Lamictal?

Hello,
I was just prescibed Lamictal for my depression...anyone have any luck with it? Or bad luck? Would like to hear from anyone who has been on it!
Thanks in advance,
NN

Let me put it this way: They will pry my Lamictal out of my cold, dead hands. ;-)

I have been on 4 mood stabilizers in the last 16 months. Lamictal is the first one that worked, either at all, or without horrible side effects. It takes a long time to gear up to a useful dose -- for me that was 100 mg, am now on 150 mg -- but man, once you hit it, it's heaven. At least for me. No more fine-one-hour, suicidal-the-next stuff -- just nice and steady and stable. I love it!

Candy

I was on it and after a week had to get off. It caused a severe rash all over - it was bad.

I once watched it spread all over my arm within a 15 min. time frame. Took awhile to get rid of the rash as well.

I am bringing this back up to the top because I can't remember what my pdoc said about possible Lamictal side effects. Can it cause sores on the inside of your mouth? It has been hurting to eat, and I went to the dentist today and she wants me to see an oral surgeon because I have sores on the roof of my mouth, my left cheek, and both sides of my tongue. I seem to remember my pdoc saying that was a possible side effect, but am not sure.

I have 3 weeks before my insurance runs out, and the insurance at the new job won't start till April 1, so I don't think I'll be seeing an oral surgeon anytime soon. I do know one thing that does this to me is certain cereals -- I love Capn Crunch, but it rips my mouth to shreds! Lately I've been on a Cinnamon Toast Crunch kick (yeah, I have a problem with that "healthy" crap like Special K and all ), and that isn't easy on your mouth either.

I'm just hoping there's an easy solution and I don't have to quit Lamictal, because it's the only mood stabilizer I've tried that actually works for me.

Any ideas appreciated.

Candy

I have been on Lamictal for a little over 2 years, have had no problem with side effects, maybe just mild dryness around my neck, but then I am pre menopausal too, so that may be part of it.
Your mouth sore can be from certain foods, I know some hard candies can cause that too.
Have you asked your pdoc if this is from the med or foods?
Lamictal when started gradually, doesn't cause problems for most of the people using it, close monitoring should also be part of the introduction of any new psycho pharmaceuticals medications to help assure pdoc and patient that it is working or not, etc.
Well, I won't ramble but tell the pdoc about the sores, it may be diet and stress, sometimes that stuff can be nasty on our systems including change in saliva's PH, stress can cause more acids to be pumped into our saliva thus causing or contributing to mouth sores.
All I know lollipops, sour hard candies, foods, can cause me to get soreness on the roof of my mouth, some candies, I swear cause paper cuts in the mouth, ugh
You may want to give this mouth rinse a try, it is called Biotene, it is soothing and helps with salivary balance and germs, they also make a gum too

Well lots of luck with this, let us know how you make out, okay?

Sincerely,
DE

candy,

i found this information and think you should call the dr about the sores in your mouth...

What is the most important information I should know about Lamictal ?
• In rare cases, Lamictal has been associated with severe and/or life-threatening rashes and hypersensitivity reactions. Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you develop any skin rash; fever; hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; or swollen lymph glands.
http://www.drugs.com/lamictal.html

Q. How can I know if a mild rash will develop into something more serious?
A. It is not always possible to tell if a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. For this reason, if you or a loved one develop any kind of skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands in the neck, painful sores in the mouth and around the eyes, or swelling of the lips or tongue, tell a doctor right away, since these symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor will evaluate the condition and decide whether LAMICTAL should be stopped. http://www.lamictal.com/epilepsy/pat...about/faq.html

i really think you should contact your dr, candy and let him know what's going on.

let us know please. be safe,

kd

candy,

i don't mean to cause you alarm, but especially since your p'doc brought up this possible serious side affect, and now you're having it or something similar to it, i wouldn't hesitate in contacting the dr today.

i hope it's not associated at all, but please let us know. i hope posting the informational post didn't cause major alarm, but do hope you will call soon.

kd

Kimmy, my pdoc just called back -- after an afternoon of staying off the phone, though I needed to make phone calls for a story due TOMORROW, sigh....

Anyway. He asked the location of the sores. He asked if this had happened before (and it has, I get canker sores in there sometimes if I'm really stressed). He said it could be related to the psoriasis I'm dealing with, which is also caused by stress. Basically, he didn't seem too flipped out about it -- he just said to call him if it spreads, and then we'll stop the Lamictal. But since it seems to be concurrent with my other stress-induced health issues, he's guessing that's what it is, for now.

Also, Target had 2 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch on sale for $4 :-) and that is one of my favorite cereals ever. But it rips the roof of my mouth to shreds. So does Capn Crunch. A friend told me her mouth breaks out in sores if she eats too much chocolate, something I've definitely been doing lately. There are so many things it COULD be that my pdoc and I are kind of reluctant to pin it on the Lamictal just yet.

bottom line -- we're being cautious, but see no reason to stop unless it really gets out of hand.

Thanks for your research and your concern.

Candy

candy,

that is AWESOME! better safe than sorry and you know what to keep an eye out for. i sure hope it's not the drug, because from your prior post, it's working great. this is a good thing

kd

I'm on it for a childhood seizure disorder (I've only had two seizures in my lifetime, but I'd rather be on meds just in case). It hasn't helped with my mood (i've been pretty unresponsive to meds), but I know for sure that it's used as a mood stabalizer, and I have a friend who takes it for bipolar disorder and she's doing wonderfully on it.

I've been on it about a year and it's the only thing that's worked for me as a mood stabilizer. I just don't want it to kill me. :-)

Candy

I have just been prescribed Lamictal. I found this thread but was wondering if I could get more recent responses. I have not been diagnosed Bipolar, but have dealt with depression for 30+ years. Is anyone on this med who has not been Dx bipolar? I hate changing meds. ,but seem to build up a tolerance to them over time. ]

I currently take 600 mg effexor xr, 200 mg provigil and 100 mg clozaril (up from 50 but down from 200). I am hoping that the lamictal will help with the depression that seems to be setting in again. Any stories, good or bad regarding this drug would be appreciated. Thank you.

Lamictal leveled out my moods very well, and pretty fast too. Hope it helps you. Watch out for the rash.

Ryan

Thank you Ryan for your quick response... I was also wondering from everyone when is the best time to take this med? I take all my meds in the am except for the clozaril. I guess my question is....does this med have a more sedating quality...I hate feeling so tired in the morning and the clozaril already makes me feel that way.

I just have to add....That I HATE this whole medication thing and this illness(?) in general ...if that is what it is in my case .

Why is it that I can talk the talk when explaining mental illness to others, but when I begin to slip down that black hole again I can only see it as a character flaw in myself .... oh well, thank you again

Daisy, my pdoc told me that time didn't really matter with lamictal as long as it's consistant. I take mine in the am everyday before I go to work. But I have been dx bipolar. I missed that part of your thread. Sorry.

Ryan

Hi...it's me again . I have now titrated up to 100 mg. of lamictal and next week will jump to 200. No rash..that's good! But, my body aches!!! My neck and and upper shoulders are so sore. Is this a common side effect? I read that it could be..but was wondering if anyone else has had this ...and when I can expect it to end???? Also...does this med make you a bit ....for lack of a better work.....slow...mentally? I am not quite sure if this is the depression or maybe my body's response to the aches and pains. I also hope that this jump to 100 or maybe to the 200 mg. will help with my depression soon. Thanks so much for your help.

i had to stay home from work Wednesday because my body ached so badly that i couldn't stand it.....i was down tuesday and wednesday.....miserable......neck, knees, shoulders, etc.....so, i guess that's what's wrong with us.......