Lamotrigine

[Olimar]

I've just been put on Lamotrigine 25mg, with a plan to increase it slowly every 2 weeks. Anyone else been on this? How did it go for you and how long until it started to have an effect?

What are you on it for ?

Sorry just looked it up, I assume you have bi-polar?

I'm on 40mg for epilepsy so can't comment on how effective it is, but I've had no side effects.

I take 150mg for bipolar (I also take ariprazole) and it works really well for me. My moods are much more stable now. It took awhile to build up to the right dose but it’s been worth it.

@Pinkandpurplehairedlady how long did it take before it started making a difference for you. I havent been able to pick up my prescription yet, so not started it, but I'm desperate for something to help right now. I've had a day of disasters and I'm not coping well.......

I started to feel gradually better over time as the dosage increased. It kind of crept up on me and one day I realised I didn’t feel terrible anymore.

I’ve been on it for a couple of years now and stayed stable.

Works excellently for me. Doesn’t cause weight gain. Good luck.

Oh and I’m on 300, built up slowly a few years ago.

Ordinarily I'm on 200mg, raised to 300-400mg if I need it. It's the first bipolar med I've never had any issues with - it's no miracle cure, but it does what it can with minimal side effects other than initial drowsiness.

I've been on it for several years now, it definitely helps me.

I'm hoping it is going to work for me too after reading these replies. Seems like such a long time to wait for it to start having an effect though. I'm only on day 4 of 25mg and not feeling any better yet.....

Hi, I am curious how you are getting in with lamotrigine and what dose are you currently taking? I have been advised to start lamotrigine whilst slowly reducing quetiapine.

I'm on 100mg now and I do feel better than I did, but not 100% yet. I also take risperidone, sertraline and aripiprazole but I think it's the lamotrigine that has made the biggest difference for me.

I have bipolar but also high anxiety. I feel terrible today. My treatment plan is to slowly increase to 100mg over 3 weeks also. Has your psychiatrist agrees to increase further?

I haven't discussed increasing it further yet, that will be something for my next appointment depending on how I'm feeling by then.

Ah ok, hopefully you start to feel the full benefit soon. I will update on how I get on in a few weeks. Thanks for your help

I'm on 400mg for psychotic depression and it has been life-changing.

I was exceptionally ill when I first started taking it, I felt a difference within a few days but it took a few months with regular increases to start to feel properly better. It was increased up to 400mg over about 3 years when my symptoms started to come back which is the maximim so I worry what will happen if it loses effect again.

Other mood stabilisers have had horrible side effects, I've had none from lamotrigine.

@Gingerkittykat that's good to know it's having good effect fingers crossed it continues! I'm currently on 300mg quetiapine, it worked for me at the start but my mood swings have increased dramatically the past 10months. I've read good this about lamotrigine so hopefully it will stabilise me.

I got lamotrigine (sorry I’ve probs spelt it wrong!) to stabilise moods, I also take citalopram. I was in a horrific marriage when I got prescribed it and it helped but then I am waiting to be re- assessed as it appears that the mood swings were most likely circumstantial as I did not have issues before. It has helped loads though!

I'm on day 6 of 25mg, I've felt sick and I am experiencing pins and needles in my head at times? I thought that side affects would be at a higher dose so unsure if it's my anxiety "looking" for side affects. Has anyone else experienced this?

I take 100 mg daily and it's the best thing I've ever tried. I've been through all the mood stabilisers apart from lithium, which I can't take due to kidney issues. I don't notice any side effects and it makes me feel much calmer and in control. Good luck and I hope you feel the benefit soon. x

I've not experienced this, it sounds like you need to speak to your Dr urgently as pins and needles in your head doesn't sound right.

@Gingerkittykat I honestly think it's an increase in my anxiety? It's not consistent it's happened maybe three times now. This can be an effect of anxiety but can't see it as a side effect of lamotrigine directly?

Did anyone experience an increase in anxiety at the beginning of this med?

Hi guys just an update for anyone who is interested in how lamotrigine affects different people.

I ended up with adverse reactions; swelling of glands in my neck, sore throat, pins and needles through my head and anxiety increased ++. This was towards the end of week 1 on 25mg. I have spoken with my MH team and the safest option was to stop taking lamotrigine.

I am now increasing my quetiapine to 400mg gradually. I stopped taking lamotrigine 2 days ago now and the side effects have almost disappeared. Thanks for your help and information OPs. I'm hoping that I feel more at ease and less up and down in the future.

I have been years on 200mg lamotrigine. It was added to help my depressions. It worked then but since that I have been so o mitazapine. I am also on lithium, sertraline and lurasidone.

I found Lamotrigine good, hardly any side effects and tolerated well. Then my hair started to fall out and decided to come off it. Was on 100mg for BPD and recurring depression. Not always used for Bipolar. I found it the best, particularly in comparison to antipsychotics which were awful.

Interesting that you say your hair started falling out @Bobbi44 as mine has been too. I think it started before I was on lamotrigine though. I think it may be hormone reasons for me as the only time it happened before was after the birth of my DS.