Lamotrigine for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• MikeR
• August 7, 2019

"My depression got worse. With medication so far the more the dose increased, the got worse I felt. 25mg and 50 mg then 3rd or 4th week I went up to 75mg. The second day I broke out in acne all over my face made me feel worse anxiety, self esteem and isolating my self. I got worse I tapered to 50mg and the inside of my mouth has rash and canker sores it’s really irritating and painful my doctor hasn’t answered me for over a week I see him Thursday I’m going to get off it as soon as possible"

• Gives...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2016

"I was started on this med for depression from having no life from getting moderate-severe chronic fatigue syndrome. I can't say this has given my life back or anything but its the only thing that helps with my energy without causing flares like stimulants do. Caffeine is like taking out a loan I have to pay back with interest, if it helps at all. This is the only thing I've found that helps my baseline. I take 150mg a day in the morning. Many people find this sedating, but to me its the opposite. In fact, I can't consistently take any more than 150 because it ups my anxiety at 200mg and above. I'm still disabled, but this is the only thing I've found that bumps my baseline up (and I've tried every supplement and med imaginable)."

• houdini
• June 5, 2017

"So far, at a dosage of 200mg/day, this medication has turned my life around. Although I haven't been diagnosed bipolar, it has been enormously helpful and has destroyed my depression and anxiety. It took a while to increase the dose but it was 100% worth the wait!"

• Canada
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2017

"After reading so many positive reviews on this site, I decided to try Lamotrigine. I found it to be the most effective long-term drug for depression and mood stability. Having tried antidepressants and most mood stabilizers, this was the best drug for me. It does not make me tired or drugged up - just substantially reduces depression. Reduces overall depression, SI, obsessions and anxiety. Slowly went to 200mg/day as I couldn't feel much difference at 100. I had to switch to the brand name as generic was giving me stomach problems. Otherwise no side effects."

• Space...
• August 10, 2018

"Update: Increased the dose from 300mg to 350mg. I went from feeling an all-time low just prior to the 350mg mark to a much improved sense of well-being. I have been on many meds, and I am aware of the placebo effect. However, this recent increase has made a very noticeable difference. I almost quit the medication but my doc encourage me to increase it towards the 400mg dose. Consider talking to your doctor about increasing your dose before giving up on it. I can make no guarantees how it will work for you, and it was a very rough patch to get to this therapeutic dose. I wish you all the best!"

• Awald...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2016

"I am currently being treated for depression after a series of unfortunate events happened in my life. I've tried a couple other medications but this is the only one that has continuously worked. There are a few side effects- dry mouth and heightened anxiety- but compared to what I was going through I will take the side effects any day. My advice: give it a try. You can always change the dose and medication"

• Panda
• September 23, 2018

"I’ve been on 100mg of Lamictal for over 10 years. I take it with an anti-depressant. Haven’t found a single antidepressant that helps (and I think I’ve pretty much tried them all), but when I started Lamictal years ago, It truly saved my life. I experienced a dramatic change in mood and everything became manageable. My anxiety and depression have been worsening in the last year and I’m at a very low place and I’m a mess. I’m going to ask doc about increasing Lamictal by at least more 100mg. I want my life back. My anxiety and depression is now affecting my work and nothing else is helping. I really hope doc says yes and I get control of my emotions and life again soon."

• Clair...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2017

"I have had depression my entire life, and Lamictal started working for me within a month, or so. This medication hasn't solved all my issues, but has made my depression manageable. I still have to make sure I'm getting regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, spending time in the mountains and in the sun, and showering regularly; if I don't, I will cycle back into a depressive episode. I know this is probably common for the general population, but I wanted to make it clear that before, those activities wouldn't curb my depression in any way. I give this 9/10 as it has caused my eye sight to decline, have noticed some gum recession, some sexual side effects, as well as some hair loss (supplementing with selenium has helped)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 6, 2023

"I've been prescribed this in addition to venlafaxine. It has zero side effects and I've never been so calm and stable. Literally the best option for me, no extreme mood swings and bursts of aggression. I'm on 50mg"

• Leahd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2020

"My son has depression and anxiety. Started low and went up to 175. I do NOT see a difference ,in fact I feel ita the same or worse. I know the rx and brain are a science to figure which works with who. But for us, it seems to make the depression 10xworse!"

• Akul
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

"it helped some with my depression but side effects after three months being on it are crazy, back pain, leg pain, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, memory problems, low libido, tremor, weakness, no concentration, nightmares, dry mouth, weight loss, muscle spasms and some more. Wouldn’t take it again."

• RJS
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2022

"I have suffered from treatment resistant major depression for many years. The drug that helped more than any other is Lamictal. It is a life saver. I use a total of 300mg/day. I have noticed no side effects."

• JJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

"Started a few weeks ago. Lamotrigine 50mg dose and now working my way up to 150mg. It's a nice medication overall. A few side effects for me including restlessness, anxiety, concentration issues, and vivid dreams. I also take Risperidone which counteracts those negative effects for the most part. It's had a positive effect so far on evening out my mood."

• Anne...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2018

"I have Bipolar, several anxiety issues, OCDs, PTSD, trichotillomania, depression with some psychotic symptoms etc. If your conditions are quite severe, there is only so much a single medication can do. However, for me, lamotrigine has built a foundation which reduces my severe depression (suicidal most of 2018, due to bipolar & anxiety getting much worse, totally disabling), with no side effects except maybe it is a little harder to fall asleep (but I have intrusive images & flashbacks when trying to fall asleep anyway). I am still depressed, but not frighteningly so now. I have taken so many meds with so many terrible side effects, so having virtually none on this is a rare miracle. It does little for PTSD or anxiety or OCDs for me - well it helps after I've just taken it (and gives me back energy depression destroyed), but this only lasts 2-3 hours. Maybe I just need a lot more? (Already on target dose)."

• Irene
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2021

"My Dr started me off on 25mg, I took half of the 25mg for 10 days I'm on 25mg for 5 days already. I'm so use to not feeling well from not knowing what is wrong with me, from feeling dizzy, Trembly, head in the clouds, mood swings, depressed and constantly irritable, short tempered, confused, disorientated, forgetful and extremely tired all the time, racings thoughts and always thinking of what I need to do next, like I'm not present. After taking 25mg for the 5th day( a full tablet) somehow I feel very relaxed and all these symptoms above - I'm not really feeling them or I'm looking to see if I'm feeling it deep down but I'm not, that means that the meds is working right? My mind feels like it's present, I don't feel like my mind is all over the place. I am having a normal feeling that feels rather therapeutic. My mind is more clearer and my concentration has improved quite a lot, I'm starting to see life differently, I'm more confident because inwardly I feel more healed"

• PRP_143
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2016

"My Diagnoses: Chronic Treatment Resistant Unipolar Depression, GAD w/ anxiety attacks, ADHD I have been on lamotrigine as both mono and polytherapy. I am currently in remission chronic unipolar depression (9 months now). Lamotrigine has by far been the most effective (alone or combined) with almost no side effects, the only one being paresthesias (tingling in mouth, fingers, and toes). After reducing my daily dose from 200mg to 150mg, I have NO side effects with lamotrigine. I've never felt better in my life. Current Meds: (1x daily in the AM) Lamotrigine 150mg Bupropion XL 150mg Paxil 30mg Propranolol 20mg (BID if higher anxiety that day) Adderall IR- 30mg in the AM, 20mg at 2pm"

• Zoe
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 21, 2022

"Antidepressants stopped my crying, but I still had no interest in activities and did not smile. I was once an outgoing, positive person. The Dr put me on paroxetine and lamotrigine. I also have an anxiety disorder and had been previously prescribed clonazepam. The lamotrigine gave me my life back. I truly felt happy, went back to outgoing person, became interested in decorating, crafts, etc. I went back to church and reconnected. My faith never faltered, I had just been too down to participate with activities."

• Rbano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

"SSRIs stopped working and gave me fibromyalgia. My stomach lining was burning, but that might have been the Remeron or the combination. Lamotrigine reduced my depression 50-100%. Not sure why some days are better than others. My fear/anxiety is much much worse. I can barely eat. My memory is terrible so I can't remember my memory prior to lamotrigine! I suspect these symptoms are caused by it but I can't be sure. I've lost my appetite twice prior to taking it, but never this bad. Night terrors but I can't remember if I had them prior."

• Katie
• May 15, 2016

"I was off medication for about one year while seeing a therapist when I decided to seek out a psychiatrist and try again. I explained to my psychiatrist that I feel as though my depression is secondary to my mood instability and the problems it continues to cause in my personal life. I said I didn't feel comfortable trying another anti-depressant due to prior bad experiences (self-harm, suicidal thoughts, etc). He suggested a mood stabilizer (Lamictal/lamotrigine). I started out at 50mg, then 100mg, 150mg, 200mg.. Honestly, it did nothing for me. If anything, I feel like it increased my symptoms. Long story short, I ended up in the ER two days ago due to a self-induced overdose.. Would never try it again, but just my personal experience."

• Lamic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2018

"Lamictal is the most consistent antidepressant medication that I have ever taken. I have had severe depression for many years now — nothing that I have taken has worked (Several SSRIs, Wellbutrin, ect). It has not completely resolved these issues, I still get depressed from time to time, but my lows are not nearly as low and I feel a lot more stable. I am on 200mg and have been for several months. I have not noticed any side effects. "

• Withd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2021

"Have depression and anxiety along with ADHD. Tried so many meds, all crap, make you crazy or fat etc… started a super low carb no sugar diet in March 2019, lost 50 lb. Specifically asked my new Dr for Wellbutrin during that time. Dr eventually put me on Abilify May 2020. Started gaining weight back like crazy. Couldn’t get my dr to switch me off it until May 2021 and she switched me to Lamictal…still been gaining weight like crazy. No motivation in life. Feeling so indifferent towards everything. WORST thing I’ve ever been put on. Been a zombie living my life for the past 7 months and began tapering off my 100mg per day dose a week and a half ago. Did 50mg for a week, on day 3 of 25mg, and let me tell ya, it’s miserable! Do your research before starting this POISON! I’ve never felt worse. EXTREME DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA! Lightheaded and can’t even stand up. Bad"

• Pat
• March 3, 2018

"I started on 25mg for 2 weeks then moved up to 50mg a couple of weeks ago. The biggest difference I have experienced has been a marked increase in clarity. I am hopeful. I have had major depression for years before being diagnosed as bipolar, tho depression was the overriding problem. I will continue on with this and remain hopeful I can finally live my life above the pit."

• dbonetn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2021

"Update. Since June 2021 I have titrated up to 200 mg after suffering a severe episode of MDD. Lamictal literally saved my life. I was depressed to the point of being actively suicidal and borderline non-functional. My depression has completely lifted. It is like tons of weight have been lifted from me. NO SIDE EFFECTS FOR ME AT ALL. Lamictal was a last resort for me with the only other option being ketamine. I realize this is not for everyone but it has worked wonders for me."

• Apano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2021

"The first 3 days of taking this medication I felt awesome on just 25mg dose, but then I started to feel worse (really dark and suicidal) so I chose to wean myself off and I need to find an alternative for my bipolar/depression. This really bums me out because I had such high hopes to finally get some relief from always feeling like rubbish, but I’m going to continue to search for something better."

• Marion
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2021

"Like so many people on this site, my life has been transformed by Lamictal. I have suffered from depression since my early teens and throughout my life. I have had serious Complex PTSD and became very mentally ill with violent outbursts, psychosis and suicide attempts. After seeing a psychiatrist following another major depressive épisode where I lost 15 kgs in 3 weeks,I was prescribed Lamictal on top of the SSRI I had been on. Within five weeks, I felt so much calmer. 18 months later dose is being upped to 150mg and my SSRI reduced. I feel like a normal, stable person after years of trauma which almost killed me. Lamictal and therapy have definitely saved my life."