Lamictal side effects mimick MS symptoms? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

joanna66 · 04-24-2007, 06:17 PM

Last July, I began having neurological problems (diagnosed w/ Trigeminal and occiptial neuralgia). Since that time, I pieced together problems that I’ve had since 2004. Now they are getting worse. I have taken Lamictal for the past 4 years for Bipolar disorder (it saved my life and continues to stabilize my moods). Started with 100mg for first 3 years, but increased to 300mg per day... 100mg in morning and 200mg night. BUT some of the side effects of this drug mimick symptoms of MS which include: Memory loss, confusion, hand tremors, feelings of exhaustion, loss of balance, blurred vision.

I also experience other neurological symptoms that are not side effects, which include: Body stiffness, drift into a wall or object, unable to maintain body temperature (cold hands/feet), hands go numb, out of breath, sharp muscle pain, tripping over feet, tight/stiff wrists, loss to hearing, changes in eyesight, electric-shock like pain on right side of face only., etc.

Has anyone else used Lamictal for treatment? It is also used for epilespy and cronic neurological pain. With years of use, can side effects become more visible? My MRI was within "normal range" so I'm trying to justify what I'm going through to prove I'm not insane.

Many thanks!

tsohl · 04-24-2007, 11:33 PM

Hello Joanna,

My response is probably not the information you are looking for, but I'm going to post anyway. My 25 year old son has taken Lamictal, along with lithium and tegretol for abut 2 years. He has a couple of the symptoms you mentioned from time to time like the slight shakiness or tremors in his hands.

I have some peripheral neuralgia (cause unknown, not from diabetes, etc.) and I have many of the symptoms you describe in your 2nd paragraph. I am not medicated for my neuralgia. I'm wondering if your neuralgia has simply gotten worse and the things you're feeling are from that rather than due to side effects of Lamictal.

Are you wondering if your symptoms are a result of the use of Lamictal for several years?

Tsohl

joanna66 · 04-26-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsohl

Hello Joanna,

My response is probably not the information you are looking for, but I'm going to post anyway. My 25 year old son has taken Lamictal, along with lithium and tegretol for abut 2 years. He has a couple of the symptoms you mentioned from time to time like the slight shakiness or tremors in his hands.

I have some peripheral neuralgia (cause unknown, not from diabetes, etc.) and I have many of the symptoms you describe in your 2nd paragraph. I am not medicated for my neuralgia. I'm wondering if your neuralgia has simply gotten worse and the things you're feeling are from that rather than due to side effects of Lamictal.

Are you wondering if your symptoms are a result of the use of Lamictal for several years?

Tsohl

joanna66 · 04-26-2007, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the post Tsohl. Yes, I was wondering about long term use of the drug. TN can manifest itself in some MS patients and since my MRI was within normal range and didn't show any legions, I was trying to blame my symptoms on something else. From what I have read, TN is a demyelization disease that effects one of the nerves (5th cranial) in the brain and the pain goes to where the nerve's branches end. But, I have had more symptoms that mimic MS than just Lamictal side effects.