Higher Dosage Lamictal Side Effects

[Jenni]

jenna wrote:

Hello,
I've been scouring the web for a possible connection between the bladder problems i've been having and lamotrigine, but haven't seen anything listed in the side effects. I'm curious if any of you have had any kidney/bladder related side effects? I haven't had too many issues, aside from a mild rash from time to time, extreme thirst, and horrible headaches that have lasted for a few days both times i've increased my dose, but shortly after i increased to 100 mgs, i got what i thought was a uti(test came back neg). i had bladder discomfort, "strong-smelling" urine and the amount of water i drink(tons! since i'm always thirsty) doesn't seem to have anything to do with how much i'm going. i can put away 5 glasses of water and pee only a 1/2 cup's worth, and it's never clear anymore. The symptoms also seem to come and go. I'll go from feeling ok one minute to feeling a burning urgency to urinate the next. my psych(who likes talking more than he likes listening) brushed me off when i called him about it, but i swear it has to do w/the lamotrigine. has anyone had any similar experiences, or have any info that could help me? i feel like i'm going crazy and my fiance's sick of hearing me ramble on about my pee.
Thanks!(and sorry for writing so much):)

Hi Jenna,

I just wanted to let you know that what happened to you is EXACTLY what has been happening to me - I see that this problem you had was from some months back so hopefully you have fixed it. I too am taking 100 mg of lamitrogrine, and I started to notice in the past few months that I was going to the bathroom SO much, especially at night. It's like I feel like I really have to go, sometimes right after I just went.

I was told at one doctor's office that it was not a UTI either and they referred me to a Urologist. I looked it up and saw that it IS a possible side effect of Lamictal/Lamitrogine to have bladder problems. I ask my psychiatrist and he also blew me off and said my problems were not because of the meds. Well, I went to the urologist and he told me that it was definitely possible that I was experiencing a side effect. Right now I'm taking some medicine prescribed by him but I have a follow-up in a few weeks. He did inform me that I do have a UTI/bladder infection, however. He said that the other office just looked at the dip stick or whatnot, but he actually stuck my urine under a microscope and took a good look and then found out it was very infected.

So just to back up your story - I don't know yet if my problems are due to the meds or not, haven't discovered that yet. It just rang a bell in my head about the doctors totally disregarding what we were telling them. Maybe the side effect is not as rare as they make it out to be.

[Annabelle]

Hi,

I would like any input on my medications and doses. I was diagnosed with depression eight years ago, but then had a manic episode four years ago which was when I was diagnosed as having bipolar 2. The medications I am now on are:
Lamictal 300 mgs, Abilify 5 mgs and Welbutrin 75 mgs. My pdoc added the Welbutrin a month ago
because I was feeling flat from the Lamictal. Three hundred mgs now seems high to me for my diagnosis. I have noticed that many people are on 100 or 200 mgs. I understand that in many cases
some of those people are on other meds. I am asking because I am concerned about the possible side effect of Lamictal which is liver damage.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Michelle]

I was placed on 150 mg Lamical about 10 months ago, and have been feeling very well, however, I was recenlty change to the generic. Since the switch, I have noticed several side affects that have suprised me. First, my short-term memory is shot. Also, I have been having word problems where insted of saying, "light" I'll say "paper" instead of "blanket". This in itself is disturbing, but I've also has some severe mood swings which last about 5-7 days, then reverse and repeate. What's most upsetting is that I've had intense anxiety issues which I do not want to develop into a full-flown panic attack. So, my doctor petitioned to TriCare to get an doctor's override but TriCare won't budge. I have an appointment with my doc on Monday to see what we should do. He suggested increasing the dose and I'm unsure of what to do. My husband has notcied quite a change me with my memory, lowered libedo, and mood swings. Hopefully we can get this figured out. If I go on like this much longer than I fear for my quality of life. Oh, my doc also said that generics can come from a variety of countries including India and China--a little concerting, don't you think?

[Layne]

Hi. I have JME and I am on 800 mg of Lamictal. Has anyone noticed an issue with frequent and severe UTI infections?

[Kimberly]

I have been taking Lamictal for a couple of months now for mood stabilization. Once I completed the started pack (ending at 100mg) my doctor took me straight up to 200mg. Since then I can't straighten my fingers in the mornings, they swell and when I try to stretch them out I get this awful burning pain in my palms. I am popping and cracking with even the slightest movement. My knees are so sore I can barely walk, and the absolute worse thing and this is embarrassing but I am very disturbed over this. I cannot control my bladder. I get sudden urges of a very full bladder and I don't have time to even get up before it is running down my legs. This has progressed to the point I am waking up at night with my bed soaked underneath me! I have found a new empathy for people with incontinence as I now have it, never never had this problem before. Is there anyone on here who has experienced this? I am hypothyroid as well and recently found out my thyroid has bottomed out again,could these 2 things combine to cause my symptoms? Was it right of my doctor to take me straight from 1 week of 100mg to 200 mg? Help please I appreciate it so much truly I cannot take the incontinence. It has taken my ability to go out of my house..:(((

[jerry]

I have been on 200mg of lamictal for about 5 months. I noticed that it slows me a bit mentally but not enough to cause me major problems. The biggest issue I have is that it seems to amplify the physical effects of anxiety. Sometimes I shake and my voice cracks during times of light to moderate anxiety. Another words, I don't feel that anxious inside but I appear very anxious. I hate this effect because it causes major problems speaking in front of people at work.
anyone have similar problems?

[cape]

My doctor put me on Lamictal for unipolar depression after trying 4-5 more common anti-depressants that were either ineffective or produced unpleasant side effects.

I've been ramping up on Lamictal for nearly a year now. Started at 25mg, upped 25mg or 50mg at a time, I'm now at 250mg and having several uncomfortable side effects: fatigue, insomnia (great combination!), anxiety (big-time conflict avoidance), irritability, nausea, stomach ache, more frequent urination urges, reduced libido, E.D.

Somewhere along the line my pharmacy switched from Lamictal to generic, can this magnify side effects? I seem to recall my doctor warning me against generic but my memory is also shot.

The doctor seems pretty gung-ho to continue increased dosage, up to 600+mg, but I'm reluctant to see any increase in side effects.

[jaybay]

I've been on Lamictal since I was 19, so for about 5 years. I too will not switch to the generic. My mental health to me is more important than saving money. The worst side effect to me is feeling sluggish. Also, I sometimes feel like my mind is clouded. I experience the same thing with thirst. I drink at least 12+ glasses/bottles of water a day! I never even thought of that until the post further up the page! Either way, it's a wonder drug and brought me out of a really dark time in my life.

[steve]

jenna wrote:

Hello,
I've been scouring the web for a possible connection between the bladder problems i've been having and lamotrigine, but haven't seen anything listed in the side effects. I'm curious if any of you have had any kidney/bladder related side effects? I haven't had too many issues, aside from a mild rash from time to time, extreme thirst, and horrible headaches that have lasted for a few days both times i've increased my dose, but shortly after i increased to 100 mgs, i got what i thought was a uti(test came back neg). i had bladder discomfort, "strong-smelling" urine and the amount of water i drink(tons! since i'm always thirsty) doesn't seem to have anything to do with how much i'm going. i can put away 5 glasses of water and pee only a 1/2 cup's worth, and it's never clear anymore. The symptoms also seem to come and go. I'll go from feeling ok one minute to feeling a burning urgency to urinate the next. my psych(who likes talking more than he likes listening) brushed me off when i called him about it, but i swear it has to do w/the lamotrigine. has anyone had any similar experiences, or have any info that could help me? i feel like i'm going crazy and my fiance's sick of hearing me ramble on about my pee.
Thanks!(and sorry for writing so much):)

I had the same problem, had to go but not much would come out. Also, had a real problem with recalling words.