[Purplesept2007]

Hi Everyone,
I will be starting Lamitctal either tomorrow or Friday with 25mg for the first 10 days and then 50mg for next 10 days. Anyone who has taken this medicine either now or in the past I would love to hear your thoughts, whether good or bad thanks...

[Hopeful Camel]

I take Lamictal 200 mg daily. I love this drug. I was so terribly depressed when I first was put on it, I thought I was catatonic. Within about a week, I was seeing blue skies, birds, and life abloom around me. I felt GOOD. I have never had any side effects with it.

I'm thinking about getting off of most of my meds, but I think I would stay on Lamictal, because I am prone to major depression.

Good luck!

[CamW]

Bonnie - Make sure that you don't increase the dose of Lamictal™ (lamotrigine), because if you do one of the side effects is an inability to do normally automatic mathematical equations in your head. It is a weird side effect, but it can be troublesome when buying groceries or doing a job where you have to figure how much of something needs to be ordered. It's sort of a memory thing or brain fart.

An important but very rare side effect is Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It is a potentially fatal blistering rash that can move from outside to inside the body. It is usually seen in the very young, but even then it is rare. It usually occurs 2 to 8 weeks after starting lamotrigine, seldom after that. If you start to get a rash contact you doctor immediately. Not all rashes are Steven-Johnson syndrome.

You also can see it in people who stop the medication cold turkey for about a week and then restart it at full dose. I have never seen this happen, but it is in the literature.

I say these things just for you to be aware. They should not scare you, as I am sure that your doctor is aware of them and will be watching for any problems.

Hope this is of some help. - Cam

[Blitter2014]

I have been on Lamotrigine now for about three months. I started out on 25mg and now take the standard 200mg. I hope to go higher yet. I switched from lithium and seroquel. I love Lamotrigine, and now take it with Saphris. It has slowed the racing thoughts, lessened my anxiety levels and allows me to think relatively clearly. I have had some memory issues, but hard to say what drug is/has caused that as its a listed side effect for a few mood stabilizers. I could feel a difference in me within a few days but as I am still ramping up (I was scared to ramp too quickly due to side effects- I had a rash but it turned out to be similar to pimples all over my body....just my body getting used to the new drug- they are all but gone now) but the higher I go with the dosage the better I am feeling. And thats saying something since I have been in this depressive hellhole now for over 18 months.

I hope it goes well for you. Hugs

[Purplesept2007]

Thanks I am aware of the Steven-Johnson syndrome rash and she told me that if I got any kind of rash to contact my doctor immediately and stop taking it until it could be determined what it was. She also said it is very rare but very serious. But those are the kinds of things sometime are forgotten by the doctors when I start something new I always read all the side effects plus make my husband aware of it also just in case I would not take notice for some reason. My memory is going anyways so I am sure this will not help but I think it would be something I could live with if I could get the kind of results you guys are having, thanks.

[Disorder7]

I was only on it for two days. I'm allergic to it. I was itching all over.
Then my feet became very swollen. Everyone talks about the rash, but edema is also an allergic reaction.

[simplydivine1030]

I've been on it for over a year and no side effects. If you go up or when you initially start you may get headaches but they will go away. It does help my mood. I also take abilify with it.

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by Hopeful Camel

I take Lamictal 200 mg daily. I love this drug. I was so terribly depressed when I first was put on it, I thought I was catatonic. Within about a week, I was seeing blue skies, birds, and life abloom around me. I felt GOOD. I have never had any side effects with it.

I'm thinking about getting off of most of my meds, but I think I would stay on Lamictal, because I am prone to major depression.

Good luck!

What is your diagnosis? I have docs suggesting I take Lamictal for major depressive disorder but all research I've done has said Lamictal is best either for bipolar or as an augment to antidepressants. Do you take other antidepressants?

[Hopeful Camel]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

What is your diagnosis? I have docs suggesting I take Lamictal for major depressive disorder but all research I've done has said Lamictal is best either for bipolar or as an augment to antidepressants. Do you take other antidepressants?

At the time it was prescribed, my dx was chronic major depression with psychotic features, PTSD, and Major Mood Disorder. I was not on other anti-depressants. My psychiatrist was on the faculty of the medical school and said it was off label used for depression. It worked for me.

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by Hopeful Camel

At the time it was prescribed, my dx was chronic major depression with psychotic features, PTSD, and Major Mood Disorder. I was not on other anti-depressants. My psychiatrist was on the faculty of the medical school and said it was off label used for depression. It worked for me.

Thanks that helps! You're the first I've heard of that was not on other antidepressants with Lamictal. Gives me hope because if I do go on it, the idea is to be on that alone.

[ohjustchillin]

I've been taking it for a little over a year now. I'm on 200mgs every day. Just make sure you don't adjust your dose without your doctor on board. It messes you up.
But as long as you take it as prescribed, it can work wonders! It has for me

[Tangerine87]

Does lamictal cause memory loss?

[still i rise]

I've been on Lamictal for several years. It is one of the only medications that has had no side effects! I'm curious to know how it works for you!

[Hopeful Camel]

I've never had any side effects that I am aware of. It is a pretty darn good drug, in my book. And I don't say that often.

[Purplesept2007]

I have been on it for only 4 days but my daughter felt she noticed a change from last week and she was wondering why. Good change that is (My daughter is an adult so her opinion really matters) we will see how it goes. I need to report back after being on it 20 days and then go from there.

[ohjustchillin]

It hasn't caused any memory loss for me, but I did get canker sores for like a week straight every time I upped the dose or changed it all. And it makes me groggy for a bit, so I take it st night. Occasionally I get a headache, but its never anything some Tylenol can't fix.