictal went up to 200 mg. Almost IMMEDIATELY upon going to 200 mg Lamictal my ankles / feet / legs got enormously swollen. Plus, I noticed that my hair started to fall out // thin out.... Plus -- and I don't know if this is the Lamictal or the absence of the Paxil, but I sob uncontrollably almost 24/7. The sobbing and anxiety and sense of dread and sadnessness has persisted even when the Lamictal was dropped to 100 mg and the shrink added first Clonazepam .5 mg, then when that wasn't calming me, changed me to 1mg Xanax -- each as needed. The Xanax isn't helping me either, and now I also feel paranoid. So, in short: Lamictal at 200 mg makes my feet / ankles / legs swell or suffer edema; Lamcital as low as 100 mg makes my hair thin out; and either the Lamictal or the loss of the Paxil or these anti-anxieity meds (Clonazepam or Xanax) are making me paranoid, profoundly sad and depressed, panicked, anxious, stressed out and, most urgently, make me sob uncontrollably 24/7... My shrink says that we should use anti-depressants with bipolar, and that Paxil fuels the mania, but I tell you, I'd rather be manic and screaming at everyone than so depressed that I'm fearful and sobbing constantly.... Any answers out there: Any anti-depressants for your bipolar?

I HAVE BEEN ON THE LAMICTAL FOR 5 MONTHS NOW( FOR MINOR BI POLAR EPISODE). AT FIRST I FELT A LITTLE "SPACEY" AS I HAVE INCREASED MY DOSAGE EACH TIME I NOTICED VERY PAINFUL MENSTRUAL CRAMPS, WORSE PMS, EXTRA LONG MENSTRUATION CYCLE, JOINT PAIN IN THE HIP, FORGETTING EVERYTHING( LOSS OF SHORT TERM MEMORY), AND EXTREME TIREDNESS IN THE DAY AND NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT. I HAD BEEN ON 75MG A DAY ( 2 IN AM, 1 IN PM) AND THEN UPPED MY DOSE TO 100MG(2 IN AM, 2 IN PM). THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE WORSENING, ESPECIALLY THE JOINT PAIN. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED PANIC ATTACKS AND IRRITABLENESS THAT I HADN'T HAD BEFORE. WORST OF ALL, IS THAT I HAVE GAINED ABOUT 27 LBS WHILE TAKING THIS MED. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS? PLEASE REPLY TO TELL ME THE BEST REMEDY.

I was on Lamictal for 4 years and after the first year I suddenly started having all kinds of teeth and gum problems for no discernible reason. But since Lamictal has the possible side effect of "sores or blisters on the inside of the mouth" I wondered if it could be related.

I did a Google search and am coming up with no experts yet, but lots and lots of posts connecting anticonvulsant meds, particularly Lamictal, Topamax, Neurontin, and Depakote, with dental problems. Dilantin is well known for causing gum disease and breaking down tooth enamel, loosening of teeth, and even breaking down of jawbone tissue.

I don't think the experts have connected the dots yet, but is anyone else having this problem?

I was put on Lamictal about a year ago after the Dilantin I was on stopped working after 25 years. Tried Fursuit but the anger and extreme tiredness almost lost me my job. I found this site since I'm coming off Lamictal. I was still having seizures and the doc just kept upping the meds. At 400mg/day I found I couldn't stop laughing (I do Stand up comedy as a hobby) My chest was killing me after 2 days of euforia and couldn't sleep. Vision was so blurred I couldn't see a thing. I told my doc I've had enough and I'm coming off the drug as slowly as I can manage. After a few months I'm down to 125 mg this week and coming off it 25mg a week. so far seizures have been about 1 per month but that might increase. I'm finding the withdrawal side effects worse than the drug. Leg pain, chest pains and found out my blood pressure has gone thru the roof. Would like to know if that has happened to anyone else. It went down a bit after I reduced my dosage last week so I see a conspiracy. I have noticed my vision improves as the drug wears off during the day but I can't concentrate at work. would like to hear from others with epilepsy that are having problems with this drug and to give me any feedback. Figure If alexander the Great can create an empire with epilepsy and no drugs then I'll take the seizures over the meds

This is a total nightmare and i need advice! I was on Lamictal for a year and about six months into my health began to slowly deteriorate. It started with shortness of breath and heart palpitations and eventually attacked every system of my body. My symptoms are muscle pain, spasms and knots to the point that i can't turn my neck sometimes, joint pain (mostly knees), stabbing floating pain everywhere, headaches, frightening tingling in my extremities and a few times my entire body, sore throat, flu-like feelings, stomach cramps, bloating and heartburn. The list goes on. I have been off of it now for two weeks. My psychiatrist has never seen this type of reaction before and is not convinced it is the Lamictal. I have been to every single type of doctor and the ER twice, had extensive lab work, CT scan and two MRIs. I have been off Lamictal now for two weeks and am not feeling much relief. I am so scared and frustrated and please need advice. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it ever go away? I feel like I am literally living a nightmare with no-one to turn to for advice because no-one seems to know ANYTHING!!!!

My son is diagnosed bipolar II mixed episodes. My son is on 1500 mg of Depakote, which the doctor increased as he was starting him on Lamictal. He also introduced and increased Seroquel. His personality is flat, his hands shake, he's gained 40 pounds and he sleeps after every dosing and naps in between. I was the one who suggested the Lamictal because I've read so many success stories about this drug. But I didn't realize that the doctor was planning to increase the Depakote. My son responds well to Depakote but it doesn't help in regard to his severe depressions or his irritability. Is there a way to sort out what is causing what?

I am always tired and kinda shaky I cant figure out if its the Lamictal or Seroquel which ever I am stopping it when I find out what it is I cant handle the side effects I am very sensitive to the side effects of any meds.

While I still have times of depression and the occasional bout of caffeine induced manic time- my life is livable and in control. A few occasions I have been without medication for 2-3 days and experience some pretty awful depression. It takes a few weeks before it evens out again. I live in fear during those times that the Lamictal (200 mg) will stop working for me and my life will return to its unpredictable hell. Antidepressants alone do not work for me. I have read that restarting Lamictal after being without it/completely off it has ineffective results. I believe Lamictal has given me my life. I read some of these entires and I am afraid for some of you- so many drugs and combinations.

I take 5 diff. drugs and am trying to figure out which side effect is associated with which drug. I have a really shotty memory now where I have lost perception of time. I thought I had spoken to my friend two weeks ago and I spoke to her two days ago. I read the news all day at work and can't remember any of it. This could be from the Ativan, Ambien, Geodon or Provigil that I am also taking, but I have no idea which or if its the combo of a few. I am on all of these drugs because i have Bipolar 1 disorder. I take 400 mg of Lamictal at night. Any insights? Thanks.

On October 5th 2007 I experienced auditory hallucinations but their different than the others. I hear my thoughts directly outside of my head and they repeat the thought continuously until another thought happens. Sometimes their are thoughts that I have previously thought of and they won't go away. It starts from the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep in the evening. Sometimes they sing like a choir and sometimes they talk my thoughts. Children's, women, men, and one old man. Sometimes it's a mechanical voice. I started taking Lamicatal in August. I started with 25 mg. for two weeks. Then I increased it to 50mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 75 mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 100mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 125mg and I took this for one week and that's when these auditory hallucinations got worse. Now I only take 50mg and the auditory hallucinations will not go away yet. Before I started taking Lamictal I was on Cymbalta 20mg. I needed to stop taking this medication as that it caused abdominal pains, severe headaches, nausea, I started hearing other peoples thoughts and conversations. I was only Cymbalta for one year. I never was able to hear peoples thoughts before taking Cymbalta and I never heard hallucinations before taking Lamictal. Years ago I was taking Paxil 20mg and this medication increased the abstract visual dreaming and the zoning out. The reason I started taking Lamicatal was that in the evening while I was sleeping I would sometimes get startled in the middle of the night with abstract visual dreaming and it hurt my head. Also I was zoning out occasionally during the day. Kind of like daydreaming but no visual dreams. Lamicatal did stop this but this side effect is driving me insane.

After 1 week. I experienced moods that I had never encountered before. I had extreme irritability and dark thoughts. I wanted to get rid of my pets. Hated my kids, and hated everything. People at work or on TV, I felt like killing them. I felt like a walking time bomb serial killer. I immediately stopped taking the Lamictal after 1 week. I could tell a difference by the next day. I was still depressed but not suicidal or full of hate that I experienced on the Lamictal. This type of side effect can happen with any mood stabilizers or anti depressant type drugs. I'm glad I knew this, or I would have killed my pets, family and myself.

I have been prescribed Lamictal for seizures, and am currently taking 400mg daily, with my 300mg of Dilantin. Had horrible side effects this weekend-nightmares, exhausted, worsening depression, crying jags, difficulty swallowing. Has anyone else experienced mood changes for the worse while on this drug?

Light Rash, dizziness, BAD blurred vision making it hard to drive, BAD heavy bleeding(changes in menstrual cycle lasting three weeks with spotting then heavy bleeding) easy bruising sometimes black and blue ...headache,cant think, kidney pain I have (VUR) and am not sure if i should have been givin Lamictal.... I just stopped taking it went from 200mg to 100mg for a week now not taking any its been two days. and im hoping I start to feel better soon.

I take 200mg's of Lam 100 in morn and 100 at night, along with 3 mgs of klonopin. I really don't have any severe side effects, but the one side that does bother me is that it takes me a very long time to orgasm, I mean a very long time and my sex drive has diminished significately, but I guess that is ok because my wife isn't a big fan of sex any way. But again maybe it's not the drugs that cause thgis side effect it could jubst be my wife. HA HA

3/7/04
I've been on Lamictal about 6 mo. I've been forgetful, disorganized, at a loss for specific words; can't spell well( I'm a teacher). It was prescribed at up to 4 00 mg. per day. Treat bipolar depression. 2 weeks ago quit teaching job, now moving hometown for help. I'm changing psychiatrists.
What are best drugs with little side effects? Zyprexa caused me to gain 30 lbs in 3 months. I do have fantasies of suicide.