Lamotrigine increasing energy?

Wanderlust90 · Oct 26, 2016, 07:40 AM

When I filled my rx the pharmacist said I would likely experience sedation but I've not had any sedation at all from lamotrigine. In fact I feel more energetic the higher the dose gets, I'm only at 50mg so far, & titrating up 25mg every 2 weeks, which is actually slower than my neurologist instructed but I've been scared off of faster titration because of the stories of Stevens Johnston syndrome (SJS) or the dreaded lamictal rash. I've actually nursed a patient who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), the most severe form of lamotrigine skin reaction & she essentially appeared to have severe burn scars, all over her body. Poor woman was traumatised for life & still struggled with the pain the scars caused, not to mention the psychological pain she's suffered as well.

still_crazy · Oct 26, 2016, 10:59 AM

I dunno. Its like...sometimes, when I was still taking benzodiazepines as needed, taking one would actually make me more productive and feel kinda energized. All I can think of is that reducing some tension, plus maybe a slight mood lift (?)=less of your mental energy tied up in knots, so you feel more energetic.

I take 100 Lamictal, also, and its been helpful. I hope this combination works out nicely for you.

Sad Mermaid · Oct 26, 2016, 01:39 PM

My most productive year at work was when I was on Lamictal monotherapy. I do not know if there was a cause and effect relationship, though. I have heard from one local pdoc that many execs in Silicon Valley take Lamictal to acquire an edge in productivity.

wiretwister · Oct 26, 2016, 04:40 PM

I can say with no hesitation now at 200mg lamotrigine i feel so much better than the 400 I had been on for a very long time .... I did not even realize HOW MUCH it had deadened me till now that I am on a lower dose ... more energy and a better "outlook" on life ... I like it .... but it is a good med if you need it ... and I expect to always be on it ... just at as low a dose as I can go ....

JustJace2u · Oct 26, 2016, 04:50 PM

I just started Lamictal over the weekend and I too am already feeling more energetic than prior to the med change. Not sure if it has to do with that or the Wellbutrin I'm on.

Wanderlust90 · Oct 26, 2016, 05:09 PM

Anyone get a really itchy scalp as well?

xRavenx · Oct 26, 2016, 07:54 PM

I'm on 300 mg here, and I noticed a significant increase in energy when I went from 200 mg-300 mg recently. Before that, I was experiencing a depressive episode with very low energy. I'm just crossing my fingers that this energy is not a sign that I'm going to become manic again.

Bigmike727 · Oct 27, 2016, 01:43 AM

When I first started taking it, it gave me insomnia since it was so stimulating. Switched to taking it in the am and it stopped after awhile. I don't feel that same stimulation anymore, I guess since my body got used to it it really doesn't affect me any more stimulation-wise.

Oct 27, 2016, 01:50 AM

Lamictal works great for me. No sedation or hyperactivity. Just normal.

Oct 27, 2016, 03:31 AM

I did get a slight boost in energy in my first few weeks of taking it, but the energy faded away fairly quickly. I was also coming out of a depression, though.

For me, it's neither sedating nor activating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderlust90

Anyone get a really itchy scalp as well?

No, but I do know that lamotrigine can do weird things to your skin besides the SJS thing. Sometimes the effects go away on their own; other times they don't. You can see a dermatologist for medication to counteract the effect if you really want.