Lamictal and memory loss

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.

hair loss, memory loss, weight loss, confusion, hand shaking

memory loss, panic attack, vision, speech, chest pain, tiredness, loss of sex, headache 3-4 days, loss of food, weight gain, acine, leg pain, swollen feet, muscle problem, hair fall out, hair gets thinner, stomach ach,, double vision, staring.

The only side effect that I have experienced with Lamictal (300 mg's a day), is memory loss. My short term memory is like Swiss cheese. Unless there was a major event, I can't remember what happened two weeks ago. Anything that is over a month ago, I will remember the event, but not which month it was in. I write everything down and I mean everything that I will have to remember at some point in time. I even have problems finding my way around my neighborhood if I'm under any amount of stress.
Other than that, the drug is great. I have no mania and or weight gain. It's really helped me a lot.

I have been on Lamictal for a few months and I started out on 50 mg and went up two 100 mg within two weeks time - Everything was fine until I went off of it for 5 weeks and then back on it pretty suddenly. Ever since then I have had chronic nausea (constant feeling of car sickness). There are times when I wake up with it in the morning and go to sleep with it at night. Nothing will help except fountain coke (I don't know why, but it works) but the pain always winds up coming back within a few hours.

I ALSO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL

• Memory Loss ***
• Messing Up Words + Speech Comes Out Backwards ***
• Loosening of Teeth
• Sores and Blisters on Inside of Mouth
• Soreness and Heaviness in the Legs + Occasional Muscle Aches
• Headaches (Not so much anymore)
• Heart Racing + Mind Racing
• Trouble Writing + Spelling ***

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!!!

WOW. I have been taking Lamictal for about 4 months for my BP and up until now I have never known all the side effects. You see, I am uninsured and am forced to go through MHMR. They (at best) give you an idea of what the side effects are. It is very difficult to even get a one on one with an actual doctor. You sit in a chair for 2 minutes and walk out with a bad full of drugs. Needless to say, my mood hasn't been "stabilized", in fact, I think it's worsened. What's worse is that between the weight gain and the loss of my short term memory I feel FAT and STUPID; causing me to be even more depressed. I never even thought that the memory loss was related to the Lamictal; the weight gain, maybe. Today I thought, "let me check this out." and I stumbled upon this blog. THANK GOD! I mean I'm sorry that we are all suffering but I'm relieved to know that it's not ME. Thanks for sharing all, and good luck!

I have been on Lamictal and Topamax for approximately 4-5 years now. I also take effexor. I have a seizure disorder. At first everything was alright, however now I have been having double vision, staggering, memory loss that has occurred slowly within the last two years or so, and of course as with most meds the usual diarrhea or constipation. I wonder how long does it take being on medication for these side effects to kick in? I read all literature whenever I start a new medication even if it is a OTC drug. (over the counter). I just got out of the hospital and am being sent from one doc to another. I feel like a guinea pig in a lab! Please help!

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!

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?

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 CANT BELIEVE THIS! on *** i read good things about this medication. I've been on it for about 8 months. lately i have felt like crap and tired and cant sleep. i get paranoid I'm using too much cleaner in my bathroom and just many things. the last 4 or 5 days I've had muscle aches i thought was the flu and a horrible migraine. memory loss.. i feel foggy. i feel like i can contain my mood better but I'm wondering what to do.. when i forget to take it i get messed up but IT CAUSES memory loss WHICH causes u to forget to take it! i have bad anxiety and trouble sleeping. i feel even now. dude I'm confused at this very moment.

Where do I start? For as far back as I can remember, I have been taking antidepressants. I have tried them all. Celexa, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Cymbalta, etc.. About 3 years ago, I crashed. You all know what that feels like. I went to see the "pill doctor" which is what I call the psychiatrists. He prescribed more antidepressants, Lithium 600mg per day along with Lamictal 200 mg per day for moods and Ambien CR-12.5mg to sleep. Side effects included, weight loss and gain, hair loss, memory loss, confusion, thyroid issues, no sex drive and sleeping too much with wako dreams. BUT is was better than what I was feeling at time. Last month I could not take it any more so I had a second opinion by another Pill Dr. Oh my God! This Pill Dr REALLY opened my eyes. He diagnosed me with a resistant to antidepressant type of depression. No bipolar but mood disorders. He warned me off of Cymbalta 60mg to 30mg to 0mg (antidepressant), and took me off the Lithium and increased my dose of Lamictal from 200mgs per day to 300mgs per day. What a difference it made. I have never felt better. I am sleeping less, have more energy and a much more positive outlook on life. I am scared that this won't last but I hope it will. Lamictal has been a godsend for me. My lesson is get a second opinion on your condition. A fresh set of eyes can see things that others don't.

I also have to remember that every case is unique. Every person has their own set of problems to deal with. Kids are emotionally demanding and draining. You are not different from others who suffer.

Hello! I've been taking Lamictal for about 6 years now. I'm diagnosed as BP II and have the most difficulty with depression. I currently take 500 mg-- 400 mg at night and 100 mg in the morning. I have to say that Lamictal has been very good to me for the most part. As long as I don't put myself into extremely stressful positions-- such as my last job-- I do quite well. I also take a combination of supplements with Lamictal which seem to give the extra push that I needed to completely get out of my last depression. I take 1000 mg EPA (fish oil), B-100 Complex, Folic Acid, Cal-Mag, multivitamin (high quality, organic), Vitamin D (at least 1000 mg) and a few others.

I notice that when I take it at night if I don't go to sleep right away, my mouth and tongue will tingle. Sometimes when I take it in the morning, I feel foggy and dizzy and sometimes get vertigo. Every now and then the side effects seem to get worse, which I am not sure about. I started searching on the internet because I've been noticing that the "tip of the tongue" problem has been occurring more and more often. I often cannot think of the word I want, simple things even. As others have mentioned, I also have difficulty with memory. I am still very successful, currently pursuing a 2nd Master's Degree, but have noticed that achieving the same level of quality of work takes a lot more effort than during my previous degrees.

I do have some periods of anger/irritability and have recently been sleeping a lot, though it probably has a lot more to do with the time of year-- winter with less light-- than anything else.

I am particularly worried about my memory loss and inability to sound "well-spoken" in a setting which demands that of me. It is frustrating! I don't want to do any lasting harm on my brain. After increasing to 500 mg from 400 mg, I have noticed more of these brain issues, but I'm also doing so much better mood wise!

I was treated with lamictal for bi-polar II . It did help even out my mood which swung to deep depressions and rare (unfortunately) hypomania. After an increase in dose I had so much pain in my back and hip joints that I needed help to sit down, stand up, tie shoes, lift anything. I am only 40!

I stopped the med in June, but the pain is still there. Continually, not as bad as it was before, for sure, but I still have to prop myself up for simple lean over tasks, and my hip joints throb. I have to support myself to flip in bed or get out. I was doing yoga, and running as well before I started lamictal. I was extremely flexible!, and now can still barely touch my toes.

has anyone else had this lingering pain?

I have been prescribed Lamictal for seizures, and am currently taking 400mg daily, with my 300mg of Dilantin. Had horrible side effects this weekend-nightmares, exhausted, worsening depression, crying jags, difficulty swallowing. Has anyone else experienced mood changes for the worse while on this drug?

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.

I'm on seroquil, lamictal, trazodone and I have all of these side effects.....increase in blood sugars, great anxiety, irritation, agitation, memory loss, heart racing, difficult breathing and swallowing, retention of water, headaches that cause me to have to stop all activities, jerky movements that keep me awake or eliminates even short drives in the car, hot vs cold, my perception of things are not as they use to be, muscle aches that keep me from even getting out of a chair or in and out of a car sometimes, nausea, vomitng, nasal swelling, mind racing, memory loss, hair loss, nails thin, no energy great fatigue!

This may sound a little strange ... I was prescribed Lamictal off label for OCD. A lot of my obsessive-compulsive behavior is related to an insatiable need for male attention, in addition to an overwhelming need to check and fix my apperances - what my doctor calls BDD (Body Dismorphic Disorder, which is closly related to OCD). I started taking 50 mg of Lamictal, and after several months, ended up at 250 mg. My behavior didn't really seem to change and I didn't feel any side effects ... well, for the most part. I have taken SO many different kinds of medications for depression, OCD and social anxiety, and they have ALL had some side effect or another than made it impossible for me to continue taking the drug, no matter what the upside was. Dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, sexual side effects, memory loss, headaches, etc. You name the side effect, I've experienced it, but NOT from Lamictal. The only side effect I had from Lamictal wasn't really a "normal" side effect. It was fitting to my situation and my initial need for the drug. After being on Lamictal for a while, I felt nothing different in myself - no aching, nausea, vision issues, or forgetfulness ... just an extremely weak libido. And, I'm not talking about the sexual side effects that normally come along with taking certain medications. Where you just completely lose you sex drive, and the idea of sex ends up being totally disgusting to you. I didn't lose my sex drive - I just lost all my flirty, provocative, sexy, cheeky behavior. I use to want to take sexy pictures of myself for my boyfriend and things like that, and it all completely went away. I don't know if Lamictal is supposed to have sexual side effects - I don't think it is - but this was my experience with it. I want to continue taking Lamictal because it does curb some of my behavior that normally ends up putting me in danger and getting me in trouble, but I truly feel like a huge part of me is dead inside. I feel that my sexuality is a big part of who I am, whether I like it or not, and I miss it. I'm probably going to stop taking the medication JUST b/c I miss that certain part of myself. I would, however, recommend Lamictal to anyone with OCD who wants to try and control certain obsessive behavior. It seems to do the trick

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 just started taking Lamictal and typically have sensitivity to meds. I take it for mood stabalization along with effexor xr 150 mg. Moy dose of Lamictal is only 75mg right now. But I have been getting acne again which I haven't had to deal with in over a year and a half. I go my occassional pms pimple or two even but now I am constinantly fighting the blemishes, including a couple of new ones on my back which I haven't gotten in probably 7 years. Frustrated is an understatement. But it is good to hear others are experiencing similar systems and I am not as confused finding the cause for this. Memory loss, lack of focus, disorientation,confusion are also the scarier of the side effects I have been experiencing. Today something new and very scary happened. For a split second I had to grab my desk at work cause I literally felt like the room was spinning. Not see swirls or anything but like when your on the til-a whirl at the amusement part. Does anyone have any idea what that could have been? I have been feeling a bit dizzy since also. Anything neurological really scares me. Does anyone also know what other mood stabilizers if they have taken any have little side effects from their experience?