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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 6:15:01
This week has been 50mg of Lamictal and it has really made a difference (took a few days to kick in), but I feel calmer.
Doc has me taking two 25mg tabs at night. When I only took 25mg I slept good, but now on 50mg at night I toss and turn and can't seem to sleep continuously.
Does Lamictal cause insomnia?
Do most people take it at night or split the dose?
I don't know if I should take it all in the morning or split dose am and pm?
I am wondering if after taking Lamictal it is activating?
Even with taking melatonin (which usually knocks me out) I can't get a good nights sleep.
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 7:39:03
In reply to Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 6:15:01
Perhaps the insomnia will pass with time or with increasing the dosage. Try to be patient. It is a great sign that you are feeling better. However, don't be too surprised or upset if your improvement disappears for awhile. You might not respond well until you reach dosages of 150 mg/day or more. Interestingly, with me, my best responses to treatment occurred in association with insomnia.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Emme_v2 on September 1, 2012, at 7:39:14
In reply to Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 6:15:01
> This week has been 50mg of Lamictal and it has really made a difference (took a few days to kick in), but I feel calmer.
>
> Doc has me taking two 25mg tabs at night. When I only took 25mg I slept good, but now on 50mg at night I toss and turn and can't seem to sleep continuously.
>
> Does Lamictal cause insomnia?
>
> Do most people take it at night or split the dose?
>
> I don't know if I should take it all in the morning or split dose am and pm?
>
> I am wondering if after taking Lamictal it is activating?
>
> Even with taking melatonin (which usually knocks me out) I can't get a good nights sleep.Yes, it gave me insomnia when I first started it. Or rather, it made me wake up super early. I used a low dose of Seroquel for a while until the problem resolved. It's been a long time, so I forget how long it took for sleep to return to normal, but I don't think it was that long. I take it at night.
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 7:42:16
In reply to Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 6:15:01
Oops. I forgot to mention that I respond better to Lamictal when I take it twice a day. I believe there is an extended-release version available that can be taken once a day - Lamictal XR.
- Scott
Posted by sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 8:29:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 7:42:16
Maybe I will try taking it 2x a day - 25mg in morning and 25mg at night. I didn't have insomnia when I started with 25mg, but then again, 25mg didn't help much.
I notice a big difference in my ability to be calm and no irritability with 50mg. It took about 3 days - doc said patients usually notice a difference after about a week on 50mg - but I'm a fast and sensitive person with meds.
I know I still have 2 more weeks on 50mg, but I can't imagine going up to 100mg a day! I guess after 2 weeks I will be used to the 50mg and be ready to move up, but right now I think 100mg would make me loopy.
Maybe I will try 25mg in am and 25g right before bed?
I can't believe melatonin doesn't help, usually 3mg of that and I have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.
I don't have anymore seroquel. I guess if it got bad enough, I could try an ambien.
Maybe splitting the dose will do the trick. I hope so - I need some sleep.
It's weird to feel so relaxed but also not be able to get a good nights sleep.
Posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2012, at 10:19:19
In reply to 2x a day Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 8:29:29
That could be the melatonin years and years ago wasn't melatonin the supplement pulled from the market for a while? As I took some then it relaxed me so much so I didn't want to breathe. I remember so clearly. If it was melationin. Phillipa
Posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 14:41:18
In reply to Re: 2x a day Lamictal insomnia?! » sheilac, posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2012, at 10:19:19
Wasn't it triptophan that was pulled from the market?
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 1, 2012, at 18:31:59
In reply to Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 6:15:01
Hang in there. Bumping up the dose messed with my sleep. It was the worst between 50 and 100. I also had vivid and anxious dreams. This side effect resolved itself in less than 2 weeks. I took 5mg Ambien for a few days and that was helpful.
I was a little surprised that pdoc's seemed unfamiliar with this side effect, but you can find people talking about it all over the web.
Lamictal has really agreed with me. I hope it works for you too!
Best,
EE
Posted by sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 20:49:21
In reply to Re: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 1, 2012, at 18:31:59
Emily - When and how do you take your dose? All at once at night or do you split the dose?
I thought maybe if I split the dose it would help, but I don't know.
Posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2012, at 21:27:45
In reply to Phillipa - tryptophan?, posted by Sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 14:41:18
Thanks yes that was it tryptophan. I sure didn't like it. Kindda scarey. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on September 2, 2012, at 2:03:50
In reply to Emily - Re: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by sheilac on September 1, 2012, at 20:49:21
> Emily - When and how do you take your dose? All at once at night or do you split the dose?
>
> I thought maybe if I split the dose it would help, but I don't know.I like splitting the doses morning and evening. The insomnia should disappear. You might need to exercise more patience with the new drugs that you try. I know how difficult that can be. Many side effects are only temporary and are thus called "startup" side effects.
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on September 2, 2012, at 6:22:24
In reply to Re: Emily - Re: Lamictal insomnia?! » sheilac, posted by SLS on September 2, 2012, at 2:03:50
I split the dose starting last night and with melatonin I finally fell asleep and stayed asleep all night. Thank goodness, I needed a good nights sleep.
Thanks!
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 2, 2012, at 19:45:06
In reply to Re: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 1, 2012, at 18:31:59
I take 150mg in the morning. I have heard people talk about splitting the dose at higher levels, but I haven't felt a need thus far.
Best,
EE
Posted by sheilac on September 3, 2012, at 15:08:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 2, 2012, at 19:45:06
Thanks, Emily.
If you take it in the morning, when do you feel it kick in? How early do you take it?
Since I still can't get rid of the insomnia, I tried splitting the dose but that didn't help.
I may try taking it all when I wake up and see if I am able to fall asleep and more importantly stay asleep.
Posted by emmanuel98 on September 3, 2012, at 18:53:24
In reply to Emily: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by sheilac on September 3, 2012, at 15:08:59
I take one 200mg tablet in the morning. Have never had any insomnia or any side effects at all. Just a marked decline in suicidal ideation.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 3, 2012, at 20:30:30
In reply to Emily: Lamictal insomnia?!, posted by sheilac on September 3, 2012, at 15:08:59
I don't really notice a "kick in" or "wear off" with Lamictal. It is pretty smooth throughout the day.
Fingers crossed for you!
Best,
EE
This is the end of the thread.
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