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The Lamictal-insomnia connection

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 17:09
Topic: Medication Issues
Hello, I posted below about my big stupid issue as of late, but I wanted to ask this question separately as it might help give me insight to my medication. I am trying to figure out if my 50 mg/day dose of lamictal in the morning could be responsible for my insomnia. I am hearing that Lamictal's stimulant effects should wear off throughout the day. Is it possible that they don't completely and are the reason I struggle so much to fall asleep? I am at a loss as to whether my insomnia is the result of lamictal or anxiety, because they entered my life at the same time following my first and only seizure. Also, does anyone know if it would be possible to become more anxious following a dosage drop from 75mg/day to 50 mg/day of lamictal? I reduced my dose about a month ago in response to my insomnia thinking it would help, and things have only gotten worse. There are too many variables at play here for me to figure this crap out!

Comments

Re: The Lamictal-insomnia connection

Submitted by tcameron on Sat, 2012-03-10 - 21:46
Lamictal can have a stimulant effect, but this seems like an issue for your doctor to answer.  Are you taking your strongest dose in the morning?  I started taking my strongest in the AM, and it helped me.  This is something only you and your doctor can really figure out.  Like you mentioned, there are too many variables to figure this out.  Good luck!

Re: The Lamictal-insomnia connection

Submitted by Lolad1287 on Sat, 2012-03-10 - 23:20
I only take it in the morning, 50 mg for the whole day. I went about 4 straight months sleeping okay on this amount (actually, it was 75 mg for most of that time). So I am assuming my recent bought with extreme insomnia is the result of anxiety, and not of the lamictal. I just want to be sure about this. My doctor has said it is one of those things that he just can't give me a definitive answer about, because he doesn't have one. He suggested I could try going off the lamictal all together, or switching to Keppra. I am too scared to deal with the side effects of starting a new drug right now (i'm in law school), and I don't want to stop the lamictal and gain new anxiety about that as well. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Re: The Lamictal-insomnia connection

Submitted by tcameron on Sun, 2012-03-11 - 18:12

Loland1287,

Beware that according to most websites regarding major seizure triggers is sleep deprivation.  It's second only to the most obvious for anyone with epilepsy:  Not taking your medication!  Since you're in law school, you probably need to study a lot for exams.  Make sure to be extra careful and get your rest.  I need take Ibuprofin PM, (Advil PM) in order to sleep at times.  If that doesn't work, contact your doctor. 

It's good you only take your Lamictal in the morning.  That helps a lot.  If your doctor decides you need more ask if you can take your night time dose a little earlier.  (I take mine at 7:00 PM; and keep an alarm on my watch to remind me.)  Perhaps you could get a prescription for a benzodiazapine to take at bedtime.  They're AEDs that cause drowsiness.  (Klonopin, Lorazepam, Onfi, etc.)  I take Klonopin at bedtime.   Good luck!  : ^)

 

Loland1287,

Beware that according to most websites regarding major seizure triggers is sleep deprivation.  It's second only to the most obvious for anyone with epilepsy:  Not taking your medication!  Since you're in law school, you probably need to study a lot for exams.  Make sure to be extra careful and get your rest.  I need take Ibuprofin PM, (Advil PM) in order to sleep at times.  If that doesn't work, contact your doctor. 

It's good you only take your Lamictal in the morning.  That helps a lot.  If your doctor decides you need more ask if you can take your night time dose a little earlier.  (I take mine at 7:00 PM; and keep an alarm on my watch to remind me.)  Perhaps you could get a prescription for a benzodiazapine to take at bedtime.  They're AEDs that cause drowsiness.  (Klonopin, Lorazepam, Onfi, etc.)  I take Klonopin at bedtime.   Good luck!  : ^)

 

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