Lamictal has fried my brain, but I am not going to let it continue to screw me over.

After struggling to read for many years, I managed to read 1 chapter in Harry Potter Sorcerer's Stone yesterday! It's an easy enough book to get myself back into the swing of things, and I've read it before, so that helps as well.

I'm probably the world's slowest reader because my concentration sucks, but my goal is to read everyday, even if it's only 5-10 pages.

I'm going to read 5 books this year. That's my goal. F_ck lamictal. I can't live the rest of my life letting it kill my passions.

[99fairies]

Have you stopped taking your lamictal?

I happen to believe that exercising the brain does help in many ways, just as exercising the body does. Doing both is ideal, though I personally need to do more of the latter. Your goal sounds like a great one.

Have you also considered adding a little writing to your life, as well? Creative writing, poetry, reflections, and article writing (with or without research) has made a world of difference for me. Art of any kind is great.

If/when you are stable for a while, consider also discussing dosage reductions with your psychiatrist. I take a fairly low dose of Lamictal with other meds, and no longer have cognitive impairment.

Originally Posted by 99fairies

Have you stopped taking your lamictal?

Nope. I'm still on it because it's the one thing that gets rid of my chronic pissy-ness.

I wish I could go off it, but nah, I'm better off staying on it. It's more helpful than harmful.

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I happen to believe that exercising the brain does help in many ways, just as exercising the body does. Doing both is ideal, though I personally need to do more of the latter. Your goal sounds like a great one.

Have you also considered adding a little writing to your life, as well? Creative writing, poetry, reflections, and article writing (with or without research) has made a world of difference for me.

If/when you are stable for a while, consider also discussing dosage reductions with your psychiatrist. I take a fairly low dose of Lamictal with other meds, and no longer have cognitive impairment.

No, I've never tried writing. I could give it a shot, though. There's no harm in trying, I suppose.

It's just that journaling triggers me in many ways, so I don't do it anymore. That's the only kind of writing I can't do.

[dsmith]

I am also taking Lamictal, for the last year and a half. I can relate to what you’re saying about it “frying your brain.” Couple questions, if you don’t mind:
1. How long have you been taking it?
2. What dosage are you on?
3. How do you feel your concentration was prior to starting this medication?
4. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about changing / adding medications?

I was on Lamictal (250mg) for a year and didn’t see any increase in my happiness, productivity, or concentration. My doctor put me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL, but unfortunately that has had little to no effect either.

I agree with BirdDancer’s post above about the therapeutic benefits of writing and exercising; on the days that I feel “muddled,” running or working out really helps clear my mind. Writing is a mixed bag for me; sometimes it just sinks me further into the mental quicksand, as I see in front of me how depressing my thoughts and outlook are.

Drawing can also be helpful, with music in the background. I’ve tried this with pretty good results, on the advice of my therapist.

That’s admirable that you’re planning to read 5-10 books this year. Are you planning to read fiction or non-fiction?

Keep up the good work; continue to set goals for yourself that are attainable, and you’ll see an uplift in your overall happiness.

Originally Posted by dsmith

I am also taking Lamictal, for the last year and a half. I can relate to what you’re saying about it “frying your brain.” Couple questions, if you don’t mind:
1. How long have you been taking it?
2. What dosage are you on?
3. How do you feel your concentration was prior to starting this medication?
4. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about changing / adding medications?

I was on Lamictal (250mg) for a year and didn’t see any increase in my happiness, productivity, or concentration. My doctor put me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL, but unfortunately that has had little to no effect either.

I agree with BirdDancer’s post above about the therapeutic benefits of writing and exercising; on the days that I feel “muddled,” running or working out really helps clear my mind. Writing is a mixed bag for me; sometimes it just sinks me further into the mental quicksand, as I see in front of me how depressing my thoughts and outlook are.

Drawing can also be helpful, with music in the background. I’ve tried this with pretty good results, on the advice of my therapist.

That’s admirable that you’re planning to read 5-10 books this year. Are you planning to read fiction or non-fiction?

Keep up the good work; continue to set goals for yourself that are attainable, and you’ll see an uplift in your overall happiness.

I've been taking Lamcital for... errr... I think 2 years? I'm on 400mg.

My concentration was piss poor before starting the medication due to ADHD and untreated mood swings, but Lamictal seemed to exacerbate the poor concentration.

I don't think I could ever go off the Lamictal since it's the only thing that makes me not pissy. I used to be violent, agitated, and plain verbally abusive. I was someone who I regret being.

I don't have much time to exercise, sadly. I have a full-time job and I'm a caregiver for my grandma, who has advanced dementia. She needs 24/7 care.

We have a gym at work, but I just got a promotion, so I'm scared to fall behind at work. Not that any of those things are good excuses, but that's what I'm struggling with. To find the right balance.

Anyway, I'm going to read fiction books. I get a little bored of non-fiction.

[Zigy]

I feel slow and I find it hard to focus. Even things like typing are hard. I make lots of typos and I've become more dyslexic that I've ever been, can't even properly dial a number. I didn't know what to blame it on, but it makes sense that it may be Lamictal. I've been on it for around 7 months only. That makes me worried. My job is already very hard as it is.

[UpDownAround]

I have just experienced the reverse. I ran out of lamictal while I was filling my pill sorter and scanned it for the refill. I do this a lot. When meds come in, I check the sorter to see where I left off and fill it the rest of the way. For some reason the lamictal was overlooked at the drug store and it didn't make it home. I ended up taking daily pills to empty the sorter before I realized it when I went to refill the sorter. I wasn't sure what was causing me to be so spacey and depressed. I wasn't taking my lamictal for a few days. I went right over to the drug store and picked it up. It is the magic med for me. Other stuff kinda helps but starting lamictal made the biggest difference of anything I have done to address my mental health.

[~Christina]

I use to devour books, hundreds of books a year.

This last IP stay I just wasn’t able to get back to reading, it really bothers me but most nights I just lay in bed staring at the wall begging for sleep.

I like you have decided once I move is to get back to reading by doing x pages a day.

May we both enjoy reading again

[still_crazy]

maybe the dosage is a bit high? I'm going up to 200 now. So far, so good. Not as stoopid-making as Trileptal. Seems to play nicely w/ the 20/Abilify.

But...I have a friend who was on 400, and towards the end of the day, she had trouble with slowed down thoughts, etc. I think now she's on a lower dose, plus a small dose of a stimulant.

If you're taking other sedating drugs, sometimes the effect is like 1+1=3.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

No, I've never tried writing. I could give it a shot, though. There's no harm in trying, I suppose.

It's just that journaling triggers me in many ways, so I don't do it anymore. That's the only kind of writing I can't do.

Journal writing triggers me too. It makes me feel worse.

[annielovesbacon]

Lamictal is frying my brain too, although not being able to read was a problem wayyy before that med just because depression made it so hard to concentrate and read. But lamictal fries my memory and affects my concentration for sure.
I think setting a reading goal for this year is an awesome idea. I hope you don't mind if I copy that

[Nocalove]

I have been taking Lamictal 100 mg X 2 a day for about two years. I do not know if this medication is the culprit or if it is a combination of my medication but I often feel flat. Does anyone feel flat?

[scatterbrained04]

I'm not sure if it's meds frying my brain or just bipolar in general. I love to read, but I sure go through periods where I can't. I have two books laying around that I'm halfway through but haven't touched in 3 months. I think the library may want their book back...

Congrats on finishing a chapter! May we all be able to read again soon.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

May we all be able to read again soon.

Or just look at the pretty pictures like a certain president I've heard about.

[99fairies]

I was taking 325 mg a day but started having trouble with my temper, so I increased it to 400. Now a feel calm as a cucumber. I love my lamictal.