I'm in the process of titrating my lamictal dose up from 25mg to 100mg. I was at 50mg for 2 wks and and this week going up to 75mg. I have not felt well at all so far, just very depressed. Depressed is usually my predominant state, however it's really pretty bad and I keep waiting for a sign that this med is going to help. Has anyone here had this experience while starting lamictal? How long before improvement is noticed?
How long does Lamictal take to work, I'm increasing my dose and not feeling any effects?
Question posted by Kate5 on 30 July 2012
Last updated on 16 February 2021
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.
48 Answers Page 3
corei3
2 Dec 2015
Hi! I've been reading this forum for a few months now and have noticed that most of the people writing on it are at the begining of its treatment, on the first or second week. I have been on meds since I was 18 years old. I'm 30 now. Have been taking lexapro and carbolitium for a few years and have had a great life. About a year and a half ago, I had my first seizure. It was awful. Couldn't breath, heavy chest pain, seemed the world was colapsing. I was away on vacation and didn't know what was going on. After two days struggling, I decided to whatsapp my pdoc. He explained me what was going on and as soon as I got back, he put me on xanax for 15 days. Problem solved, life goes on. Half a year later, seizure again. And in June this year it happened again, very strong. So we decided it was time to change my medication.
I was feeling like really bad. Hopeless. Depressed. Couldn't work, had no pleasure in anything. Anyway, I started on Lamictal 25mg and Depakote 500mg and increased the dosage every 10 days. When I reached 100mg lamictal and 1500mg depakote I had the worst seizure ever. Fisical side effects were the worst, diziness, headaches, went almost blind, couldn't think, couldn't speak, was like a zoombie. Even tought about going to a hospital, because I couldn't even stand up anymore.
Got off everything, started depakote from the begining. It lasted 5 days, then had the same side effects again. I was starting to feel hopeless. Seemed that I was running out of options.
After a few days without any meds, pdoc told me to try lamictal again. During the last 45 days, I have been increasing the dosage and have now reached 100mg. I can say that, for me, it was the first time I felt better. Depression is almost gone and feel that the anxiety, is decreasing slowly. I'd say I'm 50% of what I expect to be. I have no side effects at all, memory is back, vision is good, can sleep, can eat, can do everything. I expect to get even better till new years when I'll be reaching 200mg and will stop there.
The main point here, is to cross this bridge between the moment you start taking the med and the moment it starts to work. 2 weeks ago I had the worst seizure since I started taking lamictal. The following week, bang! medicine started to work and showed up for the first time. It happens suddenly, when you least expect. Best friends during these period were a pair of tennis shoes and a hadphone. While I took walks, tried to think about good stuff and at the same time, tried to accept my condition of health, not blaming me for things that went wrong or things I wasn't being able to do as I did before. You have to cross this bridge. If you believe you'll get to the other side, crossing it will be easier. Get busy, excercise, don't lay on bed all day. That's the path you have to follow.
Sorry about my english, I'm not american.
Rgds corei
chuck1957
23 Nov 2015
Kate Yes this is pretty common with this medication Lamictal but this is almost too comon when you are first starting and adjusting the dose. And should let up some give it a few weeks from when your at the dose the doctor want you on and if you are still having problems check with the doctor.
FeltLikeIsh
23 Nov 2015
Male, 53, family & busnessman. Diagnosed Bipolar 11/14. Mostly depressed 95%. Been thru the gamet, multiple drug cocktails, TMS., even ECT. Electr convulsive therapy. Extreme, 10 rounds. All failed... Almost 11 months total all out effort & felt like I was a chemistry project, which I was. Had been up to 400mg Lamictal. Did not work, along w/ failed tries at Seroquel, Abilify, SSRI, Zoloft, etc... Lots, waiting, trying, hanging strong... Finally tried Effexor! Anti-depressant worked! Titrated up to
NLEB
23 Nov 2015
I am feeling hopeless about this drug. When I was in the doctor's office his parting words to me were "Your prognosis is good." I have been suffering from a severe, chronic depression since my early teens, and every drug I've been prescribed for it has been ineffective. I went to see a Psychiatrist this past summer, and he thought Lamotrigine would be the best drug for me. I have slowly worked up to 200mg (100mg 2X per day) and I feel nothing. I'm still weepy, I'm extremely irritable, I'm still not interested in doing anything at all, and I go to bed around 8:30pm with my kids. I have horrible sleeps (something the doc thought this medication would help with), and I always wake up tired. Has anyone gone higher in dosage? I wasn't diagnosed with Bipolar since I don't get the highs, but the doc called me "Bipolar-ish" since I have the lows, and lowers. I've never been happy in my life. :( I want desperately to feel hopeful and to be happy.
schmaxie10
23 Nov 2015
I've been on Lamictal on and off for years. It's the only mood stabilizer I can tolerate. I was breaking thru a few weeks ago. I was on 200 mgs. After a severe bout of depression last week he increased it too 300 mgs XR. I take in the am with Lexapro 20mgs. I'm feeling better but I'm very tired. Perhaps u can ask your doc to increase the Lamictal? Good luck and keep us posted.
polarbear54
14 Oct 2015
Hello- I'm new here... How is everybody here doing on the lamictal since? I have severe depression (just diagnosed bipolar after I crashed after a really high couple of month).
On Lamictal 2 weeks at 25mg and now a couple of days on 50mg and no change yet... Taking one day at the time but it's so hard...
Thank you in advance for replying!!!
I hope you're all doing better, that's what I need to hear!! :)
Lillipilli5
29 July 2015
So sad this morning, so glad I found this discussion.
I've recently been diagnosed bipolar & psych has started me on Lamactil. Frustrating as it's going so slow - 25mg every second day for two weeks, now 25 mg daily for two weeks until I see him again. We r working up to 200mg which will take soooo long. Right now I'm just so sad all the time, especially in the mornings after I drop my daughter at school. I feel without hope but hearing such encouraging remarks about this drug sure is reassuring.
I'm also on 10-15mg Saphris daily to help with intense irritability which has really worked curb that.
It's just this overwhelming sadness everyday that is hard to handle right now.
MeggieGirl
29 July 2015
Hi Lillipilli5,
I completely understand your frustration while waiting to titrate up, and I'm really sorry you're feeling such overwhelming sadness. My doctor upped me to 100mg and then saw me 4 weeks later, and then (finger quotes) "upped me again" by switching me to 100mg extended release and asked me to wait another 6 weeks. That truly feels like a torturous time frame.
In your case, your psychiatrist is clearly following this low-dose slow-titrate schedule for one reason and one reason only, and that is to minimize the risk of throwing you into a life-threatening condition called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. You are more likely to experience this condition if you rapid-titrate up, but once you are at higher levels, you are more likely to be okay to jump up faster; it's just at the lower levels, or when you're just starting out that extreme caution is warranted.
If you should have a reaction to the medication, it is of paramount importance that you have the lowest possible amount of medication in your blood stream so medical personnel can reverse the reaction and help you heal.
This is a great support community, and I'm glad you are finding some reassurance here. Continue to post when you have questions, or generally get involved, as you will probably find like-minded people who are in different stages of 'recovery' from mental illness. This is a non-judgy environment.
Lillipilli5
6 Aug 2015
Thanks MeggieGirl,
I understand my doctors caution but it's an excruciating wait!! The tears still flowing now sad all day long. Still on 25mg for another week before I see psych again.
MeggieGirl
6 Aug 2015
Lilli, I completely understand how you feel. I had to wait another 3 weeks for my next appointment, and my depression was so bad, I knew something was very wrong with the extended release version I was taking. The strangest thing happened. I got up the courage to call my doctors' office and tell them what was happening. At 6:30 that evening, my doctor had an 'appointment' with me via web cam, and we discussed everything. She told me to immediately discontinue the extended release, she switched me back to immediate release, and also bumped me up by another 50mg per day. Well, first of all, I think it's extremely weird that the webcam thing happened - how awesome is that - but I think she's probably one of the only a handful of doctors in the country who would do this! I felt so incredibly lucky.
I think the most critical thing I want to impress upon you is that this is YOUR body, and even if your psych isn't willing to raise you up faster, you are well within your rights to express that the wait in between appointments - and without results - is absolutely torturous. And it is easy for a person without severe depression to say 'just be patient', but you are living a completely different reality. Like I said, they are likely using extreme caution because of the SJSyndrome, but I *started out*, for example, at 50mg/day, and then jumped to 100mg/day after 2 weeks - yes, other people here told me that dosing like that was very aggressive, and most everyone starts at 25mg; my point is, you do have good reason to feel like this is going sooo slow, and you have every right to speak to how you feel. I hope you do. And you shouldn't be afraid to call his office in the interim and let him know how you're feeling. Psychiatrists aren't the warm & fuzzy people in the world of Psychology, which is totally annoying. You're a human being, though, and you deserve to have your mental health acknowledged and treated. You should not feel as though you're alone. I am glad that you are getting some relief from the Saphris. The little favors in life, right? Hang in there...
Lillipilli5
17 Aug 2015
I'm now up to 50mg daily for 2 weeks before increase again after next week. Psych has increased my Saphris to 20mg but says he can't hurry up the Lamotragine increase any quicker. I'm taking 5mg Valium every morning just to cope with the anxiety. Crying spells seem to be less intense last few days but the days just seem to drag on and on waiting for my old spark to come back. The Lamotragine is meant to help with the depression side of bipolar. Has it been a wonder drug for anyone? Desperate for some silver lining.
MeggieGirl
17 Aug 2015
Argh - I know it's so frustrating for you. I would be, too. Just think about how long you haven't felt well. As much as you want to hurry up and feel great right now, this time is going to be like a drop in the bucket when you compare it against the big picture. I'm glad that the psych is trying to help you manage your symptoms with adding the Valium and upping the Saphris. You know, you really do sound as though you're not quite as desperate as you were before, I don't know if you realize that. How has your irritability going? I know you said that the Saphris was to help with that, but for me, that's what the Lamictal was helping with. My mood swings were having to do with going from depression where I was pulling deep within myself and isolating myself completely to feeling resentful, hurt, and lashing out in anger.
That's kind of an up and down imbalance that's similar to the up and down you see with bipolar, even though I am not bipolar, but that's why I wanted to do it, anyway. I am at 150 now, and I think I noticed my anger and frustration dissipating after about a week at that dose. Every person's body is different, and of course, some people will respond at a different pace. I know some people who need to be at 400mg. Most people I have heard are in the 150-200 range, though. I can definitely feel that 150 is very good, and I'm right on the border of being almost "just right", so I think 200 is going to do it. I suspect, the higher you go, the less anxiety you might feel, and the easier it will be to go through the wait. They say that people who might get the Stevens Johnson Syndrome might have avoided it had they gone VERY slowly with titrating up their dose. If this is the perfect solution for you, going up too fast would basically knock the medication off the list for you completely, and you'd never be able to take it again, and it could be sad because it might be exactly what you need. On the other hand, if you go at a steady pace and let your body adjust to it at an even keel, you are more likely to be able to take it long-term, and be truly successful with it. I KNOW it's frustrating, but being smart about it now might be exactly what needs to be done to ensure that you will be able to stay on it in the future.
I am your biggest cheerleader, and can't wait to hear more about how you do as you adjust and go through this. Please post and share how things are going. I have you in my thoughts! Meg :)
MeggieGirl
17 Aug 2015
Oh, you ask if this has been a wonder drug for anyone... it really has been for me. I have been locked in depression, severe anxiety and PTSD - all of which has been treatment-resistant - since I was 12 years old, and I am now 42, so 30 years. I have tried almost every drug available, including anti-psychotics, and nothing worked. When I started Lamictal, something "clicked". I told my doctor that it was like an electrician moved into my brain and installed a dimmer switch, and as the doses have been increasing, the electrician has been turning the dimmer switch, and life has been becoming brighter.
I had cut family out of my life completely for over 5 years, I had no social life, I never went out into public or did anything - was extremely overwhelmed in crowds, I went to work and then came straight home to bed, I spent the entire weekend in bed, I wasn't a hoarder or lived in absolute filth, but my home showed evidence of a person with severe depression and a lack of self-care, as did my hygiene in terms of cleaning the laundry infrequently, coloring my hair only every 6 months instead of every 6 weeks, brushing my teeth every other day instead of twice a day (sorry, that's so gross, I know).
As Lamictal has been raised in dosage, I have gone to outdoor events, concerts. I have carried myself differently to where people have asked me if I have cut my hair or lost weight - they know something has changed, but they're not sure what (the answer is, I am more engaging). My personal hygiene has become normal again, and I have become motivated to live in a healthy environment, cleaning the house and maintaining it with ease. I have reconnected with estranged family members with ease, and the guilt I carried with that was easy to forgive (in myself), as I finally realized that yes, I have been sick, but it was not something that I was doing mindfully, rather there was truly a chemical imbalance in my brain that I have been fighting for decades. I found myself painting and crocheting in my free time, taking up interest in expressing my creativity, something that had grown dormant for years.
I would honestly be happy with just one or two of these changes, but this cascade of changes have happened for me naturally, without effort, simply by the addition of Lamictal. I hope this gives you hope, as well. Meg :)
Lillipilli5
18 Aug 2015
Thank you so much Meg, Your kind words are soooo encouraging. I agree I'm not as desperate as I have been but am still not out of the depression/anxiety daily dragging on. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader! It's so nice that someone cares when I've poured my heart out on here. I will continue to "share" as I go along and keep you updated. Cheers,
Lisa
MeggieGirl
18 Aug 2015
You bet, Lisa! I am totally excited for you, and I am here 100% for any support you may need as you go through this transition, or even after! I am confident that your life is going to change, and you are headed in a positive direction. You can get through this, and though the wait is torturous in the meantime, the good news is that each time you are slightly bumped up, I think you will have a chance to see how beneficial this can be for you. It seems crazy to "love" a medication, but I literally get excited to take my Lamictal every day, because THAT'S how much it has changed my life! I don't ever find myself focusing on "OMG... what would I ever do without it?" or start thinking about what life was like before it. While I only started Lamictal a few months ago, my depression and anxiety seem like such a distant memory, it's as though that wasn't a part of my history. I am LITERALLY a different person.
So, when it comes to people thinking about prescriptions and the possibility of having to take something for the rest of their life, they are often uncomfortable with the idea, or resentful of the medication. Not me, not with this. I'm like BRING IT!!! I will NEVER go back to where I was if I can help it, and I am positively giddy that something finally broke through.
You can do this - you can make it through, and I'm here if you ever want to talk. Take care, Lisa! :) Meg
Lillipilli5
25 Aug 2015
Hi Meg,
Finally the psych has upped me to 100mgs today so hopefully will get some respite from depression/anxiety/waiting waiting waiting! The desperation is so overwhelming sometimes still lately but this seems to be so slowly easing in length & intensity.
He's going to see me again in a month so hopefully the lights as you say turn the dimmer switch. I am noticing I'm talking to close friends more about what is going on for me which I think is helping to ease the loneliness of it all.
Your words of encouragement have been so valuable & appreciated. I've read your responses over & over & they have given me immense hope that things will turn around eventually.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story of courage agains the mental trauma of your life before Lamotragine.
Your friend, Lisa
MeggieGirl
25 Aug 2015
Hi Lisa,
I am so excited to get your update, and am glad to hear that little by little your depression is easing up. I am right there with you - I know how the desperation feels, especially when you feel like no one is in your corner, or nothing will work. It is such a helpless feeling, and you don't know where to turn, or what to do with yourself but walk in circles and cry. That is no way to live, and we both know it, but neither of us had any other way of existing but to just go through the motions of "fake it 'till you make it", putting on that smiling face as best we could... if "healthy" people were to live a day in our shoes, they just might crash and burn, but we are strong, because we have survived. We have lived like this for years, and we have continued to live with some dim light of hope for a better future in there somewhere, and I think we are danged amazing women for it. HIGH FIVE, SISTER!
I am SO GLAD that your psych has finally upped you to 100mgs today. I know you have been waiting forEVER for this, and don't give up hope if you still aren't getting there. Most people don't really feel that they are in a therapeutic range until they start getting into the 150-200 range. I expect that you will probably see hints of changes, though, and it sounds like some of these changes have already started to happen, which means it is working! This is GREAT news, and this means that you will only get better with time, and as the dose is raised!
I fell into a bit of the same boat you're in, and now I'm frustrated, too. LOL I told my doctor how great I've been doing - told her how motivated I am, how I contacted my Mom after being estranged from her for 5 years, etc. and told her that this is really working, but I'm not quite there yet (I'm at 150), and wanted to move to 200. EEP! She said that I sound like someone who has gone through major positive change - my home is clean now and I can invite friends over without embarrassment when before I never would have; and with my Mom, I now have a support system that I didn't have before. Because of this, she wants to keep me at 150 because this medication "has a tendency to build up on itself over time", where you get further benefits from it the longer you're on it. ARGH!!! So I have to wait TWO WHOLE MONTHS on this dose before I follow up with her again. I guess it is for the best that I stay at the lowest dose possible, but I was all for marching up that ladder until I was feeling my best. I didn't really expect this to happen, so I didn't have a chance to verbalize the bad/weird things about my anxiety that still exists - things like, I didn't get a scholarship this semester (I'm an adult who decided to go back to school later in life), and as soon as I heard that, I was playing with the idea of withdrawing from school completely until I could get a scholarship again. That's a really negative, detrimental action, because I'm within 2 semesters of graduating with a Psychology degree. These are the conversations you have in your head where you say "I should have said... " after a conversation is done. Oh well, it is what it is - maybe she's right, and I will start to level out more during the next few weeks. She is, after all, the MD and I'm just the patient.
It is so good that you're talking to close friends more - that's one thing I notice about depression is that we tend to isolate completely, and that's the worst place to put ourselves in. Congratulations for this big change and feeling like putting yourself out there - that is BIG news!!! I think you will only find yourself feeling more cheerful and open as time goes by.
I'm here for you ALWAYS, and I believe you will only get better from here. I can't wait to hear more.
Your friend,
Meg :)
Lillipilli5
31 Aug 2015
It's been a week at 100mg Lamotragine & still overwhelming anxiety morning noon & night. Knot in my gut is excruciating. Valium isn't helping & wheening myself off slowly as my psych said it could mask positive effects of Lamotragine. Hope lies in reading results sometimes felt at 150 to 200mg which we are working towards soooo slowly. He's keeping me at 100mg for 1 month then up again.
I'm trying to be proactive by getting a little exercise & talking to friends I trust. I so hope this med will work for me & hurry up!!
lanabug
8 Sep 2015
I'm titration off effexor xr 150 mg. Now on 75mcg
On abilify 2mg
Started on lamictal 25 mg last week then now on 50 mg. It has been a godsend so far but have nausea with abilify so I take zofran with it. I also take klonopin nightly with lamictal to help me sleep. Full of energy and good mood. Just praying it lasts.
lanabug
8 Sep 2015
I'm titration off effexor xr 150 mg. Now on 75mcg
On abilify 2mg
Started on lamictal 25 mg last week then now on 50 mg. It has been a godsend so far but have nausea with abilify so I take zofran with it. I also take klonopin nightly with lamictal to help me sleep. Full of energy and good mood. Just praying it lasts.
Spiritual crusader
22 Nov 2015
Hi Lisa and Meg, l just found your thread. l too have just been diagnosed with BP 2 and on lamical. l read all your exchanges you both sound so lovely and supportive. Lisa how are you going now? Feeling better? l am going on nearly 2 months now and have felt better and better every week on this medication. l'm on 100mg now and have been for about 10 days. l still have anxiety at times and make sure l look after myself now. My mind is more practical and l find myself making better decisions for my well-being. My depression has lifted leaving just some stress and anxiety. Best wishes to you both and everyone reading this. May all beings be happy! :)
Lillipilli5
22 Nov 2015
Hi Spiritual crusader, I had to come off the lamact because I developed heart palpitations which was very distressing. It didn't work for me either in the end. I had no relief even at 200mg. I hope it is working well for you though.
Cheers, Lisa
Saldwal
13 Feb 2017
I have been on lamictal for approximately 3 mos. started at 25 msg, felt much better almost immediately. That lasted about 2 months and bumped up to 50 msg, again with feeling better very quickly. Past week I feel like I'm in the black hole again. Bumped to 75 msg and nothing so far. On average. How long does it usually take you to notice the increase?
Moon Raven
27 June 2015
I know that this is an older post but wanted to add my experience for anybody new looking for recent answers. Also, it would be nice to see how lamictal has worked for everybody in the long-term.
I'm 43 and have struggled with bipolar 2 with rapid cycle mixed episodes and depression for most of my life. I never had the "happy" manic episodes - mine manifested as rage. Needless to say, I destroyed a lot of relationships until I finally admitted it was me and sought help.
I started on lamictal and titrated up from 25 mg to 200 over the course of 5 weeks. I started feeling better at around 75mg and am doing extremely well at 250. I have a whole new life now and wish that I had sought help years ago! I'm also on 1 mg of klonopin at night and am now sleeping 8 hours a night, with no nightmares. I was only sleeping about 3-4 hours per night before the meds and had horrible nightmares. Sleep is crucial to mental (and physical ) health.
This combination has given me a new lease on life. I didn't realize how bad I was - I just thought everybody felt that way.. I still sometimes have a bit of anxiety but it's extremely manageable.
Hang in there and give the lamictal a chance. I hope you have the same success that I have!
Moon Raven
27 June 2015
I just wanted to add that I have had zero side effects other her than some minor itching for a day or two after adjusting doses. No weight gain - actually I've lost a couple pounds. Also, my restless leg syndrome is gone and my mind no longer races. I can actually focus and concentrate on my work!
BipolarLife
10 July 2015
Thank you for this. I am only up to 50 mg and have been having really awful, hopeless thoughts. I am trying to hang in and be patient. I do recall last time I was on lamictal, 200 mg really did the trick and the depression was gone. I just don't remember this between time with such horrible sadness. I have anxiety and RLS as well, and your mention that it helped you brings me hope. Anyway, thank you for contributing to this.
schmaxie10
14 Nov 2015
I was diagnosed with bp depression many years ago. I was in a deep depression for 4 years. I finally snapped out of it in June. I was on 100 mgs of lamictal, 20 mgs of Lexapro and Xanax prn. I want to a new shrink and he increased me to 200 mgs of lamictal. He said that was the magic dosage. I crashed today hard cycling down from my "controlled mania" in the summer. I called the doc and he increased my dose of Lamictal to 300 mgs. I hope it works. I prefer being a bit more upbeat and energetic in a good way which Lamictal does for me. Good luck to everyone who are titration up on Lamictal.
Moon Raven
23 Nov 2015
Just wanted to add an update. I've been on Lamictal 6 months now and had titrated up to 300 mg daily. After a couple of months, I started seeing hand tremors and blurred/double vision. I backed down to 250 mg, which still seems to be therapeutic and they went away. Keep an eye out but overall, the drug has been awesome for my psych. Still some minor episodes occasionally but nothing I can't manage.
eXecuTech
19 Sep 2016
I realize this post is four years old and hope you're rocking life now. I'm 48, so we're about the same age and your symptoms in this post sound just like mine. I've had majoradepressive disorder since my mid teens and was just diagnosed with Bipolar 2 a few months ago. I'm fast cycling and have never had highs, only depression and irritability/rage.
I was just upped to 300mg of Lamictal, 150mg 2x daily, and just started 100mg of Wellbutrin 2x daily. I have yet to see any positive effects. I'm hoping this cocktail helps, although it's too new to see any results.
I wondered if you were taking anything other than the Lamictal and if so, what. I appreciate any info you're willing to share. Thanks so much, and best of health and happiness to you!
Moon Raven
19 Sep 2016
Hi! I'm also on Klonopin, 1 mg at night because I had problems sleeping. I had night terrors and I was only sleeping lightly for about 4 hours a night. Now I sleep like a rock for 6-8 hours and the night terrors are gone.
DeannaKomp
27 Oct 2016
Moon Raven can i ask what kind of help you got for your depression and rage episodes? I have had exact same bi polar rapid cycle between depression and rage and it's also ruining my marriage. I have done 18 months of extreme drug court outpatient group counseling and also one on one counseling and have 7 years clean but I have noticed that my relationship is going to end if I don't get help for my explosive temper that no one should have to deal with
drumzer
29 Aug 2017
I have had depressive episodes since I was 18, and a major one after my divorce that led to taking disability. I have been managing it the last several years with diet and exercise. Within the last week or so, I stop sleeping completely, can only get 3 hours a night. This has led to the worst depression of my life, not sleeping, eating very little, crying jags throughout the day. I visited a crisis center of the other day, and the physician told me that I have bipolar disorder, rather than depression. He prescribed me a low dose of Lamictal and Seroquel to help me sleep. But I still am getting only 3 hours a night and it's making me incredibly down and feeling unraveled. Has anyone had a similar experience and perhaps give me some hope that I will be able to climb out of this, especially the sleep problem, which is driving me into despair. Thank you.
drumzer
29 Aug 2017
I have had depressive episodes since I was 18, and a major one after my divorce that led to taking disability. I have been managing it the last several years with diet and exercise. Within the last week or so, I stop sleeping completely, can only get 3 hours a night. This has led to the worst depression of my life, not sleeping, eating very little, crying jags throughout the day. I visited a crisis center of the other day, and the physician told me that I have bipolar disorder, rather than depression. He prescribed me a low dose of Lamictal and Seroquel to help me sleep. But I still am getting only 3 hours a night and it's making me incredibly down and feeling unraveled. Has anyone had a similar experience and perhaps give me some hope that I will be able to climb out of this, especially the sleep problem, which is driving me into despair. Thank you.
ciklotimija
24 April 2014
I am new to this site and this is my story. I had panic attacks about two years ago and got SSRI and suffered as hell till they started kicking in. Then i was great. Toi great for a year. When i stopped taking it things got worse. My mood was shifting all the time from depression to anxiety etc. So i thought i need AD again. Took zolofit which literally made me crazy and now i am on mood stabilzer Lamictal. I am taking 75mg and my dc said my doze will be 100mg and nothing else.
I guess i feel better. I sleep and eat well. But i am depresses more i was before. Also i am thinkibg about dying and it is making me scares. Other than that i have no side effects. I do hope Lamictal will work but i am scared... and i hope i'll get some response from someone... making me feel better and tell me 'i was feeling the same' but Lamictal helped me just hang on.
waiting desperately for any reply and wish you the best...
antima
13 May 2014
I don't like to hear anyone suffering with their issues. I know there's hope but at the present I just don't feel it. I was diagnosed with bipolar 26 years ago-add panic disorder-thyroid cancer-extreme sensitivity to meds. Currently I have a new doc-she's adding Lamictal to lithium(900 mg). Tried depakote and tegretol with the lithium. The side effects were hard to bear. I am hopeful that Lamictal is my ticket. I am currently on 50 mg working toward 100 mg. I know that process of getting meds right for each of us can seem to take forever especially with anxiety and depression but you are on the right track. You are seeking help-you will get it. You feel depressed yet you are hanging in there. I have heard nothing but good about lamictal-it sounds like your dose isn't right yet. In no time you are going to feel good. Keep working with your doc and keep loving yourself. It helps to talk about our problems with friends, spouses, strangers and therapists.
I am encouraged by your resolve-your working with your doc to get the right med for you-your reaching out for help-your honest. I like you and know you are doing the right things to feel better so it WILL happen. So my advice for today-try to relax-this is going to work out. Don't worry so much about this dumb illness. You will have it forever-it will be controlled and you will feel joy and peace again. I feel people with mental illness are strong people getting stronger. You are in the process of becoming an amazing person. Do something good for someone else today and please don't forget to do something good for yourself. I hope my ramblings on has helped you. Signed a fellow inmate in the boat(I'm glad were not sinking and I'm not alone).
ciklotimija
15 May 2014
Thank you so much for your kind word Atima (hope I spelled it right :P) It is nice to know other people suffer for similar things but I do hope everyone here finds their way out of it soon.
Yes I have been through hell but when I am reading all the posts also on other web sites it makes me think I haven't exeprienced anything compared with other.
But it is very hard, all this is destroing my life. I admit, I always analized and complicated things to much, also I was always scared of strangers... I guess a little bit of anxiety. When on AD's I felt self confident like never in my life, but longterm it isn't a drug for me.
About Lamictal, well, I read that it helps against depression and anxiety but also as a mood stabilizer. I got it for stabilizing my mood. I noticed that everytime something out of my routine happens, my mood gets all weird, first I get nervous, then I start crying :/ weird huh? Like yesterday I started a new job, I was nervous as hell ane then fall in tears. I guess still I can say that my highs aren't so high and my lows aren't that low, but after almost 3 weeks on my therapheutic doze of Lamictal I still don't see the full effect of it.
I guess only time will tell. The most perfect scenarium would be if Lamictal would help me with my mood swings as well as my anxiety. After all it's all conected. Firs mood swing, then anxiety and then small depression and crying, feeling hopeless. The wirdest thig is that I used to love travelling, now I have o desire for it. Maybe cus I feel that it'll just trigger me swinging again.
I do hope that salvation is close for me.
Once again I thank you deeply for your kind words that made me still to hold on here :) best of luck to you, you are in my mind and I wish you all the best on your way to live your life normaly again :)
familyman51
10 Aug 2014
FIRST of all the only medicine that stops panic attacks and a panic disorder is Xanax, lexapro along with the Xanax will help most if not all people with your problem and many other peoples problems. BEEN on Xanax for over 20 years my dose now is 1mg four times a day and it saved my life and it works in twenty minutes. THIS DRUG LAMICTAL IS VERY BAD! MENTAL HEALTH DOCTORS our pushing it very hard but even on a low dose of 200 mg once a day i had very wild and vived dreams and nightmares, so bad that i threw my self out of bed and rupurted my disc! i will NEVER take Lamictal again!
Lsk1971
27 Aug 2014
Does anyone remember starting Lamictal and feeling better for a while then feel depressed again before their scheduled titration up? I've been on Lamictal and 100mg Pristiq for abt 11 days. The past 10 had been really good considering I've been trying to find the right med for the past 6 months after a depression (I'm not bipolar). The last 24 hrs I've struggled with anxiety & that dark cloud looming feeling. I'm scheduled to up dose to 50mg on Saturday.
Just wondered if anyone else felt like they took a step back while getting to desired dose but then stabilized once therapeutic dose was reached?
Thanks!
FeltLikeIsh
5 Dec 2014
Been on SSRI (Zoloft + Alprozolum) for 6 years... Did TMS (Trans Cranial Stimulation). Zoomed out of 5 month depression to manic episode for 2 Monthes, thought I was in heaven... Watch out for Bipolar, which I am, an know now. Now on Lithium 1350mg/d, along w/ Seroquel 100 mg, on/off tried Abilify, some Atavan 1 mg/d in order to sleep. I feel the Lithium brings You just above low depression... Like setting you on the ground right next to the Hole you were in, yet, still depressed feelin like ish.
Now started on LAMICTAL 1 week. Hope to titrating up on Lamictal while coming off Lithium (can't stand serious hand trimmer)
Ill be in touch. Thanks for all comments.
twarren15
2 Feb 2015
I am set to go up from 50 mg to 75 mg tonight. Is the the better of times coming?
Eades
24 Feb 2015
I take 100 MG in the morning and 75 MG at night. I started having serious memory problems. My doctor backed me off of the 75 mg, subtracting 25 mg at a time. My memory has not improved. Did anyone have this side effect?
asaxon
11 April 2015
I had untreated cycling major depression and anxiety since childhood (am now late forties). Got much worse in recent years which got me to finally get treatment--it wasn't that I was stubborn, it was just that when its allyou kno, you asume that there is no other way to be... ) Anyway, SSRI plus buproprion plus klonopin helped maybe 50%--barely worth the side effects. Tried a high dose buprion, and got my first taste of mania--what a trip! Almost left my partner of 25 years (to whom I was always faithful) and my kids to take up with a kind and gentle 30 year old. Then my good Dr. put me on Lamictal, titrated over 3 month to 300 mg/day. 50 mg--no effect, 100 mg--maybe a little better; 200 mg--noticeable improvement but still bouts of despair every week or so; 300 mg--a miracle! The cycling faded and now is uncommon and very mild. Still need the klonopin for anxiety, but may try to wean from bupropion soon. So, patience!
asaxon
11 April 2015
Maybe problems with short-term memory, but am on several meds so I can't pin it on lamictal. Anyway, I'll take some memory loss over major depression any day!
she75
27 April 2015
I am also on lamictal, about 2 month ago I started forgetting to take my meds ( why I will never know ) I went back on them about 3 weeks ago. I am more of a wreck then ever. I feel like killing myself daily, I have never been this depressed, and I get agitated really fast. sometimes I just want to go outside and beat the first person I see. I am trying to hold it together for my family, but I just can't hide it any more. my husband thinks I belong in the hospital. I do feel like I am going crazy. I need help so badly and don't know what to do.
MeggieGirl
29 July 2015
Hi Lsk1971,
I know you asked this question back in Fall of 2014, but I thought I would address it since you didn't get a response, and I am familiar with what you are speaking of. I was getting benefits as I was titrating up, so there was no reason for me to head in the other direction (and I am at a therapeutic dose), and then BOOM, the cloud of depression and anxiety hit. I am also on lamictal off-label for depression only (not bipolar). I SAY that I am at a therapeutic dose, I suppose that can be argued, as I'm "only" at 100mg, and for depression, the therapeutic dose can be between 100-150mg from what I've read. However, I am not subscribing to any labels of what anyone says should be my dose - my body is going to have to be the guide.
I don't care if I have to take 300mg, this medication has shown me that it has the potential to lift my depression and elevate my mood in a way that no other medication has been able to before - so I'm going to be patient with it (as best I possibly can, that is).
One thing I'm investigating is the impact of birth control on the lamictal blood serum levels. Depending on what/where you read, lamictal blood serum levels can drop by approximately 50% if you are on a certain type of hormonal birth control pill. I wonder if, when first taking a higher dose, there is a positive response because the body is responding positively and recognizing that more of the good medication is being given, yet the hormones may be reducing the medication levels in half, causing me to 'tank'.
I brought up the potential for this to my doctor the very first day I started the prescription, and she didn't believe that hormonal birth control pills could cut plasma levels by 50%, but now I'm gathering more and more evidence that it might be true. At my next appointment, I'm going to bring in scientific journals to have her look at them in her free time. Clearly, my mental health is priority #1, so something like this might warrant increasing the lamictal dose to compensate for the reduced plasma levels, or switching to an alternate birth control method, or to the one type of hormonal birth control method that is said to potentially not have this effect on plasma levels (progesterone-only - like Depo).
As it has been quite some time since you posted about this, would you follow up and share how things worked out for you?
Just wondered if anyone else felt like they took a step back while getting to desired dose but then stabilized once therapeutic dose was reached?
Grossi86
20 Feb 2016
Hello everyone! May I ask if you started feeling depressed and sad and anxious as a child or have most of you started experiencing these feelings as adults? I want to help!
Vxlee123
11 July 2017
Hello I have been on Lamictal for about 4 years. You are on a very low dose right now which doctors like to do because you can get a rash if you go to quickly. My doctor put me on 200 mg. Which really helped but I am now on 400 mg plus antidepressant. A lot of people do well on 200 mg. Have hope because you will find something that will work I promise. The hard part is sometimes they have to try different things and milligrams to get to where you are much better. You should not have to suffer like you are. Believe me I know it's hard because I have been there. I have to tell you over the years I have learned not to stop taking meds even though it may seem like everything's great. Because it usually goes downhill. These meds are working to help your brain think the way it should more like a normal person. And to help you feel like a normal person. Good luck what
Vxlee123
11 July 2017
Hello I have been on Lamictal for about 4 years. You are on a very low dose right now which doctors like to do because you can get a rash if you go to quickly. My doctor put me on 200 mg. Which really helped but I am now on 400 mg plus antidepressant. A lot of people do well on 200 mg. Have hope because you will find something that will work I promise. The hard part is sometimes they have to try different things and milligrams to get to where you are much better. You should not have to suffer like you are. Believe me I know it's hard because I have been there. I have to tell you over the years I have learned not to stop taking meds even though it may seem like everything's great. Because it usually goes downhill. These meds are working to help your brain think the way it should more like a normal person. And to help you feel like a normal person. Good luck what
Versace67
14 Oct 2017
My dear friend, hope springs eternal. This too shall pass, I am struggling so hard not to take my own life as many in my family have from bi polar. I refuse to give into it and so must you. I have seen things change in an instant. We as humans do not have the ability to see the future, but God does and you WILL wake up to happiness, keep going you will see
Dont Quit
15 Oct 2013
Hi, Ive been taking Lamictal for the past 8 months. This is combined with 100mg Sertraline and 300mg pregabalin. I have struggled to managed mixed depression and anxiety since i was 19. Im now 34.
I would say the introduction of Lamictal has been the best thing i have ever done. I cant recall feeling this well for the last 15 years, Its really been a miracle drug for me. I titrated up from 25mg per per day and after 4 weeks holding at 100mg. I have to say i didn't feel any effect until i hit 75mg then bam, one morning i woke up and the world looked and felt different to me. Ive been doing great ever since.
I urge anyone taking Lamictal to give it a chance, were all different and we all respond to different doses. Try ( and i know its not easy ) to stay positive, focus on the things that you would usually enjoy even if you dont feel like it do it anyway! look after yourself the best you can given your state at the time, the right meds will do the rest.
Peace and best wishes to all. Keep going, your journey will be worth it.
Rgl20
9 April 2016
Do you stop in 100 mg or you increase to 200mg?
Jag2
17 Oct 2017
My first time here. I literally just started Lamictal 25mg twice daily today. I have been struggling for years and on and off of combinations of medications. I am inspired by your comments and hopeful that I can reclaim my life back. Somewhat emotional today at ginally having an answer to what i really have after years of wrong diagnosis and treatments. I am also a bit nervous of what being bipolar means and the time being so lost of myself for so many years. But as they say..the past is the past for a reason and I am looking gorward to the future. I will have to remind myself to be patient as i trabsition to takung my life back and letting the process unfold.
aleece
29 Nov 2017
iam on 50 mlgrs of lamictal going to 75 in a week started feeling better at the end of the 2 weeks on lamictal today for some reason i hve had a drop in depressive mode had anyone experienced that im so scared that im going to go backwards to depression
aleece
29 Nov 2017
iam on 50 mlgrs of lamictal going to 75 in a week started feeling better at the end of the 2 weeks on lamictal today for some reason i hve had a drop in depressive mode had anyone experienced that im so scared that im going to go backwards to depression
Picker2399
24 March 2018
I just started Lamictal... no difference yet
But it’s only been 4 days .. I’m on 25 mg
Will be moving up to 50 mg.. I’m really
Hoping this medication works ... glad you’re doing good.. so happy for you
Kitty
3 Aug 2013
Hi Kate I know this is an older post but wondering how the lamictal is doing for you? I am depressed and my doctor just increased my dose to 200. Has it
worked for you? I was feeling so good at 100 and the floor dropped out.
Rgl20
9 April 2016
When you increase lamictal 100 to 200 what happen? Worth or better because im fell very depreesed again with 200. With 100mg im a little stable Kiss
cjpm
12 Dec 2016
Hi RG, I am new to this community and I hope you can answer my question too. As they say, let the medication control you and be patient. How ironic that I am the one anxious to get better but that is not the case. It will really take time. I honestly do not have a problem with Lamictal. As a matter of fact, my doctor gradually is increasing my medication from 25 mg to 200 mg. So far, I'm at 100 mg and it made feel better than how I was acting the last few weeks ago. My mom even saw a difference. I would feel depressed and I'd cry to my mother about me losing hope and that I won't get better anymore. But that is not the case. We have to believe we will get better and not lose hope. We'll get better :) I hope to hear from you. Best of luck, Charlotte.
The voice of Jack
26 Feb 2018
Hi All,
I reduced my Lamictal from 50mg to 25mg and a few weeks later I got Tinnitus very bad in my left ear. I think it may be because I reduced the dose has anyone had this experience or has any advice.
Jack.
UserNameAlreadyTaken
11 July 2013
Let me just start by prefacing that I am NOT a doctor. But in my case I started slowly with the small increase in the beginning. Felt pretty good after hitting 200mg. Kept going till I hit 400, (2, 200MG pills a day 6 hours apart) felt really good. Anxiety really low, which was a great experience since I've had anxiety my entire life. My metabolism's weird so maybe my 400mg is equivalent to your 200.
If you do go up in your dosage make sure to do it slowly. (probably 50mg increase a week should be fine) I've read that the most likely time you'll get that rash is if you increase your dose huge over a very small period of time.
Rodger OConnor
26 Jan 2013
I found relief when I hit 100 mg. I started noticing a difference. I don't recall ever having a negative side effect from the Lamictal. I have been on this med for 15 years and even though I may go through some rough patches, I am better than before the Lamictal... for sure! I am currently on 200 mg in the morning and around 6p. I prefer the afternoon dose over a bedtime dose. Lamictal seems to wake me up, but I know we are all different when it comes to meds
Rgl20
9 April 2016
Wich dose you prefere.100 or 200 because im really better with 100 and really worth with 200. What i should do?
Laurenj18337
24 July 2016
I have been on lamictal for one month this week. I slowly went up to 150 per day. I am still haveing alot of anxiety and it is very hard to deal with. Does anyone have any information that can give me a good word. I have been on anti-depressents years ago, but had to go back on them. Please let me know some good news or good information that may help me out
Terry327
25 Sep 2016
LaurenJ,
I have been on Lamotrigine for a week and a half. I started on 25mg and it started working the next day. By day 2 I was almost manic I think... happy and ready to take on everything in my world. That high has tapered off and now at 50 mg I am just feeling good. I am still a little unnerved when I have to take care of my m-in-law though. Anyway, I am still taking Zoloft which wasn't helping on it's own. I have tried so many antidepressants in the past I have felt like a human guinea pig!
The doc said if this doesn't work he would recommend a specialist which I imagine is a psychiatrist. He said if it works I may be able to stop the Zoloft. So far great, a miracle drug. I just hope it continues to work!! This is the best I have felt since childhood and I am 62! I only wish my doc would have prescribed this several years ago. Changing meds and then dealing with withdrawal has not been good. I think Pristiq wd was the worse. It helped somewhat but even with good insurance it cost $86/mo. so unaffordable. I have high hopes that this continues to work and I can get on with my life. I am still tired but I need to get to bed earlier. It has been quite a few months since you posted. How are you feeling.Has it worked for you? Take care
Terry327
25 Sep 2016
Actually I see it was just 2 months since you posted Jenna. My bad.
Terry327
25 Sep 2016
BTW, I also take Tramadol for back pain but I have no idea if this helps it work or not. When I first started taking tramadol quite a while ago I did notice my anxiety diminished until my next dose was due
.
John947
26 Jan 2013
i started having panic attacks and my daily dose of lamictin was half the 5mg morning, half at noon and half the 25mg at night.. i gradually upgraded to 10 mg morning, 10 mg noon and 50 mg at night.. am feeling quite normal now
bipoloarIII
23 Aug 2012
Lamictal started making a difference for me after either 75 or 100mg. It was a slow process of titration, and I often felt hopeless about the med ever working when I was on low dosages for several months. I got a lot better, though! It just took time. Give the lamictal a chance and hang in there while you wait for it to start helping. It may take up to 200mg before you feel a big difference. My doctor told me that generally 200mg is the therapeutic dosage.
Rgl20
9 April 2016
Do you feel really better with 100mg or 200mg lamictal?
Clherself
11 Nov 2018
I am really struggling was on Paxil off and on for ten years started Lamictal at 25 mg then 50 and two weeks before when I started the 100 mg of Lamictal just a few days ago I started taking half of Paxil dosage every other day 20 mg
Does it take more than a few days for 100 mg Lamictal to kick in? I am irritable and can spend a lot of time crying. My dr told me to go back to Paxil every four days and that it’s very difficult to get off Paxil
Any thoughts or suggestions?
D115M
2 Dec 2018
Clherself,
Hopefully your side effects are only from weening off the Paxil. Lamictal for me has been a life changing experience. I'm functioning like a normal person and have the opportunity to be the person I had the potential to become. It takes quite a bit of time to titrate to an effective dose to avoid the potential side effects. I would feel windows of wellness at each dosage however it would gradually wear off. We would just up the dose again. I've been on Lamictal for three months now and the trajectory has really peaked within the last two weeks. Stick with it.
pickles503
31 July 2012
Hi Kate5. I'm Anna. I've been taking Lamictal for five years. Before Lamictal, I took Lithium for 6 months. It was ineffective. I felt like you do, in that the depression continued. If I remember correctly, I felt better when I started taking Lamictal, slowly, over a 24 hr. period. I'm not saying I was mentally balanced at that time. I am what is called an "Extreme Bipolar 1." I was in mania for 6 months, homeless. I was a mad woman. I stopped taking Klonopin and that's what caused the manic episode. So, for me to say I was mentally balanced after starting Lamictal would be a complete lie. I felt a whole lot better after two weeks or so after starting Lamictal. I'm now at 400 mg. of Lamictal, 4 mg. of Klonopin, and within the last year and a half, 1800 mg of Gabapentin was added. I feel better than I have in 5 years. I have my down time. However, when I do have depression, it's situational.
When I have something seriously wrong in my life that would cause anyone depression, that's situational, such as divorce or death. Increasing the meds or adding meds would be useless. I have to get past the crying, the hurt, the guilt, the anger, and all the emotions that I feel. Sometimes I have depression for "no" reason, but it doesn't seem to last long. For me, this combination is a blessing. The Gabapentin really helped me a lot for depression and also pain. I couldn't believe it. I'm so much more balanced than I have been in 5 years. I think for all of us have to find the right combination of meds. Please, Kate, talk to your Dr.. I'm in no way a professional. What I'm telling you is my experience with Lamictal. Sometimes answers are more than yes or no. That's why I elaborated my explanation. I pray that the depression goes away. My heart and soul understand you. God bless you and take care, Kate. Anna
Inactive
31 July 2012
Thanks for your added input. I too am on 4 mgs Klonopin and 600 mgs with my Lamictal. I just started it in March, and I think Lamictal in conjunction with my other meds saved me once again, bipolar 1 and a rapid cycler, oh joys.
Laura
Inactive
31 July 2012
Excuse my scattered brain,
That's 600 mg Neurontin with my other meds, 200 mg Lamictal.
Peace,
Laura
bumblebee90
1 Aug 2012
Kate,
I strongly agree with the other's. I was in a terrible state of depression a few months ago. I'm talking out of control uncontrollable crying, all day long, feelings of hopelessness, wanting to sleep all day long, feeling extremely lonely, and fatigued. And I stay at home and watch my five yr. old. He just turned five. I was determined I was not going to allow him to see me in this state, and had to something about it. My psychiatrist added Wellbutrin and I felt alot better, but still had the symptoms a little too much. He added Lamictal. He started at 25mg and slowly titrated up. I am at 100mg now, and wow, can I tell a difference. We are going up to 200mg. That's the plan. I felt the same way in the beginning. I felt nothing. But was reassured that would happen and to be patient and when we went up in dosage to what we were heading for, I would definately start feeling a difference. Absolutely correct.
Everyone in my family, and my friends have commented on how much better I am and how much better I sound. And my precious little boy said..mommy, you don't cry anymore. Your happy now and that makes me happy. I just got a tear in my eye writing that down. What a wonderful blessing it is to feel better. I will say a prayer for you, that you will start to feeling better real soon. Be patient with your body, even though it's hard, and try to relax when the anxiety get's high. Tell yourself... This too shall pass. Best wishes, and take care. Your friend, Ruthie
Inactive
1 Aug 2012
Ruthie,
What a marvelous story. I am so glad Lamictal I'd making such a big difference in your life.
I wonder why shrinks don't use it mote frequently as a first line mood stabilizer. Its so much better than the alternatives. A question for pondering you navel to figure it out i say.
Peace one and all.
The Happy Hippie
Ross W
10 Feb 2018
Hi everyone! I use Lamictal for Bipolar disorder #2. I have been taking depression meds for about 20 years with only partial success. I also suffer from acute anxiety. I have been on many drug coctails over the years. My latest shrink took me off of Wellbutrin and Trileptal and doubled my dose of Lamictal to 300 mg per day about 6 months ago. Wow what a difference. 150 mg had lttle to no effect, 300md made all the difference. All those years of unimaginal suffering just vanished. This med saved my life. Remember, when you are depressed your brain says there is no hope. Pay no attention to it. You brain can not be trusted when you are depressed. There is hope. titrate up to the max if you need to before saying that the drug does not work for you. Hang in there! Also, raise your dose with your doctors permission. Feel better soon!
Best wishes,
Ross
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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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