Lamictal and dizziness

I have been trying to come off this medication after being on it for several months up to 150 mg. I didn't realize I needed to taper off so gradually, so I started cutting up my pill for several days at smaller dosages and then I just tried to go two days without and the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. My head feels like it has imploded, high blood pressure feeling, dizziness, high anxiety, confusion, pressure all over, blurred vision, constant tick in my eye over the past few days, insomnia, trouble breathing, body aches, sick feeling, extreme fatigue, nausea. I just had to go back and take some more out of desperation. It's so frightening.
Taper off this drug S L O W L Y!!!!

What side effects? I have taken Lamictal for 6 weeks. I am on a steady dose of 100mgs. I started out with severe depression (unipolar), and have also been diagnosed as bi-polar and borderline personality disorder. So who knows what I have other than to say that I have felt like a train wreck for 3 yrs. All the other meds I have taken did not help my constant cycles of severe depression. I felt like I was in a fish bowl and the world was going on around me, I could see it but was not a part of it. It was hell on earth. Other meds would help somewhat on certain symptoms, but nothing ever brought my life back to a level where I could say I felt joy and was truly happy until I started Lamictal. 2 weeks into the start of Lamictal (50 mgs), I woke up to a miracle. I realized I felt joy, I was laughing without trying to. I felt refreshed and prepared to go out in the world and face the day with a positive outlook on everything. My side effects so far have been nil. Not one thing...no pain, no headaches, no weight gain, no memory loss, no dizziness, no hairloss. Am I the only one? I know these meds effect people differently but wow, I am in heaven. I hope all of you eventually find something that works for you because I really felt ( before Lamictal) that I would never feel good again! Hallelujah! I do! bless you all!

THIS IS MY 8TH DAY ON LAMICTAL 25MG AND I WOKE UP SO DIZZY THAT I ALMOST FELL OVER. I HAVE BEEN THIS WAY ALL DAY IT LIKE COMES AND GOES FAST. IM DIZZY NOW..
I HAVE NOTICED MUSCLE ACHES BUT I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE ATENONOL 25MG I TAKE FOR PALPITATIONS BECAUSE IT LOWERS YOUR POTASSIUM. IM THINKING THE LAMICTAL DOES THE SAME LOWERS YOUR POTASSIUM WHICH CAUSES THE MUSCLE PAIN AND ETC.. SO I BEGAN EATING BANANAS AND SEE HOW THAT GOES. MY DOC SAID THAT IF YOU TAKE A ANTIDEPRESSANT AND YOU ARE BI POLAR YOU CAN HAVE SERIOUS REACTIONS TO THE MEDS. SHE TOLD ME TO "NOT" TAKE A ANTIDEPRESSANT.
I WAS ON THIS MEDICINE BEFORE AND WAS UNSURE ABOUT A SIDE EFFECT OF ULCERS IN MY MOUTH AND STOPPED IT. I REALLY WANTED TO CONTINUE BECAUSE IT MADE ME FEEL GREAT(only got to 50mg then)
I HAVE ACTUALLY FELT PRETTY GOOD MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD EXCEPT YESTERDAY AND TODAY I HAVE BEEN REALLY TIRED ALONG WITH THE OTHER.
MY QUESTION IS WILL THESE SIDE EFFECTS GO AWAY???? AND I DON'T WANT TO REALLY EAT MUCH.
I REALLY LIKE THAT I AM NOT MOODY ANYMORE LIKE I WAS AND I GOT MY SEX DRIVE BACK AND I DON'T WANT TO GO OFF IF I DON'T HAVE TOO.. HOW LONG DO THE SIDE EFFECTS LAST??
AND IS IT WORTH STICKING IT OUT?

I built up to 150mg and was on it for 6 months. I couldn't feel a difference on the medication, but did experience the side effects mentioned above -- blurred vision (had lasik treatment and had to have one eye enhanced as my vision changed so much), dizziness, trouble falling and staying asleep (need to take a pill) and trouble formulating my words. I thought at 39 I was going through menopause. I took myself off of the Lamictal and Abilify last Monday - one week ago, and would really like to know how long these drugs stay in your system. Most recently, my teeth have started to hurt and I feel very shaky.

I have been taking Lamictal for about 2 months now. Started at 25mg and now at 150mg. I also take 10mg Lexapro and 1 mg of Ativan daily. I was diagnosed with bipolar-2 about 3 months ago. I'm not sure if this is the right combo for me. Most of my problem is with severe irritability followed by moderate anxiety and mild depression. I have never had a Manic episode just Hypomania which the doctor said is my anger and Irritability. I have been on every SSRI (anti-depressant) for the last 12 years, which does help the depression, but it increases the anger and irritability. Another Dr told me I am not bipolar-2, I just have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). Not sure what to do anymore, the Lamictal is giving me bad headaches and dizziness and nausea. So now I take Meclizine for the those symptoms. Is there just one pill to help all these symptoms? Has anyone had any luck with Buspar??

I am so glad I am a research junkie, and that you all posted this for me to find. I just started on Lamictal about 3 weeks to one month ago. I just increased the dose to 100mg at night along with 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL. So far I have experienced hair loss, constant fatigue, excessive yawning, hacking cough, stuffy nose, dizziness, acne on my back, shoulders and face, terrible nightmares, waking with my heart pounding in the middle of the night, extreme rage, continued depression with racing thoughts, lack of energy/desire, general mental fuzziness and some trouble expressing myself verbally and literally.

I have tried several times to contact the doctor who prescribed this for me. But I can't get him to call me back. I desperately want to get off of this drug as soon as possible. That heart episode the other night nearly scared me to death! I didn't know what to do.

I was diagnosed with bipolar, but I still believe it's depression. I hope that I can get it figured out here soon before things get even worse. I had increased my level of exercise initially but for the last week I have been so tired and out of it I don't want to do anything.

Good luck to all of you as well, hopefully they'll get better at these treatments eventually!
~A

I was on Lamictal 125MG at night for PTSD and anxiety for over 4 years - it took over 6 weeks to come off of it and it was very difficult - I felt sick most of the time - nauseaus, dizzy, migraine, tired, joint pain, anxious, mood swings. I have been off of it for 2 weeks now and I am still having headaches, dizziness, tired all the time, horrible dreams, difficulty sleeping and I wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air with out of control heart palpatations. I have not had night terrors in years. Is this a side effect of coming off of the medication? I learned in my research that this had not been FDA approved until I had been taking it for quite some time - is that ethical medical practice?

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 have been taking Lamictal for just over a year. Some of the side effects have been noticable for a few months, but others seem to just be appearing and getting worse. I have loss of balance and coordination, my vision is gettng worse, I have a hard time concentrating and finding the right words, I forget how to spell common words, I have short-term memory loss and feel spacey. I can always figure it out, but it takes longer. I began doing Pilates every day about 3 months ago and still cannot get the routine down and it is just as hard for my muscles as it was in the beginning. I can't seem to lose weight and have horrible acne on my face. I had 2 seizures before beginning Lamictal and am suppose to be on it for 2 years before trying to go off. Without insurance though, I am unable to do follow-ups w/ my neurologist and she seems unconcerned and unsypathetic to my situation, not giving me the time of day. She never even told me all of these side effects could develop, much less that they might begin long after I started taking Lamictal. Has anyone had these side effects after having taken the Lamictal for so long then stopped taking the Lamictal? Will these side effects go away after I stop taking it??

This is a nightmare. I have been on Lamictal 200 mg, tab in morning, for approx. 5 months. About 3 1/2 months ago I started getting muscles aches and weakness, muscle overuse problems, fluid retention ( like 12 pounds), stayed in a trance with very little short term memory. Thought it was everything but this medicine....I am an avid athelite, yes, even at 51. So, I blamed myself for not slowing down. Quick exercising totally, for 2 months, iced 3 times a day on leg muscles. Finally after making it to the summer without a mental breakdown, I went to the emergency room and a new internist to get checked out. Blood work, thyroid, hormones,ok.... Really don't care what they think , I can not walk, it hurts like hell. The Dr. did tell me to get off Lamictal....ok 7th day and I have some relief but it is not complete. Called manufactures, interesting, yes- these are side effects!!! But the studies are limited. Listen , unless you have seizures, get off this medicine... you read the full disclosure of side effects and then search yourself......It can ba a huge FOOOOOPA.....And you are the fool that will end up holdling the bag, not the manufacturer. Hopefully I will get better. Right now , I just trying to stay calm.

Dizziness,nausea,vertigo,tiredness,weakness,muscle aches and a dr. that keeps telling me it must be a coincidence ann that i probably have the flu,even though i've been on lamictal for 6 weeks and have just raised my level to 50 mgs. a day .wanted to go on lamictal because dr. assured me it would not have the cognitive side effects depakote has.she definitely has not been truthful since i've been reading alot of postings by others who have alreadytaken lamictal and they're having alot of difficulty withfinding theright word when speaking,trouble concentrating and reading and just plain old fogetfulness and associated confusion.and she wants me to happily subject myself to this!help-i'm scared to death!

I've been on Lamictal for 3 years after a brain tumor removal. I was intially on Dilantin but the side effects made me crazy. My face constantly tingled and was numb, I couldn't speak well and the dizziness was debilitating. My neuro put me on Lamictal. I started off at 100mg, once in the morning and once at night, and had another seizure. I finally figured out I was having my seizures in the late afternoon and deduced the drug was wearing off around that time. My neuro put me on 150mg 2x a day and 100mg at lunch time. I've had no seizures for 2 years and 3 months so I think we have the dosage problem licked. However, I am really dizzy in the late afternoon and if I get excited like when I'm at a party. Shopping makes it much worse and I think that is due to moving my eyes around so much. Grocery shopping can be a tough task. I don't slur my words but I frequently cannot 'find' the right word. I'm slower in everything. I cannot take a walk looking at the horizon because I lose my balance and get dizzy again. Sometimes my head tingles. Heat makes it worse and when I get hot flashes (yes, I'm over 50) makes the dizzy much worse. Sometimes my fingers don't automatically go to the home key on the computer keyboard. I have to really concentrate on things that used to be automatic, like knowing a stop light is red. I used to be able to 'see' that and react appropriately. Now I have to concentrate on those red lights so it is irritating. I feel like I'm getting old. However, I will stay on this medication. It works and though the side effects are tough to live with, I'd rather stay on a med that I know works, rather than try one that might work. I lose my driver's license every time I have a seizure. I guess that is the worst side effect :-( I'm hunting for something to combat the dizziness and am using mybraintrainer.com to see if brain training exercises will help me become faster again. It can't hurt and so far I've had a little bit of success. I'll just keep going.

Take large doesage of Lamictal. 400MG in the AM and now 400MG in the PM. 7 months pregnant and the level keeps falling. It does work I think to help control seizures some. Still have a few cp seizures but not too bad.
Do have racing heart beat once or twice a week and when the dose in increased the dizziness does come with a vengance. Usually after a day or so the dizziness does go away.

i am currently at 100 mg at night. Have had chronic issues with keeping food in or down. Have gone through dramatic weight loss and fluctuation. The acne I can deal with, the headaches are bearable, and even the muscle aches I am growing used to. It is the severe dizziness that is getting to me. I will get lightheaded so quickly, and on several occassions have lost my hearing and twice have actual passed out. I thought perhaps this was due to lack of sleep and food deprivation, but continued once got both those a bit more on track.
Additionally, have been extremely irritable, anxious, unsettled and ANGRY. I have had horrible nightmares, fear, and when I sleep, only do it for periods of 1/2 hour or so before I wake up sweating, with heart racing and often yelling. I have had issues with extreme anxiety in addition to the diagnosis of bipolar variation. I want to try to stick with it till I am up to 200 mg per dr, but am growing discouraged.

Iv'e been taking lamictal for about a year now. I switched from my previous medication to lamictal because I got pregnant and lamictal seemed to be the safest for baby. Baby was born fine but after the delivery I started experiencing dizziness and blurred vision, just recently though I'm starting to get a burning sensation in the upper abdominal area, shortness of breath and racing heartbeat. I've read that certain antiseizure medications can cause ulcers. Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms???? Please let me know!

RE: 14875, 12/31/05
I have exactly the same side effects ... dizziness, light headedness, ataxia, weakness, migraine headaches and nausea. I walk into walls, lose my balance and stagger. I take 150mg all at one, at night. I've been taking it for over a year but just recently have started experiencing all the effects I just listed

this site is great! i thought i was crazy, now i don't. my 4th month of lamictal and just hit the 100mg mark. at first i was taking it with a 30 mg of an antidepressant but i was irritable as helll!!! once i hit the 100mg mark, i got off the antidepressants and feel way better now just with lamictal alone.

initial side effects wre dizziness and insomnia but that went away. i've never had pimples and now i do. and last night i woke myself yelling having nightmares and haven't slept...

if you miss a dose you go nuts!

ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS WORTH IT...I FEEL WAY MORE CONTROLLED THAN BEFORE I STARTED TAKING THIS...

extreme dizziness, ataxia, weakness, and nausea
either this is due to the Lamictal or I'm an incredible wimp
I'm still working up to my recommended dose
as of now, I'm only on 100/day
I have the flu or it's the Lamictal

DEFINITELY dizziness and light headedness.

I am bipolar and have been taking Lamictal for 2 to 2 1/2 months, worked my way slowly up to 200 mg/day now. Finally thought I was fine and maintaining well. A few days ago I started getting dizzy and light-headed. I've been going through a lot of stress and thought the dizziness might be because I'm smoking a lot now. This is what I've noticed besides the dizziness (I am dizzy right now): YELLING OUT during sleep (can't stop myself) and waking myself up some nights, stomach aches (may be due to diverticulitis that I have), sores in my mouth (two so far), irritibility and anger so bad I can't believe it (on two occasions recently), Cystic Acne on my face, also I have been confused, clumsy, and at a loss for words (very bad). Have tried to call my doctor today and her nurse, no luck. Will try again tomorrow. I went through hell, five medicines from January to September of this year, and I dread changing again. The holidays are here; my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and my daughter and grandson are coming for Christmas from another state. I think that I would rather endure the side effects than try another med right now. Good luck to you all. A good doctor can make all the difference, but one must still go through the valley of death when one must change meds.

I started Lamicatal May 19th, 2005. I was warned by my doctor of dangerous rash and itching. If so, stop taking medication, call him if not too bad that I need to call 911 to go to the hospital. On my print out from the CVS pharmacy is clearly stated: Serious (sometimes fatal) skin rashes have occured while using this medicine. Immediately notify your doctor if you develop any type of rash. If this medicine is the cause of the rash, the medicine must be stopped. Even after stopping this medicine. It is still possible for the rash to cause permanent or life-threatening scarring along with other problems.

Possible Side Effects:
drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle aches, double vision, blurred vision, fatigue, weakness, headache, shakiness, or clumsiness.

Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction include:
rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen glands, swelling of the lips or tongue, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Symptoms of Overdose:
may include unusual dizziness, serve headache, unusual sleepiness, involuntary eye movements, and loss of consciousness.

I starting itching really bad the second day on the medication. To the point I had huge bruises allover me. I got a spurt of energy that I have not had in several years the second night but not since then. I can't go to sleep at night. Even taking 6 Tylenol PM and a Klonapin I don't get sleepy until around 9 to 100am in the morning and then I sleep all day long. I have started to have frequent headaches, suspious bumps around my mouth area. My muscles ache, too. It is Memorial day weekend so I can't call my doctor but I am going to on Tuesday. I have (MDD) Major Depression Disorder, Manic Depression, (TRD) Treatment Resistent Disorder. Nothing I have taken thus far has helped me with my depression.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge on ECT treatment? I am seriouly considering this procedure. I am desperate but I have no insurance or money because I haven't be able to work for 9 years now. This is the only thing that has kept me from getting the ECT treatments, is money! I have contacted every Talk show, hospital, clinical trials and no luck in finding free help with ECT.

Any ideas, guidance or suggestions would be most appreciated, I am dire to get help soon or I won't make it.
Sincerely,
Lost Hope

I have been on 300 MG'S of Lamictal for several years now I have had rashes,dizziness,sensitivity to the sun and recently I have had episodes of rapid heart beat which took a trip the the E.R. to get it under control. I have noticed when I am out in the sun for a few hours I get dizzy and heart seems to skip beats and beats faster then normal up around 100 bpm.