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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 8:20:47
Hi all. I started Lamictal a few weeks ago. Am having trouble sleeping and trouble with headaches. Also, now that I'm up to 50 mg, am generally having trouble with anxiousness.
I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with me? What side effects they experienced, if they will go away, how it has or hasn't helped in the long run?
I've searched the archives and didn't get too much (I could have missed some info, though, haven't been too "bright" the last few days).
Thanks much!
- K.
Posted by Emme on August 7, 2001, at 8:49:09
In reply to I need feedback about Lamictal side effects..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 8:20:47
Hi. Overall I felt pretty good on Lamictal - it was nice to have energy. But I did have a lot of jitteriness and anxiety and had trouble sleeping. I used Klonopin to control the anxiety and 25 mg of Seroquel at bedtime worked nicely to help me sleep through the night. As I got up to 75 mg of Lamictal, some of the jitteriness started to ease up and the antidepressant effects started to become noticeable. I can't tell you what happened after 75 mg because I got a mild rash and stopped the drug. But until then, I was very optimistic about where things were going. Good luck to you!
Emme
> Hi all. I started Lamictal a few weeks ago. Am having trouble sleeping and trouble with headaches. Also, now that I'm up to 50 mg, am generally having trouble with anxiousness.
>
> I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with me? What side effects they experienced, if they will go away, how it has or hasn't helped in the long run?
>
> I've searched the archives and didn't get too much (I could have missed some info, though, haven't been too "bright" the last few days).
>
> Thanks much!
>
> - K.
Posted by Hattree on August 7, 2001, at 9:11:58
In reply to Re: I need feedback about Lamictal side effects... » Kingfish, posted by Emme on August 7, 2001, at 8:49:09
I take Lamictal along with Zoloft for dysthymia (not BP, so it may be different). I seem to be doing well on just 25 mg, though it took some weeks for me to say so. My only side effect is a curious itch in one spot on my belly.
> Hi. Overall I felt pretty good on Lamictal - it was nice to have energy. But I did have a lot of jitteriness and anxiety and had trouble sleeping. I used Klonopin to control the anxiety and 25 mg of Seroquel at bedtime worked nicely to help me sleep through the night. As I got up to 75 mg of Lamictal, some of the jitteriness started to ease up and the antidepressant effects started to become noticeable. I can't tell you what happened after 75 mg because I got a mild rash and stopped the drug. But until then, I was very optimistic about where things were going. Good luck to you!
> Emme
>
>
> > Hi all. I started Lamictal a few weeks ago. Am having trouble sleeping and trouble with headaches. Also, now that I'm up to 50 mg, am generally having trouble with anxiousness.
> >
> > I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with me? What side effects they experienced, if they will go away, how it has or hasn't helped in the long run?
> >
> > I've searched the archives and didn't get too much (I could have missed some info, though, haven't been too "bright" the last few days).
> >
> > Thanks much!
> >
> > - K.
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 7, 2001, at 9:29:38
In reply to I need feedback about Lamictal side effects..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 8:20:47
I never had any side-effects, even at 600 mg of Lamictal per day.
Posted by shelliR on August 7, 2001, at 10:27:15
In reply to I need feedback about Lamictal side effects..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 8:20:47
Kingfish, I also had no side effects with lamictal (got up to 300mg) except that I immediately put on fifteen pounds and was very bloated (lbs came off right after I was no longer taking it). Otherwise, though, it was pleasant surprise since I generally have side effects for everything and as an adjunct to my AD it was very helpful.
Shelli
Posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 10:35:59
In reply to Re: I need feedback about Lamictal side effects... » Kingfish, posted by shelliR on August 7, 2001, at 10:27:15
it seems like several of you have stopped taking it. Why was it no longer effective? Did it work for a little while and then "poop" out? (Except having to stop due to the rash).
Thanks again!
- K.
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 7, 2001, at 11:08:50
In reply to thank you so much for feedback, but..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 10:35:59
Lamictal pooped-out on me after 2 months. YMMV
Posted by shelliR on August 7, 2001, at 11:21:50
In reply to thank you so much for feedback, but..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 10:35:59
> it seems like several of you have stopped taking it. Why was it no longer effective? Did it work for a little while and then "poop" out? (Except having to stop due to the rash).
>
> Thanks again!
>
> - K.I stopped it because of the weight gain. I was already about twenty pounds heavier than I should be and working hard to lose that weight. So I couldn't deal with more weight and especially the type of weight: my breasts hurt, and I felt "swollen". But that was the only reason I stopped.
Shelli
Posted by JahL on August 7, 2001, at 13:00:01
In reply to thank you so much for feedback, but..., posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 10:35:59
>Hi all. I started Lamictal a few weeks ago. Am having trouble sleeping and trouble with headaches. Also, now that I'm up to 50 mg, am generally having trouble with anxiousness.
Mmm. I've been taking it for 5 months now (250mg/d) & whilst it's generally a v. tolerable drug to take, I have been unusually agitated/'activated' (which often manifests as anxiety) of late. I had suspected that the Lamictal might be the culprit. Since starting it I've been smoking a lot more pot (with my doc's 'consent'!) to 'calm' myself. All day long really. I have prounced RLS @ the mo'.
My insomnia has also worsened; I'm up laying bets till 5 or 6 most mornings. Before Lamictal I used to get off by 2 or 3am.
>I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with me? What side effects they experienced, if they will go away, how it has or hasn't helped in the long run?
> it seems like several of you have stopped taking it. Why was it no longer effective? Did it work for a little while and then "poop" out? (Except having to stop due to the rash).
Kinda. After a couple of weeks, whilst only on 25mg, I was enjoying about a 30% remission. This has diminished with time and now Lamictal is only helpful in the same way that VPA & Zyprexa are; ie mildly. We're about to augment it with Prozac + Zyprexa.
J.
Posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 13:50:07
In reply to Re: thank you so much for feedback, but... » Kingfish, posted by SalArmy4me on August 7, 2001, at 11:08:50
> Lamictal pooped-out on me after 2 months. YMMV
Posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 13:50:50
In reply to Re: thank you so much for feedback, but... » Kingfish, posted by shelliR on August 7, 2001, at 11:21:50
> > it seems like several of you have stopped taking it. Why was it no longer effective? Did it work for a little while and then "poop" out? (Except having to stop due to the rash).
> >
> > Thanks again!
> >
> > - K.
>
> I stopped it because of the weight gain. I was already about twenty pounds heavier than I should be and working hard to lose that weight. So I couldn't deal with more weight and especially the type of weight: my breasts hurt, and I felt "swollen". But that was the only reason I stopped.
>
> Shelli
Posted by Kingfish on August 7, 2001, at 13:57:19
In reply to Re: thank you so much for feedback, but... » Kingfish, posted by JahL on August 7, 2001, at 13:00:01
Sounds awfully frustrating for you, Jah.
For what it's worth, Prozac is initially helping me (I'm Bipolar, with more trouble with depression, although as I get older the mania is increasing). But as I recall, you have tried Prozac before.
Thanks for your input. I can't recall if you tried Topamax, but it has been helpful for me, except for the sedation. The bad side effects - you know, slowing of cognitive skills, etc. - did go away for me. And it is calming, especially augmented with Neurontin.
So I was hopeful that combining the two, Lamictal, an activating med, and Topamax, a sedating one (for me) would work. We'll see.
I think I have the flu right now which is interfering. How can one tell whether it's the meds or a simple little virus causing headaches, fatigue, and general malaise? :)
Take care.
- K.
This is the end of the thread.
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