Lamictal and meds

I have been taking a low dose for only 5 days and I am ready to quit. I am either in a rage of anger or crying non-stop. I am severely tired and more moody than I have ever been. I was doing SO much better before on Effexor. The doctor switched my meds due to the insomnia and anxiety that I still had on Effexor, but it was nothing compared to this.

Hey this is Kitykittysno and i just posted the first time the other evening. I have since talked with my doc about all of this and he believes that trying to come off Lamictal is just not working for me bc of all the symptoms I'm having as a result of it. SO...we're gonna take me back to 400 mg BUT this time, I'm gonna intermittently take them. Start like at 8a, 12p, 4p, 8p. I'm willing to try this bc I feel so awful so we'll see. HOWEVER, I did specifically ask him about these "side effects" and he did not denounce them but he did say, "that in his years of practice, he had not had a patient with these problems"....he told me that bc of other meds I take and with the severe anxiety I suffer with, that that has a lot to do with the memory probs and as far as they eyes, he feels it may just be age (im only 42) and I need to see my eye doctor. I am planning on doing that asap. BUT...for me, I'm really inclined to believe this has to do with Lamictal.
My doctor is a great guy...I don't think he's trying to dismiss me or my thoughts and feelings about Lamictal but...how do you explain it unless you've been there or are STILL there??? How can I be having such significant memory loss and deteriorating eye problems if not for L? I did ask him if there was somewhere I could go to just safely detox off this stuff and he said he was not aware of any place that knows how to safely take someone through that process. I think I will do what someone said in here about just slowly decreasing it yourself and suffer the "hell" until it's out of your body. I have no problem(s) taking any meds that will help my condition but there has to be SOMETHING that works better than this. I am very curious to see if taking this intermittently will help with the "drop off" feeling I usually get around 5p and also if it helps with the memory part. I dunno folks...I wish I had more answers than questions while posting in here. I welcome any advice or comments.
I want all of you in here to know that since I found this site, I've been praying for all of you. I'm sorry if that offends some but I believe in the power of prayer!

Googled and found this site. Could not believe all that I read! I've been taking Lamictal for several years for Bi-Polar disorder. I also have GAD for which I control with another drug BUT...I guess it's been so long since I began taking Lamictal that I had forgotten, or did I ever even know, the side effects of it. First if all, the memory loss is incredible! Not being able to complete a sentence...never able to find a "word" that should be so simple to remember...going somewhere and within 2 seconds, forgetting what in the world I'm doing or where I'm going...happened today TWICE!
And to top it all off, my eyes are so bad...I didn't even attribute the L to this until I came to this site but it makes PERFECT sense! I feel such a sense of loss in my eyesight that it has begun to really scare me. I have not been to eye doc yet but plan too.
Also, someone mentioned in here that they feel the med just wears off before next dosage and that is exactly what I've been telling my doctor so at first, we just upped the dosage until I was on 450mg a day but even the, it still was not working. SO...now I'm decreasing and the doc added Depakote Er 250mg. But doc says I have to be almost completely off L to get fully on D. So...feel like crap a lot of the time!!
I'm like someone else on here who said, "just start fresh" and that is what I'd like to do but how do you go "cold turkey"? I know it isn't good! Even decreasing this L for the last several months has been hell!
I have been on a roller coaster of meds for 10 yrs. Have yet to find the "combo" that works! Sometimes I wonder if the diagnosis of BP was/is even correct.
Another person in here said he feels like he may have some side effects of OCD and I feel that way too. Nothing major but...enough for me to notice.
Damned either way, right?
One thing I DO KNOW is that I cannot take this eye problem anymore and now that I know my memory and all that other stuff has to do with L, I'm getting off it no matter what! I'm calling my doc tomorrow and we HAVE TO MAKE A PLAN!!!!!!!
I'm only 42 but my memory is that of an 80-yr old (except for my grandmother who died at 96 and could remember details of when she was 4 yrs old...lol) I guess it's good I can kinda laugh at all this but I DEF know it is not funny!!!
Anybody out there with insight to diff. meds...combo of meds?? I really am worn out!!
Right now, I am down to 375 mg of L and this has taken me several months now to decrease from 450mg...don't see the D working that well yet but it's only 250mg so...
I really am worn out!! My anxiety shoots through the roof bc of all of this! Esp. when I feel the L wearing off around 5p or so...
I'm game for any advice ( I did see where the one woman talked about changing the time you take this in the morning but that won't work for me)
Thanks!!

I am on 75mg in the morning and 50mg in the evening (125mg/day total), for my seizure disorder. If I could get off of it I would because I know how bad psychiatric drugs are. I used to be on various antidepressants for about 4 or so years, until I learned that "mood disorders" are all a crock, and drug companies are making a killing off of all the psychiatric drugs. Did you know that it has never been proven that depression or bipolar or whatever is caused by chemical imbalances?? It has been proven, however, that psychiatric drugs mess up the brain. Do some research on this. Go to the sight ****** I am so thankful I am off antidepressants but my life will never be as good as it was before I ever put the first one in my mouth. I would encourage everybody who has been diagnosed with "bipolar" to slowly and gradually withdraw from your medication and don't give up until 6 months have past. It takes a very long time for the drugs to get out of your system and you will feel like you are going through hell as you withdraw but in the end it is all worth it. Back to the Lamictal, I have now been on it for about 4 years. It does not control my myoclonic jerks completely (I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy) but controls my grand mal seizures as long as I take care of myself. I have pretty much no side effects, except for possibly poor memory/forgetfullness/can't find the word I'm looking for/etc, and possibly some slight "ocd" tendencies. It is hard to distinguish from the leftover effects of being on antidepressants (which caused me a lot of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc), because I do have some mild anxiety left over from them, but has drastically improved. The man problem I am suffering now from the Lamictal is feeling the effects of it wearing off in the evenings. In the last few months I have been feeling that feeling on and off throughout the whole day!! And my myoclonic jerks are increasing. I really don't want to go up on my dosage due to the brain damage psychiatric drugs cause and all the bad side effects I could experience, but neither do I want to change medications because I am at a very stressful time in my life where I am already going through a lot of changes. No idea what to do. Just wish that God would heal me of my seizure disorder!!! (it is a kind I am told I will never grow out of) Even if I had to go through the withdrawal from the Lamictal it would be worth it! If only...

I too have memory loss. It is humiliating not to recall events with friends and family and people I have been introduced to. I cannot conversations, movies and names of bands. I am 43 and have been taking this drug for seizures. The seizure disorder is gone due to the drug. I have gained weight, awaken with a severe headache on several occasions behind my right eye, feel tired and dizzy after an hour of taking the drug and blurred vision. I thought it was early onset of Alzheimer ( i forget how to spell it though I am in the medical field). My generalized Doctor and my Neurologist say this is not from the medication but from age and normal. The quality of life is not as I would like. I feel like I am missing out on my own life. Thank God I came across this blog! I have been researching this drug on the net and NOWHERE does it state this as a side effect. This is the only med I take.

Dear friends, remember that psychiatry is not an EXACT science. Our Dr.s are doing their best to reduce the discomfort we have with complicated electrical and chemical functions within our bodies. There is no OPERATIONS MANUAL for them and, while medications are tested, these meds are new to each of us as individuals. Please remember to advocate for yourself and/or the person in your care to achieve optimum results. If there are painful and unpleasant results of a newly introduced drug, let your Dr. know before long-term results occur. God bless

My third day taking lowest dose of Lamictal. Have been taking Adderall and Cymbalta with no negative effects. I expressed to my doctor, that I am still sleeping a lot and sometimes don't even feel like getting up to taking my meds. When I do take them, I'm pretty great for about 6 hours, then right back to the couch.....
My doctor told me to stop the Cymbalta and start taking Lamictal. The first day I was my usual self, second day: dizzy, cloudy head with bad headache in temples. Weird throbbing in head. If I turn my head to fast, it feels like I need a extra second for the rest of me to catch up. I've been in bed, lifeless for the past two days. Don't feel that I can do much with my head like this. My hip bones and lower back ache.
My main concern is "Will these side effects subside?" I'm not Bipolar. I suffer from long term Depression/Anxiety triggered by abuse and trauma.
Please if anyone out there has felt similar effects from this drug, let me know. I want to give the drug a chance, but also would like to hear other's experiences.

I have pretty serious memory problems, and I notice the problems at work. Maybe the stress of work makes it worse at work than at home. But my boss and i talked the other day, and I said I felt scattered - she said I come across as very scattered, forgetting stuff, not following through, etc. I said I would write things down more to help me remember, and she said maybe I might try a different drug (she knows about my bipolar - I told her, and I use a service dog to help with anxiety and tardive dyskinesia from another psych drug). When your boss tells you to maybe try a different drug, it's a bit scary - am I going to lose my job?! But when I forget to take the Lamictal even one day (I take 200 mg. in the morning) I can feel the difference within 24 hours - agitated, depressed, irritable, impatient, etc.). So I have to be careful to take it every day. Along with my other meds...
I don't want to go off the drug, but the memory and cognitive crap is really hard. It's nice to hear I'm not alone.

50 y.o. female suffering from severe depression (or so I thought) since mid-teens. Finally sought professional help 8 mos. ago - diagnosed w/ bipolar disorder/depression/anxiety. Lamictal (now up to 300mg/day) has literally been a life-saver for me. I feel calm, rarely depressed, a bit more patient w/ myself and others, and the suicidal thoughts I've had for 30+ years are gone. I feel happy. The side effects, however, are disturbing. W/ the higher dose, I feel emotionally well but the memory problems are scaring me. When I write, I know which words I should use, but now I frequently omit or misspell words - not a problem before. I've always been a fast, accurate typist but I feel clumsy when typing and frequently hit the wrong keys. I misplace things and since I'm a bit OCD about losing paperwork, etc., it's happening. My job requires me to handle important financial docs. for people and I'm worried that I'll miss or lose something. Some days I can be very articulate w/ great use of vocabulary and other days I feel lucky to put a string of words together that will make sense. I'll lose a thought in mid-sentence. My doctor recommended that I take 1 mg of folic acid per day; it seems to help the memory issues and I may increase that amount. I grind my teeth at night so badly that I'm wearing a night guard to avoid ruining my molars. I find myself frequently rubbing parts of my hands together - especially when my hands aren't otherwise occupied. My dreams are vivid and I recall most of them, which is a pleasant side effect because I went many years without remembering my dreams (maybe due to alcohol abuse?). Another unpleasant side effect is clumsiness. I'll reach for something and miss it or jam my hand into a solid object, I drop things, I hurt myself more often - stubbing toes, smashing fingers, and cutting my hands more often in the kitchen. My doctor has put me on two different anxiety meds but the side effects were not acceptable so I stopped them. I'm considering lowering the Lamictal dosage to see if the memory issues improve; I can deal o.k. w/ the other side effects. I can't imagine not taking this drug, so I'll most likely endure the side effects for as long as possible.

Reading over some of these posts and wanted to share my experience w/Lamictal. Been on it over 2 year, 400mg/day. Sever bipolar with mixed & rapid cycling episodes. Oh YEA...I have side effects too: blurred vision that comes and goes, super klutziness, confusion, hard to complete sentences sometimes (just can't find the words sometimes for the simplest sentence!), dizziness, prone to broken blood vessels under the skin when bump into something or carry loaded grocery bag over my arm, jittery, short term memory loss, feeling really stupid like my brain isn't working sometimes. BUT...I will stay on this med because it rally works for me and the above effects are and bad, just frustrating. It took me a good 5-6 months for the meds to work as they should. Be aware that it won't make things perfect, mood swings and even moderate episodes can be expected. I am pretty much in a constant state of mild/moderate mania (2 hr sleep/night, hi energy, talk to fast, mind racing,etc), which is fine for me, as it really curbed the depression (maybe only 1 day every 2 months now and its NOT a BAD downer) I have found the drug is a good "stabilizer" keeping me mostly in a normal to moderate swing...never any severe swing. If the side effects are not unbearable, stick with the med, just be patient. It sure works for me. Learn to laugh at the klutziness and stupid moments and understand its the med and you. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!

I have been on Lamictal now for almost 3 months for bipolar. I'm still not sure if it is helping or not. My husband says I seem better, but I feel almost the same as before if not worse. Has anyone noticed any major changes in their menstrual cycle? I'm on the pill and it would usually last 4-5 days with moderate bleeding. Now I get more annoying cramps than before but my period only lasted 2 days and it was more like spotting than a period. This makes me nervous, but my doctor said that it is more likely the risperdal that I had taken for a month when I also started taking the lamictal, but I don't agree. I recently went up to 200mg (1 morning, 1night). The morning one knocks me out but the night one has been keeping up!? I also feel less coordinated (hard to balance, knocking stuff down, klutzy). Also, it has been hard to put words together and recall correct information. Now I have to say" I think I heard or I think I remember". If I really need to remember something I have repeat it or really concentrate on the information. I used to not have to do that. Another thing I've noticed lately is hand and knee pain. Makes it difficult exercise to lose the 20 lbs I've gained. I don't know, personally I think I will give it one more month and if I still feel the same, I'm going off of it and looking into natural alternatives.

Hi Everyone...I've been on a bipolar cocktail for 3 years and one ingredient is LAMICTAL along with Lithium and Wellbutrin. Overall the drug has worked and I feel pretty healthy mentally. Of course I am particularly concerned about my memory loss, putting a sentence together and finding the simple words for basic objects. I really do feel dumb, especially at work, as I am in sales. Many times I stutter, fumble and go blank in front of customers. I have not told my boss or anyone else that I'm on the meds, so I know they think I'm just a dumb-ass. I'm ok with that. I also quit going to school for my master's because of the short term memory loss and general mushiness of the brain. I was once an honor student and very outgoing, now I just keep my mouth shut when I can in fear of making a fool of myself. My balance is off and as weird as it sounds I have trouble parking my car straight in a parking space. My co-workers have commented a few times that I don't know how to drive. At first I thought it was my car, the tires, alignment, etc...but when I got another one, it's still happening no matter where I park. I'm 43 and have acne and underlying bumps on my face, chin and neck. I did lose weight though! So, I can empathize with most of you. I'm not thrilled with being on these drugs for what may be forever, so I guess I need to decide whether to stay on this stuff, reduce, taper or change drugs. LOL to all.

It is hard to tell what side effects come from which med but after reading other peoples experiences I think that its easier to put my finger on. I have been taking Lamictal and Lexapro since last spring/summer. I started to feel a lot better as soon as I started the Lamictal. I have a history of being severely depressed all the time. It has been a long road in search of the correct combo of meds. We added Lexapro and I got even better. I was on Wellbutrin and Topamax before this and it was too much drugs in my system causing loads of anxiety. I heard Topamax makes you Dopey so I was happy to get off that. I don't notice Lamictal doing the same thing. I think clearly now, but I do have trouble crying - which is fine with me. I am so sick of fucking crying everyday. Aren't you??? The whole point of treatment is to increase the quality of life and These drugs have definitely helped me to be happy which is all I care about. However, I do still wonder what I would feel like without them. It is tempting to stop once you feel this good. Why cant i just be able to feel this good naturally. WHY WHY WHY .

I've been taking lamictal for btwn 2 and 3 years now, for depression and as a mood stabilizer. I was on wellbutrin 300 mg, and then I had an episode of severe depression (crying all the time) while on the wellbutrin. So my doctor added lamictal, gradually going up to 200 mg.

It works, and I haven't had a really severe depressive episode since (except for circumstantial reasons), although I'm generally mildly depressed.

Side effects: My fingernails have weakened, and some have ridges down the middle that are so weak they become cracks even if there is only 1 mm of white nail growth. I thought it might be a nutritional deficiency, but I eat healthily, and I finally decided to look into the side effects of my meds. Others on this site are talking about hair loss -- I'm quite sure the nail problem is from the lamictal, as hair and nails are produced in similar ways.

I yawn every few minutes, whether or not I'm tired, which at least one other person on this forum mentioned as well, as a less common side effect. (I'd figured this was due to one of my meds -- now I know which one it is.)
I've also been concerned that I'm klutzier than normal lately. After reading everything on this site, I've just decided to start weaning myself from 200 mg towards a lower dose of 100 mg. I don't think I'll go off of it entirely, b/c it works.
One last thing I have to say is that I really recommend ACUPUNCTURE for any mood disorders. I get it for free at a school in Chicago (it's often a long wait, but free!), and many bigger cities probably have an acupuncture school where it will be cheap, if you're on a budget like I am. Occasionally, insurance covers acupuncture. Anyway, I try to go once a week, and it helps tremendously with my depression, migraines, and general energy level-- it has a very powerful cumulative effect! When I stop going, I notice huge differences emotionally, and I get a lot more migraines. My mom and sister have also had very positive experiences using acupuncture for depression and anxiety.

I actually ask to be treated for my headaches, not specifically depression, but it helps me a lot with both issues. I really can't say enough about how wonderful acupuncture is, and how much it's changed my life. Last time I was medication-free, 5 years ago, I was going to acupuncture every week for many months, and it was enough! Just don't expect it to work overnight -- just be consistent and give it some time. When I first started going every week, I noticed a difference after a month or so, although the treatments generally leave me feeling relaxed and good right afterward as well.

My husband has been on Lamictal for about 5 weeks now. He was taking Lamictal in combination with Abilify. He feels lousy. He has headaches, stiffness in his neck and a as he puts it "his eyes feel like they are constantly in the staring or bugged out position" His doctor first took him off Lamictal and lowered his Abilify but he still felt lousy and tired. His doctor then took him off Abilify and back on Lamictal. He felt better for about one day. He also says that he feels more anxiety and tension since being on these meds. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have taken Lamictal for 2 years now, I increased my dose a few months ago. It curbed my rage issues, and continued to stabilize my mood swings.I have had the side effects of some memory loss, problems recalling things in the past, minor things, like what happened in movies I may have seen in earlier months. I have hair loss, more than usual when not on the drug. I have definite speech issues, I can never relay what I am trying to say. I feel stupid. I am consulting another psychiatrist to discuss the side effects. I really don't like not being able to remember things as much as I did before I took this drug. I really, really don't like the lack of the ability to speak fluently or even to get the words out. It is embarrassing, it makes me look almost like I have a mental retardation. It sucks. I also am disappointed that my spouse seems to think all "our" issues are because of my mood disorder and if I somehow when I disagree with him and want to address these issues, then my medication is not working. I know if I am raging more or if I have an increase in anger, then I need to go on higher meds or change meds. But, as my psychiatrist said to me, not all my issues in life are all my fault.
Generally, lamictal is working, but I would like to have a greater memory recall and I would definitely like my speech problems to be resolved and it sure would be nice if my hair would become thick again.Also, I have some twitching problems occasionally, it is annoying too. I still have racing thoughts and panic attacks too, it has not changed those issues. Oh, and another side effect is headaches in the back of my neck at the top where my head meets the spine, they are annoying and if I take ibuprofen, I get even more stupid and spacey, almost like I am checked out. My older kids notice more than my spouse does. My older kids also let me know when I am raging more, in a better way than my spouse does. My advice, let those whom you can trust be the one's who give you feedback on how you are doing, rather than someone who doesn't want to take ownership for their own issues, that way you can truly trust if the med's are working or if they are at the right dose. This along with your psychiatrist's help and help from family and your own assessment will keep you on the right track.

I have been on Lamictal for 3 months after being on Paxil first and then Cymbalta for many years. I thought I might be bi-polar due to family history but after spending 2 hours with a psychiatrist who really knew his medications determined I was just clinically depressed. He started me on the 5 week starter pack and my max dose is 100mg/day. I am a early riser and take the medication about 5am every morning. I have had no experience with dreams, shortness of breath, etc. I have however developed a rash (under the skin) dry but not itchy, red splotches about 3 weeks ago. I thought might be the Lamictal but realized my dentist gave me a very expensive toothpaste for whitening and dry mouth to use. "Fluoridex", when I looked for side effects of the toothpast, it was rash and dry splotches to the face.

Lamictal has saved my life. I have had 8 brain surgeries in 4 years and had lost the will to live. I feel alive again and started feeling that way when I was midway thru the starter pack at 50mg/day. I think in everything, you have to have the right doctor and they have to know their medications. I have never felt so good in my entire life. My sex drive has increased after 32 years of marriage (husband is very happy) I work out in gym 5 days/week and have lost 20 pounds and have no desire for sweets or diet sodas, losing the desire to smoke (yeah).

I have read alot of the post that are negative about Lamictal. Please see your doctor and either have him decrease the dose or change the medication. You owe this to yourself.

I take Lamictal for seizures for 3 years. I had my first unexplained seizure at 25 and another 6 moths later. Both times I had drank heavily two nights in a row. After the second seizure I was put on the Lamictal. I was slowly ramped up to 100mg in the morning and 200mg at night. On occasion, I get horrible "poop pains" as I call them. It feels like my insides are being ripped apart. I can sit on the toilet and poop incredibly runny stool, then I have to wait up to 15 minutes for the second batch. The pain doesn't subside until the second batch but it is immediately gone. It usually only happens when I wake up in the middle of the night. I have tried to correlate it to foods that I have eaten and can't match anything up. I also have horrible short term memory. I sometimes tell the same person the same story twice and they will be like "you just told me that." Also, golfing is the best example. I have a hard time remembering my strokes. My long term memory is fine. As fair as hair loss, I was already on track to lose my hair before I was on the meds so I don't know if they made it any worse or if this is a natural progression. It seems somewhat rapid but I never loose it in quantities or clumps. I just notice it in my hats and beanies every once in a while. I also have a hard time falling asleep on occasion and if I wake up in the middle of the night I have troubles falling back asleep as well. The bottom line is that this drug WORKS. I can live with the side affects cause they are random and not that often. I am a volunteer Fireman and cannot risk loosing that again so I am too hestitant to change meds as the doctor said Lamictal has the least side affects of the seizure drugs.

an update on my BF, now almost 3 months off lamictal and all other meds. he still feels great, for the 6th consecutive week he has lost a bit of weight as measured by WW. he finds that he is less forgetful. before, he was always losing his keys, his cell phone, you name it and he was so easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks that he assumed he had AADD.

as time passes, he is feeling better and better. the lack of headaches and muscle pain were the big pluses but now he is seeing a gradual restoration of his ability to think clearly, which is wonderful

my BF has been taking antidepressants for 15 yrs- mostly a combo of lamictal and parnate. he is always depressed, has no energy, can't lose weight, suffers from chronic migraines (for which he downs handfuls of Tylenol and Excedrin) and constant muscle pain. i'm afraid to drive with him because of the road rage. his thinking is foggy, he is overwhelmed by every little thing and he constantly loses his keys, his phone- you name it. when he saw the commercials for AADD, he started to think he had that too and needed even more medicine!

i've had about all i can stand and in doing research, i found that niacin is useful for people with depression. it has to be the flushing kind and you need to take enough without flushing. some very depressed people have taken 12,000 mg a day and still not flushed!

so i started him on niacin and as we built up his dose, he cut down on the antidepressants. he got to 2000 mg of niacin a day and it took him 2 months to wean off the antiDs. he had minor brain shivers, but not nearly as bad or as many as when he has tried to get off the meds in the past

he has now been completely off the antiDs for 2 months and is taking between 300 - 500 mg of niacin daily.

here's what has happened: in 2 months, he has only had one headache and his muscle aches have gone; consequently he has only taken one Tylenol in the last two months as opposed to 10 a day like he used to. he has more energy- this Sunday when he got out of bed, he got active doing things instead of slumping on the couch for hours. i also almost fainted when i drove with him and he didn't scream when a pedestrian cut out in front of him. he is much more able to focus, he is not getting overwhelmed by everything.

and for the past 3 weeks at weight watchers, his weight has gone down a little

he is very happy about it.

Hi all! I googled acne and lamictal and here I am. I'm so relieved to see that I'm not the only one that has experienced breakouts due to the meds. I had struggled with acne in college, but now i'm 24 and it's back worse than ever! Does anyone know what to do about it? My doctor said a dermatologist wouldn't help because the lamictal is messing with my hormones and I just have to wait to get adjusted to it - but I've just started on the 50mg and the plan is to go up to 200mg within the next few months, and I don't want this to get worse! Thanks!

I have been on Lamictal for about 3 and a half yrs now for Bipolar 1. Overall, I have had a really great experience with the drug. I started with 100mg and then went to 200mg after a year and a half. Now I take 225mg as of a month ago. For about a year and a half I had the acne on my chin and then it went away suddenly (thought it was cutting out dairy from my diet though). I have been extremely fatigued for awhile now. 7hrs of sleep is not good enough for me so I end up taking long naps when I have the opportunity each day- I always want to sleep. I feel stupid and lack focus and motivation. I use to be a social butterfly and now I feel so exhausted when entertaining. I am a personal trainer and am in the business of making others feel better, but I seem to be feeling worse. I have experienced weight gain as well and that is hard for me since I use to be bulimic and have always had poor body image issues. I was on the NuvaRing for 5 months and it made me sooooo depressed so I finally got off that and feel better- don't mix those 2 drugs.
I am going to ask my doctor to take me off of it this week because I am ready to trust God with my mental health. I have a great support system to help me through the tough times and if I want to get pregnant, I have to go off it anyway.

just thought i would put another post on to tell you how my autistic son brett is getting on with coming off his lamictal i told that he was on 750 mg a day we have had meetings with his doctors and they agreed we should start to reduce lamictal we are now 2 weeks into the reduction at 25mg a week he is now on 700mg a day the reduction does seem to have had a positive affect for brett his speech has become less repetitive his conversation is more meaning full the rash on his back is getting better he seems to be more settled in his self so at the moment things are ok i must say i make sure he has mis meds when he gets up in the morning around 7.30 then again around 7.00 on the night i will keep posting and letting people know how he is getting on

I've been on 200 mg Lamictal for 2 months now, after 4 month titration up from 25mg; Going off Lithium 900mg titration to 450mg this week. Since 1st day of lower Lithium, all the common Lamictal symptoms went from mild to extreme. Whole body muscle aches (like 24 hours after a heavy weightlifting workout) worse in neck & back/shoulders/calves, bad headaches, swelling in hands & feet, extreme blurred vision, loss of memory, halted speech while trying to figure out what to say, fuzzy. I called the Clinic to simply ask which NSAID (aspirin? ibuprofen? Excedrin? naproxin?) to use to manage the pain. They all freaked and made me come in for a blood test to check Lithium levels. I explained I wasn't "overly" concerned about it at this point, but just looking for a recommendation, and that they may be over-reacting (even though I did appreciate their concern). I also reminded them that I had just **decreased** Lithium when it happened, so I wasn't having a Lithium Toxic attack (I'm well-versed in that, having been on Lithium for 7 years). It didn't do much good to tell them I thought their diagnosis was a little off. I'll find out the blood test results today, but I'm pretty sure I know what they'll be. They also wanted me to see my PCP since it could be something else. Again, the problem was a ramp-up of existing symptoms the next morning after I lowered Lithium (the only change), so I'm conviced everything centers around that. I think they're a little inexperienced with this med. (Lamictal/Lamotrigine) and if they'd just read this blog they'd probably learn a lot. They had never heard of the muscle ache side effect. Pretty hard to believe after reading all of your comments! My theory is that Lithium was somehow holding back the side-effects of Lamictal and now they're expressing themselves more fully. I haven't read anything like this on any internet discussion, so maybe my body is very different. But maybe my experience will give someone else some insight in a similar situation.
I might also mention something that happened to me I have only seen (kinda) in one other "blog" about follicle (sweat gland) cysts. Yeah, I definitely got the jawline acne starting at the Lamictal 50mg level & increasing at 100mg. But I also got my first ever "cyst" that concerned me and sent me to my dermatologist for the first time in 30 years (I'm 47 and saw the old guy when I had acne at 17!). It started as a blind pimple on my chest the week I increased Lamictal to 200mg (final dose), but didn't go away. It continued to grow (not diminish) over 4 weeks to 3/8 inch round/pink/solid/itchy/burn-when-rubbed. So off to the "Doctor" like my father used to do on a regular basis (I know I'm getting old now) and scalpel/pop/stitch it was out. But it was real, not my imagination or hypocondria, and the timing of its appearance was right when Lamictal changed to full steam. Since acne appears to be a common effect with so many, it seems it's not unreasonable that this occurs occasionally as well to others. Let me be the 2nd to mention it. No "official" verification, but....
I'm not bagging on Lamictal, and have been very hopeful that this would be better than Lithium. It has eliminated the GastroIntestinal problems I had on Lithium, but I am getting discouraged that it has all the brand new symptoms that are discussed in this blog. Your "stuff" is real. I wish the Docs/Nurses/Case Workers would spend 5 minutes checking your comments out. It might bring about a better informed conversation than the shiny Glaxo flyers provide. That is all.

Hey, I cycle, so who knows if some of this is the meds or the BP roller coaster..

What I do know:

• Memory Loss ***
• Rash like Poison Oak if I increase too quickly *12.5 mg
• Heart Racing + Mind Racing (part of all this right)

GROUCHY at work regardless of meds.

I am 32 years old, and still have acne. I have been taking it for almost 14 years now. I know that Lamictal causes skin rashes. I asked my neurologist if Lamictal causes acne. He said no. I will never be able to get rid of acne, as long as I keep taking it. I have been seizure-free for over 2.5 years now. Dad won't let me get off of it, and be on primidone only. It's more important to keep driving seizure-free, than to have clear skin.

I have been on Lamictal for one week and feel terrible!! I'm using the meds to treat bipolar. My chest feels tight...I am exhausted all day...feel as if I am in a daze...headaches...muscle aches. I don't know if this is just side effects seen in the beginning and will subside with time?? I really feel bad.

I have been on Lamictal for about five months for bipolar II. I has been increased slowly over these months and I am now up to 300 mg a day. I have a tendency to sometimes forget things but remembering numbers has never been a problem for me. In fact I can look at someone's tag number driving down the road and remember it for days. Phone numbers of people I have known for 20 years would stick and I wouldn't even have to call them on a regular basis to know the number. However, recently while trying to use my bank debit card at the store I was asked to enter my PIN number and totally could not remember. I tried it several times but it never came to me. I felt like a fool!. At this time, that was three days ago and I still cannot remember it!

This is very, very distressing to me. I feel like something has been wiped clean and that I will never get it back.

My Lamictal dose has been increased in the last couple of weeks and I thought maybe Lamictal or one of my other meds could be making this happen so I started researching and found this site where other people were complaining of memory loss while on Lamictal.

Headaches are another common side effect for me while on this med. It has really helped me emotionally and I need to know if the memory loss is just going to be a temporary thing and it will get back to normal or if I will be forgetting more and more over time. PLEASE HELP!!!

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 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 was on Lamictal for 4 years and after the first year I suddenly started having all kinds of teeth and gum problems for no discernible reason. But since Lamictal has the possible side effect of "sores or blisters on the inside of the mouth" I wondered if it could be related.

I did a Google search and am coming up with no experts yet, but lots and lots of posts connecting anticonvulsant meds, particularly Lamictal, Topamax, Neurontin, and Depakote, with dental problems. Dilantin is well known for causing gum disease and breaking down tooth enamel, loosening of teeth, and even breaking down of jawbone tissue.

I don't think the experts have connected the dots yet, but is anyone else having this problem?

lamictal controls seizures if you take it at the right time. i am on 200 at night and 200 in the morning plus epilim. sometimes i just sit and cry wen im trying to concentrate on reading books i have to study or trying to remember work i learnt at school which has left my brain. im failing school not matter how hard i try, i study all the time then the next day i have forgotten it. im so young and i havnt even started my future yet and i may have screwed it already. failing exams because i forgot wat i learnt the night before hurts so bad. its hard to say "hey everyone the reason i failed is because lamictal screws my memory" i know thats what it is. i was extremely intelligent before i started taking it, but now im a failure. i guess deep inside i know really im not a failure, but lamictal makes me one. : ( p.s add a constant hand tremor and sudden jerking movements every now and then.

Took mostly for seizures, but have been informally diagnosed with Bipolar II.

Had tremors at night, almost immediately, marked anxiety, weight loss, strange heat flashes, severe headaches (already have a migraine problem), complete w olfactory hallucinations (could have been breakthrough simple seizures, or headache auras).

Felt detached from myself and others. But the most disturbing symptom of all was auditory hallucinations. I have no history of psychosis and this only happened after starting Lamictal. Basically I could hear a constant chirping sound, subtle, but loud enough at night to keep me from sleeping unless my radio was playing to distract me from the sound. Could it have been a new form of seizure? Maybe, but regardless, the sounds started at the time I started this drug. Plus, according to a psychiatrist, I had no signs of psychosis, just the unexplained phantom sounds. One last possibility: Maybe an inner ear problem. Still would like to look into that.

People are right when they say this is still an experimental drug. If I had known what I was getting myself into, I never would have tried this drug to begin with. If any of you have had auditory hallucinations on this drug, without a history of any sort of hallucination or psychosis, PLEASE respond here and let me know about your experience. Thanks!