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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 7:15:17
Hi, I'm new, I just came across this site when searching for dosage information on Lamictal. When does everyone on it take it? Morning or night? It seems when I take it at night, it makes me hyper. Anybody have insight on that? I'd appreciate it if you do, you'd share it. Thanks, Rae
Posted by ClearSkies on December 28, 2006, at 8:00:28
In reply to Lamictal, posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 7:15:17
Hi, and welcome to babble!
I split my dose of Lamictal and it helps (but doesn't completely resolve) my nighttime agitation. I take half at night and the other half in the morning. I'm also on Cymbalta and I wonder if that is contributing.From what my pdoc has told me, it's OK to twiddle around with the timing of Lamictal, as long as the entire dosage is administered over the course of the day.
Good luck!
ClearSkies
Posted by Phillipa on December 28, 2006, at 11:39:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal » RaeD, posted by ClearSkies on December 28, 2006, at 8:00:28
Yes it made me almost hypomanic taken in the am. Which is what I would advise. And welcome and good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on December 28, 2006, at 12:28:25
In reply to Lamictal, posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 7:15:17
I had that problem with Lamictal when I quit benzos. People with this problem seem to tolerate Lamictal better when they take it in the morning. If it becomes intolerable you could try asking your pdoc for a benzo/sleeping tablet?
Q
Posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 20:47:34
In reply to Re: Lamictal » RaeD, posted by ClearSkies on December 28, 2006, at 8:00:28
It's so wonderful to have people respond, it feels good to me. Lamictal is a scarey medication, to me, it makes me feel very odd, and high. I wish I could find some way to stay off the high/low rollercoaster without having to feel so giddy and over-stimulated.
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 29, 2006, at 10:14:45
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 20:47:34
I'm on Lamictal like for about 1.5 years and I have this rage problem. It didn't start with Lamictal but maybe it makes me more nervous. Anyone with similar experience?
J
Posted by meAgain on December 31, 2006, at 12:58:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by jimmygold70 on December 29, 2006, at 10:14:45
I have experienced a feeling of being real nervous with agitation, like I dont know what to do with myself, on 100mg of the lamictal.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 1, 2007, at 8:01:57
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by meAgain on December 31, 2006, at 12:58:38
I am trying splitting my Lamictal dose again. Taking it all at night has contributed greatly to my insomnia. So far it's a dismal experience, as any change in medication timing makes me just miserable while my body and sore brain adjust.
So far I am not encouraged that it's going to help in my overall sense of "wellbeing." The very thought of that word is a sad, ugly joke to me.
ClearSkies
Posted by Karen44 on January 3, 2007, at 21:44:03
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by meAgain on December 31, 2006, at 12:58:38
> I have experienced a feeling of being real nervous with agitation, like I dont know what to do with myself, on 100mg of the lamictal.
I am also on 100 mg. Lamictal and feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster, something I have never experienced before. Told my pdoc I wanted to stop taking it, and he said it is actually to help stabilize mood. Well as has been true of many meds I have taken, it seems to be having the opposite effect. Benydryl, for example, leaves me feeling like I have ants crawling under my skin. So, have I felt anxious on the Lamictal; yes and also sad, angry, and in a deeper despair than I have experienced in the past two years.
Karen44
Posted by Quintal on January 4, 2007, at 0:31:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by Karen44 on January 3, 2007, at 21:44:03
>Benydryl, for example, leaves me feeling like I have ants crawling under my skin.
That sounds like akathisia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia
>So, have I felt anxious on the Lamictal; yes and also sad, angry, and in a deeper despair than I have experienced in the past two years.
I had a similar reaction to Lamictal without benzos. I wonder if Lamictal may be causing akathisia too?
Q
Posted by RaeD on January 4, 2007, at 5:53:48
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by meAgain on December 31, 2006, at 12:58:38
How long were you on a lower dose of the Lamictal before you hit 100 mg? I'm only just starting, and I feel nervous on the 12.5. Could it be you need to dose back down again? I'd sure try that. The purpose of Lamictal is to set us in the more manic phase or our bi-polar, rather than let the manic phase dip into the depressive phase. Try tweaking the dosage again, and in any event, don't tolerate this, keep working at it. Your doctor needs to be more receptive. If not, find another one. Rae
> I have experienced a feeling of being real nervous with agitation, like I dont know what to do with myself, on 100mg of the lamictal.
Posted by Karen44 on January 4, 2007, at 19:45:57
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by RaeD on January 4, 2007, at 5:53:48
I don't know about anyone else, but I got put on Lamictal for depression and to help stabilize my mood. I am not bipolar, and so I can't comment on how it might affect someone who is bipolar.
Karen44
Posted by ClearSkies on January 4, 2007, at 22:26:53
In reply to Re: Lamictal, posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 20:47:34
During my marathon appointment with my doctor today, she agreed to taper me off Lamictal completely. Then reassess (she expects me to be in much worse shape, I can just tell!!) and, if necessary, consider Depakote or Lithium. For which she advised of their dire side effects.
For the agitation and irritability, she has cautiously put me back on a low dose of xanax (.25mg as needed).
I felt like I needed a vacation after that appointment. I cried the whole time, in sheer frustration.
CS
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 22:36:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal » RaeD, posted by ClearSkies on January 4, 2007, at 22:26:53
Clear Skies good luck got the mop and buckets. Love Phillipa
Posted by RaeD on January 5, 2007, at 6:32:26
In reply to Re: Lamictal » RaeD, posted by ClearSkies on January 4, 2007, at 22:26:53
Oh dear CS, I'm so sorry you've been through so much. I hate to see you worry so much about spiraling downwards again. I wonder if maybe you might not benefit from a different regime altogether? Have you tried Anafranil? I read somewhere on a bi-polar website that it's used for it, too. It's a tri-cyclic antidepressant, but it's been seen to be effective in bipolar with adjunctive therapies such as Seroquel or others. You might want to look into that. Have you had any rash with the Lamictal? I never break out, and now I'm seeing a rash. Thanks hon, hang in there, it's going to be okay, somehow. RaeD
> During my marathon appointment with my doctor today, she agreed to taper me off Lamictal completely. Then reassess (she expects me to be in much worse shape, I can just tell!!) and, if necessary, consider Depakote or Lithium. For which she advised of their dire side effects.
>
> For the agitation and irritability, she has cautiously put me back on a low dose of xanax (.25mg as needed).
>
> I felt like I needed a vacation after that appointment. I cried the whole time, in sheer frustration.
>
> CS
Posted by chiron on January 5, 2007, at 7:37:53
In reply to Re: Lamictal » RaeD, posted by ClearSkies on December 28, 2006, at 8:00:28
> Hi, and welcome to babble!
> I split my dose of Lamictal and it helps (but doesn't completely resolve) my nighttime agitation. I take half at night and the other half in the morning. I'm also on Cymbalta and I wonder if that is contributing.ClearSkies,
How long have you been on the Lamictal? I'm asking because I have only been on it a couple of weeks (alternating days of 25mg) and am having slight tension headaches & irritability. I'm wondering if either will go away, especially the irritability.
thx, chiron
Posted by RaeD on January 5, 2007, at 8:59:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal irritability » ClearSkies, posted by chiron on January 5, 2007, at 7:37:53
Hello again! What a great group! I wasn't able to take the other half at night, because it agitated me, so I tried taking it mid-day, and that worked some better. I've broken my 25 mg. shield tabs into halves, and done 1/2 a.m. and 1/2 afternoon. I have to be careful not to take it very late, though, or I'm real fidgety! Lord, what won't we do to feel better? But, overall, I do better on the Lamictal than off. Talk to the doc about the Cymbalta, it's not right for everyone, for sure. Read up on it online, educate yourself, as well. Take care.. RaeD
> > Hi, and welcome to babble!
> > I split my dose of Lamictal and it helps (but doesn't completely resolve) my nighttime agitation. I take half at night and the other half in the morning. I'm also on Cymbalta and I wonder if that is contributing.
>
> ClearSkies,
> How long have you been on the Lamictal? I'm asking because I have only been on it a couple of weeks (alternating days of 25mg) and am having slight tension headaches & irritability. I'm wondering if either will go away, especially the irritability.
> thx, chiron
Posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2007, at 18:42:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal irritability, posted by RaeD on January 5, 2007, at 8:59:07
Interesting as at the time I had a lot of anger on lamictal only 50mg but didn't know this was a side effect but I threw a plastic bottle against a store and yelled in public at my husband and I don't yell. so much have been the lamictal. Love Phillipa
Posted by RaeD on January 6, 2007, at 6:15:05
In reply to Re: Lamictal irritability, posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2007, at 18:42:43
Okay, great, now on just 12.5 mg. of the Lamictal, I'm getting this weird rash, on my face and neck, like an oval from my cheeks down under my chin. Anybody else had this? Just when I start feeling better on something, and now this. My glands are also swollen, so what's that mean? I've read up on the side effects, but I don't want it to be true that I'm getting the bad side effects so early on. Somebody talk to me, ok?
Posted by ClearSkies on January 6, 2007, at 8:08:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal irritability » ClearSkies, posted by chiron on January 5, 2007, at 7:37:53
> ClearSkies,
> How long have you been on the Lamictal? I'm asking because I have only been on it a couple of weeks (alternating days of 25mg) and am having slight tension headaches & irritability. I'm wondering if either will go away, especially the irritability.
> thx, chironI started Lamictal in September of 2005 (holy cow - I didn't realize it had been so long). Every increase in dosage, from the very start, produced awful headaches. They didn't respond to any over the counter pain relievers except for tylenol with codeine (otc in my motherland).
The Lamictal itself helped greatly with my anxiety, or so I thought. Now I'm thinking that it was resolved through therapy and yoga. Who knows? But the medication became problematic when the dosage was last increased to 400mg. Threw me right into a rapid cycling hypomanic state. It has taken me 2 months to get my pdoc to acknowledge my symptoms and decide to taper me back off. You might be happy to know that it's a much shorter process than ramping up was! One week at each progressively lower dosage.
ClearSkies
Posted by CrimsonVik on January 8, 2007, at 4:33:48
In reply to Lamictal, posted by RaeD on December 28, 2006, at 7:15:17
My Dr. said it can make you hungry and sleepy, I believe. He did say the hungry part for sure. He said to try to take it all at night if I wanted to, but I sometimes need it for daytime anxiety.
It's helped me out this month with PMS on the Emsam.
Vik.> Hi, I'm new, I just came across this site when searching for dosage information on Lamictal. When does everyone on it take it? Morning or night? It seems when I take it at night, it makes me hyper. Anybody have insight on that? I'd appreciate it if you do, you'd share it. Thanks, Rae
Posted by CrimsonVik on January 8, 2007, at 4:40:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by Karen44 on January 4, 2007, at 19:45:57
I'm not BiPolar. Atypical.
Crimson.> I don't know about anyone else, but I got put on Lamictal for depression and to help stabilize my mood. I am not bipolar, and so I can't comment on how it might affect someone who is bipolar.
>
> Karen44
Posted by RaeD on January 8, 2007, at 4:50:31
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you? » Karen44, posted by CrimsonVik on January 8, 2007, at 4:40:36
It's okay, I've read up on it, and the purpose of Lamictal is to sustain the manic phase of our moods, so that this can extend the "feel good" chemistry in our brains. I feel better on it, I'm only taking 12.5 mg. so far, but I can feel the difference. I'm also on Effexor, Neurontin, on Ultram, for my Fibromyalgia. What other meds are you on, if I may ask? Take care, RaeD
I'm not BiPolar. Atypical.
> Crimson.
>
> > I don't know about anyone else, but I got put on Lamictal for depression and to help stabilize my mood. I am not bipolar, and so I can't comment on how it might affect someone who is bipolar.
> >
> > Karen44
>
>
Posted by CrimsonVik on January 8, 2007, at 5:12:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal - how nervous can it make you?, posted by RaeD on January 8, 2007, at 4:50:31
The other Psy meds I'm on now are the Emsam patch, 6mg., Ativan (generic).5, Topamax 100mg.and Lamictal, headed up to 200 mg.
I really wanted to get off Emsam and back on Lexapro or Effexor. The Dr. gave me a prescription for Lex late last month at our last visit but 2 weeks without an Maoi or ssri is a Longggg time.
I think my appointment is the 24th. He said maybe I could do a 10 day wash-out if I hadn't been on the patch long, and 6 mg. does seem to be a low dose.
I suppose we'll see.
Crimson.
> It's okay, I've read up on it, and the purpose of Lamictal is to sustain the manic phase of our moods, so that this can extend the "feel good" chemistry in our brains. I feel better on it, I'm only taking 12.5 mg. so far, but I can feel the difference. I'm also on Effexor, Neurontin, on Ultram, for my Fibromyalgia. What other meds are you on, if I may ask? Take care, RaeD
>
> I'm not BiPolar. Atypical.
> > Crimson.
> >
> > > I don't know about anyone else, but I got put on Lamictal for depression and to help stabilize my mood. I am not bipolar, and so I can't comment on how it might affect someone who is bipolar.
>
> >
> > > Karen44
> >
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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