Lamictal and headache?

[Crystal11]

I just started the increasing process of my Lamictal after my neurology appointment yesterday. I am thinking hard about the surgery possibility but would rather give meds longer to work- or find what would work, although I've tried Tegretol XR, Keppra XR, Dilantin, and Lamictal.
Anyway- I have noticed more headaches whenever I increase Lamictal. I was diagnosed with migraines with auras- but these headaches are more minor but still painful and just kinda hangs around. I have medication, Butalbial for severe migraine but I took Tylenol in hopes that it will work. Still waiting.
If that doesn't work- Butalbital it is.

Anyone else notice headaches more frequently when increasing it for the first month or so?
I'm at 150mg twice a day for two weeks, then up to 200mg twice a day after that. After two weeks, I will start decreasing Tegretol down to just 200mg one a day two weeks- then I get to stop. YAY! So happy to get off of it. After years of asking. Just didn't like being on so much and didn't think Tegretol XR was working as well as before.

Anyway- that is my fuss and my question to everyone on Lamictal or Lamortragine.

Take care,
Crystal

[Nakamova]

Hi Crystal, it does sound like the "Lamictal headache" is what you're experiencing. I had them when I first went on Lamictal. Ordinarily I'm an ibuprofen person, but Tylenol seems to work best for these particular headaches. I hope it works for you.

[IMgood1]

Good old fashioned asprin works better than tylenol for mine. Yoga helps too. I've been on Lamictal for years now.

[Crystal11]

I noticeed that I seem to be sensitive to anything with Asprin.
I talked to my pharmacist and they said that I could be one of those who are sensitive and to try and find a med that doesn't have it in it. Or get a prescription for a migraine management med.
But when I mention how many migraines I get per month, about 1-2, the don't seem to consider medication as PRN or as needed.
I beleive that its because I'm going through a med change. Increasing Lamictal and decresing an quiting Tegretol XR, keeping Keppra XR the same.
I have drop attacks when I reduce my Tegretol and I think it worries them. They discussed surgery and asked me to consider it since I am now medically refractory or medicaion resistant.
It's a shock to me to consider it- I've had 9 surgeries for varisous things throught my life and don't care for them- as most people woouldn't.

Anyone- thank you for the suggestion of Asprin but I think my body just doesn't like it much.

Crystal

[alivenwell]

Was it something you ate? Or, could it have been a low sugar count? I get headaches when I drastically cut down caffeine.

[IMgood1]

Be careful of the migraine remedies. They often contain caffene. I cut out caffene for the most part and it has helped. Migraine meds made it worse.

[Crystal11]

The main reason they add caffeine to migraine meds is to get the medication in your system and to the brain as fast as possible. Butalbital that I have PRN from the ER does have caffeine in it. I can't take it at night or I won't sleep. So I try to take it as soon as I know a migraine is happening to its not as severe.
I do have coffee each day- not a lot. And I do have soda whenever I happen to get it. Not often anymore.
My cardiologist says I should not have an caffeine either- it aggrivates Tachycardia and PAC's and arrythmia. I have meds for that PRN as well. Don't need it as much as before.

I am going to try an OTC we found at Wal-Greens that doesn't have Asprin in it. I think I am sensitive to it and it hurts my stomache and makes me nausious.
I've been able to take Tylenol for a long time as needed and noticed no side-effects.
I took 6 at one time when I had my most severe migraine a few months ago- my neurologist told me that I just made it worse. I never even thought about it, or knew enough about migraines.
Ooops..

[Zoofemme]

I would caution anybody on taking too much Tylenol...it has the potential of causing liver damage. They "think" I've been lucky that between Tylenol and my E meds I haven't doen myself in...at least my blood tests aren't indicating anything

With the exception of Tylenol, I'm allergic to all of the anti-inflammatory/pain relievers typically prescribed: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxyn and Tolectin. I don't know what is in Orudis but they won't give it to me. I swell up, break out in hives or go into anaphylactic shock. I'm also badly allergic to Midrin and Inderal...they refused to put me on Imitrex because of those allergies (I'm not put on a lot of meds because of allergies). You could say I abused Tylenol for years (not now) in trying to deal with my migraines...I used to take 4+ tylenol 4-6x a day for as long as a migraine persisted just to try to function at work. Topomax has been a bit of a godsend to me since it is controlling my headaches and I no longer have to spend days in agony and sunglasses waiting for them to break since I wouldn't take anything for them.

Dang...forgot...I got headaches with all of the E meds they have tried me on except this time. I think the topomax has prevented that.

[gregm]

Lamictal did not agree with me and I am now on carbatrol. The most amazing thing happened to me I found out I was gluten intolerant and after 48 years of siezures am now siezure free. If you have an undiagnosed cause and are looking for possible answers drop me a line.
Greg

[Crystal11]

Gregm-
I appreciate you inviting me to chat with you about things..

I was born three months premature and had heart surgery at 4hrs old. I died once but was revived. I had 9 other surgeries for various health conditions. I am healthy now and the main reason for my Epilepsy is lack of oxygen, prematurity and many insaults at birth (severe/life threatening medical conditions). I was on oxygen for three months and was in ICU for three months until I was a little heavier. At one pound nine ounces, it was extreamly important to gain weight, of course.
I am hearing impaired (deaf without hearing aids) and visually impaired (almost blind) and those are the main conditions I deal with, along with Epilepsy. Those all related to being born premature or they developed shortly after being born to age 6.

I wish I could figure out more details about how I developed Epilespy. Me and my Twins have underdevloped CNS which still causes problems today. But not too serious- just more of a pain, litterally.

Maybe one day it will be easier to gather more detailed information.

Take care everyone,
Crystal

[gregm]

Crystal,

Thanks for writing back and I am glad that you carry on and do not let the chalages you facing prevent you from leading a rewarding life. My chalanges do not compare with what you deal with.
My seizures happen mainly at night and after living with this condition for 48 years I have found what I believe the cause to be. It sounds to me as though the medical community should be able to trace the cause of your seizures due to the birth trama. My wife is a midwife and I know full well the problems that can happen to premature babies.
If you suspect there are other issues at play in your seizure activity that remain undiagnosed perhaps testing for gluten intolerence is in order. I myself had a DNA test that showed a strong conection to gluten intolerance.
If you would like to discuss the glunten issue further or just want to chat drop me a note. Keep on going.

Greg

[Crystal11]

Greg- I do believe that its from being born way way too early. There is just about no way to survive and be healthy totally after such trauma, surgeries, cardiac arrest and oxygen exposure for long period of time including three blood transfusions. This all happening in the early 80's.
Although we required oxygen to live- it does cause damage for some.
Sometimes I wonder what exactly is the cause- where it is etc.. We do know that it is from birth and its coming from the left side since everything I do during a seizure, or before is to the right. My eyes, head and sometimes my upper body goes to the right as if tracking something. Anyway- maybe in the future there will be a more percise way to find the cause.

I have been thinking a lot about my last neurologist visit- I am happy that I am able to have good neuros that are willing to take time to talk with me and also give me options on what to do.
Its also great to have a Twin and friend who are here to help and to talk to. I talk with them, as they too have Epilepsy..

-Crystal