Lamotrigine and Memory Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• lan...
• July 16, 2009

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal is a great drug for me, except for the side effects. I now have had to be put on sleep medicines or I stay awake all night. I have also lost quite a lot of hair over the years of taking it. At one point (400mg) per day. Now at 200mg a day, it has not been as bad, but still significant. My memory has gotten almost to the point of giving up the medicine because it's so bad. I also have trouble thinking of words that I want to say and have never had that problem until taking Lamictal. It does have less or (better) side effects than some of the others, or I would have tried something else by now."

• dan...
• March 15, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I got diagnosed with borderline personality disorder not too long ago. I had never used any type of medications before I got lamotrigine prescribed, and honestly, it has worked wonders on me. Before, I had strong mood swings which went from morning depression to extended periods of anxiety. After I started taking the meds, my anxiety has gone down a lot, I no longer have morning depression, and overall it has helped me out with no side effects aside from my short-term memory, but it isn't too bad."

• Jay...
• July 17, 2015

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "I've been on Lamictal for a few years, and while it eliminated all my daytime seizures, my nighttime sleep seizures continue. I spoke to my neuro, and he raised the dosage to 400 mg. But I was a zombie with no memory, aphasia, and confusion. Finally, I went back to 200 mg and decided to just live with the nighttime seizures. My doctor suggested using Xanax to control them. It worked. The odd part is that they occur every six weeks and last for about a week. Anybody else has such regular onset?"

• Ire...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2021

For Depression "My Dr. started me off on 25 mg. I took half of the 25 mg for 10 days. I'm on 25 mg for 5 days already. I'm so used 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, racing thoughts and always thinking of what I need to do next, like I'm not present. After taking 25 mg 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 are 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 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."

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

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal is an interesting medication. It worked very well for controlling mood swings, particularly the rage-filled, depressive mixed episodes, but caused absolutely massive memory and cognition problems about 8 months into treatment at 200 mg a day. It was odd, the world just kind of slipped into the present. I couldn't even do things like cook toast because I would forget what I was doing. I have since cut the dose to 25 mg a day. It works far less well for the mood swings but doesn't mess up my mind much now. All in all, mixed results. I still take it. It beats the alternatives, which were awful."

• Chi...
• September 2, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I am 58 years old and diagnosed last year with mild bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, and anxiety. I felt very happy most of my life, although having behavioral problems, and didn't start having real problems until I was 50. I tried Wellbutrin, and it gave me hives. Celexa made me so wired that I couldn't sleep and felt like I was going crazy. Effexor worked, but I was tired all day. Lamictal was miraculous. I have taken it for a year. It gives me energy, I feel happy and motivated. I don't feel angry anymore. I LOVE it. I gave it a 9 because it gives me memory problems, which I do not like. But I feel that it is really a lack of concentration. So I try harder to concentrate, and it helps when I do more mental things, like read."

• ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Had severe depression, anxiety, and elevated mood swings for years. Just started meds in my early 50s. Lexapro, gradual doses. At first, began to notice results in all three areas, but extremely sleepy no matter what time I took it. It seemed to level off at about 50% effectiveness, then slowly decreased in its effectiveness. Went on Lamictal, more energy, but mood swings came back, no patience or tolerance again, forgetfulness, and anxiety. Rambling thoughts in my head continually. I am returning back to my original prognosis. Didn't find it to be of help at all, up to 200 mg. Really don't want to keep experimenting, not sure of next step."

• Mik...
• May 12, 2015

For Anxiety "I'm taking this medication for anxiety and mood swings. It really does close to nothing with my anxiety. It helps my moods a bit, but my anxiety is more bothersome. Not only that, my memory is complete crap. I have trouble finding words, memorizing new information, and spelling. I am a great speller, and ever since I started taking Lamictal, I've forgotten to spell some words, which I would have no problem with before. Overall, I feel this med is doing more bad than good. I started taking Seroquel, and I can already feel more positive changes than Lamictal has done since I started taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2012

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was on this medication since 2006. I had no side effects or problems. It worked well, we had to keep increasing my dosage on it, though. I also combined it with Depakote, which apparently raises your Lamictal levels. Yes, you can become toxic on this medication like Depakote. I had to get off the medication because I became toxic. I was taking 300 mg a day and 1250 mg of Depakote daily. My symptoms were a drunk look, double vision, slurred speech, short-term memory loss. I started bumping into walls, my eyes were glazed over. I just got stupid towards the end. I even went to the hospital telling them I was toxic, they did not believe me. It can happen, I guess I became intolerant of the medication."

• cir...
• July 3, 2008

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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 for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

For Epilepsy "Wow, wow, wow. Lamotrigine was the fourth medication I tried for epilepsy and the only one that worked. No extreme side effects other than memory problems. I thought I was one of those people who medications won’t work for, but this here is great!"

• him...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2018

For Epilepsy "I have used lamotrigine for 15 months, I have been seizure-free on my 150 mg per day. The side effects are as follows: severe weight loss, I have lost 3 stone, insomnia, I go to bed, doze for about an hour, and I am fully awake, ready to get up. Constipation is another, my doctor says it's just my body rejecting the medication. Memory: impossible remembering things, everything I do has to be written down, including when I finish work. Remembering people, names, faces, etc. - I've lost 'friends' because I can't remember names, and they think I'm being 'funny' with them. The nurse said I will be on the meds for 2 to 3 years, I could do with coming off it sooner, but I am so scared because I am afraid I will have another episode. I am stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea - yes, it works for me... but I don't want to end up feeling how I am now - for someone who could remember everything to how I am now is just shocking - good luck to you if you are taking it."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Sta...
• October 11, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Lamictal for almost two years now, along with Lithium. I like Lamictal a lot. I have to get off Lithium because it's raising my blood pressure and causing weight gain. Lamictal doesn't cause any side effects that are dangerous. I think I have memory problems and concentration issues, but nothing too bad. I'm a full-time second-year college student with a 3.8 GPA, so if anything, this medicine is helping me do well in school. For anyone who had a bad reaction, I feel bad for you because when this drug works, it's doing the business. For sure, good luck, new users. Try never to increase your dosage too high; remember the higher it is, the harder it is to get off."

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

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Med...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 26, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've taken Lamictal/Lamotrigine for ten years. My anxiety and depression were very bad, nothing could make me feel better. I was started at the lowest dose and felt a slight improvement the next day. By the time I was up to 100 mg, I felt great again. Then I was raised from 100 mg to 200 mg. I should have stayed at 100 mg. I've been through some very bad times these last 10 years and have not gone into a medical depression. I feel that this is due to Lamictal. I now take 100 mg. I gave it a 7 instead of a 10 because I'm very unorganized now, and I used to be very organized. My memory is bad now, and I have trouble coming up with the right word when I'm talking. I also used to read books a lot, and now can't seem to stay focused. But I'll never get off Lamictal completely. One thing I'll never forget is how anxious and depressed I was before Lamictal. It saved my life. It helped me get out of a 20-year bad marriage without a breakdown."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2019

For Epilepsy "I hate lamotrigine. My epilepsy has been controlled 100% while taking Dilantin for 38 years. My doctor highly recommended that I change from Dilantin to lamotrigine because Dilantin is a very old drug and has a long-term side effect of memory loss. I really did not want to make this change, but he managed to convince me. I made the change in December 2018, and since then, my life has turned upside down. No coordination, memory loss, cannot remember things that happened minutes before, constantly forgetting where I placed things. Worst of all, I've been on the decline with making good decisions at work, speech, writing, typing, reading difficulties. I truly felt that I have early signs of Alzheimer's or dementia. I could not stand it. I finally insisted to my doctor to go back to Dilantin immediately. I am now back on Dilantin for 3 days, and I am just praying to God I will get back to normal again."

• ald...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2022

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking Lamotrigine for about 2 months now for anxiety, PTSD, and dissociative symptoms. Along with Effexor XR, this drug really does the trick for depersonalization and derealization. Effexor decreased intensity a lot, but the addition of Lamictal decreased it even more to where I can function a whole lot better. I feel more grounded in the present moment, and I’m starting to feel emotions again. It feels like it keeps my brain in check when I’m anxious, and my brain wants to dissociate me. I used to get a lot of head pressures, but now I don’t experience those pressures anymore. This drug was a miracle, but watch out for some side effects. When I got to 200 mg, I experienced short-term memory loss, and I could not focus. After 3 weeks, though, it has improved a lot; seems to be clearing up. Anyway, if you have PTSD, give it a try! It might save you!"

• CJ5...
• January 15, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on a low dose, 25 mg for about 3 weeks, then upped it to 50 mg, then will go to 100 mg in 14 days. I think this will be sufficient as it is working already and my moods are great, still able to feel stress and recognize the importance of that. But, I am very forgetful of little details, which is irritating at work because, of course, it affects my project output. It was fine with the lower dose, so I'll ride it out and see how I adjust. Other than that, I love it, it has helped me with a major crisis and was able to keep it together. Thank you!"

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

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "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."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I suffered with mental health issues for many years. I refused to take antidepressants until I met with a mental health doctor. I got diagnosed with bipolar type 2. Since taking this medication, my life has changed. I can work full-time and have had no suicidal thoughts and hardly get tearful. But I have experienced memory loss, short-term thoughts, a bit more forgetful."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I suffered with mental health issues for many years. I refused to take antidepressants until I met with a mental health doctor. I got diagnosed with bipolar type 2. Since taking this medication, my life has changed. I can work full-time and have had no suicidal thoughts and hardly get tearful. But I have experienced memory loss, short-term thoughts, a bit more forgetful."

• Bop...
• March 25, 2021

For Depression "Before Lamictal, I had given up on psych meds and was extremely depressed, hopeless, and suicidal. I was also stuck in a relationship, but I didn't believe I could survive a single day on my own. On Lamictal, I started to feel better within 2 weeks. I felt calmer, happier, more at ease, and I could enjoy myself again. No pill is magic, so I still struggled with depression, but it was much easier to manage, and it gave me a sense of strength and confidence, which allowed me to make much-needed changes in my life, such as ending my relationship and moving out on my own. The only issues I had were that it made my acne worse (sounds weird, but it's true), and I started experiencing some memory and concentration problems at 200 mg. Unfortunately, my personal experience with psych meds is that they stop working as well eventually, so after a couple of years, I had to switch. Still, I'm thankful for what Lamictal did for me, and I think it's a good, very tolerable drug."