limictal...side effects

[Emily]

Hi there, I was recently taking 1200 mg of lithium for my bipolar disorder, but got acne everywhere and gained 40 lbs,(in a 3 year period) I am weeking off the lithium, and have stated lamictal, I am starting on the starter pack, that goes up slow by weeks, anyway, I have been getting aweful headaches, and feel like my brain is growing, and a pressure in my right ear. I was wondering if anyone feels like this, and if i should worry about the feeling of my head swelling... thank you
Emily

[Rich]

Emily,

I was perscibed Lamictla for PTSD and I am on my 3rd week of titration. Tonight I start 75mg of my starter pack. The goal is 100mg. the first two days of increases, I have had headaches (pressure) and some nausea. After a coupel of days these symptoms subsided. I hope by this time your are stablizing. It may be the withdrawl from the lithium combined with the new lamictal. I acute axiety level has gone down for me and I am functioning better.

[jessi chap]

I started taking lamictal about 3 months ago and I think it's a wonder drug for me compared to all the anti-depressants I've tried before (about 10) It has me functioning without all the side effects all those others have given me. I wonder though. I take it for bipolar 2 disorder, and has anyone else out there feel that it caused them to get manic/hypomanic because I feel like it pushes me into those states? Isn't it suppose to be anti-manic drug?

[Joe]

I've had nothing but great success. The key is to find the right amount. I've taken the same dose for more than 3 years, and it's been a real lifesaver. No side effects, no mania, no aches, no anxiety, no groping for words. Jessi, I guess I would suggest you decide if you're really getting manic or if these are just (very unfamiliar!) natural moods. Check with your doctor. And whatever you do, don't stop taking it until you do - that's how I "lost" a year of my life.

[Heidi]

I have been taking Lamictal about 6 months for Bipolar 2 disorder. With starting this drug, I also started having horrible night sweats. It has gotten to the point that I am not sure I want to continue with lamictal, even though it has made me feel so much better.

[Josh]

I have been on Lamictal (and in the interets of full disclosure, Klonopin and pain mgmt meds as well) however after trying out each med with a day or two off, i have determined it is the lamictal causing the sweats and if so, i DO NOT want to continue. It may make me feel a little better (so does 5-HTP, btw-and naturally) i can not bear the sweating. My g/f is fed up with my side of the bed being soaked in the AM and i am too! I tried to cut off my lamictal yesterday on my own but the sweats were even worse off for it last night. Thank god i see the shrink on thurs, i can't take much more. I have tried to discuss this with her before but have been told that it is not from the lamictal--she has never seen that. Thank you all for making me feel a little less crazy--i think i will insist thaat she take me off of it.

[Tom]

Just started Lamictal. Been taking traditional anti-depressants and doc just diagnosed bipolar 1. I am praying this works--have been feeling aweful with mood swings and invasive scary thougths coupled with depression. Anyone have any good words about this drug?

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom]

ps...to the men onsite..any sexual side effects>?

t

[David]

Why is Lamictal misspelled at the top of this page? "LIMICTAL...SIDE EFFECTS"

[rhilee]

jessi chap wrote:

I started taking lamictal about 3 months ago and I think it's a wonder drug for me compared to all the anti-depressants I've tried before (about 10) It has me functioning without all the side effects all those others have given me. I wonder though. I take it for bipolar 2 disorder, and has anyone else out there feel that it caused them to get manic/hypomanic because I feel like it pushes me into those states? Isn't it suppose to be anti-manic drug?

i'm so glad someone else has noticed. Increased to 100mg a week ago and swear I've been manic since. trying to contact dr. am also on 10mg lexapro though. maybe the lamictal exasperated the manic effect of the ssri?

[Jan]

I have taken lamictal for about 5 years now and it is the only mood stabiliser that has been effective for me. I also take seroxat. I have been on many other drugs which were not effective. I would recommend anyone to give it a try.
It does have an antidepressant effect so could be responsible for bringing on hypomania. It is very effective where depression is the larger part of the illness.

[Sandy]

I have been on Lamicatl for almost 3 months and have had blurred vision and irregular heart rate effects - I still have bouts of depression from day to day so for those of you that have been on it for 3 and 5 years - does it just take time before it works that well

[Jan]

I had a year's trial of each mood stabiliser - lithium, sodium valproate, depakote etc, though this was shortened if there were troublesome side effects. Although it was a lengthy process it has been well worth it for me. I don't envisage any more medication changes now. Never give up!

[Jan]

PS I now take lamictal and paroxetine adding zopiclone when needed. If my mood dips I increase the paroxetine. I have not needed to see a health professional for well over a year now.

[Sandy]

Jan wrote:

PS I now take lamictal and paroxetine adding zopiclone when needed. If my mood dips I increase the paroxetine. I have not needed to see a health professional for well over a year now.

Thx Jan I was always just sceptical about meds but I needed them, so am just so interested in other experiences. Just also wondered why I had break through's of depression.

[Mandy]

Tom wrote:

Just started Lamictal. Been taking traditional anti-depressants and doc just diagnosed bipolar 1. I am praying this works--have been feeling aweful with mood swings and invasive scary thougths coupled with depression. Anyone have any good words about this drug?
Thanks,
Tom

I have been on it for 2 months now and it is helping immensely. It sounds like I was feeling how you are now before I began taking it. Give it a chance.

[DEE]

Hi,
About 3 weeks a go my doctor put me on Lamictal
I have been trial and erro with meds and the funny thing is I started out with a Councilor for bad anxiety. I have always been hyper I have always been in control of my self up until now. My councilor siad I need something to slow me down. I have always had insomnea and she said that as I am getting older it might give me health isues. I have been on antidepressants since a car accident in 1996 that left me with migrains. The doctor I was sent to now gave me the lamictal and gave me cymbolta prior. I had very bad side efects from all. If I was not Bipolar befor I am now. First I was told I was depressed than High anxiety and now Bipolar. I was taken off the cymbolta without being wiened off and I only took the lamictal for 6 days. I wound up in the hospital and am still having bad side effects and you would think all is out of my system now. My mood swings are out ragious and you can't say anything to me I just about chew your head off and I cry alot. I have worked my whole life and am affraid I might loose my job. I feel like I am working full speed but nothing is getting done. I am all over the place and this is a side of me I have never seen. When I was on the meds I felt nausious, bad headachs and could not sleep, My stomach was very upset and still is. I do not know if the meds brought out something in me. I do not like what I am feeling. I was in the hospital last week with this pain and tight feeling in my upper chest and throat and my lymph glands were in such pain and my ears as well. The experiance was real bad and I now feel I am in for a big ride. Has anyone else gone thurogh this?

[BOBBI KAY]

I AM CONSIDERING TAKING LAMICTAL FOR PTSD AND DEPRESSION. THE COMMENTS OF IT CAUSING MANIC PERIODS FRIGHTENS ME, AS I HAVE NEVER HAD THOSE BEFORE, AND DO NOT WISH TO ADD TO MY PROBLEMS. IS THERE ANYONE WITHOUT BIPOLAR EXPERIENCING THIS AS A SIDE EFFECT? I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAXIL AND WONDER IF THIS WILL COMPLICATE THINGS? I WELCOME INSIGHTS...

[SandiBird]

Dee,
I am on the computer today looking for information from users about Lamictal. I have had a long history of depression, but lately have had a bigger problem with terrible anxiety and insomnia, plus being very edgy and irritable. I had been taking an AD only for several years, and recently saw a psych doc for above symptoms. He diagnosed bipolar 2 with mixed mood, and prescribed Seroquel and Lamictal. I absolutely could not tolerate the Seroquel. I had no idea how strong it was, and was totally gorked out all day long from even 1/4 of a 25 mg. tablet. I had to stop it.
I have been on the Lamictal for 3 weeks now. I am experiencing total lethargy and loss of interest in doing anything, including simple daily tasks. I have gone to work through great force of will, and I come home and go to bed for the rest of the night. During the day I feel slightly foggy and just kind of out of it - watching what's going on but not really engaged.
Yesterday I had to go out of town for a meeting. I was driving home and feeling extremely hopeless and depressed and I realized that I no longer wanted to go on living. I had the greatest trouble getting myself home, as I was quite a distance away. I strongly considered driving to an emergency room and telling them that I wanted to kill myself, I knew that would do no good.
What I want to know is if anyone has experienced increased symptoms of depression, disengagement, and suicidal ideation on Lamictal? I know you have to give yourself time to adjust to medicine, but I'm feeling worse than when I started this mess.
I would love to hear from you or anyone else about this.

DEE wrote:

Hi,
About 3 weeks a go my doctor put me on Lamictal
I have been trial and erro with meds and the funny thing is I started out with a Councilor for bad anxiety. I have always been hyper I have always been in control of my self up until now. My councilor siad I need something to slow me down. I have always had insomnea and she said that as I am getting older it might give me health isues. I have been on antidepressants since a car accident in 1996 that left me with migrains. The doctor I was sent to now gave me the lamictal and gave me cymbolta prior. I had very bad side efects from all. If I was not Bipolar befor I am now. First I was told I was depressed than High anxiety and now Bipolar. I was taken off the cymbolta without being wiened off and I only took the lamictal for 6 days. I wound up in the hospital and am still having bad side effects and you would think all is out of my system now. My mood swings are out ragious and you can't say anything to me I just about chew your head off and I cry alot. I have worked my whole life and am affraid I might loose my job. I feel like I am working full speed but nothing is getting done. I am all over the place and this is a side of me I have never seen. When I was on the meds I felt nausious, bad headachs and could not sleep, My stomach was very upset and still is. I do not know if the meds brought out something in me. I do not like what I am feeling. I was in the hospital last week with this pain and tight feeling in my upper chest and throat and my lymph glands were in such pain and my ears as well. The experiance was real bad and I now feel I am in for a big ride. Has anyone else gone thurogh this?

[Charlise]

SandiBird wrote:

Dee,
I am on the computer today looking for information from users about Lamictal. I have had a long history of depression, but lately have had a bigger problem with terrible anxiety and insomnia, plus being very edgy and irritable. I had been taking an AD only for several years, and recently saw a psych doc for above symptoms. He diagnosed bipolar 2 with mixed mood, and prescribed Seroquel and Lamictal. I absolutely could not tolerate the Seroquel. I had no idea how strong it was, and was totally gorked out all day long from even 1/4 of a 25 mg. tablet. I had to stop it.
I have been on the Lamictal for 3 weeks now. I am experiencing total lethargy and loss of interest in doing anything, including simple daily tasks. I have gone to work through great force of will, and I come home and go to bed for the rest of the night. During the day I feel slightly foggy and just kind of out of it - watching what's going on but not really engaged.
Yesterday I had to go out of town for a meeting. I was driving home and feeling extremely hopeless and depressed and I realized that I no longer wanted to go on living. I had the greatest trouble getting myself home, as I was quite a distance away. I strongly considered driving to an emergency room and telling them that I wanted to kill myself, I knew that would do no good.
What I want to know is if anyone has experienced increased symptoms of depression, disengagement, and suicidal ideation on Lamictal? I know you have to give yourself time to adjust to medicine, but I'm feeling worse than when I started this mess.
I would love to hear from you or anyone else about this.
<quoted text>

Hi

I have a similar story - been on AD's for major depression for years (tried everything from Aropax to Prozac). Diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year and put onto Cymbalta which was great for the pain but caused me to get very irritable. Went to the doc about a week ago and he suggested that the SNRI resulted in the manifestation of Bipolar symptoms and diagnosed me with Bipolar II - he put me on to Lamictal - I'm on a low does (only 25mg once at night) but I've been feeling awful - drowsy during the day, can't sleep at night, slight rash, itching, can;t concentrate, naseua, blurred vision, etc. I am also feeling incredibly depressed and have also had suiidal thoughts, so you are not alone. I wonder if I will be able to continue for much longer as it is really affecting me at work. Would be good to know how long it takes for the side-effects to subside. Right now, I feel that it would be better to discontinue the med rather than ended up in a worse situation than I was in before. Any advice??