June 27th
2008
3:54 PM
I would like to let people who are new to the Lamictal "experience" that it was VERY uncomfortable for me during the first few months also. In fact even at the very low introductory doses, I did not think that I could ever function in society.
The extreme confusion, the memory problems, the spaceyness, the feeling of detachment from everything that surrounded me... at the time I felt that I would never be able to function as a worker, a friend, or as a social being.
As time went on though, things did clear up for me. It took a few months, but I'm guessing that my brain function/chemistry finally somehow regulated itself, and my side effects did clear up. I am at a dosage of 600mg per day now, and yes, I do sometimes feel detached, but I certainly can function. My memory has also improved. It sometimes takes me a second or two to find the "right word" during my conversations, but a simple, light hearted mention of the problem resolves the issue for the person that I am speaking to.
If you are just getting on Lamictal, try to be patient. I have found that in time, it has helped me much more than the side effects hurt me. It did take a few months to get used to, and I did have to explain to others at work that I may be acting strangely for a couple weeks because of it... but the overall effect is quite nice now.
Lamictal now helps control my seizure problems almost completely, and has the added benefit of making me feel much more confident, and balanced.
-- By smiffboove99 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 26th
2008
8:21 PM
I was prescribed Sulfamethoxazole-TMP tablets for a severe UTI that I developed. I was given 10 tablets total--and instructed to take two per day. Within an hour of taking the first tablet, my UTI felt much better, however, the rest of me felt horrible! I got nausea, dizziness, extreme confusion and depression, and stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulders. I continued the medication anyway, b/c I never had sulfur or ANY medicinal allergies. I had difficulty sleeping the next few nights, I would wake up in the middle of the night for no reason. The soreness of my neck and shoulders then extended to my butt and thighs. I can't describe how uncomfortable this was. I was sitting at work literally writhing in pain from what I felt in my legs. (and I blamed it on my poor desk chair!!) This happened on day three of five. Also, while at work I had an "episode" if you will, where I became extremely confused and disoriented, and nearly had a panic attack. It felt like the world was crashing down on me!! It only lasted for 15 minutes or so, but I will not forget the way I felt. All the while, my UTI symptoms were getting better and better. I was completely unable to have a bowel movement...sorry for this information...but it will start to make you worry if you can't poo for 5 days!! Day four of five is what I like to call "The Enlightenment". I was getting in the shower, still dizzy as hell, and noticed that I was very itchy. I looked at my lower back and I was covered in red, itchy bumps. I was say they looked like small mosquito bites, all in a cluster of about 8 on either side of my lower back. I realized then and there that this medication really was ravaging my body like I had feared. I found this site and others online which confirmed that I wasn't crazy...just poisoned. Later that day I was resting on my couch and looked in the mirror and saw that my entire face was covered in a red rash. (and I got a horrific headache) The worst part is you don't really look outwardly sick or anything...you just feel terrible. Everyone I told was very nonchalant about it..."Oh just take some Benadryl". I've lost my faith in the FDA. I stopped this medication one pill shy of my last dose. I am terrified of the possible lasting effects and will never take this drug again!! PLEASE!! NEVER TAKE THIS MEDICATION!! YOU WILL REGRET IT!!
-- By lindsayyorkie | Reply | (29) replies | Private Message me
March 11th
2006
8:34 AM
On October 3, 2003, my wife awoke from a nightmare so real she believed it, followed by more, plus extreme confusion, and hallucinations, which according to the head pharmasist of one of Baltimore's big hospitals is a rare but well known side effect of Toprol. Why can't I find a thing about this, much less how to reverse this? She's on Zyprexa to control the hallucinations
-- By renegaede | Reply | Private Message me
May 17th
2003
11:11 AM
A friend gave me Flexeril for neck spasms and it caused extreme confusion and dizziness. It's been 18 hours since I took 10mg pill and I still can't focus. This is worse than any drug I have ever taken.
-- By 6blood6metal6 | Reply | Private Message me
Toprol-XL (1) Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim DS (1) Avelox (1) Flexeril (1) Lamictal (1)
February 1th
2009
10:14 AM
I've recently had a staph infection on my right knee, and my regular dr. was closed so I decided to go to a nurse practitioner. She decided to give me samples of Avelox and actually had me take one of them in the office. Little did I know I was about to experience hell on earth!! After taking the first dose, I began to get extremely dizzy and disoriented but I slept well the first night. I thought I just felt bad from the staph infection and figured I would take another dose of the Avelox. Big mistake!!!! After that second dose I started having uncontrollable anxiety, depression, extreme confusion, and even became paranoid that I had some type of serious illness. I couldn't eat or function well at all and I have 3 small children to care for. When I tried to sleep I felt like I was passing out rather than falling asleep. I saw weird images in front of my eyes and jumped out of bed at 2:30 am panic-stricken. I found this site and saw what so many others have been through and was convinced it was the Avelox. But I've been off of it for 2 days and I still feel out of it, unable to think clearly, and have an odd detached feeling. I'm hoping this is not permanent damage. I just want to feel like my old self again! And I agree with so many others- Avelox should be taken off the market!! It is a horrible drug!!!!!
-- By mom23angels | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me