r/lamictal

I’ve been taking 25 mg of lamotrigine for about a month, and over the past few weeks I’ve been feeling very spacey and mentally foggy. It’s been harder to think clearly and stay focused. During a recent presentation, I completely explained the graph backwards and kept repeating the wrong interpretation even after people asked for clarification. It felt like I was mentally somewhere else, which isn’t like me. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this on lamotrigine.

To preface, I was a really creative kid- constantly drawing, reading, and really into music. That continued into my 20s. I was always interested in finding new bands and whatnot. I was put on Lamictal when I was 30- no formal diagnosis, just an inability to regulate my emotions and underlying anger issues- and it has helped in that regard. I am now 45 and have had kind of an epiphany. It has dawned on me that I really don’t enjoy much of any of these things like I used to. Specifically, I’m still a prolific reader but it’s almost exclusively nonfiction. I had a coworker half jokingly tell me, “aww, you don’t have imagination 😕”. In fact, most of what I have been watching has been documentaries, true crime, and the lot. And as for music, I seldom listen to it other than when I’m driving. Anyways, I noticed this distinct shift and am wondering if this particular drug has affected this part of my brain? I am also on Lexapro and Xanax but feel like this would be the most likely culprit given that it’s a mood stabilizer… I am making a conscious effort to “enjoy” things again- I got a ticket to see a favorite band and recently read a whole book which I enjoyed but it’s baffling I don’t seek out such things on a regular basis. Has anyone else experienced this at all that you’ve noticed?? Thanks

Hey guys! I recently JUST started taking lamictal for my depression and anxiety. i know the basic enhanced effect of alcohol that can be had with lamictal, i guess i’m just wondering if drinking is a terrible and possibly dangerous idea since i have just started taking these meds. i will be in a safe environment and wont be driving anywhere!

Hey everyone, im a 20 y/o dude and have been researching Lamotrigine and all its side effects and wanted to ask if anyone else has been prescribed it but not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? About a week ago i got prescribed it for "mood swings" i've been having, like one week im pretty happy, then a week later Im going insane for a day, then back to normal. If anyone else has been in a similar situation, please let me know.

Hi everyone!

My psych doc wants me start on Lamictal, but I’m soooo nervous/scared to get SJS. She’s starting me on 25mg and I had the prescription for 3 weeks now, I just have not taken them because of that. My skin is already super sensitive and I break out from almost anything, so I’m nervous I won’t be able to tell if it’s SJS or not.

Idk, I’m just nervous 😩

Idk how to feel about this im scared im going to have a crazy reaction

Started taking Lamictal about a month ago, not bipolar but have bad anxiety, intrusive and obsessive thoughts, and a “sticky” brain when it comes to these thoughts. Especially being sober this has been difficult to deal with. But I titrated up to 100 mg about a week ago, and I’m wondering when yall have started seeing positive effects? I feel like it’s definitely been helping and haven’t had any of the negative side effects I usually see on here. Just wondering if anyone can relate to the stuff I mentioned and taking it while not bipolar. Thanks !

lamictal is the main medication that is able to make a dent in my severe depression. it genuinely keeps my cyclical moods at bay. but it does give me mild non-SJS related hives (isolated to wrists or hands) when i titrate up (doctor knows). i’ve read that sometimes it just agitates your skin without it being affiliated to SJS.

however, i’m becoming increasingly uncomfortable with this symptom. quite frankly, i just don’t want to have to worry about it anymore. i’m also used to having some on and off brain zaps from it and they’re getting kind of old.

i’m definitely going to discuss this discomfort with my doctor, but i just wanted to know if anyone had experiences with other meds that help with breaking through stubborn/extremely severe depression and keeping moods stable. especially if it’s a non-anticonvulsant and something more like an antipsychotic.

in the past few years, my hypomania has not been more than being irritable, being able to actually get things done, talking too much, and spending too much money (not that these things aren’t “bad”, it’s just that i’m usually way more concerned with how horrible my depression is). however, (in addition to lamictal) i am now on an SSRI and an SNRI that are really helping me, but also make me susceptible to a way more unpleasant level of hypomania if i’m not on lamictal.

to be honest, i’m asking this because i’m overwhelmed with the idea of having to medication-hop again to find a replacement for lamictal. :( i know everyone’s body is different, but i guess some success stories would at least calm me a little bit for now.

thanks in advance. 💗

Hi everyone,
I’m new to Reddit, but I really wanted to hear about other people’s experiences with what I’m going through right now. First of all, I want to reassure everyone that I’ve already sent a message to my doctor about all of this. I’m not looking for medical advice. I just feel a bit lost and would really like to hear from people who have actually been through something similar.

I was diagnosed with rapid-cycling Bipolar II with mixed episodes about nine years ago. However, I’m now seeing a different psychiatrist who thinks I may actually have Borderline Personality Disorder instead. My previous psychiatrist had already noted that I had borderline traits, so I’m still trying to figure everything out.

I had worked my way up to 100 mg of lamictal (lamotrigine)and honestly, I was doing really well. I felt better. Then my dose was increased to 150 mg, and ever since then I feel like I’m back at the beginning of my treatment. I’m depressed again, having dark thoughts, feeling like hurting myself, and feeling like life has lost its meaning. At the same time, I feel emotionally numb nut not in a good way. It’s like I’m just looking at life with a blank stare. I'm tired, and it feels like my brain is working in slow motion. I just don’t feel like myself anymore. I don’t know if this is a real side effect, if it’s just me, or if the medication simply isn’t working for me anymore. My anxiety grow up too. Like intense....

Even my partner has noticed a huge difference. When I was taking 100 mg, he kept telling me how much better I seemed. Now he says it feels like I’m falling into a deep hole.

Has anyone else experienced something like this after increasing their dose?

Thank you ❤️

Hi guys,

I need your help to understand something.

I’d love to hear from people who do creative work and have been taking 100–200 mg of this medication for a while.

I’m a videographer and content creator. I’m taking it for epilepsy, and I chose this medication because it seemed to have a lower risk of side effects. At the moment, I’m on 25 mg for the first two weeks, and the plan is to gradually increase to 200 mg a day.

My main question is: Did you lose your creativity?

I’m usually very active and passionate about video editing. It’s something that genuinely lifts my mood, no matter how I’m feeling. My imagination and creativity are a huge part of who I am, and after putting so much work into developing those parts of myself, I’m scared of losing them.

I’ve also experienced several other side effects. It’s harder for me to fall asleep, I don’t enjoy food as much, and I’ve felt a bit emotionally numb from day one. That “spark” just isn’t as strong as it was before starting treatment. Now I really have to push myself to start new projects, and editing just doesn’t feel the same.

When I first started taking it, these feelings were much worse. After two weeks they’ve improved a little, but I’m still not back to feeling like myself.

If I increase to 200 mg, will I lose that part of myself permanently? I understand that this medication is meant to level out your emotions, but I honestly don’t mind the occasional lows. My highs are incredibly important to me because they’re what fuel my creativity, motivation, and enjoyment of life.

I do like how calm I feel, and I like the extra energy it seems to give me. Although, to be honest, I already had plenty of energy before starting it. For those of you on a stable dose of 100–200 mg, does that energy eventually go away?

More than anything, though, I care about my motivation and creativity. I can still be productive even when I’m tired, as long as I have the motivation to create.

I’m really looking for experiences from people in a similar situation. I honestly can’t imagine being happy if I lose the part of myself that loves creating. It’s one of the most important things in my life.

I hope there’s someone here with a creative career who has been on a stable dose of 100–200 mg and can share their experience.

currently im on 50mg for 4 weeks

looking for positive experiences with this drug

Heyyy, so. I kind of have hypochondria, so I must ask, is raised temperature normal & is it caused by the Lamictal? I've been having a good few other symptoms too, most notably upset stomach and such. I started around 4 going on 5 weeks ago. Started the first 2 weeks with 25 mg, then 50 mg, and just this week I started 100mg-- about 2-3 days ago.

Been on 25mg of lamictal for about 2 months now. Haven't noticed anything significant probably due to such a low dose, but my mood swings have been SIGNIFICANTLY worse. I feel like I am super testy and hot headed, when I asked my roomate about it he described it as "eggshelly". I am also feeling way more paranoid than normal. Is this just bc i'm so new to it or should I ask my psychologist about a new medication?

I also take 300mg of gabapentin for anxiety and 150mg of effexor for my depression. Don't know if it matters too much but I'm also on testosterone.

Help a homie out

Hey

I've been diagnosed with Cyclothymia (Not Bipolar) and been on Lamictal 75mg, that's the dose I reached before I had to taper off. I felt like it started helping me and helped me even for panic, palpitations and maybe even some anxiety, but had a few issues

1. It felt very activating for me. During daytimes I felt like I'm on 10 cups of coffee and my mind just spirals, I had to take benzos while titrating because it made it intolerable, maybe it would have improved on higher doses, at this point I never know.

2. Stopped due to skin issues and my doctor decided to taper off rapidly and he thought I don't have Cyclothymia (which I was diagnosed before but what a mistake it was by him) but then I became much worse after stopping.

SSRIs are just intolerable for me, they cause me severe mood swings and severe symptoms that I thought I had a fucking stroke sometimes (tried Paroxetine, Fluoxetine and been on Escitalopram in the past)

Now I'm just on benzos, I have occasional panic, headaches, brain feels in overdrive especially on afternoons, anxiety and mood swings. Did all neurological tests turned out fine whatsoever.

So what are the alternatives which I can try? Are there other less activating mood stabilizers have worked for you for similiar symptoms? Or is it only going into the atypical antipsychotics teritorry?

I started 25mg of lamictal last week and I don’t think I’ve noticed much (since it hasn’t been long and I’m on the lowest dose) except for feeling numb and uninterested in pretty much everything. It’s like I’m on autopilot and I’m just along for the ride. Is this a common side effect when starting lamictal or could this just be my depression acting up? I’ve been in somewhat of a depressive episode for a couple weeks now but lately it’s more just being out of it rather than sad. I’m also taking 225mg of venlafaxine in the mornings and 50mg of seroquel at night for sleep. I’m curious if this is something others have dealt with and if it gets better as the lamictal is titrated up.

I was prescribed 25mg almost a month ago for trichotillomania and treatment-resistant anxiety. The first two weeks were great. Very little urges, less time in freeze mode, and I didn't notice any withdrawal symptoms from Pristiq (which I stopped because it was making me gain weight after a year). After two weeks I upped my does to 50mg. Now it's 1.5 weeks later and I'm on day four of EXTREMELY itchy skin. Everywhere.

I did go to urgent care just to make sure it's not SJS, so it's probably just my body getting used to it. I know this can pass after a few weeks but I'm wondering if I even need to go up to 50mg. The plan was to get back on Wellbutrin if needed once I saw on this medication helped me (I stopped this months ago after a lot of success for my motivation/energy but was concerned it was causing weight gain - I now know it was the Pristiq).

Anyway, I'm wondering if I should stay at 25mg and see if the itchiness goes away, and start the Wellbutrin if needed. I've read other posts about people having success at 25mg but has anyone been at this does long term?

Side note: Do y'all drink on this med? I don't drink to excess but it can't be a coincidence that since I've start it, any time I drink I feel horrible a few hours later. I'm talking just three beers and I'm in bed at night feeling nauseous with a terrible migraine.

Hi everyone this is actually my first reddit post but | needed some opinions here.

I currently take 100mg of Lamictal a day (50mg in the morning 50mg at night) been taking it for about 6 months.

My whole life I've have a very high sex drive and have had a STRONG attraction to men. (Heterosexual).

After a few months on Lamictal I found that I'm attracted to absolutely nothing. If I think of anything sexual it would have to be a men so I don't think it's anything to do with my sexuality I just feel my sex drive has plummeted so badly were EVERYTHING turns me off. Climaxes are so bad as well. I don't know what's going on but I don't feel that excitement nor the care or urge to have sex with anyone or even have relations with anyone.

I've looked it up and not a lot of people have sex drive problems on Lamictal.

Any advice or shared experiences? Thanks!