Lamictal Side Effects?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Lamictal Side Effects?
9
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 12:34pm

OK, it's another Lamictal question, just from a different member :)

Of everyone here who is or has been on Lamictal, have you ever experienced any side effects after stopping it? If so, how long have they lasted?

I haven't stopped taking Lamictal, per se, but there have been times when I've run out and had to wait on my community mental health center to get more in. Those days were h*ll. Constant dizziness, wanting to cry, irritability, my tongue actually being numb/tingly, having a fever, etc.

The main reason I'm asking this: Last week, I knew I had to make my supply last until more came in to the center I go to. I went from one mg, to a lower, to a lower, and took the last pill I had yesterday - 25mg. I've experienced some of the same reactions (dizzy, wanting to cry, etc.), but not as severe. I'm toying with the idea of not going to the center to refill and just waiting until my next appointment (in about a week) to see how I feel and discuss it with my doctor at that time.

However, I know from my experiences with not taking my Lamictal that just because I don't feel the effects now, doesn't mean I might not tomorrow, or the next day. I'm afraid of those effects. :(

Ideally, I should go refill. But dang it...I just don't want to.

Alicia
www.mentalhealthnotes.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2006
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 3:47pm
Hi There! My name is Jena. I am on a couple of different drugs including Lamictal. I'm on 600 mg daily. Last week I had to take something called Neurontin for shingle pain and it interacted with the dose my lamictal lowering it. It was awful...physically I didn't feel bad, but mentally it was a whole different story. I have been in a mixed state ever since...experiencing depression and mania at the same time. If I were you I would go ahead and get the lamictal if you can. I'd hate to see you go what I've been going through. Better safe than sorry, right? Good luck and keep us posted on how you are feeling...Take Care, Jena
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 6:52am
Why don't you sign up for one of the free drug programs? https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php is the web site to go to. They do it for all the free med programs. I get my meds, including Lamictal, for free this way.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 4:08pm

I've been on Lamictal for a little over three years, and I have not ever

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2005
Wed, 05-23-2007 - 9:59pm

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Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Thu, 05-24-2007 - 6:05am

"I'm looking for a medicaion that makes a peson so relaxed and happy after a couple of beers. Is there such a med?"

Haha, I don't know. Well, I have heard Ativan referred to as "drunk in a pill," but it never really had that effect on me.

UPDATE!

Well, after being uncontrollably angry and bitter Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I finally called my doctor's nurse (doctor only works certain days of the week) and told her the situation. They now have the medicines in stock, I went to pick up some Lamictal, and also brought up the prescription program with her.

She apologized, telling me there were so many patients on the program that it was possible my paperwork could have gotten lost. Turns out, it wasn't lost - it was right in my file. There were a few things I hadn't completed completely, SO, instead of calling me to tell me, they just stuck it in my file and forgot about it.

ANYWAY, she gave me the forms to complete again and once I get them in to her (which will hopefully be tomorrow), the confirmation process will begin. I was promised it doesn't take very long.

*whew* I can't wait!

Alicia
www.mentalhealthnotes.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-24-2007 - 8:34pm
From my experience with these programs, it should take no more than two to three weeks. I'd make sure to call them at the end of two weeks to check on it. I'm glad you got this worked out!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Thu, 05-24-2007 - 8:52pm

Thanks! And I'll be sure to do that.

Alicia
www.mentalhealthnotes.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2007
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 1:55pm

I know you've already had some responses, but I have something to add.

I've been taking Lamictal for over three years now and am currently taking 200 mg/day (at night). I've never tried going off and try not skip more than one day (like when I forget to refill it).

However, I used to take 100 mg/day and still had the pills in my cabinet and by accident, I started taking one of those at night instead of my regular 200 mg ones. Looking back, one of the side effects I had from doing that was that my skin hurt to the touch and my whole body ached. At first I didn't know what was going on, but once I realized the mistake I'd made with the pills, I figured that it must have been because of that. And it also went away once I got back to my regular dosage.

I told my DR what happened and he was very concerned and drove the point home how dangerous it was for me to do something like that. From the very beginning, he always stressed how I could NOT just stop taking the meds--that it could have some serious consequences--like it would short-circuit my nervous system or something.

So like I said, I am diligent about refilling my Rx now.

HTH,
Kari

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 2:35pm

Thanks for your input, Kari :)