Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• zzz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2022

Lamotrigine "The longer I'm on Lamictal, the more problems I have - I'm taking it for nocturnal seizures (I had 1-2/yr before meds). When I began taking it, I erupted in a burning facial rash, so we scaled the dose back. Since then, my days begin with vertigo/severe fatigue, my vision has become blurry (the optometrist saw no literal vision changes during testing), I have tremors periodically, short-term memory is practically non-existent, difficulty concentrating, my limbs feel weak/tingly, and I'm still having seizures! I've been doing all sorts of tests and haven't been diagnosed with a new health problem. Why do anticonvulsants all cause so much misery? I'm essentially a stiff, wobbly, forgetful zombie on this medication. I'm really sad that it isn't working because I heard it was a tried and true medication. My neurologist is weaning me off, thank God. I wish there was something out there that actually worked and didn't crush you under the weight of debilitating side effects."

• Gay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2017

Lamotrigine "I've been on Lamictal for 1 year for seizure prevention/mood swings. I gained weight, have a dry mouth, and insomnia. I told my neurologist I wanted to come off seizure meds as I haven't had a seizure for 5 years, he said no because the next seizure I have may be fatal! Great bedside manner! Now I have to live with side effects as I'm scared to come off Lamictal."

• KTC...
• August 13, 2009

Lamotrigine "After having every allergic reaction in the book and experiencing every single side effect of Dilantin, my doctor quickly switched me to Lamictal. I love it. Not one negative side effect to mention! If only it helped me lose weight! (P.S. My petit seizures are well under control, and I haven't had a grand mal since before I was medicated 6 years ago)."

• Jaz...
• January 13, 2017

Lamotrigine "I was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the left parietal part of my brain in 2015 after I had a stroke at 21. I had it removed in 2016. I was on Dilantin, and it made me feel horrible. After my surgery in the hospital, I had a seizure 3 times, and they came in increments of 3. I was then put on Keppra with Dilantin. No good. My moods went crazy. Then they switched me to Lamictal with a low dose of Dilantin, eventually weaning off of Dilantin. I was put on 400 mg of Lamictal. Just recently, I had a bad seizure, and now they increased my dose to 600 mg. It is working, but I feel very disconnected and spacey. It's helping with seizures, but not liking the side effects. I am now looking into a device called Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS). Looking for alternatives, but so far, Lamictal works."

• cir...
• July 3, 2008

Lamotrigine "I've been taking Lamictal for 5 years now and am very pleased with it. I have experienced moderate to severe difficulties with cognitive function and memory on all other anti-epileptics. Lamictal has enabled me to reduce my carbamazepine intake to such a level that these difficulties are minimal, and I am now doing very well at University. Unfortunately, while it has reduced my seizures to lower than ever before, it has not been able to stop them altogether."

• Gan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2018

Lamotrigine "I have been on Lamictal for 13 years. For the first 12, I had similar symptoms as others - poor memory, exhaustion, inability to walk a straight line. No idea why, but now my symptoms are slowly going away. My dizzy spells are rare, straight lines aren't difficult, and best of all, my memory is coming back. It's not as good as before I was on the meds, but I'm happy for anything I can get. My issue is that I'm soon going on Medicare, and the cost of this medicine is $12,000 per year. I'm looking into generics, and based on the research, it seems they have gotten better, but I'm not ready to make the leap yet."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2011

Lamotrigine "I'd been having partial seizures every 2 weeks, lasting a few days for about 3 years before having a tonic-clonic seizure and finally agreeing to go on medication. I started on Keppra, and the seizures came once a month for about a week, similar to a girl's period, and I became suicidal and uninterested in anything. About 2 years later, I had another tonic-clonic seizure. Shortly after that, I switched to Lamictal and am no longer suicidal but am still depressed and uninterested in anything, and the seizures now come more frequently and randomly."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2020

"Lamotrigine changed my life! I had undiagnosed partial seizures in my sleep, as well as absence seizures during the day. At 22 years old, I began trying several medications (Topamax, Keppra, etc.) and had terrible side effects (weird dreams, sleepiness, aggression). I am on 500 mg of Lamotrigine daily. I do have mild forgetfulness and slight trouble with words on occasion. It doesn't bother me, and it is worth it. I no longer have seizures, and my mood has improved. It took a few weeks for my body to get used to it. I would be wide awake and never get tired. But after a little while, my sleep returned to normal. Bottom line, I can't imagine my life without Lamotrigine. I recommend it above all other seizure medications."

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2018

"I had my first seizure at 41, partial complex. I started on Keppra, and it was awful, I turned into someone that I didn’t know: angry, negative, sleeping 16-18 hours a day. I started Lamotrigine, and at first, I had a lot of memory problems, but it has since leveled out. After 3 years, I haven’t had a seizure for 12 months, and it keeps me level and not emotional or moody. I do recommend anyone to try Lamotrigine because I feel my old self again, but better."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2009

Lamotrigine "LOVE IT! I take 600 mg a day. I don't think it causes the comprehension problems like Keppra, hard to tell though as taking both medications at the same time. If my medication has to be increased, this will be the one. I can't increase Keppra anymore."

• Bru...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2016

"I have been on lamotrigine for about 25 years. I can tell you that this drug has saved my life. I have been on many different doses, so I know what works for me. I was taking all of my pills in the morning, but I still had seizures. The doses I was taking gave me blurred vision once in a while. My doctor said that was too much at one time, and it did not last the full 24 hours. My doses were changed to every 12 hours, and I haven't had a seizure since. I hope this will help someone."

• J_I...
• July 23, 2015

"My daughter was on Lamictal for many years, which controlled her seizures. A year ago, her insurance stopped covering it, so we were forced to go to generic Lamotrigine. She started having seizures, so we did a little research and found out that the Lamotrigine she was taking was manufactured by a company in India. We switched to Lamotrigine made by another company, and her seizures disappeared. Do some research on your products."

• Meg...
• June 13, 2015

Lamotrigine "I have started taking lamotrigine with the intention of weaning myself off phenytoin. Unfortunately, after 2 weeks and 2 days, I have had terrible side effects: splitting headaches, vomiting, nausea, dry mouth, and extreme irritability."

• Mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 7, 2023

Lamotrigine "I am not sure if my depression, abnormal thoughts, blurred vision, rash, and memory issues are related to this drug or not. They are listed as side effects and seem to be getting worse the longer I'm on them. However, Lamictal has helped keep my seizures mostly under control. I have tried other medications in the past, but my stomach couldn't take them."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2016

Lamotrigine "I was diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy in 2004, had been on life support twice, longest for 17 days, not good. They said it was temporal lobe sclerosis, skull fractures, etc., from playing rugby. I've had many medication changes from clonazepam to Keppra and everything in between. I am currently on 1000 mg morning and night of Keppra and have started taking 50 mg Lamictal morning and night, as I was still having severe absences which Keppra couldn't stop. The absence events have all but stopped after 3 months, although I have not had a good time with constant saliva, spitting. Which I believe is from the flavor or effervescent makeup of the tablet. Does anyone else have this problem?"

• Pep...
• August 28, 2015

"While the cognitive side effects weren't too bad, I had to go off this medication because it made me develop a condition known as persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), along with noticeable facial flushing. Initially, it gave me some pep in my step and seemed like a pleasant surprise, but after a few months, the side effects intensified to the point that I couldn't look at a man without my face turning bright red, along with intense and painful arousal that wouldn't subside. These side effects went away when I discontinued lamotrigine, and I'm only insanely aroused during ovulation - like most adult women. Lol. I just wanted to share my experience because PGAD isn't really discussed as a side effect."

• 123...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2024

Lamotrigine "Lamictal changed my life. After realizing I was experiencing focal aware seizures, this was the first AED I tried, and I never intend to change it unless it stops working. I have had ONE focal aware seizure since titrating up to 200mg Lamictal 8 months ago, and it was a day I forgot to take my morning dose. Split dose (AM/PM) works best for me. Pros: cured my focal aware seizures, reduced sensory overwhelm I've experienced MY WHOLE LIFE, eliminated my PMS and made my periods much less painful and more regular (this drug lowers estrogen), stabilized my moods, and CURED MY 3X/WEEK CHRONIC MIGRAINES AND FACIAL NERVE PAIN. WOW!!! Cons: itchy skin after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased anxiety after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased alcohol tolerance, my short-term memory and creativity have taken a slight hit, some word dropping, slight hair loss."

• ore...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2013

"While going through titration, I had intense mood swings. Extreme happiness and seething anger over ridiculous things. When I forget to take a pill, it makes me EXTREMELY ill. Nausea, dizziness, fogginess, etc. On a day-to-day basis: sometimes I forget words, phrases, and even once, my ATM pin number. It's like I'm grasping for them and they're just not there. I also get lightning-like, 'zinging' headaches. They were worse during titration, but they haven't gone away. They usually happen when I'm at work. In addition, I often feel like I'm in a fog and have had a few instances where my words will slur together like my brain just can't quite form them right."

• Mgc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2022

Lamotrigine "This medicine has genuinely been so much better for me than Keppra or Aptiom. It feels like I went from one of the worst medicines I've ever been on for side effects to one of the best in terms of overall well-being. It's been a long titration, but at every step, I mostly felt significantly better and have had zero seizures for 60+ days. At 50 mg and 100 mg, I felt slightly more edgy/flippant, whereas at 75 mg, I felt quite cheerful. I'm now on 150, going to 200 mg of the Lamotrigine Extended Release. Not only have I not had any seizures, but I also feel like I genuinely feel happier and don't carry anger or stress with me as long. Of course, you have the risk of rash, but to be honest, it was made out to be way scarier than what I think the reality is for most. I feel like this should be the first medicine on the list for most everyday people. The zombie and rage effects of some of the other common seizure meds are just awful by comparison to how beneficial Lamotrigine's 'side effects' are."

• MBD...
• September 16, 2020

"My pharmacy (and likely yours) changes the manufacturers of generics regularly to get the best price that year. It turns out that sometimes the best-priced medications are not therapeutically the same. Unichem makes lamotrigine that maintains my drug levels and prevents my seizures. A seizure results in the temporary loss of driving privileges. Truly, you don’t want to seize while driving and hit someone. The restriction continues for six months. If you can’t imagine it, imagine being sixteen again and staying out too late one night with your parents' car. They ground you for six months. It’s like that. Especially for seizure meds, insist on the same manufacturer every time you get your prescription filled."

• kat...
• November 14, 2007

Lamotrigine "I have had adverse reactions to five different medicines for seizures. I started taking Lamictal about 6 months ago and am very pleased. I have hardly any side effects at all. My only problem is that I don't have insurance because I am self-employed, and Lamictal is very expensive. I am not sure if a generic is available for Lamictal. Lamictal has been a relief with minimal side effects."

• Bar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2018

"This medication is excellent for seizures. I have about 2 seizures a day, started lamotrigine 5 years ago. I thought maybe I would grow out of it, so I stopped taking it, 2 days later, I was back to having seizures. Highly recommended for epilepsy, however, as a 'mood stabilizer,' it doesn't seem to work for me."

• Urr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2017

Lamotrigine "I guess I mostly have a lot of questions. I had one seizure in August 2014, or at least that's what I was told when I woke up in a hospital. I was put on Keppra 750 mg 2x a day. In 2015, I was diagnosed as bipolar. I was put on Lamictal 100 mg 1x a day. I've had many EEGs and MRIs over the past 2 years, most recently in November 2016. I just met with my neurologist last week, and he said that my latest EEG confirmed, yet again, I have 'abnormal electricity full brain every 4-5 seconds,' which I've had since birth. Now I have to do an ambulatory EEG for 3 days/nights and blood work. Urrggh!!! Somebody please wake me up from this nightmare! Questions - Why Lamictal for bipolar when it's for seizures? Why a 3-day EEG? Why Keppra and Lamictal?"

• Kev...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2023

Lamotrigine "I had a traumatic brain injury 6 years ago and have been on Lamictal for 5 years. When I was taking a higher dose, I had side effects: itching, mood swings. But now I'm on a lower dose. The medication is highly recommended. It's been great for me."

• Ber...
• September 13, 2015

Lamotrigine "I developed epilepsy from a blood clot hours after an operation for a brain tumor. I tried Epanutin, poor side effects, Keppra, which didn't seem to work. I am now on 325 mg morning and night, my grand mal seizures are reduced to head shaking and nearly no side effects after the seizure, I'm 14 stone, a doctor told me I could go to 350 twice a day, but I don't know, I have always had them every three months, thankfully 90% when I'm in bed. Multitasking and memory are affected, but I can live with that as it's not bad. I heard doctors say max 325 twice daily, but he thinks I can go to the 350. Thoughts?"