Lamictal and joints

I HAVE BEEN ON THE LAMICTAL FOR 5 MONTHS NOW( FOR MINOR BI POLAR EPISODE). AT FIRST I FELT A LITTLE "SPACEY" AS I HAVE INCREASED MY DOSAGE EACH TIME I NOTICED VERY PAINFUL MENSTRUAL CRAMPS, WORSE PMS, EXTRA LONG MENSTRUATION CYCLE, JOINT PAIN IN THE HIP, FORGETTING EVERYTHING( LOSS OF SHORT TERM MEMORY), AND EXTREME TIREDNESS IN THE DAY AND NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT. I HAD BEEN ON 75MG A DAY ( 2 IN AM, 1 IN PM) AND THEN UPPED MY DOSE TO 100MG(2 IN AM, 2 IN PM). THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE WORSENING, ESPECIALLY THE JOINT PAIN. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED PANIC ATTACKS AND IRRITABLENESS THAT I HADN'T HAD BEFORE. WORST OF ALL, IS THAT I HAVE GAINED ABOUT 27 LBS WHILE TAKING THIS MED. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS? PLEASE REPLY TO TELL ME THE BEST REMEDY.

I was diagnosed bipolar a year ago and worked my way up to 200 mg of Lamictal a day but recently desided to wean myself off of it as I have found some chinese herbs that will stabilize my moods without the side effects. Since being on Lamictal, I have had horrible pain in my left foot when I walk and it just kept getting worse. The pain got so bad I could not stay at work. I am a welder and have to be on my feet all day but after two hours I would be in so much pain and have to take tylenol 3 with codeine just to make it through an 8 hour shift. I am now down to 25mg of lamictal and soon to be totally off. My foot is now healing and I feel great personally. I am not irritable or moody but am taking Chinese herbs . I noticed when I got myself down to the 100 mg level then went to 75 mg of Lamictal, I got really sick like I had pnuemonia and I had severe chills, bad headache, swollen lymphnodes and very nauseated with no appetite for three days. I lost 5 pounds during this time. I got through it but felt like I was haveing a illegal drug withdrawal big time.
Lamictal was poison to my system. I feel great now. I can now start to run and exercise again. For anyone who has interest, go to Ron Teegaurdens Dragon Herbs web site and find a natural way. you will be much happier.
Lamictal is bad stuff.

anonymous