Lamictal is the Devil/Angel

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Lamictal is the Devil/Angel
6
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 10:05am

I started taking this drug 10 days ago. I have had all sorts of side effects, but I am trying to see them through as I have heard so many good things about this drug. Right now, I have a headache all the time, my back and chest hurts and I have painful twinges in my muscles. And I think I am grinding my teeth at night, which causes all sorts of pain. I talked to the pdoc and she said that it should go away. I guess this is all new to me because I (knock on wood) have had very few side effects from meds. ARRRGGG. Anyone else had bad side effects that have gone away with time. Oh, I think the med is keeping me stable, so that is the good side.

Kristin

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 10:15am

Hi Kristin...I'm probably not the best person to ask about meds and side affects because I'm very sensitive to meds and usually get the bad side affects...I do know that Lamictal IS a good med, and that side affects usually DO go away after some time on the med...If its keeping you stable, then I would definitely stay on it a while longer and hopefully it will get better with time!


Keep us posted and maybe someone else will have some better advice for you!


Love and Hugs,
Keli

Avatar for kdvaleski
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 6:42pm

Hi Kristin. I'm on Lamictal too, and it's been only good for me. Most of the side effects should go away with time, but watch for any rash, and if you notice one call your doc. If the side effects get to bothersome call the doc before you just decide to stop taking it cold turkey, as that's not the best idea, either.

If you can tough it out, Lamictal really is a very good med for a lot of folks. It's not for everyone, but nothing is.

Best of luck,
Kristen

Avatar for redhedjess
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2003
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 8:58pm

Hi Kristin-

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm just starting my fifth week on Lamictal and am at 100mg (started at 25, increased reaaallly slowly)....I think it makes me a little dizzy, but it's hard to tell since I've been sick with ear infections, sinus infection, and a major bad cold since Thanksgiving. I'm sticking with the med hoping the dizziness will go away. I hear such good things about Lamictal (and have pretty much run out of other options) that I want to give it a really good try. It seems to be supressing the really bad depressive spell I ALWAYS get in the beginning of winter.

Did you get any sort of hypomanic episodes when you first started it? I was way "up" the second week I took it and I read in a couple places on the web that it makes some people manic-ish or anxious in the beginning. I'm wondering if it was just a coinscidence, or a side effect.

Good luck -

Jessica

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 9:41pm

When I first started Lamictal I had a good spell of about a week early in the course, then went back to my cycling up and down as the dose was gradually increased. My pdoc said that some people have an initial early response which may go away but that it is a good predictor that the medication will be helpful once you reach your therapeutic dose. Of course,

peace and love,

just_a_big_kid

Avatar for babygromit
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 12-30-2004 - 3:55am

Lamictal worked for me mental wise but the headaches never went away for me, they were unbareable. But now even after being off the med for over 2 years I'm having migranes almost everyday so I guess I'm just prone to them.


Good luck and I hope the headaches calm down for you because the med did work well!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Thu, 12-30-2004 - 9:52am

Hi Kristin,


I was on lamictal for just shy of 4 weeks.