Lamictal and lack of emotions, ambition and motivation

Cocinella · Jun 09, 2014, 02:07 PM

Hello to you all!

I am experiencing something very annoying and thought to share it with you, maybe someone will find him/herself in my story or help me udnerstand this.

I am experiencing lack of emotions, mostly emotion towards my BF, but also towards everyone else. My Pdoc says it's totally normal to feel this way, if I had too much emotions before, I have none now. (well I only had some last week, I was feeling super happy, I also wrote about that experience on the forum). Even my family said, you are finally YOU after 2 years of agony.

Another thing I am noticing is lack of motivation, ideas and ambitions. And I was always a person that knew exactly what I want and I was moving towards what I wanted as long till I reached my goal.

If someone else is experiencing this on Lamictal, please do share.

Take care all!

Cocinella · Jun 09, 2014, 02:15 PM

Forgot to write, like towards my guy, I have practicly no sexual desire...but I am checking other guys like all the time and hate it! Like I'm cheating on him?
Like I said, that afternoon, when I was really great and everything was just the way I want4ed it to be, I felt love, towards everyone, him, my family, towards my life, I suddenly felt like I haven't felt for ages. And no, wasn't hypomanic...I was simply me

Longing for that afternoon....

Victoria'smom · Jun 09, 2014, 04:17 PM

I always feel side effects like that mean your on to much meds.

pawn78 · Jun 09, 2014, 04:50 PM

Could be too high a dose, or it could be unrelated to the meds. Could be some other issue.

snow_ · Jun 09, 2014, 05:51 PM

I've been experiencing this for about a year. It's agony...it hasn't improved. I am hoping to change meds completely. I've been on Lamotrigine for 4.5 years. It was amazing at first but then it just kind of froze time.

wiretwister · Jun 09, 2014, 07:39 PM

I felt that way when I started lamictal and it when away as we increased the dose , I am now at 150 and feeling great with a full range of emotions

Cocinella · Jun 10, 2014, 02:32 AM

Thanks a lot for your replies!

I think I can (in my case) agree with you wiretwister the most.

I've been on 100mg for 6 weeks, then my pdoc increased it on 125mg cus I was still having "crying" moments, being too sensitive plus anxiety moments. So "too big" dose couldn't be the problem.

Miguel's mom and pawn, too much meds, also I think not, cus I am only taking 125mg of Lamictal and nothing else.

Like I wrote in my first post, my pdoc said it's "normal" to feel this way, like a side effect showing it's working.

I presume it'll pass either with time or maybe with another increase of the dose. If 125mg won't help they'll put me on 150+5mg of Abilify.

I do hope this feeling shall pass....how can one not feel anything? I's like going from one s** (too much emotions) to anoher :/ No desire and no love....weird.

Thumbs up that it'll pass. Thank you all, you've been helpful

enjoy your day

Fantastically_July · Jun 10, 2014, 04:49 AM

I take 400mg of Lamictal and still have too many emotions....but sometimes when you're in a state of over drive of emotions, even if they are not all good emotions, when you finally start to stabilize you can feel a little flat...but give it some time, it might even out. Lamictal is a very good medication. It also works really well with an atypical antipsychotic.

Cocinella · Jun 10, 2014, 06:27 AM

July thank you so much for your kind words

Yes I am already a lot better than I was. I know Lamictal takes ages, but I really hate this flat feeling. I kinnda got used of feeling like in a bubble (derealization), but this not feeling anything is really annoying.

I mean I know how I was before and this is still not me. I do hope it'll pass with or without adding more meds to my current Lamictal. I can't say I'm unhappy, but this is just not it either.

THank you once again

doglover1979 · Jun 10, 2014, 09:30 AM

If you are coming out of a rough patch maybe you would feel this way no matter what meds you are on. Active Bipolar is very taxing on the nervous system.

It may just be that you need some time to glue it all back together. Just like if you were physically ill, mental illness can take a lot out of you.

Hope you feel better.

Cocinella · Jun 10, 2014, 01:33 PM

Doglover (btw love the nickname

) thank you for your support...

You are right, even if you have a flu or something you need time to get well soon. This has been going on in my case for about two years now, and I am really shocked and tired of everything. I am not bipolar but cyclothimic though and they said this "illness" of mine is easier to treat.

I am noticing I have more hypomanic episodes about which nobody really knows...I often feel like I'm really great and thinking about other guys etc., you know how it goes. And in all that I feel nothing towards my BF and my family, total numbness and I hate the feeling since they were and still are the one that help me the most.

I do think I'll need to try adding that Abilify to my Lamictal dose. Though I am noticing I am not crying or just burst into tears anymore practicly, I do hate this "manic" stuff, cus it only makes me edgy and confused about my emotions. Like either I have none or they are misleading.

I hope someone will comment on my last post. Once again I thank you all for your support and care.

Big hug**

pawn78 · Jun 10, 2014, 04:30 PM

My doctor already warned me that I might need to add in an antidepressant or something WITH Lamictal. He said Lamictal is a great mood stabilizer, but it can leave you feeling "flat" as you put it, I am open to another med with Lamictal if that is what helps.

Cocinella · Jun 12, 2014, 01:07 AM

Hello pawn!

Oh I do hope your right, I am not feeling myself on just Lamictal. I'm starting to think that for sure I'll have to take Abilify with it as well, like pdoc said.

I actually want to try it as soon as possible, but my appointment is 3 weeks from today :/ and I don't really want to wait that long. Maybe I'll call her and ask if it's possible to see eachother sooner.

I heard from another members that Abilify helps with anxiety as well...and with hypomanic states your in, I am noticing them quite often.

Cocinella · Jun 19, 2014, 08:37 AM

thanks doglover, your right, it takes a lot of time to get better. my body is better, my mind not yet...but i ohope i'll soon get there. i'm keeping the words of my pdoc in my head...you'll be good till september...

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Lamictal and lack of emotions, ambition and motivation

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