[hermitix]

Hi,

I'm supposed to begin taking Lamictal tonight. Are there any stories or experiences (good or bad) that anyone can share with me?

Thanks

[Travelinglady]

Lamictal is a very popular med used as a stabilizer. I was on it for many, many years before I finally had to stop because it had built up to a toxic level and caused me to start having trouble walking, etc.

I know a number of people who take it.

[hermitix]

How did it get to toxic levels?

[wotchermuggle]

I used to take it. No side effects. Easy to get off of.

Just be careful of the rash.

[PrairieCat]

Yes, watch out for a rash. I have been going off of it because it caused me to itch all over, even on my head. Yikes, I even had to try dandruff shampoo and it made no difference! I also got a bad rash on my chest. You may not get this at all. That was my only bad side effect with Lamictal. I don't do well on most mood stabilizers and I can't take much antidepressant at all. I would love to smoke some pot, but it is not allowed where I live even if one has a prescription for it. BLEAH! Not sure just what will come next. Any problems, I'll call doc right away.

[hermitix]

Thanks for the responses

Anyone have improved mood on Lamictal, and how long did it take to start working?

[thickntired]

It pulled me out of a bad depression in a couple of weeks. I haven't had any bad side effects either and it's cheap

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[vans1974]

I take it, it helps with keep my depressive episodes further apart...no side effects! Great med!!!

[jesusplay]

i've been on it for 5 months.

it does nothing.

[Jcon614]

Originally Posted by jesusplay

i've been on it for 5 months.

it does nothing.

This is sad. No one seems to be improved on lamictal. My pdoc wanted me on it, but I have OCD, and the rash scared me to no end.

[Ash89]

I have bipolar II and have been on it for a little over two months. At first I felt a little neutral, which was better than the depression I was in. Now it does help and I feel more stable, my depressive phases aren't as long and although they still impact me they don't make me want to just give up on life anymore. 100mg/night, started 25mg and +25mg per week until up to 100mg.

[Tapering]

I do not notice any side effects from it, but I am unsure if it is efficacious for me. Yesterday my doctor increased it in preparation for me going down on Abilify in January and eventually off.

[monochromatic]

I have been on for about a month. Just raised to 150/day (50 morning, 100 night).

I feel clearer. With focus, I have been able to curb crying episodes lately. I feel more stable. Only side effects are hypersexuality (which is actually not as nice as it seems), some headaches, and a little stupid. Might be too soon to tell though.

[Charly1]

I have been taking Lamictal for over 7 years now and love it. I take 400 mg/day. The only issue that I had was on the generic version of it. Therefore, I have too take the brand name and it is very expensive but I am lucky that I have really good insurance.

[Eliza Jane]

I have been on it a little over a year. It has helped my bp ii, but not as much as abilify (so I added abilify back in).

I haven't noticed any side effects.

EJ

[unlockingsanity]

I posted this on another thread, but I'll repost it here, too.

The only side effect I had on Lamictal (Lamotrigine) was that I found I had difficulty finding the right words. For example, on vacation, I saw a beaver on the side of the road, but when I was searching for the word "beaver", all I could come up with was "dog", "rat", "cat", etc.

It wasn't bothersome enough to stop the med because of it, but it was noticeable. I was on 200mg I believe.

Also, I wasn't sure about whether or not it was working (I was on other meds at the time), but when we increased it, we noticed an effect on my mood charting about 6-8 weeks later. So, for me, it took awhile to be helpful.

[hermitix]

All very useful information guys. Thanks. I just really hope it works for me. I'm scared of feeling depressed/manic forever

[monochromatic]

Unlocking sanity - that's so funny, I am experiencing the same thing but had no idea it would be the lamictal.

Charly1- what are the differences you notice between the generic and the brand name?

[BipolaRNurse]

I think Lamictal has been great for decreasing the number of depressive episodes I have and making them less severe. I'm in a mild downturn right now, but I think it would be much worse if I were not on this medication.

I've taken it since I was first diagnosed with bipolar almost 2 years ago. Never had any major side effects, just a little headache for the first couple of days after each increase, and I have definitely had some memory and word-finding issues since I've been on it. I will say that it does absolutely NOTHING for my mania, which is why I need the AP as a mood stabilizer too.

All in all, a helpful drug for me. I wish the OP well with it.

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by monochromatic

Unlocking sanity - that's so funny, I am experiencing the same thing but had no idea it would be the lamictal.

I think it's listed as a side effect. I could be wrong though.

[bronzeowl]

I've been on it a few months. So far, so good. No rash, no serious side effects (but a few side effects have cropped up). Make sure you follow the strict dosage upping. My doctor went 25mg per week (first week 25, second 50, so on). The rash might be more associated with starting a high dose too quickly.

Only side effects I have experienced are drowsiness (both of my docs agree that's good in my case, though, since my sleep was off before - either too much or too little, now it's 6-8 hours on average), itchiness (but not excessive like the other person said), and headaches when upping the dose (only last a day or two).

It helps enough. Almost had an up, but it went right back to 'stable'. Have had a few depressive moods, but they don't last nearly as long and aren't as intense. I get antsy, though. Largely because I actually want to get out and socialize now. Think that has something to do with the lamictal, too.

I get paranoid every time I get a rash now, though.

Unlockinginsanity - Oh my gosh. I'm having the same thing happen. Inability to find words... I thought it was related to my eating. I did not associate it with lamictal at all. o.O

[hermitix]

Thanks BipolaRNurse

[polesapart]

Lamictal pulled me out of an extremely severe depression, although it took a couple of months as you have to titrate up so slowly. I now take 250mg and it keeps depression at bay. No side effects for me. As others have said it doesn't do much for mania, I use seroquel for that.