I am 30 years old and after many years of suffering, I am finally trying medication for the first time (alongside many positive lifestyle and behavioral changes I have made and continue to work on. I feel a lot of fear and anxiety starting this med. I feel hopeful that it can help me, but today i took my first dose of Lamictal 25mg and it has made me exhausted. Is this normal? I am in an aggressive accelerated course learning how to code and I can't focus on the lecture or coursework when I am this tired. Will this subside soon? I really want to feel better and I am also scared to death.
Lamotrigine - does starting Lamictal make you extremely tired?
Question posted by night-bloom on 11 Dec 2021
Last updated on 11 December 2021
Added 12 Dec 2021:
update, on day 3 of taking lamictal 25mg at 9am. i woke up this morning with shooting pains in my stomach, but i'm choosing to believe it was from eating spicy brisket curry at midnight. haha. also, i'm experiencing muscle aches kinda like the feeling the day before you come down with the flu. i really want to give this medicine an honest shot, how do you know if you're supposed to press on and let your body adjust, or stop taking a medication? i'm willing to feel crummy for a short period of time if it's really going to help me.. i'm just new at this and i don't know where the line is.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
Answers
WildcatVet
11 Dec 2021
Hi, night-bloom!
Bravo for you for taking steps to improve the quality of your life!
Tiredness/sleepiness/drowsiness are very common side effects and generally subside over just days to a week or so:
"Nervous system
Very common (10% or more of users): Somnolence (14%)"
"Common (1-10% of users): Fatigue"
I've taken Lamictal (lamotrigine) for several years now and it's definitely helped with my Bipolar mood swings and anxiety disorders.
Best regards and I hope you'll be feeling better quickly.
night-bloom
11 Dec 2021
thank you so much for responding, i really appreciate it! i am taking lamictal for bipolar II and also have loads of anxiety, so it's very encouraging to hear it's been helpful for you. i hope this adjustment period passes smoothly and that it helps me, too. thanks again <3
Related topics
lamictal, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, lamotrigine, medication
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.