Side Effects of Lamictal and Bi-Polar disorder

seriouslysleepless · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 3

Side effects from lamictal, my feet are swollen, bruise by themselves, I have nausea as well. I am taking 400 mgs a day. My Pschiatrist refuses to take me off it. She does not feel that it is a reaction to the Lamictal. I also hear sounds and talking about 1 1/2 hours after I take it. I have Bi Polar, Depresstion, and Acute Panic disorder. Has any one have the same problam? Please help! Oh my Pediatrist feels that it very well may be the Lamictal.

Guest · Guest

I have been on lamictal for about a year now, and it's doing wonders for me Wink

I have fatigue from time to time, but that is about it for side effects. If the effects are really bothersome, try talking to a different doctor than the 2 you have tried...nothing wrong with a third opinion! Good luck

Guest · Guest

Did you increase the dose slowly to 400mg?? VERY bad side affects can occur if you dont, especially since 400 is the standard MAXIMUM dose for lamictal. I would go down to a much lower does of lamictal, 25-100mg. If you experience a rash, immediately stop the lamictal, Stephen-Johnson-Syndrome, though rare, is a very dangerous rash that can occur if you jump straight to a high does of lamictal.

Guest · Guest

I agree with "guest" regarding increasing dosage slowly. I would also add
staying with each dosage amount for a few weeks to give time for evaluation. I started on the standard regime; 25mg increasing over a month or so to 100 and then increased as needed to stablize bp symptoms. (I now take 200mg) I have been taking Lamictal for 6 years. I have never had any bad side effects aside from a slightly euphoric mood when I first started taking it. That evened out after about a month. Not everyone has the same results from any given medication, but for me Lamictal has been a life saver.

LeftCoastChick · Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 8

I just started on Lamactic on Monday @ 12.5 mgs/day for 1 week - it's now Wednesday. I was told that I needed to slowly introduce the drug into my system (titration?) I am also on the tail end of withdrawing from Cymbalta, so I am not sure if I feel like hell from that or the new drug. I have the worse upset stomach, muscle aches and headaches. I am nauseous most of the time, and have been sick several times. I am also getting diziness, vertigo type symptoms and light flashes - probably from the Cymbalta withdrawal, but evil all the same.

I am also on Serequel 3xday @ 25 mgs. My Pdoc sd that if my anxiety is really bad, as it has been today to take an extra 25mgs of Serequel at night. I am having rages (quiet ones thoughs, but my cat is driving me insane!) I also have Ativan 0.5 mgs as needed, and that has helped calm me as well. I just hope these symptoms pass. I feel so ill. I am very glad to have sick leave from work, I couldn't possibly cope at work right now.

I was diagnosed Atypical Bipolar 2, rapid cycling - Panic Disorder, Disordered Eating and Chronic Pain syndrome. Strangely since I have started on the Serequel, my pain has decreased dramatically. I'm floored.
I also feel a bit more *in touch*, though I am still rapid cycling, I am far more aware and even on the low doses - they seem to taper off faster then before. Other then the physical symptoms, my memory is really off right now.. and normally I am sharp as a tack - even in my depths of depression.

Side Effects of Lamictal and Bi-Polar disorder

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