Lamictal (lamotrigine)?

[ShodokanJenn]

Since April, I have been on Zyprexa (olanzapine) 20mg at night and then 5mg with breakfast and 5 more at lunch. It has been very effective. Trouble is, it's jacked up my metabolism and despite being very careful with my diet and exercise, I've gained significant weight. My P-doc cut the day time doses and started me on Lamictal. She said we have to taper very slowly up to avoid potentially serious side effects, and that's fine with me. Trouble is, since that change was made on Monday, each day I've gotten noticeably more anxious than the day before, and now I'm starting to feel depressed, too. I'll call my doc on Monday (she's out of office today; already tried), but I'm curious if anyone here has been on it and seen those side effects initially, but eventually benefited from taking it?

 

[Anrish]

Dear @ShodokanJenn I just asked me flatmate because I know that she was on lamictal. The lamical is only against the grand mal but the myoclonics can still happen.

She didn't have the same side effects as you but she gained weight and lacked in drive.

Her doctor put her on Keppra (Levetiracetam) after that. It's against myoclonics, grand mal and causes less problems during pregnance. She doesn't suffer from any other side effects.

My flat mate also says that you should never try Valproic acid (contained in Ergenyl chrono for example) because it's proven that is the worst side effects from all anti-epileptica my friend had to take so far.

I hope I could be of any help with that.

 

[PointlessExistence]

I started Lamotrigine a few weeks ago and got up to the standard 200mg daily dose two days ago. I've had less appetite and more energy (but not in a stimulant kind of way). I haven't noticed it having any real difference in my moods or my outlook.

 

[7Cs]

I started lamictal MANY years ago and have been on and off multiple times. I have not had any negative side effects. This is something you should definitely talk to your doctor about. That said, did your doctor mention any side effects from lowering your Zyprexa dose? I know nothing about it but could that cause the symptoms you're experiencing?

 

[Bliss]

Since April, I have been on Zyprexa (olanzapine) 20mg at night and then 5mg with breakfast and 5 m...

Lamictal was the best Ned for ptsd, I ever used and used them all, took the fight or flight out, took out the depression but no Mania, no weight gain. Does take time to get up therapeutic dose. I would imagine depression coming from lower zyprexia but I am no doc. I swear by lamictal. 200 mg is what I was on. Wishing u well:)

 

[7Cs]

Lamictal was the best med for PTSD

I agree! Life saver for me.

But every med works differently for different people.

 

[Bliss]

I agree! Life saver for me.

But every med works differently for different people.

They do work different on different people, thanks for writing that thought if it when I logged off,

 

[7Cs]

They do work different on different people, thanks for writing that thought if it when I logged off,[/QUO...

I've given lamictal praise without mentioning that before... I think most people realize that. It was just a weird after thought of my agreement with you.

I'm glad it worked so well for you too!





I hope OP finds their "miracle" drug. :)

 

[Bliss]

I've given lamictal praise without mentioning that before... I think most people realize that. It wa...

I really do appreciate u saying that out loud, I thought about when I was younger and trying so many different meds and when someone would swear one worked and it didn't for me it was so discouraging... cant be said enough! Also I have run into different ones working at different times of my life, maybe hormones? That's frustrating! Glad it worked for u too, and hopefully op, does take time, a month or so to get up to thearuputic dose. Good day to all:)

 

[TheGirl]

I tried lamotrigine and got up to the 200 mg. Unfortunatly i wasnt on it long enough to say if i worked or not. The side effect was horrible i kept falli g and was bursied all over. My entire balance was gone. The dr got me off right away.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I've given lamictal praise without mentioning that before... I think most people realize that. It wa...

I thought that the Zyprexa was my miracle drug. It did a GREAT job of calming the hypervigilance and anxiety. I wish I could keep taking it.

 

[PointlessExistence]

Today will be my ninth day on 200mg of Lamotrigine, and my appetite is practically non-existent, which I am loving. I'm 6'2", 46 years old, and I'm eating less than 1200 calories a day. I'm a ball of energy compared to how I used to be, and I don't need much sleep at all.

But I am still not improving psychologically beyond the euphoric feeling of energy and weight loss. I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll just say that my intentions for taking Lamotrigine were none of the above. My thought process has also changed in that I'm talking to myself and making lists, so this may be a bad drug for someone who is trying to stop that kind of thing. So far I just accept it as a small price to pay for the weight loss, energy, and ability to function on far less sleep.