Lamictal - how high a dose?

[Aubrey]

That is interesting that the Lamictal actually seemed to keep your mood improved. I have multiple seizure types, and Lamictal seems to help more with the one than the other, and that is why the doctor added Zonegran as well. I almost think that the depression and the anxiety may be circumstantial as much as a side effect - as a consequence of not being able to focus.

[Occupy Epilepsy]

Started at 10mg/day and now take 500, 250 at night and in the morning. Technically I'm on 550 but have only been taking 500 for almost two years now. I started taking it so young during such a tumultuous period in my life I have trouble distinguishing side effects. I have several theories but sadly no hard evidence, and I can't just stop taking it to see what goes away, since I know what WILL come up...

[Screamy]

300 Mg morning, 200mg Night

[TempusFugit]

I take 200mg of Lamictal along with 2000mg of Keppra. Tolerating it ok however, I have noticed that I am more sensitive to light and flicky images. Not entirely sure whether this could be due to the Lamictal as it has only recently been increased. I also find that if I am late in taking my doses now, I do tend to feel a little down and teary.

[jenp]

Hi Aubrey - I don't know. I am going back up on Lamictal. At 100 mg, my mood feels much better. I'm still at 300 mg of Zonegran and still notice the other negatives, but definitely notice a better outlook so far (about three weeks in on first 50 mg, then 100 mg of Lamictal). This week I drop out 100 mg of Zonegran, so I will be able to start seeing some sort of measurable change... whatever change that may be.

[sixyearsold]

I started lamictal in September. Began at 250mg and am up to 600mg a day. I find the side effects to be decent.. OI refuse to gain weight so I control that aspect. my moodiness is aparent but I suffer from depression so I try to get therapy to help with that. Lamictal also makes my gums very puffy and sensative.

Basically, the biggest problem I have with lamictal is the emotional effects. I wake up in the morning and have to convince myself to get out of bed and try to have a good day.

So far I find the seizure control to be no so good.. I have to continue to increase my dose every 2 months.

[jenp]

Hi sixyearsold -- I've found that extended release Lamictal is the best. Have you tried that? Also I think the generic isn't so good. If I miss a dose (like night time) I find myself getting depressed about 10 hours later. I always figure out right away that I've missed my dose and I go take it. I've felt the best on Lamictal than any other drug - it seems to be the all-in-one pill for me. I do feel more "drugged" than I want to --- a little more slow cognitively -- but experimenting with other meds hasn't worked out well for me. I definitely need something to pick up my mood a bit. I understand that epilepsy itself causes depression, so even knowing that, its important to have something going for mood.

[lureswinger]

I'm only about a third of the way converting from tegratol to lamotragene but by god I'm sick to death of kissing the kitchen floor while having myclonics. Last nite I was up late at a burns nite dinner dance this morning I am up at 6am to go and do a falconry demo while making a cuppa I pile drove my foot into the floor having a myclonic when I tried to straighten up I mistakenly put all my weight onto the same foot that I had hurt this foot tried to escape from under me leaving me to do a face first dive into the floor
Although I don't seem to do myself much damage doing these tricks I think I can safely say that our kitchen floor has no cracks in it as I've spent that much time inspecting it closely lol sorry I have to laugh at it as it stops me crying about it

[Dazzer21]

I'm on 2x 200mg daily. I haven't had a fit for over 20 years but I feel rough when I'm not on meds so they are doing something right. But I'm experiencing increasingly serious memory and concentration issues so I'll be looking at what can be done to change my meds at my next consultant's appointment...