Lamotrigine - seeing double in a major way

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sjconner

sjconner

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After a little trip to the ER, my GP added a third dose of 125 mg lamotrigine = 375mg/day. Five days later I saw my neuro, and he decided to go up to 400mg per day - 200 at night and 200 in the morning. Within 30-45 minutes of taking it, I am seeing double. It is horrible. I was wondering why I am weaving and can barley stand and walk. Even sitting here I am weaving. I am only teaching one day this next week (holidays, etc). Will this go away? Would going back to three times a day help? I wasn't nearly this bad before. If not, I am totally screwed!
 
I feel for you,although i have not been on lamotrigne,i had my Tegratol put up to 1200mg and suffered the same side effects,including vomiting,lasting up to 24 hours.I went to my doc and she reduced it to 1000mg and the side effects seemed to dissapear.But as i have said im on a different medication.So i would go and see your gp,like they say everyone is different,i hope you get it sorted out.Perhaps a change in medication might do the trick,best off luck to you.
 
First off, how quickly are you increasing the dose?? Standard is usually 25 mg every 10 days at the fastest and generally every 2 weeks. This helps to minimize side effects.

Secondly, the symptoms you describe are consistent with toxicity. Slow down the increase process if you are doing it faster than 25 mg every 2 weeks to give your body time to adapt. Once you are at the required dose and these symptoms start up again and persist, you need to consult your neurologist.
 
That is what the neuro wanted. I started feeling much better about 2 hours after I took my AM dose. I think it is so I don't end up in the ER again with convulsions that took two doses of Ativan to stop. Until I can talk to him, I think I might shuffle the dosing around ... 125mg AM, 125mg lunch and 150mg PM. When I was at 3 doses of 125mg I was fine.
 
Sounds familiar. I did the same thing when trying to adapt to Vimpat. I was able to handle the night dose (since I was asleep lol) and split up the morning dose only into AM and noon. After a while I was able to go back to AM and PM only - after the three times a day I slowly eased back the noon dose so I was taking it closer and closer to the AM. Worked for me anyway.
 
Until I can talk with him, I will try the three times a day dose. I have 25mg tablets left and refills for them as well.
 
That is the most annoying side effect of Lamotrigine, I'm on 300mgs, the double vision. There's no warning, you're seeing everything just fine, then everything is double in a heart beat with a throbbing headache.

The length of time I have it changes every time I have it. And it drives me nuts every time it happens, I'll see slight double to complete double hoping that it won't last long.
 
Sometimes taking meds with food can help slow the absorption process. I've found that protein works best. Eat some protein, take the meds and eat some more protein. Sounds so simple but it really helped me to avoid the blurry vision.
Side effects can be so awful. Good luck to you!
 
Thanks for the tip about eating protein. I tried that this morning and so far it has made a huge difference. I am still a little off but not nearly as bad.
 
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