Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention User Reviews (Page 3)

• Bec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2017

Lamotrigine "I had a series of severe episodes in '14, and that's when I began this drug. Initially, it made me really drowsy, but it was manageable. Otherwise, I've had absolutely no problems! The only downside is that its levels can be easily affected or lowered with other drugs. In order to take birth control pills, I had to nearly double my Lamictal dosage as the estrogen made my Lamictal levels plummet."

• Bet...
• July 1, 2018

"I have had good seizure control for my grand mal seizure with lamotrigine. I started off on Teva brand but found out recently that the company discontinued making it, and I had to switch to another brand. This has caused some mood swings and nausea, but I think I will get used to it. I take 200 mg morning and night. Previously, I was on Tegratol and put up with some nasty side effects. This drug worked much better, with fewer mood swings. I would like to reduce lamotrigine and use medical marijuana, which would have far fewer side effects. It is hard to find a neurologist to help with that option. Thanks for sharing experiences. It really helps to connect with people out there."

• Hor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2016

"After taking Dilantin (and Keppra, which cause depression), it kept me and my mom extremely, extremely cool. Depression faded away. It does well with seizures unless I miss a dose. Now I ONLY have nocturnal seizures. Side effects got worse. I have double vision, stuttering, Alzheimer's type memory, can't walk at all, dizziness, and rashes. Other than seizures, side effects are MUCH worse than the medicine itself. I encourage you NOT to take it at all. AT ALL."

• Rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2014

"I have nightmares, weight loss (went from 128 to 118 in a few weeks, which is a lot for me), dizziness. Also, 'the spins' whenever I lay down, which is when my body feels stable but the whole world spins (kind of like being drunk and lying down). No seizures yet, but they aren't that common to begin with (1x/year), and I've only been on lamotrigine for a few months. I'm at 300 mg/day now and trying to get up to 400 mg. Dizziness is pretty bad right now, that rocking feeling you get after being on a boat. I feel that."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2011

"I took Lamictal for 7 years with no seizures and no side effects - wonderful medicine. They switched me to generic in 2009, have had 2 seizures in 1 1/2 years - increased dosage, but blood levels inconsistent. Neurologist swears it's not the generic, but has no explanation for why it's not keeping level. Stay with the Lamictal if you can, it's wonderful."

• Bev...
• April 4, 2018

"I have had 'stroke-like' simple partial seizures for 2 1/2 years and was first diagnosed with mini-strokes. The doctor first put me on KEPPRA and increased it gradually up to 1000 mg twice daily and would still have these seizures two or more weekly with 'zombie' effects. Finally, she gradually brought me down to 500 mg of KEPPRA and up to 150 mg of Lamotrigine. After 7 months, I have had 2 seizures, one in the buildup stage and another following a very stressful time. Side effects seem light compared to the large amount of KEPPRA. I do have a little off balance, some light rashes, and forgetfulness, but overall I am unbelievably better. I am 74, and some of these side effects may be from age."

• Cem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2015

Lamotrigine "I have been taking it for many years now for tonic-clonic epilepsy and had been well for 3 years. However, out of nowhere, last week I had 4 seizures, had did some major damage. Has anyone else had this? I also take Epilim."

• Jan...
• February 6, 2013

Lamotrigine "I didn't have many problems with Lamictal XR. Just sleep problems for about 3 or 4 days, and then I adjusted. Constipation also plagued me. I had a breakthrough partial seizure, and the doc changed from 100 mg to 150 mg. Now I am having a lot of problems. My sleep is really disturbed, really bad dreams and panic attacks waking me up while sleeping. Wish he could put me at 125 mg. I will have to check with him and see if that will keep seizures at bay. I have been a week and a half without a seizure."

• Rob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2015

"I've been on Lamotrigine for three years at a daily dose of 350 mg. My seizure frequency decreased dramatically down to once per month. Keppra was added to the regimen, and I'm practically seizure-free. Brain fog, multitasking issues, and the occasional inability to find the words I'm looking for when speaking are the primary side effects, but I'll take those over worrying constantly about when the next seizure will occur."

• Van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2024

Lamotrigine "I had a brain tumor and cortical dysplasia which were causing me to have seizures non-stop. I got them removed and started taking Lamictal. I did not have another seizure until I was pregnant with my daughter 3 years after the surgery. I had a seizure when I was about 6 months pregnant and then one during delivery, which made me stop breathing. My daughter that I had is now 17 and I haven’t had another seizure since then and I still take Lamictal 3 times a day. The doctor said that during pregnancy my Lamictal level went way down because of the baby. That means there is something in my brain still causing seizures, but it is being blocked by taking the Lamictal. The doctor plans to keep me on it for life and I am fine having babies. Taking Lamictal during pregnancy with her did not cause her any problems. I know there is an increase for cleft palate in babies that the mom is taking Lamictal during pregnancy."

• vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2024

Lamotrigine "I was actually prescribed this med for sudden seizures. Coincidentally, I also suffer from Major Depressive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I've struggled since I was 12 (I'm 29 now). I've tried many different antidepressants and none ever worked for me, even at therapeutic doses for my depression. However, they did help with anxiety (Celexa, Zoloft with and without Abilify added on, Effexor, Trintellix, and most recently Prozac). I got on Prozac a few months ago, and then also got prescribed this med but was told I might be able to get off Prozac because this med is also a mood stabilizer. Interestingly enough, I've been feeling tired for months and thought it might be due to this med (I've titrated up 25mg every 2 weeks). Now I'm on 200mg (100mg in the morning and 100mg at night), but I got off Prozac and instantly felt better. Now I'm only on Lamictal and I feel great - nothing has ever helped me this much. I've had no side effects at all besides decreased appetite and weird dreams!"

• sha...
• August 30, 2014

"After 17 seizures in 1 week, 15 years of epilepsy and absolutely NO life, within only a few days, a total change came over me with this medicine. I actually started getting my brain back, depression lifted, I went swimming(!). Not a seizure yet, I am not unrealistic, although at a low dose, I am cautiously optimistic. The insomnia is somewhat relentless, back pain too, and my appetite is insatiable."

• jt2...
• August 24, 2009

Lamotrigine "I have dealt with seizures for 6 years. I started off with Depakote and changed over to Lamictal back in June. I started off with 100 mg split in 1/2, 50 mg (morning and at night). Now I'm taking three pills in the morning and night, 75 mg. I don't see that much of results. With Depakote, I didn't experience seizures."

• Qui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

"I'm honestly speechless! This medicine has saved my life! I have never in my life felt this calm, peaceful, and anxiety-free, NEVER! I've only been on it for a little over a month, 50 mg mornings/50 mg evenings! I got it for a few seizures I've had this year, the doc thinks it's epilepsy, but I think it's PNES because of the severity of my underlying mental conditions. I have had anxiety, depression, and panic attacks since I was 14. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my early teens. I've recently been tested for other disorders, and I have CPTSD, panic syndrome, my panic attacks developed into dissociation and depersonalization a few years back, together with my PTSD from trauma, plus stresses of life, all of which I believe resulted in my non-epileptic seizures. BUT, taking this medicine has changed me, I will never stop taking this medicine! Why would I? I finally feel 'normal'! It makes me want to cry."

• Emm...
• August 17, 2020

"I was 17 y/o when my doctor put me on this lamotrigine medication to treat my juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), which had been acting up at the time. After a couple of days on the meds, I started feeling sick and got little mini jerks, but nobody was around to see them, so I wasn't sure if it was the epilepsy or if it was in my head. I told my doctor the next time I saw him I wanted off the medication. He then told me the meds were safe and tripled my dose. The next couple of months, I couldn't get out of bed in the morning without having seizure after seizure. Eventually, it led to a grand mal, and only then would my neurologist see me about it. Unfortunately, I found online that it's a pretty common thing for others with JME to have this experience taking Lamictal. My doctor didn't explain these risks to me, and if he had, I would have exercised my right as a patient to refuse the treatment based on how the meds were making me feel, and this never would have happened. If you are reading this and are unsure about Lamictal, just steer clear."

• Sec...
• September 25, 2014

"Been on: Dilantin, Keppra, and Tegretol. All for different lengths of time. Have been on Lamictal for 12 years, not had a seizure since. I did however quit my high-stress job. Truly a leap of faith for my family. I was the breadwinner. But health is number one. The side effects: insomnia. My Epileptologist added Neurontin to the mix to help combat this (so-so). Weight gain (10 lbs). Word finding. Forgetfulness. Headaches. These were all before the addition of Neurontin. I've been on the Paleo diet/lifestyle for 1 1/2 years. Never felt better. Eliminated my debilitating headaches! Lamictal gave me my life back."

• Gin...
• August 5, 2015

"My husband began taking this about 20 years ago after being on Dilantin for 6 years. When he was on Dilantin, he had horrible side effects and still had seizures. To us, this is a miracle drug. Not a seizure since beginning it!"

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2017

"I've suffered from clinical depression and a severe explosive disorder all my life. My doctor prescribed this specifically for my explosive disorder. Since I was depressed and negative most of the time, I was easily annoyed and angered. When angered, I became quickly stressed out and would 'blow up' and go off 'like a rocket' in a fit of rage, yelling, screaming, pounding, and smashing things. The lamotrigine successfully controls my explosive disorder. It also helped my depression and improved my mood. The doctor started me off at 100 mg a day. However, I had an adverse reaction to that amount. My heart would start racing, and I felt wired up and couldn't relax or sleep. So I reduced my dosage to 25 mg a day, and I'm able to tolerate that."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2022

"Medicine side effects were horrible for me, from major weight gain, nausea, dizziness, loss of coordination, double vision, and sensitivity to light. It was supposed to help me stop having seizures, but it only felt like it was making me have them."

• ZZZ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

"I suffer from nocturnal seizures and was only having 1-2 a year prior to meds. Since I've been on Lamictal, I haven't had seizures (taking it 2x/day), but man... I'm struggling with the myriad of side effects. I'm only 30, and ever since I introduced prescription meds into my life, I have SO many 'health' problems. Other than my seizures, I had zero physical problems prior to being on meds. Now I have insomnia, my vision is blurry, muscle spasms/vertigo in the mornings, my coordination sucks, I'm always lethargic, and I get tongue-tied and slur all the time. I also got a severe rash on my face and neck the first week I was on Lamictal. But the worst part? I can't remember ANYTHING, can't concentrate, and I'm zoned out all the time. The cognitive impact is negatively impacting me at work and is causing frustration within my relationships. It feels like I just can't win with anticonvulsants. Is all of this really worth it? I don't know anymore..."

• Dan...
• August 7, 2020

"I am on lamotrigine and I still have complex partial seizures, maybe about 3-4 a month or maybe more. I can't tell when I have them unless somebody sees me have one. I take 300 milligrams of Lamictal and am also on phenobarbital. I also have a VNS. I kind of doubt taking Lamictal. I take all meds about 10 p.m. every night. Should I take all before bedtime? Or what else can I do to control seizures?"

• Eye...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2020

"My experience with a generic lamotrigine Zydus 200 mg has been the best experience for the past 5 years. I've tried many name brands and other generics. I've gone from 4 to 6 monthly seizures to now having 1 to 3 seizures every 6 to 8 weeks. What a real change."

• Nwi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2016

"I have had seizures since taking. One year I had 3. My trigger is alcohol and late nights. I was on 300 mg pd, and I moved to Spain for 9 months. I decreased my meds to 200 as I was getting dizzy spells. The doctor there said because my lifestyle was more relaxed that it was my body's way of saying I didn't need as much. When I moved back and into my hectic recruitment job, I didn't increase it back. Ha, a fit 2 months later! I had been seizure-free for 18 months. But I'd had a drink and not enough sleep. Went back up to 300 mg (but lost my license again, worst thing ever!). Was nearly 20 months recently, and I missed a dose the other morning as I ran out and had 1 the next morning! Gutted. Also started the aloe gel stuff and think it had an effect?!"

• pat...
• May 9, 2009

Lamotrigine "My neurologist used Lamictal effectively for over eight years for a diabetic seizure threshold. After one episode, when my glucose was brought down too quickly, I had one seizure. To prevent another, he put me on low dosages until I received a pancreatic transplant and no longer have diabetes."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2023

"I take Lamotrigine for seizures and had not realized it also could be used to help treat anxiety/depression. In my mid-twenties, I stopped taking it as my seizures had become less regular. I could control them as long as I stuck to a regular sleep schedule. I also found marijuana helped as long as I smoked regularly. However, being off the medication, I did find myself more depressed and sleeping a lot, which can trigger seizures in someone with my condition. After experiencing a few seizures, I went back on lamotrigine and noticed I felt less anxiety and was sleeping normally, not napping throughout the day for multiple hours at a time. I found no side effects, and it really helps prevent seizures, and the anxiety/depression relief is an added bonus."