just started taking lamictal - does it get better? [Archive]

wolfpup

07-28-2008, 10:36 AM

i have been on lexapro (20 mg), trazadone (50-100 mg) and xanax (1 mg) all at night, for about 3-4 months.

i just started taking lamictal (5th day today) and i am so out of it. i feel extremely dumb, spinning like i am drunk, and dizzy. does this get better?

i tried depakote, but couldnt get out of bed at all when i took that, so i am trying hard to stick with the lamictal. i just hope that i adjust to it and these side effects go away.

did anyone else get better after you adjusted, or is this a standard thing that i should just get used to?

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abstract28

07-28-2008, 06:17 PM

me too!! I am in the same boat. I just posted it. feeling really weird dizzy out of it blurred vision etc.. It is off and on and now I am starting to get headaches and paranoia. I really hope these side effects will subside.

Hang in there with me and keep me posted on your progress

GatsbyLuvr1920

07-28-2008, 06:25 PM

I have not ever had any side effects while taking Lamictal. I've been taking it for about 2 1/2 years for my Asperger's Syndrome mood swings. (I am not bipolar.) You should definitely tell your doctor about these side effects and ask how long the side effects may last. Be sure to be on the lookout for any rashes that may appear, and if you develop a rash, tell your doctor immediately. Good luck! :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-

invitingmeaway

07-28-2008, 06:49 PM

I have been taking Lamictal since February and have had little side effects although I can't tell if its working! About a month and a 1/2 ago I was put on risperal on top of the lamictal and that made me loopy. And before that I had valium, and i sincerely don't recommend that. I take 150 of Lamictal only at night time and that seems to work the best considering I had some slight side effects at first. Origanally I had 200 mg 1 during the day and 1 at night but taking it only at night and with a minimum dosage seemed to work well. hope that helps

katlin09

07-28-2008, 07:38 PM

I've taken Lamictal for about 5 months and have never had any of those side effects. I am on 200mg now, the only side effect I ever had was some agitation in the beginning, but that was it and it only lasted a few days.

wolfpup

07-29-2008, 09:05 AM

i have a follow up appt next week. this appt was supposed to be during my 4th week of taking lamictal - but i hesitated on getting it filled.

abstract - i'll hang in there with ya. lets hope this gets better :)

ced33

07-29-2008, 06:13 PM

I have been on it since Jan. I now take 200 mg a day. At first I was taking it in the morning and it made me nauseous and extremely tired in the afternoon. I switched to taking it before bed and as a few weeks went by the symptoms decreased. I too had a little agitation early on but that went away. It might not even have been the medicine but still suffering without medication. Personally it has been great for me but if you have concerns be sure to ask the pdoc. Also my doc upped me very very slowly. It took 7 months to go up to 200 mg. I was also told it is at least 4 weeks before it reaches theraputic levels. Good luck guys.

katlin09

07-29-2008, 10:44 PM

I saw my pdoc today and he just upped my Lamictal to 300mg a day. I started that today and havn't notice any subsequent side effects. Just an FYI.

abstract28

07-30-2008, 10:04 AM

hey everyone. Thanks for the replys. Im actually starting to feel better. Im on day 20 and at 50 mg. It seems to happen the side effects, the first few days after the increase and then subsides.

However I am also on suboxone for an opiate addication so that may explain some of the symptoms.

Wolfpup-its getting better we will get thru it;)

wolfpup

07-31-2008, 09:55 AM

so glad you are starting to feel a little better! my side effects are calming a little - i dont feel as drunk as i did the first couple of days. still a little dizzy - and boy am i forgetting all kinds of stuff - but i am sticking with it :)

i will start on 50mg at the end of next week i think it is.