Marijuana Effects on Lamictal

STAY AWAY from either one. I am a chronic ganja smoker for years. I was prescribed (the devil) Lamictal a few months ago always being encouraged to exercise on it. The side effects were violent shakes and feeling cold. One day, I went swimming after taking my 25ml dosage to build up to 50. Smoked a small spliff then experienced a SEIZURE. I forgot how to walk and talk for nearly two days. This was midterm week. I took a medical leave from school.

During this seizure-like symptom experience, object were more vivid and of greater importance to me then people and basic human relations.

Was on limictal for 7 years an was a almost daily smoker an never had a problem. I am now on lithium for the past year and currently comming off of it weed wasn't a great mix but wasn't totally bad. Honestly I think your doctor is full of sh*t and has no clue what they are talking about. Most doctors say this because they don't want you on drugs or alcohol. I plan to go back on limictal best med out there I've been on everything over the past 20 years

That is great that it worked for you. I am just very sensitive to all medications. Thank you for saying my doctor is full of it, because I agree. :)

quote the guest post on 3/13/13:

"Was on limictal for 7 years an was a almost daily smoker an never had a problem. I am now on lithium for the past year and currently comming off of it weed wasn't a great mix but wasn't totally bad. Honestly I think your doctor is full of sh*t and has no clue what they are talking about. Most doctors say this because they don't want you on drugs or alcohol. I plan to go back on limictal best med out there I've been on everything over the past 20 years"

I agree with you've said and have had a very similar experience.

Up front disclaimer: THIS IS INFO ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE COMBINING LAMICTAL AND MARIJUANA. Based on what other people have written, be careful!!! Everyone's brain is different.

Here's the short short version:

- I have not had a problem mixing high (and low) doses of marijuana with both low and typical doses of lamictal.

- If you haven't tried weed before and you are on lamictal and/or other psych meds, I wouldn't recommend trying it (except for medical purposes and I mean real ones, not the ones you make up to get medical marijuana cards in a few states).

 

Now the long version:

Every shrink I worked with didn't want me on drugs or alcohol, surprise surprise. OK fine by me (not!) -- sounds like a pretty boring life to me. Then again, anyone who's been through hell and back (you know who you are) knows that there is a trade-off you have to choose for yourself about mixing "conventional" prescription medications for mental stability and recreational drugs (for whatever reason: partying with your friends, increasing appetite, relieving stress, etc)

 

OK, now about me because that will help you compare your situation.

1. I am diagnosed by the shrinks from their DSM-IV book as having Bipolar I (the severe one).

2. I am very sensitive to prescription psych meds.

3. I have been a heavy daily smoker (constantly high all day) on and off for the last 12 years (since 18). By on and off I mean that I would stop for 6 months to several years, then start daily again.

4. I started on lamictal about 10 years ago after a severe depressive episode (before being diagnosed with bipolar). After being treated with a low dose (75mg) of lamictal for my depression, I smoked off and on during these years of taking lamictal. During this time, I did not have any serious side effects due to an interaction between the two. However, I did get "weed hangovers" where my brain was very fuzzy for the first part of the day, and this didn't use to happen. Be aware that this can also happen to normal people not taking lamictal, but I started getting them only after I was on the lamictal.

5. After some crazy sh*t went down (literally), I got onto some bipolar treatment medications. I now take a typical dose of lamictal (250mg) combined with depakote and abilify and this has worked to keep my bipolar at bay. I smoked regularly while on lamictal combined with these other medications , and I don't think marijuana has had any negative effects from combining the two. Also, the weed hangovers went away after taking a break for a year or two.

 

Didn't mean for this post to turn into my life story, but hopefully it helps you guys.

I totally agree. I feel the same, ive been smokin it for years and once they put me on Lamictal, nothing has put me into a seizure. if i miss my meds for a day than thats when i have a seizure. Just like you ash.. I AGREEE!!

You all sound hilarious to me! Do some actual research before you start slamming lamotrigine(lamictal) and marijuana. Marijuana is prescribed for Epilepsy (at least here in Canada it is) and my neuro prescribes 200mg of Lamotrigine as well as medical marijuana. I understand that some people just don't like the effects of marijuana or experience of hallucinations, but don't mistake the effects of that as counteracting with your meds. You maybe taking too much mj. smoke One toke and it will relax and stop triggers (although i smoke upward to 8 joints a day, or eat). Also, try eating it as it has a better effect for some people (less hallucinations). It sure helps me out and i also get to enjoy the other BENEFITS (again, do some research) of the marijuana plant!!

Thank you guest! It's about time to see someone else with common sense about MJ. So many benefits not stated about MJ and its qualities it brings to human life.

My name is Ashlee (x ! Smokin till I die too. Used to take olanzapine and smoke with no problems cept being a light weight. Hopefully lamictal is the same, gonna ease into is and pay attention to any body signs. I also take prozac , and I do not drink

Well, Harleequinn, I'm 53, and I felt this response to Ashee<3 was condescending. Your rebuke of the writer by characterizing her or his contributions to the discourse as "naive assumptions" is offensive to observe, and disrespectful to this contributor. This is a forum for anecdotal reportage, which is and has always been a valid supportive source of data for medical research. Everyone has wisdom to offer. Maturity in age does not automatically entitle one to dispense advice, and your own assumptions concerning this person's "very small well of experience" are uninformed. No scientifically-trained person would state an opinion as if proved. At the very least, you were discourteous, and should apologize. Best, M. P.

You said you're 16. You write like your 16. All over the map without a clear thought process and without sticking to a specific idea.

Yeah, we'll great for you. This isn't about "slamming" Lamictal. Not at all. This whole thread is filled with people who are saying at it has been the most helpful med for bipolar, et al. The topic is about the interaction between the two. Not EVERY person is going to respond the same way. Sme people drink three cups of coffee and go right to sleep, but a large number of individuals would not sleep well having ingested 3 cups late at night. Good for you that these two drugs do not interfere in YOUR life. Lucky.

BUT, and that's a big but, some of us are having extreme reactions to this combination, especially those who are on 200mg or so of Lamictal. The Lamictal is a great and helpful drug. Quite a miraculous really. I am not dumping on Lamictal. But when it is mixed with weed, and even then poor quality, low dosage weed there are significant issues for many. To say that one person doesn't have a problem therefore no one has a problem is arongent and downright stupid.

If you don't have a problem, congratulations. Perhaps you can take your rants and accusations to another site.

yessss thank you, i know this is old but i have no issues whatsoever.

Hey so I'm a 16 year old girl and I'm taking 125 mg of lamictal for about two months. It's crazy how people are saying all these negative things about lamictal and weed mixed together but whenever I smoke it boosts my high incredibly and I get stupid high lol. Anyway, even though I only weigh 110lbs you would think it would effect me badly but it's the complete opposite. I only have to smoke a little but and it feels like I've smoked two blunts. With alcohol, I only drink hard liquor and I've been completely fine. I've never mixed all three but I don't plan on it anytime soon. I don't know if it's just me but lamictal with weed/alcohol is actually more fun. I hope more people experience this versus seizures..

I'm on Lamictal and Clonazepam and have my med. marijuana card. I have no negative side effects whatsoever. However; Note that if you do smoke marijauna make sure you have Indica, Sativa not in the pot. I had to learn the hard way. Indica and Sativa relaxing makes you nervous or hyperactive so to speak.

The Dr. is wrong in my view. With the re-uptake inhibition problem that most of suffer from the ion channels buildup calcium which isn't getting flushed quickly enough. The cannabis stimulates the production and release of G-proteins that help flush that calcium unblocking the channel while increasing essential neurotransmitters such as dopamine.I recommend a switch from cannabis buds to vaping extracts only. The wrong stuff can heavily influence your seratonon levels - each variety isn't the same and some types will even be detrimental to your condition. You want a ( Sativa blend) extracts are better in small doses with a vaporizer or an e-pen. You don't need or want every cannabinoid in the bud. The best cannibinoids for your condition are THC and CBG but not necessarily a strong Indica as that can increase lethargy, disrupt deep sleep (counter-intuitive) A little indica in the evening is great to relax but stop medicating an hour before bed, drinks lots of water to hydrate brain and know this if your lamotragine isn't working you'll know it well before your Dr. He isn't you so he can only guess. See Dr. Melamide on you tube