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UPDATED: Thu, 08/11/2005 - 4:15pm
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EHamma...
Side effects of Lamictal
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I was wondering if anyone has heard of anyone on Lamictal getting Hypoglycemia or having the effects of Hypoglycemia?A couple of times since I been on this medication, I felt dizzy and was wondering if this is a side effect of the medication or if I did have low blood sugar cause of maybe too much medication. I had to start eating every two hours.I am on Lamictal, 250 mg, and Tegertol, 200 mg twice a day. I have to cut one pill in half. I been on this medication for about 3 months now, was on Dilantin with other meds. Erik
By EHamma... at Thu, 08/11/2005 - 4:15pm | 5062 views | 45 comments
Topic: Medication Issues
Recent Comments on this Discussion
Hello
I have been on Lamictal since I was 12 years old. I never experienced the hypoglycemia; however dizziness and double vision did occur when the medication level became too high. I was on 1200mg a day at that time. I never had serious memory problems but I was always a little forgetful while on large doses of medication. As for the eating, I did not see much of a difference between medications, as most seizure medication will slowdown you metabolism.
Hi !!
I've read some the comments posted...I think most of the people who posted to this question is an adult. I want to share the experience of my daughter, who is now, 4 and 1/2, who is currently taking Lamictal for her seizures. One of the side effects of Lamictal is dizziness or drowiness as well as a deadly rash. I've came across someone mentioning a rash..if it's in the chest and the back areas, then you need to talk to your neurologist about it. This is the second time my daughter is on Lamictal. The first time, she had a horrible rash and had to be taken off right away because it could be fatal. The doctor ordered the immediate stop of the Lamictal and she had such horrible averse affect. She was falling down like crazy and was having frequent seizures. My daughter is not very verbal. She is speech delayed, so I don't know if Lamictal impact her memory and speech, but it appears that whatever words she has already acquired, I have to get them out of her, she wouldn't automatically say them.
When the neurologist ordered the immediate stop of the Lamictal, he gave her Topamax right away and Klonopin. He said to give my daughter Klonopin on as need basis because it is addictive. I believe the Klonopin was to help stabilize her, so she wouldn't fall. Yeah..the Klonopin did help her from having frequent falls. My husband and I were at an arm length from my daughter constantly and even then, we couldn't catch her from falling, besides the increase of seizures. This was due to a sudden stop of Lamictal. As I was saying, we didn't give my daughter Klonopin regularly, only on as needed basis, when she was falling too..too much, but what the doctor didn't tell us besides the side effects of the drug, Klonopin being addictive, he didn't say anything about getting up in the middle of the night and staying up for hours. My daughter would sleep around 10PM and then would get up at 1AM, which I barely got some sleep and would stay up until 6AM. She would do that at least once a week. It was driving me crazy. When I brought the issue of my daughter getting up in the middle of the night and wouldn't go back to sleep, the neurologist then told me that was part of the side effect of Klonopin.
I know for a fact that Topamax does impact a child's speech and possibly memory as well. My daughter was on Topamax for a very short time, and right from day one, her pre-school teacher noticed the difference. She was tired, didn't want to participate in any activities, didn't sign language she knew or speak the words she acquired. She was like a zombie. It was horrible. The neurologist who introduced the med. to her mentioned decrease in appetite as a side effect, but while on Topamax, she didn't want to eat or drink beside having speech and memory issues. I told the doctor to take her off of Topamax immediately. She was on Topamax for a week, but the weening process took a whole month.
Also, I went on Yahoo to search for information more on the drugs and found out that Topamax does impact speech and may cause blurred vision or something like that.
My daughter was also on Keppra before starting Lamictal, and with the Keppra it was supposed to make her sleepy and drowsy, but it didn't do anything to her. My daughter is still on the Lamictal, and I did ask her neurologist whether or not Lamictal would impede her speech and language as well as memory loss, and he responded, "I have not seen those side effects specifically with Lamictal. However any seizure drug at a very high doses, can cause such side effects."
By the way, I've seen my daughter looking for food all the time, and I don't know if it's because she likes to eat or because of Lamictal. I think that with any medication, aside from what the doctor tell you, you need to look them up and find out for yourself because the doctor wouldn't tell you everything, and also because not everyone will have the same experience and or side effects. I hope this will help some of you who are on these meds.
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I'm not sure that I've felt hypoglycemic from this medicine, but I do get horrible spells of vertigo. I've almost fallen down the stairs, I've stumbled into walls, I can't stand up or walk straight, and I get really twitchy. This isn't an every day occurence, and it seems like it happens more often when I eat more carbs than protein for breakfast. Maybe that has something to do with my blood sugar affecting the medicine?
This medicine scares me at times though. The other day I was sitting at my desk at work shortly after taking my medicine, and I had to get up to use the restroom, and as soon as I did I couldn't even stand up. I fell into the filing cabinet, causing everyone to ask me if I was ok, etc. It's embarrassing, I don't want that kind of attention.
What the dizziness feels like to me is this: it's almost as if you're walking through mud, water, wet concrete (anything dense like that), and you're having to really pick up your feet as you walk. But when you go to set your foot back down in the mud/water/whatever, it's just air, so you're stumbling. That's the best I can explain it, but it's uncontrollable and scary. I made an appointment with my doctor, so I'm assuming she'll have me do blood tests. Hopefully it gets fixed!
Also have noticed problems with memory; especially if I am interrupted while talking. I can't remember what I was going to say if someone interrupts me. Also, sometimes don't remember what I have done from one hour to the next. I lose things all the time because I can't remember what I have done with them.
I am glad this site was here. I have been on Lamictal and Wellbutrin XL for 6 months. I am treated for bipolar disorder. I have noticed that I have to eat every 2 hours or I start sweating, shaking and almost pass out. I thought that I had hypoglycemia but after reading everyone's comments, I realize that it is the Lamictal. It does work for me as a mood stabilizer, though. I do not feel like a zombie or non-emotional. But, I am wondering if I should ask the doctor to switch me to something else because I cannot eat every 2 hours as necessary.
I'm on the same cocktail for the same reason. I've been on it for over a year, and have had to bump my dosage of Lamictal a couple of times. I've been having the same type of weird light-headedness, blackout/near blackout experience off and on for two to three months. I first thought my car had an exhaust leak-- the symptoms have been almost a perfect fit for that. But after driving another vehicle for the past few weeks, the sensation still occurs, though a bit less frequently. Have you had a chance to follow up with your doc? I'm scheduling something tomorrow. This is just too scary, especially when driving.
My hubby was on lamictal...he got paranoid and acted weird on it then developed the deadly rash...not sure about the surgar thing...maybe thast why his behavior was odd...maybe his sugar was dropping out and we didnt know it. Oh well...best wishes. It was not the right drug for my hubby though.
I am on Lamictal. I also take Keppra. I don't know if this is a side effect for me from the Lamictal or Keppra or even both.
I do have a bad problem with memory. I went for my VEEG for one week, and when I got back I could not even remember how to do my job :-(. My boss thought I was crazy. I most recently have had the problem if I look at something I say I want that instead of what I really want. For example: I was at Subway the other day. I wanted the oven roasted chicken breast. (I was looking at the sign right before I order; looking at some of the other items). When I did go to order I said that I wanted the oven roasted turkey breast instead fo saying the chicken. I did the same thing at Taco Bell. I wanted the #6 which had the two chalupas and taco. Well, when I ordered I said I wanted a #2 instead of a #6. It gets real emberassing having to change my order b/c I said the wrong thing, and the cashier gets kind of mad. Does anyone else have this side effect with Lamictal? I take 1000mg of Lamictal per day and 1500mg of Keppra per day.
I have a lot of memory problems. The other day I was biking to my neurologist appointment (25 miles away) so you can understand me being really tired. I went to the grocery store to get some refreshments. I opened a soda and went to make my purchase. I did not put up the drink. I could have sworn I bought it somewhere else(I had a backpack and I sometimes carry drinks in it) When I walked out security stopped me and accused me of stealing. They said I have done it before. I remember them calling and telling the clerk that I hadn't bought it the time before but I could again have sworn I bought it. I'm not one to steal but I am now banned from Winco and its also my dads work. Its also been a huge problem in school since I've been on siezure medicines my GPA has dropped tremendously
I recently started on Lamictal, and am feeling as if I have a "buzz." I feel light-headed and dizzy when I take it but don't feel the same eating problems as other people do. If anything, I'm never hungry, or I don't eat enough when I do eat. Not eating enough or at all can lead to me having a seizure. If anything, I'd like to find something that does increase my appetite.
I have been on 600mg of Lamictal for about a yr now. I have noticed pretty much everything all of you have said on here. One thing I do suggest is drink water! I have found that I get very dehydrated. It seems that also helps with the dizzy-ness and light headedness.
My dr also suggested that I try to take it at 12 hr intervals - as close as you can get to 12 hr intervals (I take mine at 6am and 6pm)
I also have experienced the frustrations of the memory and mental side effects. My job doesnt require this but it was something that I had always taken for granted before I started taking Lamictal. But you have to work with what you have right? :-)
Hello everyone,
I'm new here. Getting to the subject. I've been on Lamictal 200mg 3 time a day for over a year now and I use to experience the same symptoms. But ever since I started taking my med with food. All my side effect have gone: headache, nausea, dizziness and more. I do get very sleepy though.
I have been on lamictal for a few months and recently was increased to 600mg a day. 300 a.m. and 300 p.m. Before this medication I was on tegretol and dilantin for about 25 years. I used to get horrible spells of vertigo (I thought) I would stumble into walls, see double vision, could not stand up or walk straight. This started happening frequently and was very scary. I had a blood test and found I had toxic levels of dilantin in my blood which was causing this reaction. The doctor started to wean me off slowly and I was put on lamictal. She said it was a wonder drug with no side effects. About 1 month ago the medicinet was increased and I noticed my hair was very thin. I started parting my hair and realized I had huge bald spots in the back of my head, top and sides. I am devestated over this because I had very thick hair. I was going to cut the dose in half but am afraid this would trigger a seizure. As soon as the doc gets back from vacation I am getting off this and going back on tegretol (not dilantin) While on these 2 medicines I never lost 1 hair. Did anyone else experience this. And does your hair grow back after stopping it.
I know where you are comming from. I have been on 250mg of Lamictal for 3 years. I expirenced dizzyness and even getting sick to my stomach when I take my medicine without eatimg something first. I take lots of other meds for all sort of stuff. Whem I first started taking it I did not know you had to eat so I was miserable. So yes Hypoglycemia is an effect of this medication plus some other effects.
davita :-)
Is there anyone out there taking Lamictal/Lamictin who has experienced increased photosensitivity since starting with this medication?
I experienced hallucinations and visual disturbances whilst taking this, don't know if that helps in any way! Had to come off it.
corey -
my name is corey and I am using Lamictal 200mgs. for bipolor disorder. I want to quit taking it because I have had the same effects you described; always feeling like I have to eat, being dizzy alot to the point where I feel uncordinated and I am not so sure I am really bipolor. I use to smoke alot and I mean alot of pot. I strarted the lamictal Oct. 2006 and I quit smoking pot about 3 weeks ago. I want to wean off the lamictal because chronic use of marijuana can cause bipolor type behaviors. I feel as if my Dr. is just interested in kick backs from the company that makes Lamictal and does not have my best interest at heart.( I have to go through county med. assistance) Anyway if you know how to safely wean off the lamictal or anyone else who does let me know how to go about it. Thanks
Corey -
To wean yourself of a drug can be dangerous. The best way to do it is a little at a time, by that I mean like 25 or 50 mgs at a time. I would not recommend you doing this without seeing your doctor. If you feel you doctor is taking kickbacks like you said, I would go see another doctor.
Erik Hammarstrom
has anyone felt the side affect of lost memory or your skills slowing down when it comes to thinking??? i am a college student and until i started taking lamictal i was always the first to finish exams and such similar things, but now i am much slower and my grades have dropped. has anyone else felt this side effect in this or any similar way???
I have felt those effects a lot. I'm also a college student and I was diagnosed half way through high shcool. My grades have dropped tremendously and I am really slow with my tests and memory. It takes me a lot more time and effort to study and I have absolutely no focus. School is one of the most important things to me and I would drop out until figuring out my medicines but then I'll lose my health insurance. But I would talk to the DRC (disability rescource center) I find it difficult to call it a disablity but on certain levels it is. They have provided me with many rescources that have helped. I get to take my tests in a quiet room and I get time and a half on my tests even though I rarely need it when I am halving a problem it helps. I also have always had a problem with reading and I lose focus after a few sentences. They have books on CD and you put them into your computer and it will read it to you and the words are followed on the screen for you. It helps me a lot and I'm I hope it can help you.
I didn't experience this initially when I was on Lamictal, but I started taking Topamax aswell, I had serious memory and concentration problems. I have to have lists for everything and am currently signed off work for 10 weeks. If you are on 2 meds then it is likely that they will slow your thinking down. I have just been gradually taken off Lamictal, but one of the side affects of Topamax is memory probs. Make sure your tutor knows about your condition and the effects, I know its frustrating, I was going to work and shuffling paper as I couldn't focus.
Goodluck!
Hello Corey,
Can you change doctors? You know yourself and feelings, and need a doctor willing to get you off what you want off. Then try vitamins, find a doctor that goes with vitamins. I am going to a seminar that has docotors going this way will give you that information after I learn their sharing. When I was on meds, it took me an controlled me, I could not be myself. Like I said do get a doctor before any change that will listen and understand. We know ourselves, they learn by listening, we all take different to each med.
TJ
The drug reps don't usually get too worked up about drugs that already have generic forms available. I realize that a lot of docs, and patients for that matter, insist on using the brand form of this drug, I still find kickbacks unlikely. As mood stabiliers go, Lamictal has far fewer side effects than most.
I take 150mg of lamictal 2x/day and I still need to eat frequently to help the side-effect, but it did get better for me over time. It is less intense than it used to be and I have been on the Lamictal since Spring 2002. Hope this helps!
I was put on Lamictal for seizures. I've been on it for almost a year now. I was on trileptal but it made me disfunctionally tired especially when I would study. Since increasing my dose I've found myself restless. What I've been most concerned about is my mood. I've always been a self diagnosed bipolar girl and my family could vouch for me but since being on lamictal I've felt so void. I don't feel any emotion what-so-ever. It's really starting to impact my relationships and that's what's initially brought me to this forum. I was wondering if anyone has dealt with this.
I did not know Lamictal could be used as a mood stablizer!!! I am on Lamictal AND Trileptal. That is good to know. Do you think I could take this information to my neurologist? I take 7 pills a day and I think it would be awesome to take less. Thanks for the info!
Davita :-)
Girlgrl,I have been on lamictal for over 4 years now.I don't see how it is a mood stablizer because if it is,it sure don't work on me.I take zolft for my moods.I don't have any problems with lamictal.I take 500mgs a day.plus 1000mg of tegratol a day see ya cat
rloves4
Hi can you tell me what you know about sodium and lamictal? WE have been battleling dangerous low sodium caused from tegertal. Trying to raise lamictal to wean him off teg. Do you know the symptoms of sodium being to high? Donald would sleep lots and have cluster seizures if to low. Its landed him in hospital alot this year. he is more stable now. No side effects on lamictal so far YA!!! Robin
rloves4
Hi Responding to my own post. we get him stable with sodium problems hardly NO Seizures at all.Thanks to tegratolgone lamictal on board AND WORKING. now side effect!!!!! low, very low white blood cell anyone heard of that?? By the way don diagnosed 4 dayd ago with mito disease complex i and 3 thank robin
i have just started lamictal for bi polar i stopped depakote paxil tranzene and having still tranxene withdrals in my jaws i hope the weight gain wont come back with the depression iam scared of this roller coaster ride of another withdrawal i did it cold turkey after 2 years how long does tranzene stay in the body its been 7 months
I started taking Lamictal 1 month ago. Just recently I get up at 3am and I can't get back to sleep. I also notice that I am hungry more often that I used to be. I take 300mg/day. I also take Keppra and Phenobarbital.
Before I started a job search, where I wasn't working for 6 months, I did not have many seizures. Once I got a part time job my seizures increased from 2/month to 7/month. It may be from the stress of job seeking combined with the fact that it's difficult to find and keep employment with a seizure disorder. I get SSDI but I want to work part time.
Any suggestions on seeking employment? Does anyone know companies that are not afraid to hire us with a seizure disorder? From 1988-1998 I was seizure-free but I was on SSI and was in "supported employment" through VESID. I was driving, went back to school, and was not married then.
However, I began working 60 hours/week and my seizures came back. I also got married in 1998 because I was not having seizures. I didn't want to put undue stress on a spouce. Now, my seizures are back, I'm married, our finances are not the best, and I'm looking for work again.
I was just let go from a retail job because I had 4 seizures in 2 weeks on the job. The HR Manager said that I told her that I only had 2 seizures/month. Well, I guess I get stressed out at work while worrying that my wife feels that I'm holding her back in her career. I told her that it may be better if I let her pursue her career and not be a burden to her, anymore. I want to work, but it's difficult for me to find a noble employer and it's difficult for me to maintain employment once I find it. I've been working for 18 years, on and off.
Hi,
What I did notice when I increased Lamictal was a terrible stomach disorder...nausea...inability to eat...then lots of gas.
I am on 575mg and must keep food in my stomach constantly and was told to eat five times a day. A must to stay well!
Becareful if you have to increase more! Don't let stomach problem get ahead of you, like I did at first!!!!!
ST
Another thing to consider - sometimes drug interactions can add to these side effects. Take a look at the Treatment and Epilepsy medication section of epilepsy.com for some helpful hints on side effects and drug interactions and bring the sxs up with your doctor.
Giddiness is a not uncommon side-effect of Lamictal/Lamotrigine. When I was taking 400mg Lamot I myself often felt giddy, especially in the late afternoon, if I was tired. The only problem I seem to have with the 200mg I take now is the effect it has on my ability to sleep properly.
One thing I noticed when the Lamot was causing me giddiness was that the latter was almost always 'triggered' by my turning my head round, for whatever reason. Perhaps a nerve in the neck gets trapped, or similar. I found that turning the whole body round, rather than the head only, prevented this happening. You might try it.
Chris