I'm bipolar type 1 mixed episodes, medication question about Lamectal? I take Lithium, the only side effect so far with that is my hair is thinning, and when i brush it it come's out, we not even a week ago added Lamectal for the mood issue's starter pack 25mg right now, been having nausea after i take it,has anyone else had this problem, and if so is this one of those side effect's that go away with time or does it stay, my Dr. want's me to keep taking it as long as i don't start getting the rash as a side effect.
Just started Lamictal -how long does the nausea last, will it go away?
Question posted by Anonymous on 20 Oct 2010
Last updated on 31 May 2023
8 Answers
Betsbest1
31 May 2023
I'm new to this forum. I see your post was 2018. Did the nausea stop? I'm 3 months in and still have nausea.
WildcatVet
31 May 2023
Nausea is a very common side effect that affects about 20% of users. Side effects like this generally resolve within days to a week or so.
If you're still nauseated you need to let your doctor know right away. It may be that your dose is too high or there may be other problems. It's not normal and you shouldn't be suffering for three months because of it.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better soon!
Wildcat
Mfbuchanan
26 March 2017
Stopdruggingkids- I have worked as an LPC (you may need to look that up) for 13 years. I have worked closely with individuals struggling with a variety of mental health issues. I admire and respect my clients who struggle every day with mental health issues and from the judgemental, ignorant beliefs and comments from indivduals such as yourself. All I can tell myself concerning you and others who share your beliefs is that you/they come from a place of complete ignorance. Do you honestly believe individuals take meds that have sometimes significant side effects without weighing the pros and cons? Do you think anyone WANTS to take these meds? Choosing meds is generally the lesser of two evils, so to speak . If you spent any time whatsoever experiencing the struggles of mental illness there is absolutely no way you could continue to express such judgement and ignorance.
Educate yourself, reach out to people before you contribute to the ignorant, judgemental and shaming beliefs that are so hurtful and continue the shaming of those who struggle. The effects are incredibly detrimental. Individuals feel ashamed to reach out for help. Take a moment to research the correlation of suicide rates to education of mental health issues. If there is anyone to "feel sorry" for, it is you.
Doctorwithbipolar
21 Aug 2018
Totally agree with Mfbuchanan. Stopdruggingkids you are not only ignorant but dangerous. It’s hard enough to accept a diagnosis of a mental illness and get the right help without idiots down-playing your diagnosis and suggesting you should just “toughen-up” and cope without drugs.
First hand experience of TRUE DEPRESSION is worse than any physical illness I have ever experienced. It’s like falling through a hole in the floor. Without modern psychiatric pharmacology I wouldn’t be here today, or at the very least would not have been able to stay in my profession and continue caring for my patients.
ShawnaJoy
15 May 2012
First off I wanna tip my hat to you for getting help! Myself and my daughter are Bipolar also. We have both taken this. I don't remember ever feeling sick and I don't believe she did either. This is somthing so should deff cover with your doc. They may have some suggestions on how to get you thru it. I know it can be a dangerous drug so any long term side effects should be noted. Its frustrating when you have issues with what your taking. You wanna feel better and not worse! That's what I am going thru with my daughter. And I just want to go on record saying unless you have a mental illness and live with it day to day, you will NEVER EVER understand what we go thru!! I don't care if drugs will shorten your life span. I would rather live a life medicated and some what happy then live a life in the dark depths of my screwed up world!!! And yes my daughter is medicated and she will stay that way until she is old enough to decide she wants to stop!!!
pickles503
13 Nov 2011
Hi! I've been taking Lamictal for 5 years. About 6 mos. ago I began having nausea after taking Lamictal. It was because I wasn't eating anything solid in between each pill. It's been a month since I started doing this and the nausea has gone away. For me, I eat half a banana or a quarter of a sandwich, or something solid like that before each pill and I take 4, and I haven't gained weight, and no nausea. I was worried that I might have to change meds, and I really, really didn't want to because Lamictal is a wonder med for me. I pray you find a way to conquer this problem. Anna
Stacey Harbach
24 Nov 2011
This person sounds like she is a real Dr. HA ! Don't preach to us Quit Judging us until you have been in a study or a full knowledge of Disorders COLLEGE LEARNED. You areon the wrong web site.We don.t want your negative attidude. So I'll Block you and your OPINION.
Dion4592
12 April 2017
Anna, I too have been on lamictal for about 5 yrs & suddenly became very I'll after taking my medication. Initially I thought maybe I was having serotonin withdraws; it felt like vertigo & very nauseous. My doctor changed my antidepressants but with every change the vertigo & nausea was still there. It never dawned on me it was the lamictal I had been taking it for years. I decided to take them separately & that's when I found out it was the lamictal. I don't understand after all these years why it would suddenly began to make me sick. I will definitely try & eat something with some substance to it when I take it next time & see if that stops. Something that simple would be great the benefits of the medication are great, however the vertigo & nausea are getting so bad I wonder if there's another mood stabilizer out there that will work like lamictal does.. Thank you for your comment... Anna J
terica3825
13 Nov 2011
I have been on it for 4a days now. I don't want to say that it can't be what is making u sick just wondering if ur Doctor has either given u a higher dose of meds i've already been on or anymore new meds. Lamectal has not been making me sick. I do feel nausoud from my Xanax, my anti depressant (effexor) was taking up by third and also Propranolol to hopefully not let me and so far working for my awful panic attacks. Yesterday was the first day I haven't been nauseated a third of my day. I do however have no energy and today was my first day decreasing my Xanax dose in half. I was on 2 mgs a 2xs a day ER. As im quickly learning we all deal w different meds so differently. This site is a great place for support and answers tho. Hang in there from what I've heard this is a life changing med for so so many people. I have 2 kids so its not like I was nt sick longer with them lol. Good luck!
terica3825
12 Nov 2011
I started Lamectal 4 days ago, I am always nauseous. Idk if that's due to the fact that im on a high dose of Xanax, Effexor was just upd or the fact that to hopefully and so fad Propranolol to keep me from having such bad panic attacks. The way I look at is is these are all SERIOUS drugs that we will have side effects to but if we can just get thro it the benefits are well worth it!
pickles503
25 Nov 2011
Your absolutely right! Take care, Anna
brett74
20 Oct 2010
When I started Lamictal, I had nausea for the first day or two before it subsided and then I really had no side effects after that. Lamictal is supposed to be a medication with very little side effects, one of the reasons which make it such a preferred bipolar drug, beside the possible rash, so that is not good that you're having this problem (especially if it's been for about a week). Lamictal should not make you feel nauseous like that so I would definitely recommend talking to your doctor if it persists much longer.
Inactive
21 Oct 2010
thank you, i tried taking the lamectal, earlier instead of taking it with the lithium to see if it would make any difference, and it did help so that tell's me that for me i just couldn't take the 2 together that i have to sep. the dose's, don't know why i didn't think of that before, but i am hoping that the lithium and the lamectal will do what they are supp. to do, i've heard good result's with that combination. we'll see.
stopdruggingkids
20 Oct 2010
I feel sorry for you.
Inactive
21 Oct 2010
i'm fully aware of the side effect's of lithium i didn't strt taking it blindly,i don't want someone to feel sorry for me, there are up's and down's but some of us with bipolar disorder have more than just the normal up's and down's of life and i'm not looking for cure's i just want to be level, not all over the place and for me the med's do help, as far as the positive in my life i have very loving supportive husband, and i do have volunteer work for my local community greenhouse, i don't feel the psych. or the med's are going to ruin my life i in this respect have try and to think in a positive manner, because if i don't thing's won't get better, any drug can have serious side effect's, incl. over the counter med's.
stopdruggingkids
21 Oct 2010
Good luck I hope things get better. I really don't think dangerous drugs are the answer to lifes problems especially if taken long term because of the harm they do both mentally and physically. People often end up with tardive dyskinesia which is similar to parkinsons and is irreversable. Psychiatrists too often drug people for life . turning them into zombie like addicts. Have you tried other ways to overcome your so called bipolar such as non drug therapy?
Jandelles
27 Jan 2011
stopdruggingkids is a member of the cult of Scientology. She has been brain-washed to believe that psychiatry is tantamount to witchcraft. She can be safely ignored.
stopdruggingkids
27 Jan 2011
I am definitely NOT a scientologist as you say . I just think our mental health system needs huge changes and hope that one day psychiatry will do more listening and understand people more instead of labelling and drugging them with sometimes lethal addictive and usually brain damaging drugs. People frequently get ill and distressed because of the life situations they find themselves in NOT always because they have some disorder. The drug companies are cashing in far too much on our basic human emotions and reactions to stress. Children seem to be the latest target and I think it is an utter disgrace that today even a three year old can be prescribed an antipsychotic or antidepressant drug. It sickens me that any doctor would even consider doing this and I am glad I feel this way because at least my feelings are intact and I care about our future generation. Drugging them almost from birth till the day they die will not solve the real problems that face them in society.
jenjoemelville
11 Nov 2011
Did this person really say you should volunteer to feel better!!! Are you serious. I am a Registered Nurse who works full time and raises 3 children. You obviously have not had to deal with day to day life and have a mental health diagnosis. Do you think that people just start taking these drugs willy nilly without researching?Sometimes there is no other option but medications just to be able to function. Your comment is very uneducated. I am well aware of the side effects, but am also aware of what it feels like to live with bi-polar disorder. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.But comments on this forum should be helpful, and not make people feel bad about themselves.
terica3825
12 Nov 2011
So called Bipolar disorder??? Well let me tell u..im Bipolar 1, its not so called ne thing but a very serious disorder!!! I have 2 kids, own 2 businesses , have a Fiancee who's on his 6th knee surgery and you think we have time to volunteer time??? Some days I have to talk myself into brushing my hair let alone my everyday life!!! I am very blessed with an amazing support system. If anyone on here needs help ill try my best to do so!
Stacey Harbach
16 Nov 2011
I would like you to walk in my shoes for one year. I fed the homeless for 3 yrs. It made me feel great. I let over 60 people stay with us in order to get on their feet.Not all at once but off and on for over 10 yrs. That makes me feel great also. I have tried St.Johns wart and Kava Kava. I still had episodes of depression and mania. I still ended up in the hospital ! Bipolar is hereditary. My family has had this from my Grandmother. My mother, 4 siblings, and 2 of 3 of my children. It is basically a chemical imbalance that causes Bipolar symptoms. I took me 2 full weeks and then another week on top of that. Blood tests personality tests, 500 questioneir and then 250 more. Suicidal thoughts that were uncontrolable. Therapy with a psyc and with a therapist. i have many signs of the mental disorder. Such as Agoriphobia, Depression (MAJOR) anxiety, panic attacks and so on. And don't forget the 72 hr. holds in between hospital visits. I denied it for a long time.
Can't do it any more... So if you are not a Dr. a psyc, or studied mental disorders don't tell us it isn't real. and if you are one of these you need to go back to school. I have been this way since 1988. It is not something in life I wanted. We have NO choice. Stacey
stopdruggingkids
18 Nov 2011
It is a fact that the chemical balance theory cannot be proven by any form of test. because there are no tests available for assessing the chemical status of a living persons brain and also brain imaging cannot determine any biological cause for any mental disorder which is why I say "so called bipolar" The diagnosis is based purely on a persons behaviour and I think every person will have his/her reasons for behaving the way they do because every person is different and unique just like fingerprints. Of course they want you to think you have some incurable disorder because it sells more drugs and turns you into a patient for life but every person deserves the right to be treated as an individual and not labelled as mentally ill with no valid test to prove it. Our moods and feelings are part of being human and I think too many drugs are being dished out for any excuse . Not everything is a mental disorder yet this is how society is becoming and psychotropic drugs can have very dangerous consequences on real health.
Llama222
22 Nov 2011
Stopdruggingkids quit your preaching, is this what you do with your life all day, acting like a keyboard warrior and s
Llama222
22 Nov 2011
Sorry, hit the wrong button. Anyway, you obviously have not done your research. There is evidence such as brain scans, clinical trails, biochemical research, brain anatomy and physiology, etc. And you obviously have not heard of many of the high functioning successful individuals who do have a psychiatric diagnosis and do take medications that help them live their lives on a day to day basis. Advice for stopdruggingkids, go "volunteer" somewhere else and get an education. You are not very emotionally intelligent and definitely not well informed. People like yourself just contribute to the stigma. And I agree, that life is beautiful and precious, but staying "positive" is not always the way to cope, ignoring negative information from our environment and from within ourselves and is just as distructive.
I used to believe your same viewpoint, but a few years into my young adulthood my ups and downs worsened to a point where I coulnt function, DESPITE the 3 volunteer programs that I had been committing myself to for nearly two years, my hard earned 3.8 GPA, and all the drive and motivation that kept me going for years gradually eroded because of my symptoms, and it got so bad I went to a general physician who then referred me to a psychiatrist who practically saved my life. It was hard to understand and accept my diagnosis for the first 2 years, but I learned a lot from my experience and realized how ignorant I used to be. You may feel sorry for those who are on drugs, and I can definitely sympathize with them as well, but I think that they are very brave and strong people who are just trying their best to get better. Drugs are not the magic cure, but they do help one manage their symptoms, and everyone is different. Might I add, the side effects you listed do not apply to everyone, some have few, and some are lucky to not have any. Medication isn't for everyone, and there are alternatives, but some do really benefit from meds more than they do suffer side effects. That is only when its worth taking. Having a mental illness is not a weakness, nor a lack of coping skills, it is a chemical imbalance that begins in the brain. Ups and downs of life are Normal, but Not when they start to drastically interfere with ones life and daily functioning over a lengthy period of time.
Llama222
22 Nov 2011
Oh, and being diagnosed isn't the same as "being labeled". A person is NOT
Their Disorder. The whole purpose of the diagnosis is to help the person and the health care professional figure out how to treat severe symptoms that are present, it's not at all a mark on anyone's name. Just like one is diagnosed with diabetes or lung cancer and needs insulin and chemotherapy, a person who is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder is at least encouraged to try therapy and medication. If it doesn't work for them, then so be it. And yes, we ARE all individuals, and individuals with our own individual problems, but remedies and solutions that might have worked for you personally will not necessarily work for everyone else. Everyone's situation is so unique and complex in it's own way.
We are no one to judge or shun others personal choices and lifestyles without even knowing their past and what they are dealing with in the present, and what it's like to be in their shoes or in their head thinking their thoughts and feeling their emotions.
I tried many herbal remedies, psychotherapy, keeping involved with my
Church group, meditation, nutrition and exercise programs before resorting to medication to add to all those alternatives to help with my disorder. Having this disorder was obviously not due to a lack of willpower.
Orangecuties
22 Nov 2011
let me translate people like stopdruggingkids' attempt to back their self up: "it's the health care system man, they're all out to get us man! Let's just hold hands and sing songs to make the pain go away." This isn't circle time, it's new advancements in the medical technology and treatments, and sorry, but you're not a doctor. Some drug companies are greedy corporations, but profit was not the main reason these drugs were developed. They are just trying to take advantage. And drugs like depakote, lamictal, and topamax, used to treat bipolar, are also commonly used to treat migraines and seizures. They can be quite effective.
Images*11
18 May 2012
As for your comment on bipolar disorder not being scientifically proven, maybe you should take a look at new PET Scan technology. It is proven to be a legitimate disorder caused by a chemical imbalance which creates a "short-circuit" in the electrodes that fire the synopsis within the brain.
People with Bipolar Disorder do not wish to have it anymore than someone wishes to be diabetic. It is a very hard to accept the diagnoisis of being bipolar, which is why many do not stay on drug therapy, never realizing our full potential as productive individuals. We typically are overly sensitive and compassionate toward ANYONE who is faced with emotional OR physical struggles worse than our own, which lead us to be very active as caregivers. Those of us who are truly bipolar lead very productive lives when treated with the right combination of Medications. This is truly a diagnoisis where the benefits of drug therapy far out-weigh the risk.
I have Tardive Dyskensia, which is an unfortunate side effect, but at 50 yrs. old I have had a beautifully productive and meaningful life that when off the Meds. Would have not been possible.
Images*11
18 May 2012
Sorry Annonimus, got carried away w/ Stopdruggingkids response to your question. They need to find another website. I hope they didn't discourage your efforts to find balance. Don't know if this will help you, but had same problem. Dr. Took off lithium/Effexor combo and exchanged it with Lamictal/Welbutrin combo. Have felt great on this combo. Was actually in study for Lamictol so it's been about 8/9 yrs. Good luck..
Professional2013
19 Feb 2013
I am extremely bothered by this comment because it shows the ignorance of a person who has never had to deal with any type of chemical imbalance. The comment speaks as if the original writer is just having a bad day and ran to get on medication. This, unfortunately, reminds me of someone I use to know who belonged to Scientology. I understand that you're comment was meant to be helpful and your intent wasn't to harm or upset, however it would be best if the person making the comment is completely ignorant to the question being asked, that they keep their replies to themselves. This type of thing angers me to no end ~ there may be someone in your family that has some type of imbalance and due to your lack of education and your utter obliviousness to reality, they'll feel the need to suffer in silence. Please educate yourself or keep your ignorance to yourself.
stopdruggingkids
19 Feb 2013
I dont mean to cause any offence to anyone but if a doctor says you have a chemical imbalance he should also be able to tell you WHICH chemical is imbalanced and in what way. Is it too high or too low. He should also be able to do regular tests to see if the named chemical has become balanced again, but because there is no way to measure the chemicals in a living persons brain all this is pure theory and guesswork. A brainscan cannot tell you which chemicals are imbalanced and sometimes the problem stems from an undiagnosed physical condition. I really do feel sorry for anyone who is ill but staying on psychotropic drugs for years can cause lots of other health problems, sometimes worse than the initial complaint!. Why are doctors not looking at treating the cause of illness instead of merely managing the symptoms.? Also many illnesses believe it or not are caused by the hundreds of dangerous colours and additives in modern food such as aspartame.
Things like anxiety for instance can be caused by a poor diet and taking a lot of drugs can deplete the body of vitamins. Psychiatry needs to look a bit deeper instead of dishing out harsh mind altering drugs !
Inactive
23 April 2013
@stopdruggingkids: I am a case manager for people with mental illness, and I also take Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal as I have suffered from major depressive episodes since the age of 11. Your comments show that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I agree with you that people who have simply been "feeling sad" lately probably shouldn't take psychiatric medications. But severe depression and Bipolar D/O are totally different animals. These conditions are caused by chemical imbalances, which can only be corrected with medication most of the time. Bipolar D/O causes deep, dark depression, manic phases is which people behave in ways that are dangerous to themselves and sometimes others without much awareness of how they are behaving, and sometimes even hallucinations and psychosis.
People who suffer from severe depression reach a point where regardless of what is going on in their life, good or bad, they stop deriving pleasure from life in general, including interests and activities they enjoy when well. These serious conditions have biochemical causes, and the last thing people who suffer from these illnesses want to hear is how they have to just pick themselves up by their boot straps, eat right, exercise, and think positive, and they will return to normal. Diet, exercise, and positive thinking should be incorporated into any mental health treatment plan, but these things are not adequate by themselves for someone who suffers from a serious mental illness. You have no right to judge if you haven't been there. Why don't you educate yourself before you say hurtful things to people who are suffering.
Inactive
23 April 2013
... and I would like to add that I have not been on meds SINCE I was 11. I dealt with severe depression and feeling suicidal on and off for my entire adolescence and most of my adulthood (I'm 27 now) before I finally decided to try medication, after diet, exercise, supplements, talk therapy, and positive thinking did little to resolve my condition.
stopdruggingkids
23 April 2013
Ask any psychiatrist. There is no test which can definitely prove a chemical imbalance in a living persons brain so using this reason as the cause of any mental illness is just pure theory. Therefor in my opinion there needs to be far more research into the many causes of mental illness. I know that many people are suffering every day but in lots of cases psychotropic drugs cause addiction and side effects such as tics and tardive dyskinesia. They can cause a lot of damage to physical health when taken long term As you say they should not be the main treatment. We need to be looking at treating each person as an individual , looking at their diets and lifestyle. Has anyone read "Mad in America" by Robert Whittaker ?. Many people nowadays are questioning the whole concept of psychiatry and its pro drug attitude. I personally would like to see a far more broad minded approach to health taking everything into account. There is no such thing as a one sided ailment either of the mind or body. The two will always be connected. It is no use just blaming the brain !
Dion4592
12 April 2017
So called... Bipolar... So if she had breast cancer would you ask her what other treatments she has sought out for her so called breast cancer.. Bipolar is a disease just like any other disease people don't choose to have it. Not everyone being treated for bipolar is walking around like a zombie. Bipolar is a disability too bad people like you are so ignorant to the truth..
Dion4592
12 April 2017
The answer to life's problems... She doesn't have life's problems she has a disability called bipolar.
Pippy12
4 April 2018
Please do not refer to an illness as ”so called.” It is very real for some of us.
Pippy12
4 April 2018
This answer is neither productive nor kind.
Lindsay133
12 July 2018
@stopdruggingkids I don’t ever comment on these threads but what you’re attempting to prove on here is not only extremely uneducated, conspiracy based, and down right dangerous to be spewing. As an extremely health conscious person who put emphasis on health and lifestyle, I have the cleanest diet you could imagine- practice yoga and meditation eat auyrvedically and plant based. I am well versed in your viewpoint and I hope you understand that you should really be more responsible and not tell people to take medication. People like you unfortunately convinced me to not take medication for years which caused me to be in majorly negative life altering situations and if I were to go to a psychiatrist sooner, my life would have panned out differently.
Now that I have an actual education and proper understanding of medication and psychiatry I can tell you with absolute certainty that you are in every single way being extremely irresponsible and giving dangerous and down right uneducated information to people who truly need help. You may be doing so in good faith but take it from someone who has seen every side of the spectrum. Someone who was very ill and who tried everything in and outside of the book to heal, get better, take mindfulness courses, get certified in yoga, meditate everyday, live holistically, eat plant based, cleanse, pray, you name it and the ONLY thing that helped me is medication. You absolutely should not be communicating what you are on a website for support with mental illness. There is ample legitimate research available to support these medications. Everything you are mentioning is a great addition. You need to look out for your own wellness and if you want to take on other peoples- do through research, get an actual education in medicine, science, technology etc. not all medicine is evil. Some medication for AHDH It is over prescribed but I can promise you that Bipolar Disorder is not a joke, and the medicines formulated are for the greater good. So please in this case, keep your pure opinionated responses to yourself, it is dangerous and absolutely uncalled for.
Related topics
lamictal, bipolar disorder, lithium, side effect
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
