Lamictal and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve had bipolar disorder since my early 20s, which was misdiagnosed as depression. I was prescribed Prozac. Was on that for years. It greatly helped my irritability, but I continued to experience hypomanic episodes that affected my marriage, my jobs, and my relationship with my kids. I was in and out of therapy due to lack of health insurance. I was finally able to secure a therapist and psychiatrist. He mentioned Lamictal, which I was nervous about since I had tried it 6 years ago, and my nervousness increased greatly. I was desperate, so I gave it a go again. I was told I wouldn’t notice any improvement until I was at the intended dose of 200 mg a day. I started at 25 mg at night, and I quickly noticed headaches, crazy dreams, and it was harder for me to fall asleep. I’ve read a lot of those side effects are temporary, but even if they weren’t, I’d still take Lamictal. My head is clearer, my mood stability increased, my appetite decreased, and I feel peace for the first time in my life."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been prone to depression since my teens, but at 28 it really got out of hand. The depths of despair I was plunged into during my depression episodes completely floored me for months. Zoloft no longer did the trick. At 34, I have started using Lamictal, and after the first day, I felt more stable. I am now at 75 mg, and I don't remember when I felt this calm before. I have a normal release of energy throughout the day and can think without racing brain or sudden bouts of hopelessness. Except for some bad side effects during the first 2 weeks (mostly anxiety and headaches), it is impossible to complain. This medication is a godsend."

• Meg...
• June 13, 2015

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Seemed to help my rapid cycling at first, but the cycling would start again after a short time, and the dose would be raised. Each time, the 'good' period got shorter. I also found that my suicidal thoughts/visions increased while taking this medicine. Side effects are bad - all-over itching, headache, thinning hair, etc."

• Jen...
• February 23, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal gave me two ulcers, failed a drug screen for one of the best jobs around (said I had PCP in my system), debilitating headaches, and gained an immense amount of weight. I was hospitalized for attempted suicide, and my doc got mad when I weaned myself off. Having said that, I know lots of people that have had great success with it. I guess it all depends on the individual. Not all bipolar cases are the same."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

"I’m a 25-year-old female with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). After reading so many positive reviews, I really wanted this to work. I was on this medication for 3 weeks, and I went to my local ER twice because I had a severe headache that lasted over 9 days. I went to the ER and was told it was a migraine. I then noticed that I had swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash that started appearing on my face and chest. I then became concerned that all these things were side effects from Lamictal, and when I went to the ER for the 3rd time, I was told to stop taking this immediately as it could lead to a life-threatening rash. I’m sad I experienced these side effects because of all the positive reviews. Just beware of all these side effects that could appear because they could be very dangerous."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "It seems to have leveled my moods somewhat, or at least reduced my agitation. It is also inexpensive (compared to, say, Lexapro). I soon developed problems with my eyes in that they are itchy, red, and swollen, and I have decided to discontinue due to my fear of getting Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It is meant to be a rare side effect, but seems to be more common than I thought. This medication has also increased my appetite, given me strange dreams, and headaches."

• ind...
• April 28, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Just started taking Lamictal 2 days ago. I am taking 25 mg for the first week, then the second week 50 mg. I’m very sensitive to anything that goes into my body. I have been on SSRIs and SNRIs and found the SSRIs worked well for years, but they seemed to have stopped working well anymore. I didn’t do well on any SNRIs, I just came off of Duloxetine. Ugh, what a hard time that was. I am already feeling the side effects of the Lamictal. My eyes are doing funky things, which is weird because that’s usually a side effect from coming off a med. It must be the in-between side effect of meds, whether you are coming off or going on. Being on an antidepressant has a much more sedative effect. So far, I’m having headaches, weird balance issues, trouble thinking, and agitation. I will give this a try for a few weeks and see what happens, and I will report back with an update."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Started off on Lamictal about 3 months ago. I was having severe mood swings and was diagnosed with Bipolar II. Lamictal has been by far the best medicine I’ve tried. No weight gain, not severely tired. I would take it around 5 pm after work and be totally fine. What I did notice was that it is associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. My doctor at the time bumped me up to 200 mg within 2 weeks (big mistake), and my body started reacting to it. I now have cystic acne on my face. The withdrawal from coming off the medication (because my side effects got bad... night terrors, cystic acne) was extremely irritably, lethargic, headaches. I’m talking to my doctor about lowering the dosage because we all know that finding medication to fit is hard. I also wanted this medication in case I became pregnant."

• PNW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2023

"In August, I hit my lowest low. I had a huge emotional breakdown (out of nowhere) and felt out of control. My emotions were all over the place. After meeting with various doctors about my depression and feeling of helplessness, one suggested we try a mood stabilizer to see how that would help in addition to the Prozac and Adderall I have been on for years. I was surprised how quickly it helped! My crying bouts decreased, and I started to do things I had known I should do but hadn't wanted to do in a long time (brushing my teeth, showering, getting dressed). The only negative side effect was, unlike many, it made it very difficult for me to go to sleep. I just increased my dose from 50 to 100 yesterday and didn't have trouble falling asleep but woke up early, super dizzy (unstable on my feet) and with a headache. I am hopeful that after two weeks at this level, I stabilize and these symptoms subside. It was so nice to not be a pile of emotions with highs and lows - I hope this works out."

• luc...
• January 1, 2008

For Seizure Prevention "I have been taking Lamictal for a month now. I do have headaches, cough, swollen lymph nodes, but with no fever. I have had no seizures, which is good."

• qwe...
• August 12, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Gave me really bad headaches, nausea, and an all-over body rash."