Lamotrigine: anyone have any experiences?
 

Hi all
nice to be part of your community!
I have been prescribed Lamictal/lamotrigine for TLE and am scared to death to start taking it. I know I'm a wimp but I've had so many problems for years with anxiety and panic attacks that I've become scared of everything. I seem to be really sensitive to meds and some other stuff e.g. caffeine. I worry most that it will aggravate the anxiety or cause one of my vertigo attacks. I know everyone's different but any experiences you can share with me would really help.
:)

Well I can share that I am also very very sensitive to meds. I was not able to take lamictal at the high dose needed to hlep with seizures. made me hyper and not able to sleep. It gave me the feeling of being on alot of caffine, which I can not have.

However, I am taking 50 mg a day in the am for the purpose of helping me with mood swings and anxiety. It does not help 100%. If I take even 75mg it makes me feel hyper. which I do not like.

I hope this helps sorry it is not more positive. I would say try it but trust your intuition. Only you know your body best. Let us know how it works.

Cedar

Hi,
I tried lamictal and I was on it for only 4 days for my absence and cp sz. and I broke out with a rash. I had to see a dermatologist (skin specialist) who did a biopsy on me and found that I was allergic to the drug. If you should happen to notice and tiny red bumps on your skin that look like pimples or if your skin is starting to itch. Call your neuro immediately and get off the drug you might be allergic to it.
I have many other friends who have taken lamictal and it has worked great for them controling there sz. Here's wishing you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

I've been on Lamictal for 5 years now with no major problems (currently on 500 mg/ day ).... They key is to titrate onto it VERY slowely; and depending on whether or not you are on other meds, it often takes months to get to your goal dose (it took me 5.5 months to get to my original goal dose due to other meds I was on). I had a very tough titration onto it with a lot of nasty side effects, but most of them subsided and I am really glad I stuck with it....

Also, remember, and I say this as an FYI-- not to scare you, is that during the titration onto it, occasionally people will have an increase in seizures for the first several days after each increase. However, the increase seuizures only lasts very short time and subsides within a few days.... This happend to me, and while frustrating, I got through it and the increased seizures only lasted a short time....

Some common side effects of Lamictal are insomnia and acne. I haven't experienced a lot of insomnia, but defintely experience the acne, lol. I have some other side effects, but they are more due to the combination of all the meds I am on, vs soley the Lamictal.

Good Luck !
L2L

In the past, I took Lamictal for a long time and never had any ill effects at all. As usual, I started at a low dosage and then increased. Sorry, I don't remember the amounts.
Wishing you the best.

I too took Lamictal, and titrated onto it VERY slowly with no major side effects. Of all the AED's I've taken it was one of the better ones. Topamax has been the most effective for me, but Lamictal was the second best.

Lamotrigine: anyone have any experiences?
 

Hi
Thanks to all of you who took the time to reply to me. It means a lot and I really appreciate it. It is really helpful to hear other people's opinions and experiences. I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and try low doses and as you say titrate slowly.
:)

I have taken Lamictal for about five years now. I really have not had a problem with it and it has reduced my spells. I am real happy with it. Then again everyone one is different. Hope you get good reaction to it.

Darlene:hug:

Lamotrigine: anyone have any experiences?
 

Hi Darlene
Really great to hear your positive experience makes me more inclined to take the meds and get on with it!
:)

I started Lamictal twelve years ago (1996). Lamictal is great for me,it controls my GMs. The last GM I had was the day before I started. :D

Hi Lor
Thanks for that it really helps to hear other people's experiences.
:)

Lamictal is the only med that i have ever taken that controld my sez,i was on 600mg a day plus 400mg of dilantin a day,but i could not afford the cost of the med,were i live i was paying 632.00 dollers a month for the lamictal,now iam just taking the dilantin and back having grand mals,the side affects were not to bad after about 2 mounths they went away.

Hi Ricky and BabyJane!!!! WELCOME to Neurotalk!!!

I see that you both are new here... so glad you found our little corner of the world!!

If you have any questions or need help with anything please don't hesitate to ask.... Someone will always be around shortly to help you out in any way that we can!!

Please feel free to roam around the boards and jump in anywhere...

I look forward to seeing you around the boards!!!

:)
Abbie

Anyone know what the rash starts out like? My doc said it starts small...I seem to have 4-5 white, hive-like itch spots and am thinking about calling the docs tomorrow.

Hubby has been on lamotrigine for over five years now. He is doing fine. He takes 100 mgs a day, 50 in the morning and 50 at night. He also takes gabapentin/neurontin. Both also act as pain and spasm relievers, as well as seizure reducers.

Lamictal Rash
 

Hi mennayriu,

I broke out with the rash after being on the drug for only 4 days. Look for tiny red bumps on your skin that look like tiny red pimples if your skin is starting to itch that's one of the first signs of the rash. I broke out all over my arms, neck, back and face. If this is what you notice call your neuro immediately and then get to a dermatologist (skin specialist) who can do a biopsy on you to see if you are allergic to the drug. Also stay away from strong scented soap, shampoo, perfumes etc. I was told to use dove soap for sensitive skin and when you bath make sure you use lukewarm water because the hotter the water the quicker the rash will spread. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Thanks, Sue. Trouble is, I have horrible heat rash 24/7/365...all year round due to the fact that I care for my grandmother and her house is always horribly hot, even with windows open. I think it's okay for now. I did call the docs but they didn't call me back. Good thing I don't think it's an emergency...