How long can it take before side effects start

[valeriedl]

I've been on Lamictal for at least 3 years but it's probably been longer. I've read that one of the side effects of it is double vision. I started having double vision about a year ago, sometimes so bad that I can't even walk. None of my other meds have changed or added to since I've been on Lamictal in any of this time.

I don't know if the lamictal is causing the double vision because I've been on it for so long or if it could be caused by something else?

 

[arnie]

According to my pharmacist the side-effects from AEDs can start even after years of taking them. He gave me some research papers discussing that, but I can't find them right now or I would give you the references. Your pharmacist would probably be able to get the same info for you. I find that in many cases I would rather talk to a pharmacist than a doctor for certain med-related things.

I asked him that question because I thought I was having some lamictal side-effects even though I have been on it for probably 15 years.

I hope that helps.

Onward!

 

[Dolores]

I got double-vision with Dilantin 20 years after I started taking it. I actually thought I was coming down with a nasty flu. My doctor did a blood level check and my Dilantin was at 43 (the range is 10-20). All went back to normal when I got my Dilantin back to the normal range.

Could you be overdosing on Lamictal?

 

[valeriedl]

I saw my pharmacist today and asked him about it. He said it's a very good possibility that I could be starting to have side effects from that medicine. He said that side effects can start anytime after you've been taking a medicine. He told me that since it's gotten as bad as it is now that I should call my neuro and probably be changed to another med. I called my neuro, and left a message of course, to let him know. Hopefully I'll hear back from him soon.

 

[cadsgj]

Lamictal. double and blurred vision is pretty much daily for me. Kinda used to it now and only been on it about 6 months or so. Prior to this med I did not have this problem. I do not like lamictal but it is not as bad as other meds they have been trying for me in the last couple years.

 

[katzy]

Lamictal. I get double/blurred vision and dizziness once in a while. For some reason, mine is always in the morning, right after I wake up. Trying to get up from my bed once landed me face down on to the floor. Last time I got it was last year. I was really stupid and boarded the subway while I was dizzy. I could have fell down to the tracks.

Anyone else have hair loss problems? I dread combing my hair every day because the amount of hair that gets stuck on the comb.
Also, "lamictally" kind of taste in my mouth. That's annoying too.

 

[valeriedl]

I've been doing some more reading and I think it's the Tegretol that I'm having problems with.

I have a ton of the side effects that come along with that medicine and a good bit of them of them have popped up over the last year. I don't know if they've gotten any worse but I have started getting them and I never had them before.

I'm going to call my neuro and let him know about it. He'll be the one making the decision about which med he thinks it is.

 

[valeriedl]

I had blood work done yesterday. I don't know if what's going on will be found out by that or not?

If it isn't then I don't know if we're going to start playing a guessing game about which med that I'm having problems with.

 

[Belinda5000]

side effects usually start within a week or so for me.

I take Tegretol, and my double vision and fatigue were terrible when i was in school, I also takeTopamax it's been good at sz control and so has the phenobarb I hate now that one really zonks me out . If your controlled your extremely lucky.