Forgetting words symptoms and conditions

I have been taking 200 mg. of Lamictal (now Lamotrigine) for 5 years. I have had cognitive issues for probably about three years at least. Memory loss, sudden loss of flow in conversation, completely forgetting words and the spelling issue which was previously impeccable. It's embarrassing and frightening. I can't get through ANY given day without losing my belongings over and over again. I feel disabled (seriously) and I jokingly tell people I need an "aide". The scariest thing was last week I was going to return an item to the store and COMPLETELY forgot my PIN # for my debit card. I have been using the card nearly daily for a year and a half!!! It panicked me but I thought of course I would remember it later. NOT!!! Never again, it's gone!!! That's when I decided to search the internet for "severe memory loss" and came upon this blog. I didn't even think of the Lamictal. And I pride myself on my thorough research!!! Certainly the doctor never mentioned this side effect and I just gave it up to being 49!!! A little early for Alzheimer's!!!

The funny thing is I have also had skin problems (acne) for the first time in my life the past couple of years with it really getting bad last summer. I weaned myself off the Lamictal b/c I had read it could cause acne (another thing the doctor never told me). Well, I was completely weaned and omg, the mood issues were severe!!! So reluctantly I titrated back up to the 200 mg dose and immediately my mood was stabilized.

I don't know what the h--- to do, but something needs to change. The memory thing is terrifying!!! No wonder I am having so many problems with my job!!!

Maybe a new med, maybe not . . . My main issue was severe depression (both situational and chronic) which Lamictal seemed to stabilize. Do the benefits outweigh the side effects??? I think NOT . . .

FRUSTRATED IN MICHIGAN :(

I just got this pill from my doctor today!!!!! but i am afraid to take it reading all these comments. I started birth control when I was 16. My doctor first gave me the orthro patch. I took it till I was 22 and had major mood swings depression and bad anger problem. Everyone thought it was just that I was a bitch and there was nothing I could do. I knew it had to be the birth control so I asked my doctor (a different doctor since I moved) and she said that the patch is very bad and doctors have now come to realize it puts to much of the hormone in your body. That is what was causing me to go insane. I then switched to the NuvaRing . IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! I had the same mood problems ( a little less dramatic) but I felt like the ring was cutting my insides. I could feel it everyday putting pressure inside me. It made me lose my sex drive and it even came out one time during sex which my fiancee found weird for a ring to pop out of me lol. Now today I went to the doctor to switch birth control again and she gave me Loestrin 24. I am kind of afraid to take this because everyone has problems and when I read all the comments it sounds like every possible birth control out this is making every women go completely insane. Any advice from someone would be good. Should I stay in the crazy birth control world and give this pill a shot or should I give up birth control all together?

I have been on Lamictal for just under 1 year and only today realized that my increased acne is probably a side effect. The area around my jaw line is especially bad and it won't clear up. I've also gotten a few little pimples on my chest - I thought it was from going to the gym. My derm has tried oral meds and I'm about to try Accutane, but I really don't want to go to that extreme - Accutane scares me! I also noticed similar effects to the ones that others were talking about, too...forgetting words...forgetfulness...spelling...I want to go off the Lamictal. This just isn't worth it.

I'm a 26 year old female and I've been on Topamax since March 2007. It has completely gotten rid of the debilitating headaches I experienced 3-6 times a week. It also got rid of my anxiety. I got my life back, my antidepressant kicked in at the same time. I experienced all the usual side-effects, tingling hands and feet, forgetting words, memory problems, loss of appetite, but was COMPLETELY pain-free. I still am. However, I never remember anything now, forget whether or not I did something, paid my bills, etc, lose things constantly, and I have lost about 20 lbs. Not good. I look anorexic. I have bones sticking out. Eating is hard. I forget to eat and drink all day and food is just unappealing. I feel fuzzy and stupid and slow. Not sharp like I used to be. It has killed my confidence and self-esteem. But I was wondering if any women out there got yeast infections while they were on Topamax. I've had one monthly since I started it, and my doc said it's a rare side effect. Oh yeah, I've had mild hair loss and mild to moderate acne now. This drug, it is such a 50-50. Living with chronic pain, those headaches were awful. But doubting yourself is awful too. Anyone have similar experiences?

Been at 50 mg of Lamictal for 6 months now- went to 150 at one time with bad results, rash, more depressed, spacy, tired and everything that goes along with that. I take it for depression/anxiuety along with 4 mg of clonipin and Ativan mixed daily.. I am not as sharp as I used to be. Searching for words in speach and typing. I am sure for some people this drug is fine. For me it does nothing but make me worse. I am scared to come off it totally. I am at 37 mg right now. My mood swings are worse. I look for vergbal fights, look to get angry and can't stop myself when I am in a verbal fight.. I am not the same person. I have tried every anti depresant in the books with no results. My only savior is Benzos. Clon and ativan. I would not survive without them. Does anyone know the long term side affects of this drug. When stopping this drug do the side affects diminish or go away. I have much more to say but can't remember cuz of this wonderful drug..Good luck to all