![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 ben on March 9, 2006, at 15:20:35
Hello together
Last summer I took lithium, 600mg/day of Effexor and 800 mg
of Neurontin twice daily. Effexor had lost its effect at 300mg7day and did not regainits effectivness at 600mg/day.
Then my physician (pdoc) began to order Lamictal for me, in order to stabilize better my moodr. At the same time I wanted to wean off Effexor, since it did not workedany longer after
3 years. I increased the Lamictal very slowly, whereby I
began to wean off Effexor very slowly. At the end of of 2005 I had concerned with the Lamictal at 100mg/day and it seemed something to work. For this reason we did not increase. With the Effexor I had concerned at approx. at 200mg/day. In the autumn I felt an easy headache, which was coming from the back of the head (not shoulder!) over the whole head, but only on the sides (not in the middle!).
The stichting headache occurred on both sides. It passed
practically no day, without I did not have headache. Pain killers such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and morphine brought practically no improvement. This also not with higher doses. Also medicines against Migraine did not bring anything (sumatriptan for ex.) A MRI was then made from th head, and the neck spinal column was x-rayed. Blood checks.
Everything was correct. (Probably it ist the nervus occipitalis = name in latin).
As pharmacist and an occasional guest of this good forum I know that there are withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. I made however an extremely
slow tapering off. From 600mg up to 300mg (slow!) I did not notice withdrawal symptoms. When the headaches became even worser, I had not changed the dosage any longer. Now I have since approx.. 6 months continuously headaches. Effexor is at 100mg/day and at Lamictal 175mg/day.
Bruxism (is under control and I have new eyeglasses likewise, but the improvement is not large.
I get the longer the more the impression that it could be the Lamictal, which causes the headaches. A short term increase of the dose of Effexor didnot bring improvement. I began now carefully with Cymbalta, which could possibly moderate the withdrawal symptoms of the Effexor. So far however without success. The only medicine, which something brings is
Valium. Unfortunately only in a dose, which makes me too tired. Themoreover I have the feeling the headache must also have a
vasomotoric component have. Every times, if I bend my head in
front to the legs, it knocks easily in the head and the head
it becomes very heavy. Can it be the Lamictal?! The specification
concerning headache is very different with Lamictal. The company says that it does not occur more frequently, as with placebo. In scientific books it is however mostly as side effect listed, against what others antiepileptics are not so concerned.
What are you thinking and what is your experience?Many thanks and best regards
ben
Posted by Greif on March 9, 2006, at 21:09:03
In reply to LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by ben on March 9, 2006, at 15:20:35
My experience with Lamictal is headaches last for a few days when initialy starting at 25mg and each increase. They only lasted a few days each increase. I never got the dreaded rash but felt to numb and forgettful so quit using it. Not until I quit did I realise that the side efects were not worth the benefit. Certainly worked wonders on the mood though. Many people have no problems with Lamictal side efffects. Headaches are quite common. I also had vivid dreams that were not always pleasant. Advil got rid of headaches.
Posted by ben on March 10, 2006, at 3:51:35
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by Greif on March 9, 2006, at 21:09:03
> My experience with Lamictal is headaches last for a few days when initialy starting at 25mg and each increase. They only lasted a few days each increase. I never got the dreaded rash but felt to numb and forgettful so quit using it. Not until I quit did I realise that the side efects were not worth the benefit. Certainly worked wonders on the mood though. Many people have no problems with Lamictal side efffects. Headaches are quite common. I also had vivid dreams that were not always pleasant. Advil got rid of headaches.
Advil is ibuprofen which i took up to 1800mg. Thats pritty enough.Thanks anyway
ben
Posted by ben on March 10, 2006, at 3:56:14
In reply to LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by ben on March 9, 2006, at 15:20:35
Posted by gardenergirl on March 10, 2006, at 10:26:26
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?! » Greif, posted by ben on March 10, 2006, at 3:51:35
My experience is similar to Greif's. I get headaches when I increase the dose, but they pass. I take Excedrin for them, which works pretty well.
gg
Posted by ClearSkies on March 10, 2006, at 11:36:53
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by gardenergirl on March 10, 2006, at 10:26:26
I too get headaches with increases in Lamictal dosage. For me they are persistent and don't respond to any OTC pain medication. Hot and cold alternating compresses help but basically I just wait for it to get better. I have gone up and down on this medication a bit since starting it in September, so at least I know where the headaches come from.
p.s. I'm suceptible to migraines and these are NOT migraines. More like an entire hurting of my brain :(ClearSkies
Posted by ben on March 10, 2006, at 12:52:26
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by ClearSkies on March 10, 2006, at 11:36:53
> I too get headaches with increases in Lamictal dosage. For me they are persistent and don't respond to any OTC pain medication. Hot and cold alternating compresses help but basically I just wait for it to get better. I have gone up and down on this medication a bit since starting it in September, so at least I know where the headaches come from.
> p.s. I'm suceptible to migraines and these are NOT migraines. More like an entire hurting of my brain :(
>
> ClearSkiesCan you describe your headaches a little bit better? Whats your dose? Are feel a banging in your head if you bend the head to the feet?
many thanks!
ben
Posted by ClearSkies on March 10, 2006, at 19:23:30
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by ben on March 10, 2006, at 12:52:26
The headaches feel like my head is too full - lots of pressure, yet my sinuses aren't particularly sore. The pain is in the brow area, and is a constant soreness rather than a throb. Aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol do nothing to relieve the ache.
It doesn't seem to make it worse to bend over.
CS
Posted by 4WD on March 10, 2006, at 23:02:42
In reply to LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?!, posted by ben on March 9, 2006, at 15:20:35
Lamictal definitely gave me headaches which ibuprofen, etc didn't touch. So did Abilify and Depakote.
Marsha
Posted by gardenergirl on March 11, 2006, at 18:49:06
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?! » ben, posted by ClearSkies on March 10, 2006, at 19:23:30
> The headaches feel like my head is too full - lots of pressure, yet my sinuses aren't particularly sore. The pain is in the brow area, and is a constant soreness rather than a throb.
That's what mine are like. I do find relief from Excedrin and sleep. Sorry yours aren't responding. It's an awful awful headache.
gg
Posted by ben on March 12, 2006, at 2:04:10
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL causing HEADACHES ?! » ClearSkies, posted by gardenergirl on March 11, 2006, at 18:49:06
Posted by gardenergirl on March 12, 2006, at 10:46:52
In reply to How much Lamictal are you taking?! (nm), posted by ben on March 12, 2006, at 2:04:10
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.