New Here, questions about Lamictal

[marmi85]

Hi,

Brand new as of 5 minutes ago..I entered this forum because of the word Lactimil in the title...and I am now completely freaked out.

Just newly diagnosed at the age of 44, no family history nor brain trauma, so that in itself is a mystery.

Was previously on Topomax... horrible, horrible experience..can't imagine anything worse.
So, doc put me on Lact. I am tritating very slowly and the final dosage is only 300 mg/day...

I have read about withdrawl symptoms...and not sure I want to know about symptoms while ON the med...but please share what I may be seeing in the future?

This is crazy...I am healthy, active, I never get sick.. how can I now be dependent on a pill with all these side effects?

[Nakamova]

Hi marmi85 --

I moved your post to give you your own thread (so folks can welcome you and see your question easily.)

So... welcome to CWE!

Epilepsy is a weird disorder -- it can strike at any age, and it doesn't care how healthy your body is. My first seizures came out of the blue when I was 35. I never get sick, and except for the epilepsy, that's still the case.

As for Lamictal: I'm on it with no major problems (my dose is 150mg/day). There were some side effects that went away after the first few months (mild headache, very restless sleep/vivid nightmares, hair loss), and others that have persisted (occasionally blurry vision, dry mouth and eyes). It's not perfect, but it does work to control my seizures. As with all the anti-epileptic drugs, your mileage may vary -- if there's one thing I've learned from CWE, it's that different people respond to different meds... differently. What works for me may suck for someone else, and vice versa.

I recommend that you keep a diary to track how you are feeling on the med, and to make sure it is controlling your seizures with minimal side effects.

Best,
Nakamova

[musicchick22]

I take lamictal xr. It helps me some threw the day and night. But I take 2 other medicans that I take along with my medican and the medicans is Zonigrand and for my depression medican . And o takesleep medican

[Endless]

Hi, Marmi,

Welcome!

Me, too, on the topamax. It was horrible for me. Some people love it. Everyone reacts differently to each drug.

Lamictal can have side effects but for many people it's the least worse of the bunch. It's known for leaving cognitive function more intact than some of the other drugs. I've been taken off of it before and my worst symptom was a raging headache. Most withdrawal symptoms can be avoided if someone weans off of it very, very slowly.

I know how you feel about being dependant on meds. I'm on Lamictal and I want off of it so badly. But my neurologist says I have to be seizure free for 2 years before I can go off. That means no seizures of any kind for 2 years, not even simple partial.

Active...healthy.... epilepsy can touch people who physically are very robust. It can strike at any age, any person. It's actually quite common. The literature says 1 in 100, and some recent studies say as much as 4 in 100. Most people never know why they have siezures.

[alivenwell]

I've had excellent results from Lamictal, too. However, I'm only taking brand name Lamictal.
The side effects have been minimal for me, too.

[Eibhlin]

Hi marmi85, I've been on Lamictal for years, and I found it great for controlling my epilepsy, it has given me a great quality of life, and there were no major side-effects that I can think of right now (except for when withdrawing i'm afraid!, but it needs to be done really slowly) and I honestly believe it got me through study and stressful work situations. I've reduced over years, but life has had to change to accomodate the reduction.

Best of luck with the Lamictal, I hope it goes well for you.

[hayley.moses]

I'm taking the generic for Lamictal, Lamotrigine, and when I first started taking it I had insomnia very badly which had disappeared while my dosage went up. The only other side effects are from my Oxcarbazepine which I'm switching off of because it made me reckless and have wild bipolar mood swings, other than those the Oxcarpazepine makes me fatigued and dizzy. I was diagnosed at age seven.

[stormydys]

I was ramping up onto lamictal xr, till a few days ago when my tongue swelled up and blistered all over it and caused many seizures. its safe to say its not for me, I was hoping it would be though

[IMgood1]

Hi I've been taking both Lamictal (brand name) and Topamax (generic) for years and experience minimal side effects and great seizure control. I think the key to remember is that everyone is different and so is their experience.

[Electra]

I take it and find it good. I get tired though. When I first took it I felt sick, had headaches, and laughed alot. Now my husband reminds me to take my happy pill. It keeps me connected; instead of unplugged, shaky or weak.

[momof3boys]

Ive tried Lamictal, and for me, it didnt work. I had an allergic reaction to it. My glands in my neck swelled up, and I had alot of sores that formed around my chin and mouth area. It wasnt a good experience. I was on it for 2 weeks. But Ive heard others on this board who have had a great experience with it! Everyone reacts differently to medications.