Has anyone tried Lamictal with success?
I started it once but my skin became red, like a sunburn, and I was a little worried so stopped. It did make me feel much better anxiety and depression wise.
Lamictal
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Guest
Hey there, Turtleshoes.. Good eve. to you from the East Coast.. I'm unsure where exactly you are coming from to post to this board on this particular topic, but I can absolutely personally vouch for the effectiveness of this particular one, namely Lamictal, that I have been prescribed for quite a few years w/little if almost no apparent side effects (incl. weight gain, maybe increased thirst, etc.), but it may not be connected or related necessarily.
It has been a Godsend & seems to work exceptionally well for treatment of various forms of depression, but particularly for maybe, I think the bi-polar variety.. From what little I know of the med., it may have been originally manufactured for treating other unrelated conditions (maybe seizures or something), but it sure feels like it's rather miraculous for me anyway. I had not heard of it at all until the good Dr. prescribed it for me..
I do sometimes have dry skin, but I think this has more to do w/not being properly hydrated w/sufficient water, even w/o med's the minimum is req'd & this should possibly increase it too. I hope that in some small way, this info. & response may help.
I still think that this alternative herb, Rhodiola, that I just recently discovered & researched somewhat at the health food store, seems to be amazingly promising for helping maintain overall good health as well as provide + energy, outlook to aid in combat stress & other - factors. I feel like I can most definitely relate.. I'd rather be taking no med's whatsoever.. I guess this is total earth cookie thinking, huh? Who knows maybe I actually was born in No. CA afterall & not from the Stress like I thought.
Take care.. Stay well & all of the best..
Beth(ers)
Central MD(er), 40+ yr. old newbie
It has been a Godsend & seems to work exceptionally well for treatment of various forms of depression, but particularly for maybe, I think the bi-polar variety.. From what little I know of the med., it may have been originally manufactured for treating other unrelated conditions (maybe seizures or something), but it sure feels like it's rather miraculous for me anyway. I had not heard of it at all until the good Dr. prescribed it for me..
I do sometimes have dry skin, but I think this has more to do w/not being properly hydrated w/sufficient water, even w/o med's the minimum is req'd & this should possibly increase it too. I hope that in some small way, this info. & response may help.
I still think that this alternative herb, Rhodiola, that I just recently discovered & researched somewhat at the health food store, seems to be amazingly promising for helping maintain overall good health as well as provide + energy, outlook to aid in combat stress & other - factors. I feel like I can most definitely relate.. I'd rather be taking no med's whatsoever.. I guess this is total earth cookie thinking, huh? Who knows maybe I actually was born in No. CA afterall & not from the Stress like I thought.
Take care.. Stay well & all of the best..
Beth(ers)
Central MD(er), 40+ yr. old newbie
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Guest
Hi Turtleshoes,
I'm sorry, but I just neglected to mention, until having read other topic poster, MC Grace's response that for the particular form of depression that I seem to be combatting at times, a mild possible form of maybe bi-polar, it just essential has me feeling normal or I guess, best described as balanced & on keel & overall + well being, not at all abinormal whatsoever whereas Effexor, I felt really dizzy, nauseous, wound up (i.e. thoughts racing a mile a minute, etc.), sweaty.
Turtleshoes, I highly recommend Lamictal, at least for my form that I experience, it seems to work remarkably well w/o weight gain & many other detrimental side effects. Maybe the strength or possible dosage could have been too high, have you discussed this w/your doc. yet?
Take it easy, Turtleshoes.. Nice name, by the way.. I hope that this may help!!
Good luck & stay well... Keep the faith!!
Beth(ers)
Central MD(er)40+ program newbie
I'm sorry, but I just neglected to mention, until having read other topic poster, MC Grace's response that for the particular form of depression that I seem to be combatting at times, a mild possible form of maybe bi-polar, it just essential has me feeling normal or I guess, best described as balanced & on keel & overall + well being, not at all abinormal whatsoever whereas Effexor, I felt really dizzy, nauseous, wound up (i.e. thoughts racing a mile a minute, etc.), sweaty.
Turtleshoes, I highly recommend Lamictal, at least for my form that I experience, it seems to work remarkably well w/o weight gain & many other detrimental side effects. Maybe the strength or possible dosage could have been too high, have you discussed this w/your doc. yet?
Take it easy, Turtleshoes.. Nice name, by the way.. I hope that this may help!!
Good luck & stay well... Keep the faith!!
Beth(ers)
Central MD(er)40+ program newbie
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Guest
I'm not sure what you're dealing with symptom/allergy-wise. But are you absolutely sure that it was Lamictal (I was given the wrong antidepressant at the pharmacy today--I've been taking it for over a year so I was able to catch it quickly)? Always check to see that the pill matches the description provided in the product information.
My doctor was hesitant to prescribe lithium for me -- but i read good things about it -- and a very low dose helped me with the sensitivity that was overwhelming me. It has to be taken carefully, with enough water and not much salt. And blood tests have to be taken periodically.
My doctor was hesitant to prescribe lithium for me -- but i read good things about it -- and a very low dose helped me with the sensitivity that was overwhelming me. It has to be taken carefully, with enough water and not much salt. And blood tests have to be taken periodically.
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Guest
Hello everyone,
Lamictal is an anti-epileptic/seizure disorder medication. At one time that is all it was used for. In the past few years, they have found it to work better than most of the mood stabilizers on the market. It has worked well in treating Bipolar disorder as well as some forms of depression. It had fewer side effects, and people were more apt to take it. The skin rash is a very important thing to watch out for the first weeks on this medication. If you develop a rash you need to call your doctor, because this could potentially be a dangerous sign that you can not take it. Lamictal should be started out at a 50 mg dose and increased in increments until you are on a dose that is prescribe and/or right for you.
I hope this helps you.
Lamictal is an anti-epileptic/seizure disorder medication. At one time that is all it was used for. In the past few years, they have found it to work better than most of the mood stabilizers on the market. It has worked well in treating Bipolar disorder as well as some forms of depression. It had fewer side effects, and people were more apt to take it. The skin rash is a very important thing to watch out for the first weeks on this medication. If you develop a rash you need to call your doctor, because this could potentially be a dangerous sign that you can not take it. Lamictal should be started out at a 50 mg dose and increased in increments until you are on a dose that is prescribe and/or right for you.
I hope this helps you.
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Guest
I had taken it for a month and a half, with no bad side affects, I then came down with a really bad sore throat, and had huge blister on the inside of my mouth, above my tonsil. I read online- from a few sources that this is the dredded skin rash, and it can start in your throat and mouth. - But the emergency room, my doctor, and a pharmicist said otherwise. None the less, I stopped taking lamictal, but have recently started it again.
I had a very positive reaction to it- I actually felt well, and alive. And happy!
I had a very positive reaction to it- I actually felt well, and alive. And happy!
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Guest
You will show symptoms within the first 8 weeks. I'm in week 5, no side effects and thinking positively. It's working for me. I am not bi-polar and don't have mood swings, but I was having so many thougths pounding me at once that I couldn't stop them or slow down to just one thought. This whas even happening in the morning as i was waking. I told my doctor my brain wasn't totally awake and my eyes hadn't even opened yet. He said we think while we're asleep. Every night I dreaded waking up. The Lamictal is helping although it hasn't leveled off yet. Waking up isn't so difficult now. My mind is much calmer. I also feel more energetic and am beginning to get sleepy at night. I take Trazadone 150mg at bedtime-a mild anti-depressant with a mild sleep aid and .5mg Xanax. I want to be off of this and fall asleep by myself. I've been longing for so long to remember what it feels like to feel sleepy. Night meds just knock me out and I don't remember falling asleep. I hope it works for you this 2nd time around.I have learned from the past and present that in extreme cases like yours, stress, anxiety and depression crashes our immune system. That by itself is making you feel worse than you realize. The program talks about caffeine and sugar and the highs and lows that go with them. I am trying very hard to eat right, take a multi-vitamin or natural vitamin supplements and have cut my caffeine and sugar intake to a fraction of what it was. I no longer crave those things. I drink a lot of water. I feel a big difference.
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Guest
The reason my pdoc gave me lamictal is because I am one of those people that cannot tolerate an ssri. I haven't been diagnoised with bi-polar just estreme anxiety disorder and PTSD. It's been 3 months since I've tried the lamictal and I know what you mean about waking up with those dreams and my heart pounding. It can have a lot to do with sleep meds too. I know I didn't have the dream waking/sleeping issue until I was put on medication. I'm currently trying to get off of klonopin due to it causing memory problems and personality changes. The lamictal is supposed to help with this.
I may start it up again. I've heard that sometimes the second time around works, especially when starting at a very low dose. Since I started at 12.5mg the first time my doc told me I could even start out with 1/2 of a 5mg tablet. I've cut out caffeine with the exception of a cup of tea a few times a week and I cut out sugar a long time ago. My adrenal glands seem to be very stressed and am being tested for this. The results haven't come back yet but I'm on a vitamin reigmen. I should drink more water.
I'm so glad to hear positive results from lamictal. Please keep them coming. I do remember that it made me feel like my old self again but the side effects were hard. I even felt a kind of boiling inside of me.
Anne, maybe you can tell me what some of the initial side effects were for you and what dose you started at.
Thanks!
Turtleshoes
I may start it up again. I've heard that sometimes the second time around works, especially when starting at a very low dose. Since I started at 12.5mg the first time my doc told me I could even start out with 1/2 of a 5mg tablet. I've cut out caffeine with the exception of a cup of tea a few times a week and I cut out sugar a long time ago. My adrenal glands seem to be very stressed and am being tested for this. The results haven't come back yet but I'm on a vitamin reigmen. I should drink more water.
I'm so glad to hear positive results from lamictal. Please keep them coming. I do remember that it made me feel like my old self again but the side effects were hard. I even felt a kind of boiling inside of me.
Anne, maybe you can tell me what some of the initial side effects were for you and what dose you started at.
Thanks!
Turtleshoes
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Guest
I was given this for obsessive thinking. I was being pounded with so many negative thoughts at once just upon awakening. I dreaded going to bed at night because of the way I was going to feel when I woke up. Upon waking, I felt the panic attack before I even had a thought. My doctor reminded me that we do think while we're asleep. I'm not bi-polar. I started with 25mg once a day for 2 weeks. 50mg once a day for the next 2 weeks. I'm now in week 5 at 100mg once a day and that's where I'll stay. It takes 8 weeks to level off. Slight drowziness at intervals, but not enough to fall asleep. That's just about stopped. Dry mouth, which is now constant and is also listed as one of those side effects you're probably going to have to deal with. Other than that I haven't had any. Everything else has been very positive.