I was prescribed Lamictal for possible bipolar type II disorder in depressive stage. I am still being diagnosed. First 25 mg chewable tablet gave me a slight itching sensation on the tongue and throat, also severe headache which I would describe as bad as a migraine pain. It started from middle of my head and spread to my forehead and moved behind my eyes. My night sleep decreased 1-2 hours from the normal so I was tired but still energetic. My mood improved rapidly, my anxiety eased, I had less thoughts and suicidal ideation was gone, I felt like this is absolutely what my brain had been craving all these years. Sadly the allergic reactions came fast too: urticaria on arms and face, the mucous membranes of my mouth, tongue and vagina started to feel thin, my lower lip split, coarse throat and stuffy nose, I started to have vaginal bleeding and my menstrual cycle got messed up. I also experienced rapid thoughts which I haven’t had in years. My depression was lifted but my hypomania set in. We are currently looking into another meds, I am generally very sensitive to all meds. I am happy Lamictal helped to end the long and severe depressive episode. I took Lamictal for seven days and it felt like a miracle. No side effects from quitting and I was told to stop immediately by my health care provider.
I have been on lamictal since 2006. My dosage is 300 mg twice a day which hasn't changed for many many years. It has always worked beautifully for me since I have moved swings and a problem with impulse control. The last year or two though I have been getting more and more depressed. I cannot stay awake, ever! I've never really experienced any side effects since I've been on it until recently. One thing I have learned about this medication, I usually get the generic of course, there are certain brands of the generics that cause more side effects than others. I've always been on Teva brand which is what worked excellent for me, until recently. I'm 60 years old now though so I'm sure my body chemistry has changed, especially since menopause. I think it's an excellent medication and I would not be fearful if my doctor prescribed it for me again. But as of now I think I'm going to try to wean myself way down on the dosage, if my doctor says it's okay, and see if I still get good results from it without the depression that I've been in.
Started this medication 3 yrs ago it did well.. But Dr don't tell you it can cause lupus but it does.. So was taken off because it gave me lupus.. Oh yea might work a couple years or more.. But the longer you take and older you get look out..
This introduced me to panic attacks and has ruined my life. I couldn’t sleep and I went days without sleeping, gave me severe anxiety and OCD and eventually pushed me far enough to suicidal thoughts. I wish I could go back in time to not take it. I’m in therapy right now for the experience it gave me, and even when i got off it, i developed panic disorder and I still have the OCD.
Currently have been on 200 mg of lamictal for about two years, and I can’t say enough positive things about this medication. It has really changed my life for the better. I have struggled with treatment resistant depression, panic attacks, unstable moods and possible BPD for 10+ years, and this has been the first medication to make my brain feel “normal.” My moods aren’t always fluctuating severely anymore. This is the most emotionally stable I’ve been in a long time, even though it’s also been one of the toughest times of my life. I have never experienced negative side effects, and don’t feel any withdrawal symptoms when accidentally missing a dose. This drug has probably saved my life.
I have schizoaffective disorder and part of this is bipolar depression and mixed manic episodes. I love this medication, it has changed my life. I am on 4 meds for mental health and this is the one that has had most impact. I can think clearer and no longer have severe depression or mania. No more mixed episodes since starting this which were hell. Thanks lamictal.
I started on Lamictal about 5 months ago. I am talking it with Prozac, to be honest it hasn't done too much for me, i just started a new med so hoping things will get better. this medicine does not have too many side effects - just for me being tired more. this is definitely a med to add for anxiety and anger/impulsive issues. that is what i was on it for
It’s really great it helped a lot .. i was on depakin first for 2 years and i gained 20kg in 3 month. It destroyed my confidence then they changed it to respridone for 4 months and it didn’t go well. I was always sleepy and I couldn’t work properly and I felt that my emotions were numbness. I couldn’t think or do anything I felt that I’m lost. After that they changed it to lamictal in beginning ilI didn’t feel much but after they increased it to 200mg everything changed I feel better things changed on how I feel and I finally started to feel happy.
I am without enough words to encourage anyone suffering a bi polar depression to seek out this absolute fantastic drug. I finally found relief from a doctor who specializes in bi polar treatment and we ended up at 200mgs. Be sure you find the right amount. Within 20min of taking it I feel balanced with absolutely no depression. It doesn’t speed me up . It just sets all the meters to normal. Seriously this product saved my life. I felt I’d have rather been dead than to continue to exist in my hellish depression. It sure works for me and judging by other reviews I see I am not alone.
I was prescribed this medication for depression/ anxiety . ( not bipolar disorder ) It has worked very well . A miracle . My doctor started me on 25 and then 50, then 75, then 100 up Until I was on 150 MG, I would say over the course of 3 weeks. Only side effect was a headache . Did not gain any weight at all and my weight can be up and down.
Took it tonight for the first time. Can’t sleep! Woke up 45 into sleep with crazy dreams and Racing heart beat with sucidal thoughts. Also have a stiff neck and headache with lots of gas! Messaged my doctor for help ASAP on next steps. Started this to help with depressions, feeling helpless, mood stabilizing and nuero path pain due to my multiple Schlerosis.
I used to be on carbamazepine and didn't really have any side effects. They switched me to this one because they thought it could help with depression. So far, I feel angry, weird, depressed, and sometimes cannot get out of bed. I started losing my hair. I have a third of it left. I can't think of anything good about this medicine. I'm hoping to get off it soon or lower my dose. I'm definitely not going up and I told my psychiatrist that. I've been in depression for 6 months now. They haven't managed to give me anything that works. Just because they say something will work for depression doesn't mean it will. I honestly don't understand how I can be so different than all the other patients who have had great results.
Put on this med for depression/anxiety and non-bipolar mood challenges. other anti-depressants have not helped post menopause (they helped before). i took this drug for 3 days and experienced headache, skin pain (burning and itching), weepiness, irritability, and basically felt “off”… always on the low side, never on the high side. I decided these side effects weren’t worth another 2-3 weeks of titrating the dose upward… and with permission from my doc, i stopped. I’m glad it works for some people, it’s just not for me.
Worst thoughts ever really had bad time of bad thoughts and feeling useless and worthless hateful mean and crying the next min need something else
First few days I was angry all the time. I felt more anxious as well. 3 weeks in, and I can’t remember anything. I couldn’t have a normal conversation with anyone: I kept forgetting what I said. I became a zombie who only felt anger. I had to sleep in my car during work and my boyfriend said that I lost my spark. I didn’t know what was happening let alone what I had said 30 seconds ago. Terrifying. Absolutely awful. 0/10
Taking for Anxiety/PTSD Just started taking it tonight, my insomnia & I are waiting for the drowsiness. Starting on 25 mg.
I was apprehensive about taking this medication as I was never interested in dealing with my hypomania. I was also terrified of gaining more weight as I suffered from binge eating issues. Postpartum my symptoms became worse than ever. I also have PCOS and due to that, I am insulin resistant. After a horrible couple of months, I finally sought an appointment with my psychiatrist. After a couple of weeks, my binge eating had improved, noticeably. This happened because I was able to better manage my emotions and emotional eating. How exciting to have that as a side effect. I did make sure to communicate to my doctor that if I gained weight, my anxiety would worsen and I'd stop taking the medication. He prescribed Lamotrigine/Lamictal. I started with .25mg 2x a day for the first seven days. Then .50mg 2x a day. Aside from my binge eating improving, my explosive rageful outbursts have become less frequent. I can think a bit clearer and be my best self. Sleep has improved as well. When my anxiety is really bad, I take Gabapentin as needed. I take that up to 3x a day. 300mg per pill. I hope this helps others as much as it has helped me. I'm very optimistic and excited about the future for once!
Been using Lamictal for the past 7 years for Bipolar. It has worked amazing!!! Just put me in the right place. Only thing is I get a little speeded up, like coffee. So I try to limit my coffee intake or Im through the roof.
Medication has helped me the most out of all I've been on. Very little/minor side effects for great results. Sad because I got the rash and had to stop taking