![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 11:01:25
> I started on lamictal a few days ago, 25mgs the first week, and then moving up in increments of 25mgs every seven days. Outside of the rash concern, what nuisance side effects can I expect? I am an avid golfer, one of the few pleasures, that I have left. Will lamictal affect my coordination? I am also having a great deal of anxiety now, as well as the depression. I know that lamictal is somewhat stimulating, but will it help to manage the unbearable anxiety? Also what about cognitive side effects? Any feedback appreciated.....Ted
Posted by judy1 on February 3, 2001, at 12:45:22
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 11:01:25
Hi Ted,
Well we all know what happened to me on lamictal, but on my way up to that 100mg mark, I really had no side effects at all. I was on klonopin at the same time (panic disorder) so that may have protected me from the anxiety you are feeling. Of all the mood stabilizers I have taken this had the lowest side effect profile (except for neurontin which did nothing). Are you on any benzos now? If you can't tolerate the 25mg increases, my shrink told me I could cut the pill in 1/2, even though they say not to. Also increasing every 10 days isn't unusual. Cognitively, I always function poorly when depressed and of course genius level when manic. So it's hard to point fingers at meds, except I know for sure when I was on stupidmax aka topamax I was functioning poorly. Wishing you just the slightest hypomania- Judy
Posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 14:44:13
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects » Ted R, posted by judy1 on February 3, 2001, at 12:45:22
> Hi Ted,
> Well we all know what happened to me on lamictal, but on my way up to that 100mg mark, I really had no side effects at all. I was on klonopin at the same time (panic disorder) so that may have protected me from the anxiety you are feeling. Of all the mood stabilizers I have taken this had the lowest side effect profile (except for neurontin which did nothing). Are you on any benzos now? If you can't tolerate the 25mg increases, my shrink told me I could cut the pill in 1/2, even though they say not to. Also increasing every 10 days isn't unusual. Cognitively, I always function poorly when depressed and of course genius level when manic. So it's hard to point fingers at meds, except I know for sure when I was on stupidmax aka topamax I was functioning poorly. Wishing you just the slightest hypomania- Judy
>Judy, thanks for getting back to me. I have just been so damn anxious lately, and then it turns into extreme hypochondria,panicky feelings. I have been on klonopin before. Hell, I sold the drug(pharmaceutical rep) Right now, the doc was telling me to take a little xanax and some Tranxene, but the tranxene does nothing. So I hope he will allow me to take more xanax until the panic cools. I did pretty well on klonopin for awhile, back when, but it left me feeling sort of flat...I'm glad you are feeling better. Yes I wish I could have a little mania soon, and lamictal induced and not alcohol(induced)...Take care. It has been about 15 minutes, since I checked my lymph nodes or examined for any lamictal induced rashes..HA HA..so I'll say goodbye for now...Ted
Posted by shellie on February 3, 2001, at 15:45:19
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 14:44:13
Ted, I had no coordination problems with lamictal (and I am up to 300), just some weight gain, and I've read only 17% of lamictal users gain weight.
I wouldn't worry about side effects, unless they come. Shellie
Posted by BK on February 3, 2001, at 21:04:16
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 11:01:25
> > I started on lamictal a few days ago, 25mgs the first week, and then moving up in increments of 25mgs every seven days. Outside of the rash concern, what nuisance side effects can I expect? I am an avid golfer, one of the few pleasures, that I have left. Will lamictal affect my coordination? I am also having a great deal of anxiety now, as well as the depression. I know that lamictal is somewhat stimulating, but will it help to manage the unbearable anxiety? Also what about cognitive side effects? Any feedback appreciated.....Ted
Hey Ted,
I was on lamictal for about three months. Initially, the side effects were very moderate and i did get a slight, and enjoyable, manic charge. Cognitively, I felt my writing and speaking skills improved noticeably. Unfortunately, i started experiencing persistent sore throats,nasty dandruff and hairloss (I'm hoping its from the lamictal)and difficulty sleeping. The cognitive improvements also dissipated significantly. As you know, everyone reacts differently. Please stay with it and find out for yourself. Perhaps this will be the one for you.
Posted by Sulpicia on February 3, 2001, at 22:43:38
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by BK on February 3, 2001, at 21:04:16
> > >Hi Ted -- my 15 y/o daughter is on lamictal and it worked well for her BP II. It was hard for her because of the slow increase but it really relieved her depression [in combo w/wellbutrin] and stabilized her moods.
According to her, it is an "up" drug rather than "down."
And the rash! My daughter got it and I've read every damn thing written about it and lamictal. You're correct to be vigilant but the chance of this happening to you is remote in the extreme. My daughter is restarting as I write this. To be safest, go slow and stay out of the sun; lamictal can cause an actinic rash and the docs all panic.
Actual panic I can't offer any experience with -- her other issue is drugs. :):)
I hope this med works for you. I've heard from many that it's a wonder for them.
Posted by orthius on February 4, 2001, at 4:19:10
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Sulpicia on February 3, 2001, at 22:43:38
i dont mean to sound stupid here but i am considering trying this medicine where most other thigs have failed i hope it will work since i can never get out of this slump and irritable mood but what is an actinic rash ?
Posted by Sulpicia on February 4, 2001, at 23:53:41
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by orthius on February 4, 2001, at 4:19:10
Hey Orthius --
sorry after reading tons of med lit, now I speak jargon!
it simply means a rash caused by exposure to sunlight. Probably some ancient Greek derivation or something.
Some of the best info on lamictal is contained in the product info available on the Glaxo-Wellcome site.
See also Dr. Bobs psychopharmacology tips on lamictal.I hope it works out for you.
S. :)
Posted by Lexie on February 5, 2001, at 4:53:01
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 11:01:25
> > I started on lamictal a few days ago, 25mgs the first week, and then moving up in increments of 25mgs every seven days. Outside of the rash concern, what nuisance side effects can I expect? I am an avid golfer, one of the few pleasures, that I have left. Will lamictal affect my coordination? I am also having a great deal of anxiety now, as well as the depression. I know that lamictal is somewhat stimulating, but will it help to manage the unbearable anxiety? Also what about cognitive side effects? Any feedback appreciated.....Ted
HI Ted
It was the one for me in combination with Topamax 400 mgs., and 500 mgs. Lamicatical You have to stay with it. This is a very slow process. If it was not for noa I would never have made it. Topamax was for the acting out and the highs and the lamictal for the depression. I have had my problems lately the depression has been "Situational" and not "Clinical." If everyone expects life to be wonderful all of the time they will be sadley mistaken. Lifes cicumstances are alway's going to be there to threw ugly road blocks in our way. I just don't want these "road blocks" to make me fall over the cliff. All my best, Lexie
Posted by JohnX on February 11, 2001, at 10:37:43
In reply to Re: starting lamictal and side effects, posted by Ted R on February 3, 2001, at 11:01:25
> > I started on lamictal a few days ago, 25mgs the first week, and then moving up in increments of 25mgs every seven days. Outside of the rash concern, what nuisance side effects can I expect? I am an avid golfer, one of the few pleasures, that I have left. Will lamictal affect my coordination? I am also having a great deal of anxiety now, as well as the depression. I know that lamictal is somewhat stimulating, but will it help to manage the unbearable anxiety? Also what about cognitive side effects? Any feedback appreciated.....Ted
I'm an avid golfer too. I'm taking Lamictal 300mg
currently, and I am not experiencing any side
effects. It has done a good job of stabilizing
my mood and relieving me of some pain.When I would start the med or bump the dose,
sometimes I would become clumsy (lack of motor
skills) and have trouble with my speech. But
those effects for me usually went away in a day
or 2.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.