Lamictal

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Lamictal
6
Sun, 04-08-2007 - 1:53am
Just started taking Lamictal 4 days ago, and I have noticed a peculiar side effect that isn't listed in the prescribing info. It feels like little electric shocks are running down my spine. This is worse at night. I also have the chills, goosebumps...like I am vibrating internally...weird,huh? It is giving me the creeps, and keeps me awake. Any thoughts?
Avatar for tallyn75
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2003
In reply to: wonderbread77
Sun, 04-08-2007 - 6:16pm

I've never heard of that being associated with Lamictal either. Both my husband and my daughter are currently taking it. Of course that doesn't mean it's not due to the Lamictal. Sometimes a side effect pops up that didn't occur during the medicine's trials.

Have you weaned off another medication recently. I experienced "Brain Zaps," as I call them, when I went off Effexor. It's very disconcerting. Eventually it went away little by little.

Call your doctor and see if he can suggest anything to help.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: wonderbread77
Sun, 04-08-2007 - 9:13pm

I'd definitely call the pdoc in the AM--it may be an uncommon side effect (the closest thing I found in my home PDR, in the rare side effects, was muscles spasms) that will disappear, but since it's obviously distressing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
In reply to: wonderbread77
Tue, 04-10-2007 - 6:20pm

That's a good point about the Effexor and "brain zaps". I used to take Effexor about 4

yrs. ago and did experience those when I was withdrawing from the drug. (It's been 2 yrs.

since I was on any kind of drug,though.) I don't know if this is related, but I also

developed an odd sort of tremor while on Wellbutrin SR...not the shakes, but like my

hands and legs would sort of jump a little, for no apparent reason, usually just before I

needed to take another dose. Weird.......Anyway, thanks for the response!:)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
In reply to: wonderbread77
Tue, 04-10-2007 - 6:45pm

Thanks for your reply! Given the amount of painful sensations that you must deal with on

a daily basis, my problem is fairly minor...(My Gramma-in-law has Fibromyalgia, and while

she remains an active,type A personality, must take painkillers just to function each

day.) My doc. wants to "wait-and-see" if the feelings worsen or persist, since I am new

to the drug....BTW, the extra heat does help! If my kids will leave me alone for a few

minutes tonight, I want to try a hot bath...ahhhhhh....Calgon, take me away!;)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: wonderbread77
Tue, 04-10-2007 - 10:40pm

Glad the heat helps--even when it's not really painful, it's such a funky feeling it bugs the crap out of me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2007
In reply to: wonderbread77
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 10:31pm
I've had similiar symptoms, not with Lamictal, but when I was on Serzone. Felt like electric shocks, had chills like I had a bad case of flu, and a really weird feeling like I had a scuba divers wet suit on and someone was rubbing their hands on it. When I told my doc, he said that wasn't possible! I was on Serzone for a couple of years. The symptoms did subside, but anytime I was late with my dosage for the day, or worse yet, forgot to take it for one day, the little shocks would come back. My DD also experiences this with Effexor if she forgets to take a dose.