I am suffering with chronic nerve pain and have been trying various anti-seizure meds to see if they can give me relief (ie Neurontin, tegretol, lamactil). I am also on oxycontin. So far, I have had no success, but the one thing I seem to have experienced with each anti-seizure med is extreme depression. I am now just at the starting dose of Lamactil (1 week now), and once again I have experienced a terrible slide into deep depression. I don't think it's the oxycontin, because in between trying the different anti-seizure meds I go for several weeks on oxycontin alone, and do not feel the same depression. Has anyone else experienced this with these meds? What do I do? Does this kind of thing straighten itself out with time as you become adjusted to the meds?

LINDA-
I've read that depression has been reported in clinical trials with all three of these drugs, although it is not one of the most common symptoms.
With Neurontin, depression occurs more frequently in people who take it for neuropathic pain rather than for epilepsy (for some reason).

With Tegretol, there have been reports of "depression with agitation".

And with Lamactil, depression can occur when Lamactil is added to a pre-existing regimen of another anti-seizure med. Usually doesn't happen alone, but it's not unheard of.

Somnolence is common in all three (sleepiness, drowsiness, lethargy, and lassitude) which ,in my book frankly, is enough to make anyone depressed. And objectively to those around you, can be mistaken for depression. But I'm sure subjectively YOU know the difference. Depressed is depressed.

And yes, as with many meds, the body often adjusts with time, and side effects diminish or abate completely.

zuzu xx