Lamictal and medications

i have a friend who went after her husband in a ctalsudden rage after starting the Lamital, she loss huge amounts of hair and it conytinues to fall out , was put out of her house,broke up her family and is a complete mess. She was on adderall, suboxone and the n the dr gave her this,i was trying to figure out what was going on with her and i looked up the newest of her drugs lamital and found out what was going on . Mt advice to all you bipolar people find GOD no one is ever happy all the time and we all go through really hard times . I am sober and take nothing for the last 20 yrs. When i first got sober doctor tried to tell me to take antidepressant, I said ," the difference between us is when all else fails i go to GOD and you go to meds"" YOU wont break. We live in a society run by drug companies that you are not allowed to have emotion, they flat line everyone.and when it doesn't work they give you more drugs till you are a blob of a person. Get off everything{ except if you need it for ceisures } It could take a yr to completely detox, be patient and go to na meetings

In reference to my Sept. 20th posting, I have been asked to describe the
"warning signs" of oncoming seizures that I have. To review, I was struck by lightning while serving in the Marine Corp in 1977 and have had seizure disorder and myoclonic jerks and inner ear problems since that time. As I stated in the post on the 20th, I have been tried on "all" of the seizures control medications and they all make it difficult to function as an educational administrator. The best medical advice I ever received was to keep a diary of everything I could remember leading up to a seizure. This included any activities I had been doing, what I had eaten, what time of day it was, any stress or problems that I was having. We are all different and probable all have different triggers. In my case, I learned that as a seizure approached, I would become more light headed or dizzy (I have inner ear problems all of the time secondary to being struck by lightning, I just recognize when they are getting worse) The ringing in my ears increases, (I also have tinnitus all of the time also from the lightning, and over time you get use to it, but I can notice when it increases) When these signs start, I stop what I am doing regardless of what I am doing, If I am in a meeting, I take a break, if I am driving (I drive locally or with someone with me) I get off the road. (In 30 years, I have never had a seizure while driving and actually have never had a traffic ticket in that period, I try to be very carefully with what driving I do, knowing that one occurrence will cost me my licenses.) I try to rest and be quiet, if the dizziness and tinnitus continue, I take two ten Mg Valium tables and lay down. If I am by myself, I will call some and let them know where I am and how I am doing. The valium probable stops the seizures about half of the time and I believe that it always make them less sevier. I have warning signs once or twice per week, and have to take valium on the average of once per week, and will have a gran mal seizure once or twice per month. With Lamictal, I believe the seizures are less frequent and less sevier as long as I keep the dosage low enough to not block my warning signs. I believe everyone's seizure disorder is different and some may be like mine and be able to learn warning signs by keeping good records of what you can remember leading up to the seizure. Always do everything under the direction of a Dr. that you trust and have faith in. The more information you can give your Dr. the better your individual treatment can be developed. If you can develop warning signs, the seizures are much easier controlled and you can live a much better quality of live.

"Bipolar cocktail" is an excellent way to articulate my medication regimen as well lol. I've been on Wellbutrin for about 8 years, and recently increased my dosage of Lamictal dramatically. (I'm on Lexapro too, but I don't think it's relevant to this situation.) Immediately after the increase in dosage, I started having greater difficulty with my cognitive abilities, a whole lot of trouble speaking (that pulling the word out of my head issue), short-term memory worsened beyond the little ability I had left from the rest of the side effects of my other medications, and other examples of brain mushiness :) Anyway, I recently brought this up to my doctor- she said these symptoms sound more like side-effects of Wellbutrin, and Lamictal is supposed to have few to none except a rash. But I haven't had a change in my Wellbutrin dosage in something like 5 years. Has anyone heard anything similar to this from their doctor? It doesn't make as much sense to me as it being a side-effect of Lamictal does...

"Bipolar cocktail" is an excellent way to articulate my medication regimen as well lol. I've been on Wellbutrin for about 8 years, and recently increased my dosage of Lamictal dramatically. (I'm on Lexapro too, but I don't think it's relevant to this situation.) Immediately after the increase in dosage, I started having greater difficulty with my cognitive abilities, a whole lot of trouble speaking (that pulling the word out of my head issue), short-term memory worsened beyond the little ability I had left from the rest of the side effects of my other medications, and other examples of brain mushiness :)

Anyway, I recently brought this up to my doctor- she said these symptoms sound more like side-effects of Wellbutrin, and Lamictal is supposed to have few to none except a rash. But I haven't had a change in my Wellbutrin dosage in something like 5 years. Has anyone heard anything similar to this from their doctor? It doesn't make as much sense to me as it being a side-effect of Lamictal does...

Thanks, everyone! My (brand new) doctor had convinced me that I was simply experiencing anxiety to explain my side effects. After being off Lamictal and all medications for several months, and then restarting on Lamictal only, I noticed all the following side effects, some of which I've had before, and some completely new. Also, the ones I'd had before came back at a level of severity which I had never experienced.

One familiar side effect was hand tremors and general shakiness which sometimes also affected my speech. Even strangers would notice and ask me if I was ok. Luckily, this was during this past winter, so I would basically lie and just say I was cold and a bit shivery. Another familiar side effect that a lot of others are mentioning are cognitive issues and short term memory loss. Sometimes I felt like my tongue was lazy or I felt tongue-tied, and I couldn't get it to work right to say the words I was thinking. Sometimes, I just plain lost my train of thought or couldn't think of the words to express what I was thinking. I'd all my life been prone to mishaps of speech like occasional spoonerisms and such, but on Lamictal it was happening probably daily, and I'd even started stuttering. Teaching and explaining often difficult concepts and public speaking is part of my job, so this was causing me a lot of anxiety. I, too, completely blanked on spelling out words when friends and colleagues relied on my spelling abilities more than their computer's spellcheck. I also thought I was having sudden leaps in experiencing getting older (early 30's) because of my memory, I typically have an almost photographic memory and can picture where I saw my keys last or what have you, but all of the sudden I couldn't even piece the photo together anymore or it was foggy in my memory.

The newest side effect also experienced by others was clumsiness not only of my own body but of my surroundings. I suddenly noticed that I was doing things way more often like tripping, falling, stubbing a toe, nicking a finger, dropping things, etc. Where I was an excellent parallel parker before, I'd get out of my car and realize I'd parked 2 feet from the curb and crooked.

I decided to look up Lamictal's side effects after discussing this with my excellent talk therapist because I was extremely frustrated with my new doctor telling me I was just anxious and there was really nothing he could do for my (imagined) "side effects." And here everyone is experiencing the same thing. I don't think I should be made to feel like I don't know any better and that I should suffer the REAL side effects of this drug. I didn't study medicine, but I still have a degree in biology so I'm not so stupid that I'll believe anything any doctor tells me.

I think I would almost rather suffer a mild mood swing than suffer these side effects. I'm going to try to look for something else.

My daughter, who is 22 yrs old now, has been on lamictal since January (seizures which came out of the blue after being ill for 2 years) this year. She ended up in the hospital for most of February with vomiting and diarrhea. She was first diagnosed with celiacs, then gastroparesis, all the time the neurologist is telling us it ABSOLUTELY CANNOT BE THE LAMITCAl...now, she has had some twitching and the doctor increased the lamictal from 100mg 2xs daily to 150mg 2xs daily. Well, the diarrhea, which she's already on all kinds of stomach/bowel medicine, never really resolved but now with the increase is worse. I just called and will take her back on Friday, but think we need to find a new doctor, Good luck to everyone. and God help us all.

Hello . . . why do we continue to take medications that cause us such physical and mental anguish . . . we hope for a life . . . I am one of those who takes a cocktail containing . . . Lithium, Lamictal, Cymbalta, Sequel, Topamax and other medications for high blood pressure, low thyroid and osteoporosis . . . down four medications . . . because I have a good doctor . . . it is impossible to distinguish which one or the synergism of the medications . . . which do what . . . what I want to say . . . there are more medications now . . . more doctors . . . change doctors . . . change medications . . . you might not feel great . . . but you will feel better about taking control . . . it has happened to me . . . M.

Has anybody had a problem with their gums thickening. It's actually the area behind my upper teeth not the gums around my teeth. As a result, my teeth are being pushed forward making me self conscious of my smile. I'd like to get off this medicine but the other medications seem just as bad. Has anybody had any luck finding alternatives to medication?

I have been taking Lamictal for about 2 1/2 years now. I have been taking 200 mg for two years. I have experienced very few side effect. Except vivid dreams and not sleeping well. I have always had vivid dreams but there is one I have had since the medication it was so awful that I can't stop thinking about it and it makes me feel suicidal. I have had many ups and downs in my life but never thought suicide to be a positive option. I don't think I would do it but I can't stand these awful repetitive thoughts. I have had less and less energy in the last 6 months or so. I thought it was because I was working to much. I have quit doing most the things I love. I have always been a high energy person. So I thought it must be the Lamictal. When I had complained to my doctor he said that it sounded like depression and normally they would increase the dosage but he would decrease it if I wanted. I went to 150 and then 100. I felt awful just like I used to before the drug. So I went back up to 200 and at least I didn't feel so awful. So I increased it to 250mg and I started to fell less depressed. Sometimes I have taken to much in the past because I forgot I had taken it and repeated the does. That is when I had the first bad dream that has haunted me since. Then I started to forget to take my medication off and on and that is when the depression started. Now I took the 250 and I had another haunting dream. This drug really has been a miracle for me. I have never felt this stable in my entire life! In the past I was trying to self medicate but since the Lamictal I have quit smoking pot and drinking. I don't like alcohol and drugs anymore because I don't like to feel altered anymore. Most of the symptoms everyone has described are how I felt before Lamictal and I feel better since. I will never go below 200mg or above again without a suitable alternative. I still can't get rid of the repetitive thoughts on 200mg. Typical anti-depressants have the opposite effect for me. Has anyone found a suitable alternative. I have heard that other drugs for bi-polar such as Lithium and Depakote have a sedative effect and I don't like that. I want to be my normal energetic self!

I have been on this med (25 mg) for eight days to treat SSRI resistant depression. Three days ago I developed flu like symptoms, with fever and vomiting. While I have hypertension I have also seen an increase in my BP even though I am taking my BP medications. However the most difficult to deal with side effect is extreme tooth pain that started when the flu symptoms did. It is so painful I have to eat soft foods. I have had no dental problems in over 25 years. Has anyone else had this effect?

My chronic pain has really increased since being on Lamictal for 15 months for bipolar. I have had fibromyalgia for years. The bipolar developed after that. Since starting Lamictal, I have developed headaches so severe that I have been off work 3 times in the past 7 months, inc. 5 weeks recently. I've always had headaches, but these new, more severe headaches are non-stop. I have to take 3 time-release 100 mg codeine tablets every day, plus Gravol to keep the headaches bearable. Even then, many days I end up bed-ridden. I've also developed chronic, very bad plantar facsiitis in my left foot since starting Lamictal. I did weeks of intensive physio, plus swimming therapy to no avail. Finally had to get a cortisone injection in my foot.

I hate being like this; I like my job and was used to leading a very active life, despite the fibromyalgia, before I went on Lamictal. I briefly tried Lithium recently, but it had a whole other set of side effects, so I am really frustrated.

Has anybody else had increased or new pain since being on Lamictal?

Rosslyn

I also am having a difficult time with memory loss. I have a very short term memory. I never used to be this way. Before I started taking Lamictal, I was taking Depakote. I haven't been on Lamictal for that long, so I do not know if my previous medications have caused my memory loss. I also get dizzy sometimes and I'm feeling out of breath lately. Some other medications I've taken are: Zyprexa (which gave me type I diabetes); Abilify; Risperadol; Adavan...the list goes on, unfortunately. I have been taking anti-psychotic drugs since I was 16, and I am 37 years old now. God help me!

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 have been experiencing a flu like symptom for over a year now. They started about 2 months after I began taking 350mg of lamictal a day. Symptoms include exhaustion, headache, soar/achy throat, post-nasal drip, TONS of nausea, lack of digestion & regurgitation of food. I am tired and feel warn out all the time... I have had everything checked by doctors and they've found no health reasons to explain these symptom's.

HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS????

On October 5th 2007 I experienced auditory hallucinations but their different than the others. I hear my thoughts directly outside of my head and they repeat the thought continuously until another thought happens. Sometimes their are thoughts that I have previously thought of and they won't go away. It starts from the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep in the evening. Sometimes they sing like a choir and sometimes they talk my thoughts. Children's, women, men, and one old man. Sometimes it's a mechanical voice. I started taking Lamicatal in August. I started with 25 mg. for two weeks. Then I increased it to 50mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 75 mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 100mg for two weeks. Then I increased it to 125mg and I took this for one week and that's when these auditory hallucinations got worse. Now I only take 50mg and the auditory hallucinations will not go away yet. Before I started taking Lamictal I was on Cymbalta 20mg. I needed to stop taking this medication as that it caused abdominal pains, severe headaches, nausea, I started hearing other peoples thoughts and conversations. I was only Cymbalta for one year. I never was able to hear peoples thoughts before taking Cymbalta and I never heard hallucinations before taking Lamictal. Years ago I was taking Paxil 20mg and this medication increased the abstract visual dreaming and the zoning out. The reason I started taking Lamicatal was that in the evening while I was sleeping I would sometimes get startled in the middle of the night with abstract visual dreaming and it hurt my head. Also I was zoning out occasionally during the day. Kind of like daydreaming but no visual dreams. Lamicatal did stop this but this side effect is driving me insane.

I am on 300mg for bipolar. I am having trouble concentrating, remembering (i forget what i'm doing while i am doing it!), I often worry about driving-just don't feel like i can focus well enough-riding down the road thinking "hope i know what i'm doing". It is like i daydream constantly with periods of not daydreaming. I feel pretty cheerful and not having any real emotional problems, but the physical problems are a mess. I am so tired that i feel like every single day is a "well i'm sick today, i'll give myself a break, maybe i'll feel better tomorrow". i do have better days sometimes, but for the most part, i feel kind of useless-not "useless" like i'm depressed-i mean "useless" like i get nothing done and it takes me two hours to get some lunch for myself and my three-yr-old child, and i mostly sit around because i'm "taking a break" and my legs are so sore or i have a headache or i feel shaky, or nauseated - each day, i feel so sleepy i am desperate for my husband to get home to care for my daughter (and me)-it feels like i took NyQuil or Benadryl or something! So, i am literally pretty useless. It's such a shame. I can't find a medicine to help me cope, it is always a trade-off...and going on and off them to try another is a nightmare. At least, right now, it is just a daydream...

Since I've started taking Lamictal for seizures, I've noted lower abdominal pain and gas.
My diet is fairly consistant and have no other new medications that I can attribute to the abdominal pain.
Could Lamictal be causing the aforementioned?

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!