Lamotrigine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• sle...
• May 17, 2017

For Depression "It only took 4 doses of the 25 mg starter pack to cause major issues for me. I experienced sleep disturbances that exacerbated my depression and anxiety. It's been a few days since my last dose, and I'm still struggling with insomnia, panic, and frequent tearfulness."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have rapid cycling mood disorder, and I've been taking 75 mg of Lamictal for over a year, and it has drastically changed my life for the best! I still have rage episodes (really bad, might I add), but they are less frequent, less intense, and the duration is shorter. I can still feel the full range of emotions, just in a more manageable way. Everything is a bit dulled, which helps with my food/drug addictions. Nothing tastes or feels as good, but they still feel good! Just not overwhelmingly good, which works out great for me. Some side effects are it harder to climax, lower sex drive, frequent UTIs, and insomnia. Definitely worth the side effects for me."

• cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I started this medication after switching from quetiapine for bipolar 2. I have so much more energy on this medication, I have lost weight, and it has leveled out my mood considerably (my usual mood state is low, but I do cycle a couple of times a year). During initial titration, I had trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and digestive bleeding. But these have lessened over time, and I use laxatives and synthetic saliva to ease the side effects. Overall, I'm very happy with this medication."

• Nel...
• September 8, 2021

For Anxiety "I had tried Zoloft to cope with some really sad things that happen and had a very severe adverse reaction. Before Zoloft, I’d never really had anxiety. But Zoloft gave me panic attacks, insomnia (like sleeping 0-2 hours per night for weeks), and suicidal thoughts. I eventually developed sleep anxiety, which is awful. I stopped the Zoloft and did sleep therapy and regular therapy. I was feeling good, but I still had some of that intense anxiety. I was TERRIFIED to try another drug after my experience with Zoloft, but lamotrigine has helped me enormously. I’m only on 7.5 (yes 7.5, not 75 mgs), and it’s made a big difference. Going up to 10 mgs. I had almost no side effects. The first 7 days, I had a mild sleep disturbance and some very bizarre dreams, but that was short-lived and very mild. Currently, I experience no side effects, except occasionally feeling a bit slowed down, which is not a bad thing."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2022

For Anxiety "I have GAD, no bipolar, maybe mild depression. I don't cry or feel thoughts of suicide, but I don't have any energy or drive to do any activities outside of my house. My anxiety is usually centered around social situations, work, fears of how others perceive me, and, of course, something bad happening to me or my children. Obvious reasons for most of this are a lack of self-esteem and living in a bad neighborhood as a single parent. I've tried hydroxyzine and most of the benzos over the past few years for relief. I took lamotrigine for 7 days total. The first 2 days, I had a wonderful energy and no side effects. The next 5 days brought sudden and weird evening agitation, panic attacks following agitation, and the most terrible insomnia. Not just regular insomnia, but terrorizing images accompanying it. I normally don't have insomnia. I never have uncontrollable agitation or any agitation at all, really, and panic attacks maybe 3 times a month. The horrible insomnia and agitation were just not worth the wait."

• Aff...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I began with a dose of 50 mg as a monotherapy for depressive swings and agitated hypomania. As soon as I reached the 150 mg mark, it was like a gear shifted. Every suicidal thought in my mind was just *poof* gone. It's been about six months now, and I've not had one thought of harming myself. It's unreal. Also, bonus: NO WEIGHT GAIN (applause!). Minimal side effects include headaches, dry skin, and mild hair loss. Now for the reasons why I knocked off two points: horrendous insomnia. I had to add 50 mg of Seroquel into the mix for sleep, and I'm lucky if I get a solid 5 hours. I also need an additional 50 mg Seroquel PRN for agitation when I feel myself getting hypomanic. Unfortunately, Lamictal does zilch for anxiety and mania. It doesn't help with paranoia or impulsivity. Still, I'd hate to go off of it because of how effective it's been for suicidal ideation. For those considering Lamictal, it's definitely worth it for depression, but it's not effective alone for bipolar disorder."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamotrigine saved my life. The depression was so debilitating except when extreme physical and emotional agitation, mostly caused by meds. 20 years of this (misdiagnosed for most of it). I'm so grateful I didn't get the rash. I lost a little hair in the beginning, but it stopped. No weight gain, and able to (healthily) lose the 50 lbs I gained with lithium. But I do struggle with insomnia, melatonin doesn't work so well for me. I took 150 mg for the first year, 300 for the past 3 years, but agitation is getting bad - I need to lower my stress, (all that stuff we're supposed to do) and possibly go up to 350/400."

• 31 ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I am on the autistic spectrum, so I'm used to the ups and downs. However, for the last 10 years, I have experienced severe lows where I neglect myself, the house ends up an absolute mess, my spending is really irresponsible, and I skip rent without thinking of the consequences. I *know* better than to do this, but my mind just crashes. I don't recognize myself as I'm usually a very tidy person. My GP put me on lamotrigine (Lamictal), and it's helped a LOT. I feel like I'm more myself, I am showering, eating actual food instead of crap, and I am tidying, working out, etc. The difference is significant, and I slowly manage my weight better too. Friends can tell when I've skipped meds because I am so different off them. The downside is I became prone to insomnia, but if I am strict with a sleep pattern/good sleep hygiene, I'm fine. I get a little nauseous too, but it's worth it for the positives, personally."

• Mar...
• March 15, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "This was the first drug that did this, but I had to make sure I took at least 100 mg, because 25 just caused some poor sleep. 100 was great until I developed cognitive decline due to lamotrigine, as many even 'just' epileptic users have noticed and experienced. A thing to look out for. Takes away lows totally. But memory impairment, especially verbal memory."

• Tro...
• February 5, 2017

For Depression "My 12-year-old daughter has been having huge episodes lasting up to 1 hour and 45 minutes (how we describe it) for about 8 months now. She's been having hallucinations and trying to self-harm. We have had many tests done like MRI, lumbar puncture, many blood tests, and electroencephalogram (EEG), and it's not epilepsy. Everything has come back good medically. We have tried a few medications such as risperidone and olanzapine, which haven't worked. She is also on one tablet a day of Lovan (antidepressant). Four days ago, she was put on Lamictal 25 mg in the morning. The plan is to up this weekly for 4 weeks until we are at 100 mg. Since taking this, she has had so much energy and has been happy, with no episodes until yesterday afternoon. Hoping this trouble sleeping will ease. Is this common? Thank you."

• Jan...
• February 6, 2013

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Jan...
• February 6, 2013

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

For Anxiety "I took it for anxiety, depression, panic, DPDR, and seizure precaution after I had a single seizure related to another medication. For me, this medication was horrible! It made my anxiety and DPDR worse, I had panic attacks, insomnia, and I got the rash. My mom, however, takes this med for depression and seizures, and it works amazingly with little to no side effects. I know this is a good drug for some because I’ve seen it, but not for me."

• cc ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I started lamotrigine about 6 weeks ago, currently on 100 mg per day. Problems I have run into: sleepiness, insomnia, excessive yawning, aggressive behavior, panic attacks, increased depression, headache, pain in neck/shoulders, coughing fits, dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. After this experience, I have been looking up side effects of any new medication, so I can know sooner if I'm experiencing side effects or an adverse reaction, or some other medical issues..."

• kkk...
• July 11, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Have only been taking this for a month so far, no rash, hoping I won't get it when we increase the dosage. I have lost 15 pounds on it in the first month, but the side effects I have are trouble sleeping, weight loss, and runny nose. It has lifted my mood, and I am able to exercise, plus I have so much more focus. I have ADHD but don't take anything for it."

• sha...
• August 30, 2014

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Sig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamotrigine saved my life! In the span of six months, I had gone through hypomania, depression, and a mixed episode. I was off the walls, irritable, impulsive, and eventually spiraled to rock bottom. Relapsed in my eating disorder and self-injury, increased drug use, attempted suicide, and almost hospitalized an additional three times. Insomnia, crippling anxiety, panic attacks, and a sense of impending doom. Had an intervention and ended up seeing a psychiatrist where I was diagnosed with bipolar II. I had been suffering for years and did not know it was bipolar. Prescribed lamotrigine and it pulled me out of the worst depressive episode I’ve ever experienced. Anxiety and irritability are minimal, depression is gone. I don't randomly cry anymore. Eating disorder is in remission. I’m finally stabilized and functional. I’ve had literally no side effects from this med. I started on 25 mg for two weeks, then had a dose increase to 50 mg. I can't say enough how grateful I am for this med!!!!"

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried all the meds there are for bipolar, and Lamotrigine was my last hope. I had read so many good things about it, so I could not wait to see how well it works. When my dosage was 50 mg/day, I was feeling okay. I woke up early, and I could sleep at night. When my dosage was 100 mg/day, I was tired 24/7. I have quit a lot of meds, but tapering off Lamotrigine was a nightmare! Terrible headache every day, double vision, and insomnia. It took me weeks until my dosage was back to 50 mg/day. I tried again for a few weeks if 50 mg/day was a good dosage for me, but I could not sleep, and I had the terrible headache every day. So, I had to stop taking Lamotrigine and take some other meds instead. I have been 2 months without Lamotrigine, but I still get the headaches, which I never had before I took this med. So, be careful!"

• esp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 27, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "While I can definitely say that it changed my life for the better, it just wasn't enough. And yet, it made me sluggish. I know that sounds paradoxical... it was like I really didn't want to do anything at all, but my head was still racing. I still talked too fast, I still couldn't sleep... it just wasn't enough. It slowed my body, I think, but not my mind."

• Sec...
• September 25, 2014

For Seizure Prevention "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."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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..."

• mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2023

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I suffer from emetophobia and get nausea or vomiting from this medication. If you can, try to get ondansetron or another antiemetic or even Pepto to help. If you can make it from the initial dose of 25 mg to 50 mg, then you are off to a great start. Going from 50 mg to 100 mg was scary for me, and I was going to go to 75 mg instead, so I followed the doctor's orders and took the 100 mg. It caused only dizziness and insomnia. I am about 3-4 weeks on 100 mg and feel pretty good. I still react poorly to triggers, but I have less anxiety overall and can face more things. I've also been cutting out buspirone at the same time, and this time with lamotrigine, I don't have withdrawals as I did previously when I tapered buspirone. I am looking forward to moving up in dose. Again, if you are afraid of the nausea or potential vomiting, try it anyway and see if it works for you because I feel great now."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 21, 2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I had tried many depression meds, none seemed to work. I was given this one, which I stayed on for 8 years. I felt like it was not working well after that long. I was up to 200 mg at the time. This was good medication, it made me feel like getting things done, getting out of bed. A great medication for bipolar. I had no bad side effects, except insomnia is a bad one. But the good outweighs the bad. This one is one of the good ones."

• AFC...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "It's been over 1 year since I've been on lamotrigine, and it's been a big change. No more depression, no more antidepressants with the risk of mania, and ending up in the hospital again. I have been able to take a very hard and stressful job without it affecting my mood with lamotrigine. I am very anxious, and I have a tendency to insomnia, which is why I have had to take medication for it. I have taken olanzapine (the lowest dose of 2.5 mg) with zolpidem, now mianserin (the lowest dose does not give mania) or asenapine (lowest dose 2.5 mg) to sleep if I feel more agitated or more euphoric than corresponds to the situation for 1-2 days to prevent the mania. I can never stop thanking the person who invented this drug. No more depressions, no more undesirable side effects, no weight gain, no dull head. It should be given as the first option in most cases instead of valproic acid if your main problem is depression and not mania."