I have recently been put on Lamictal for a mood disorder, not for a seizure disorder or bipolar disorder as usually prescribed. I am wondering if anyone has experienced any of the horrific side effects and what was the outcome. I would also like to hear from anyone who is on this drug and has worked wonders for them. This drug scares me, but I am hoping that is the answer to my prayers. I was thoroughly informed of a life-threatening facial rash, painful mouth sores, swollen neck glands, etc... I also was informed that the rash could leave horrific facial scarring. Wow! That is quite a risk, I hope it is worth it. Chloeolivia9
What will I experience on Lamictal for a mood disorder?
Question posted by chloeolivia9 on 25 July 2006
Last updated on 6 June 2019 by bjrose
17 Answers
bjrose
6 June 2019
I was put on Lamictal in 2013 for a seizure disorder. Because of my increasing need I am now on 450mg a day. It took a little while to get my dose right and my symptoms under control but I have been seizure free since Oct 2015. It has been a life saver with no side effects. Good Luck
twentyfour242424
26 Jan 2019
I was prescribed 200mg for bipolar disorder (and before that diagnosis, mood disorder nos). Absolutely game-changing. Before I had very little control over my emotions (happiness, sadness, anxiety, anger and impulse control) and would get a "rush" in my chest (difficult to explain) when experiencing all of those emotions. I had serious delayed sleep onset (medical term for difficulty falling asleep, haha) and I now sleep better as well.
If you ease onto it, as your Doctor should have you do, there shouldn't be a problem with the rash (but I'm not a medical professional). Obviously, keep a lookout for it.
In the beginning I was very thirsty and more tired than usual (I can't remember for how long, but no more than a few weeks). I did feel "flat" at first, but my illness was bad enough that I didn't even care. The flatness DID go away and I feel things normally (after about 6 weeks).
We are very used to everyone being on standard SSRI anti depressants and a mood stabilizer can sound very scary, but it really helped me feel like I could control myself after so many years of only having fleeting periods of normalcy. I hope everything works out!
itskyrsten
24 Nov 2018
I was recently put on this. I've been having severe mood swings. One extreme to the other. I took this at night and was wide awake for a while. I woke up and felt so much energy. My anxiety was like "nope. We don't like this." I was just wondering if this was due to me taking at night. Or if I should continue taking it.
Aries323
29 May 2018
I have suffered from depression since I was very young. I have always maintained my weight, been active and ate clean to the best of my ability... but my mind is something I’ve been in constant battle with.
When I hit my mid 20’s, I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and was experiencing both manic and deep depression bouts, to the point of suicidal thoughts/hopelessness. I felt so bad that I started to isolate myself and get fearful of social interaction. My job is in sales so because of my lack of drive and deep funk, my work was starting to suffer. I constantly beat myself up for not feeling better “tomorrow”, as I would wake up to the same repeated dread.
Previously under psychiatric care I had tried Zoloft, Wellbutrin (added mania to my life), Depakote, Seroquel and finally Lamictal. During that time I was also abusing drugs and alcohol heavily and felt like no medication was working. I then suffered two seizures in 24 hours from alcohol withdrawal. I was then yanked off of everything and that was 2 years ago.
Since then I maintained a steady fark depression that shadowed my every move. Crying spells, anger bouts, anxiety, extreme irritability and intense bad moods put me right back to square one. I lost all hope.
Fast forward to now I finally went into get myself checked, my cholesterol levels back extremely low which could attest to my depression/anxiety. I admitted to my doctor (new) that I had desires to go to sleep and never wake up. Each day was a struggle to keep my fake smile in tact. She recommended that I start with 10 mg of Prozac, and 50 mg of Lamictal. I have to say after the second day I started to notice a slight “lift” in mood. By Day 5 I was noticing that I wasn’t having my usual racing thoughts and constant despair.
Second week she suggested I work up to 100 mg of Lamictal and keep the Prozac dose the same. I have honestly never felt better, and I mean that sincerely. My mind feels more tame, I listen better and actually can carry conversations with people without feeling like I was inadequate. My anxiety has eased considerably and I feel like I’m able to finally focus without the overbearing clutter that usually overtakes my personality.
I feel comfortable at 100mg a day which split up by morning and night. I notice I have more energy and actually feel the need to rise out of bed instead of hide and wallow in it.
Every BODY is different of course, but I would recommend this medication to anyone open enough to combat the blues. I’m so relieved to have myself somewhat back, and again I’m only two and a half weeks in. I never wanted to have to depend on meds to stay level but after my transition since I went on my prescribed dose, I can say that this medication saved my life. I can only hope it gets better from here on out but until then I’m much happier with the way I feel.
kateydid
11 May 2018
I know this is a tad late, I just found this question whilst trying to find an answer to my own.
I was started on 25 mg about a year ago and have been titrating up ever since. I have not experienced blatant reactions, but I believe I'm having some more subtle reactions and with the titrating up, every 3 -5 months, they're becoming more noticeable.
I notice I don't have the spatial awareness I used to have, nor is my memory so great and THAT is bothersome and going to be addressed at my next appt next month. I also think I don't speak the same in that my s's are like hissing sounds in my ears, anyway.
It's difficult in my opinion and experience in finding a good, long lasting dosage so for me, that is one of the worst side affects... titrating up is rough for me, and then not getting long lasting, effective results.
I am also on Seroquel 25 mg at night to help with sleep, and the two do "all right", I have my nights.
BTW, I am on this for a mood disorder (anxiety, depression, insomnia) and I'm not even close to what I was before this medication, but also not even close to how I want/need to be.
I am in therapy, too but imo is not working like it should be, just taking time and money... lots of it!
mary_beth
1 Nov 2017
You asked this a long time ago so you obviously have your answer, but for everyone else looking at this know that Lamictal has a VERY low rate of side effects. Yes there is a risk of Steven Johnson Syndrome (red and purple, blistering painful and sometimes deadly rash). That's why doctors slowly increase the dose. That's also why you should talk to your doctor immediately if you miss more than maybe 2 doses. But for those of us that don't develop the rash (the 998 out of 1,000), there is a low risk of side effects that are all rather mild. It is much more tolerable than other psychotropics out there. It is best for Bipolar Type II because it works better on preventing those depressive episodes than it does manic episodes. It also delays the time between episodes and mutes the severity. So you will likely still cycle, but it won't be as severely and it won't be as often. You'll have mood ranges more closely resembling a typical functioning person.
I've been on Lamictal for 10 years and have loved it. I was nearly incapacitated on Depakote and got into a car accident because my reaction time was so delayed on it. Lamictal hasn't had any of those side effects for me.
WildcatVet
1 Nov 2017
I completely agree with everything that mary_beth has said and have had the same experience with Lamictal.
Claudia121992
25 May 2017
I'm currently taking 200mg of lamotrigine for mood disorder I've been taking them for about 1 year already I didn't get any rashes but I did get really bad headaches I'm scared to get off of them medicine I really want to i haven't asked my doctor yet..overall I didn't have any bad side affects to the medicine
Mojo63
12 May 2017
I'm on HRT for my menapause etc and still have trouble controlling my moods/behavior etc.. my husband says I'm am physco (his words). I just loose all control... can I take this medication with a HRT to help...
thanks, mojo63
scaredofdrugs
5 Nov 2016
My son (8) has a mood disorder, and after much research and discussion with our doctor and a lot of soul searching, we finally put him on generic Lamictal (lamotrigine), a very, very small dose (12.5mgs then up to 19mg). He immediately had very bad side effects - blurry vision that wouldnt go away, then 2 weeks into taking it, he had a horrid migraine headache in the middle of the night, screaming and crying and vomited all over my room before going into a deep sleep for 6 hours afterwards. It was horrible to see that but the doctor said it was "normal" and headaches "go away" so despite my instinct to take him off, we stayed on and it actually started helping his moods almost immediately. What a cruel way to help him stay balanced, I thought... But, he needed the stability and i just prayed it would get better, because after all, the doctor said it would.
A month later, he had 2 grand mal seizures 20 minutes apart, the first was very long, somewhere between 5-7 minutes, and he was unconscious still from the first when he had the 2nd. It was a horrible nightmare, we rode in an ambulance to the hospital, and I can't write anymore about it because its just too hard to go through again. The hospital diagnosed him with epilepsy but we're getting a second opinion because i just in my heart know it was the medication. We switched him to brand Lamictal ($700/ bottle after insurance!) and he has had no side effects - and his moods are pretty balanced. I have to say that prior to starting this drug - i read in a lot of places that the generic had more "side effects" then the brand, but if i had any clue that this was even POSSIBLE to happen to my sweet, beautiful baby boy - I would have NEVER put him on it. We have been through hell and I can't sleep at night thinking it could possibly happen again. There is simply not enough information out there about the negative reactions to the generic version of this drug. I promised myself I'd post my story everywhere I looked for advice prior to going on it. The criminal thing is that the brand drug is so expensive, when it could help so many people and avoid putting a person, especially a child - through the nightmare we have been through.
I wish you all the best, and to trust your instincts.
jbm5072
9 Nov 2016
Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine that he has epilepsy, given this drug is used to treat seizures! Best of luck to you and your baby boy. So terrifying.
I'm here because I was just prescribed Lamotrigine and want to understand peoples' experiences before I begin using it. I was given 25mg, to take nightly for 2 weeks then increase to 50mg. I have a mood disorder, and trouble focusing. I was on Adderall but my new psychiatrist completely ignored the reason I went in to see her. Does anyone know if/how this impacts ability to stay focused? Does it impact your "personality" or general energy? I've never been on mood changing drugs like this. Thanks in advance!
Psychskilledmybaby
21 Dec 2017
I know this is such a shot in the dark. But if there's any chance that you are still around this website. I would LOVE to ask you some questions about how your son handled the medication. Thanks!
plowboy
8 Dec 2006
I have been on Lamictal for about 2 years for a seizure. Previously, i was on Dilatin. That nearly put me in a walking coma! Terrible. When i began to take Lamictal it was like waking up. I experienced no drastic side effects, but do seem to be having some minor digestive problems. i have noticed recent dental problems in that I haven't even had a filling for the 10 years previous to Lamictal and now I am on my 3rd root canal in 2 years. Not sure there is any correlation, but would appreciate any feedback.
Bort
13 Feb 2018
You may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. ask your dentist
libby_R
4 Dec 2006
hi my husband was put on lamictal and it saved not only his lifebut our family as well . he was put on it because he suffered from severe depression i mean he woul not leave the bed for days he was then given thisand within a couple weeks he came alive he was so scared that he to would get the rash but he did not. lamictal has helped him get better.si id suggest u give it a go and goodluck start living
elizabeth
connieb
2 Dec 2006
Four years ago I was put on Effexor, Lamictal and Seroquel ... eventually I tired of taking so many pills and decided to stop Lamictal as I suspected it was responsible for negative side effects. Seroquel was also dreadful, didn't figure that out for another three years, so I'm glad your off that. So my response is basically to your query about adverse effects on digestion. Oh, YES! Have been trying to fix damage to stomach for over a year, and am slowly improving. Pariet has helped; but I'm trying to fix these things now with natural 'stuff'.
Sinden
28 Nov 2006
I'm new here and I'm so glad I found this site. I've been taking Lamictil for 2,5 yrs now and it saved my life... no... actually it gave me a life I never had. I suffer from temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar with acute manic phases.It was hell to stabilize me, but it was worth it!
I've been doing great, till 2 months ago. I started getting nervous and anxious again. I couldn't concentrate for 2 minutes in a row and couldn't even read. I started to "forget", like in blackouts.
My psych try to increase it, but I got worse, then he gave me seroqual... what a disaster... He now gave me Cymbalta, but I'm too afraid to use it. I use to get all side-effects in the book when they put me on meds... I think I'm first gonna try hypnotherapy or something else. I'm in danger of loosing my job when I get sick of meds again.
I'll be glad to hear from someone who takes Lamictil and Cymbalta in combination.
blessedlife
18 Nov 2016
I haven't ever been on Lamictal but am on Cymbalta for both depression and peripheral neuropathy. Cymbalta gives me an energy boost to get through the day and definitely helps with the nerve pain too. I don't believe I've had any side effects with it. It really makes a difference for me.
jenniferever
16 Aug 2006
I was put on Lamictal for "mood disorder" as well. My doc gave me the orange starter pack to titrate up on the dose. I must say, I had serious apprehensions about taking it. It took me like 2 weeks to start it because I was so nervous. I did. Everything was fine until I reached the 200mg a day point. As soon as I started taking 200 mg a day I developed Vertigo. I was a mess, my cognitive abilities where taking a beating as well. It was bad, my doc told me to stay at 150 mg for a while. I did, then I started developing a "acne" type rash on my face. That was enough for me to throw in the towel on lamictal. I was not about to chance a "potentially fatal" rash reaction. After my face calmed down, I thought about taking it again (i don't know what i was thinking, i wanted to more for my doctor then myself). I called GlaxoSmithKline and asked about what I should do to restart it.
They said it is not recommended to restart Lamictal if you had any type of skin reaction while taking it. Since there is no really way to know what caused to "rash" on my face, I can't restart it. I am glad now though. Its an expensive drug and I don't think that I REALLY needed to be on it.
Iwolf
15 Aug 2006
I took it for three years - I was very happy with it. No side effects. It didn't take me all the way but it was much better than the antidepressants (I am bipolar II, mostly depressed). I am only off it because I wanted to try Topimax to deal with a weight and drinking problem.
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Further information
- Lamictal uses and safety info
- Lamictal prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lamictal (detailed)
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