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Memory Loss & Lamictal
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 23:08Topic: Medication Issues
Hi everyone.
I'm Kat, I've been active on this board for a while but mostly in the Women With Epilepsy forum. I was going to post this in there but I feel like it should be more open to everyone since it's not focusing on women only issues.
Since starting Lamictal almost two years ago, I have noticed some fluctuations with my mood as well as my ability to concentrate, that showed mostly as I got up in the dosage. I started at 25mg like most patients and eased my way up to my current 250mg BID (twice a day) dosage. I did the escalation slow as recommended & did not experience any obvious side effects. However, as I've gotten more into my medication routine with it, I have noticed that my moods seem to fluctuate (just a little bit, but still noticeable) and I know that Lamictal is also used to manage bipolar disorder. I am currently in the process of switching doctors so I've been waiting to talk to my new doctor about these issues. I don't have the best relationship with my current doctor & feel as if he doesn't listen so I don't see the point in even bringing it up. In fact, I believe I brought it up to him in the past but to no avail. His answer for everything is either "that's normal but not worrysome" or "lets increase the dose & call me in a week".
To run through what I've noticed, the main thing is that I have a hard time handling a day regimen that requires me to multitask. This presents a lot of problems because I have a very busy life with working, managing my home due to my boyfriend being away a lot for his work, taking care of a new puppy practically by myself & being a college student, about to enter a very heavily crowded schedule. I have taken on two jobs in the fall after school starts & even though I have an optimistic look to it, I know from my past that my memory lapses cause a lot of problem. For example, I missed the deadlines for several things involving school that will make my semester hard such as missing the deadline for a grant that would be very helpful & missing the date to order the main campus parking permit & having to get one that's much more difficult to deal with.
I've always been a little scatterbrained but it seems much worse lately. Sometimes someone can tell me something & in just fifteen minutes, I forget what they said. This causes a lot of frustration with everyone around me & makes me feel incompetent. I'm not entirely sure it's just the medication but in my heart, I feel like it has something to do with it.
Does anyone else that's on Lamictal (I take the generic lamotragine) experience similar problems? If so, how much does it affect your life & how much is your current dosage?
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks guys!
Comments
This is making me both happy
Submitted by Acered Black on Fri, 2017-09-22 - 07:15
This is making me both happy and scared. Happy that I am not alone and scared that my memory and processing ability are permanently damaged. FYI, I'm on Lamictal for bipolar disorder so it is definitely not seizures in my case and I have ALL of the same symptoms as most of you. ☹️ Has anyone had their symptoms reversed after changing meds or lowering dosage?
Yes, I have had the problems
Submitted by mallingo on Fri, 2017-09-29 - 15:41
Yes, I have had the problems you describe since starting Lamictal. My staff have expect that I might miss a meeting or come in late, miss deadlines because I forgot, so I totally get the frustration of those around you part. It has started to wear on my self-esteem and the shame I feel after missing something or forgetting a word or name (another problem from Lamictal) is increasing. The lack of sleepiness and lethargy are a big plus, but I'm constantly looking at what new meds are out there, hoping to be more functional in memory areas.
Over most of my life I’ve
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2015-01-08 - 14:42
Over most of my life I’ve dealt with several medical problems – SLE, glomerulonephritis & seizures (no causes found). I’m 54 and still having seizures. I’ve been taking lamictal over the last 2+ years, after several other meds (Dilantin, Keppra, Depakote, Neurontin, Cytoxin, Prednisone, Imuran, Plaquenil, Clinoril, Cellcept) had no positive reactions either. My current neurologist, referring to my list of prescriptions asked, “You’ve taken ALL of these?” I’ve personally reduced the amount of my current prescription, Lamictal, from 500mg/day to 275mg/day against the guidance of my neurologists, without any difference to the seizure occurrence or my general health, except that I’m now dealing with memory loss. I often repeat myself (You already told me that!), ask questions regarding something I was told only minutes ago (I just said that!), say the wrong words (Make your bell. Bed?), go blank on the proper term to use (I made pasta for …what do you call it? Dinner) & forget names (You’ve known Kayla for years!). I forget what I was supposed to do. Printed computer pages sit on my desk for weeks at a time. I often tell people that my brain doesn’t work good, (Work right!) & get corrected. My 13 year old doesn’t understand what it is I have to deal with. She just thinks I’m stupid (I feel stupid & often concur just to avoid an argument.) My husband thinks I’m insane & makes me see a psychiatrist. Watching Alzheimer’s eat away my dad over the last 10+ years is depressing & terrifying. Is my lack of memory due to family connection or long-term medical effects/prescriptions? Many just tell me that it's my age.