Lamotrigine and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• gra...
• May 11, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lamictal for almost a year, along with a daily dose of Wellbutrin 150 XL that I have been on for three years. Petite and sensitive to medication, I have done well on 50 mg Lamictal daily. This medication has brought so much relief! Excellent addition to the Wellbutrin. I deal mostly with depression, but I have also been very mood sensitive and can be easily 'sent over the edge.' This medication brings me peace and well-being. Having to deal with emotional instability is very stressful and burdensome (for me and those I love). That burden is lifted, as the range of emotions that I have is much more manageable. Less worrying if I am going to have an outburst, which means less shame to deal with. No major symptoms other than very brief, occasional, and mild nausea after I eat. Overall, it has made a huge improvement to my quality of life. If you are in need of a stabilizer, I hope it works for you!"

• AB9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2018

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Really wanted this medication to work for me since it doesn’t cause weight gain. For the most part, my mood did level out, but the side effects were unbearable for me, so I am now slowly going off it. I get severe nausea and flu-like body aches. I actually lost about 10 lbs trying to take this for about 6 months because I was so sick I could barely eat anything. I am giving up now, unfortunately."

• Inv...
• December 19, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was on Lamictal for about 5 months. Knocked out the hypomania but did nothing for my depression; it made me feel completely numb, which was worse than being depressed/in pain. Also made me horribly nauseous for the entire time I was on it."

• red...
• February 1, 2011

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I am a young 60-year-old female. No one believes me that I am really 60! I was just diagnosed with bipolar II. I have been depressed for years, and the antidepressants just stopped working. Over the last 8 months, I had become very angry, irritable, happy at times, and severely depressed to the point of wanting to die every day. My doctor finally sent me to a mental health professional, and she diagnosed me with bipolar disorder. I started taking Lamictal, and the first week I noticed I was feeling more even and not depressed. A month later, I now feel as if I was handed my life back. I did have nausea with it, but that went away. Now I feel at peace inside! I have no depression and am finally happy. Thank you, Lamictal."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2016

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Started at 25 mg, upped to 50, then 100 over 2-week periods. Feel absolutely horrible. Had a rash on my face at onset, now I feel dizzy, lightheaded, headache, can't handle any smells or smoke, nausea, acid reflux, burping, and bruising. Have backed down to 50 and eventually to 25 to get the hell off! Can't drive, go anywhere, or function."

• Cel...
• June 22, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I am diagnosed with bipolar II and PTSD. I have been on 300 mg of Lamictal for over 3 years, and it is, indeed, a lifesaver! When I first started taking it, I felt as if a warm, gentle hand reached in and touched me exactly where it hurt. As I write this, I recall that before starting Lamictal, I had excruciating pain in my solar plexus. I was in a deep state of bipolar depression with spikes of rage and extreme anxiety at least 2 times each month. Lamictal has made these mixed states less severe and not as frequent. I also take Paxil CR. As for side effects, at first I had headaches and nausea, but I endured them gladly."

• Wit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2021

For Depression "Have depression and anxiety along with ADHD. Tried so many meds, all crap, make you crazy or fat, etc. Started a super low-carb, no-sugar diet in March 2019, lost 50 lb. Specifically asked my new doctor for Wellbutrin during that time. Doctor eventually put me on Abilify in May 2020. Started gaining weight back like crazy. Couldn’t get my doctor to switch me off it until May 2021, and she switched me to Lamictal. Still been gaining weight like crazy. No motivation in life. Feeling so indifferent towards everything. Worst thing I’ve ever been put on. Been a zombie living my life for the past 7 months and began tapering off my 100 mg per day dose a week and a half ago. Did 50 mg for a week, on day 3 of 25 mg, and let me tell you, it’s miserable! Do your research before starting this poison! I’ve never felt worse. Extreme dizziness and nausea! Lightheaded and can’t even stand up. Bad."

• peb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For Depression "I was on Celexa and Buspar for about 15 years - no highs, no lows, but felt after that long I should try something new. I started with Lamictal @ 25 mg while I was lowering my Celexa and Buspar. The first two weeks were almost euphoric. Then I stepped up to 50 mg (again while decreasing my other meds), and I started seeing things. I googled this and found others were experiencing the same issue. Then I stepped up to 75 mg, and my world fell apart. Dizziness, hostility, itching, 'buzzing', sleep issues, nausea, and uncontrollable sobbing. I'm stepping down now, but it has been a 6-week process. Now I've been prescribed meds to calm the dizziness and nausea, and I'm still stepping down while going back on Celexa. Great when it works...a complete nightmare when it doesn't."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was newly diagnosed with Bipolar II, and Lamotrigine/Lamictal was what was prescribed to me. For many years beforehand, I'd been on Zoloft. Zoloft worked for many years, but after a while, it seemed like it was becoming less effective, so the switch was made. I've never been unhappier in my life. I never was depressed before to the point where I cry for 3+ hours daily and sleep whenever I don't have another obligation. Nothing gives me joy, nothing makes me happy, nothing motivates me. All I do is obsess over a past relationship and think about how to die. I also have trouble eating, horrible nausea/acid reflux that I never had before, a complete lack of emotion or motivation, and a profound sense of helplessness."

• Meg...
• June 13, 2015

Lamotrigine 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."

• Aud...
• January 9, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Not the most effective. It did tone down my hypomania a little bit. I normally get depressive episodes at a set time every year, and lamotrigine pushed it a bit later than it would have been. Besides that, it didn't do much; I'm still having severe depressive episodes that lead to suicidality. No side effects on its own, but I've noticed that it seems to magnify the side effects of other drugs if I take both (e.g., if I take a drug that makes me drowsy, lamotrigine makes me more drowsy; if I take a drug that makes me nauseous, lamotrigine makes me more nauseous, etc.). All in all, I'm pretty neutral on this drug. It's not great, but not bad."

• lif...
• January 15, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I feel terrible for people who’ve experienced SJS (Stevens–Johnson syndrome). It’s very important that you have a good psych who increases your dosage slowly and monitors you for skin rashes to avoid serious complications. That said, 100 mg of Lamictal combined with 200 mg of Zoloft (and Xanax or Remeron as needed, usually only a few times a week) saved my life. I have bipolar II and PTSD and didn’t know I could live so normally until I began this cocktail. It’s been more than three years, and I am a different person. I’ll never be completely cured; I still have periods of anxiety and depression, especially when life gets stressful, but nothing compared to my moods before. I was at a point where I knew I wouldn’t have survived another depressive episode, but this medication gave me the ability to live. I was foggy for the first two weeks settling into my regimen, but no side effects other than occasional nausea for a short period after taking my doses."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2024

Lamotrigine "I started about a week ago with 25 mg, 2 days before my period. There were no discernible side effects at first, but now I think it’s causing mild nausea. It also could be a coincidence, but my acid reflux seems worse and I’m a bit more dehydrated. As far as how I feel though, I think it’s working well. My mood was better and I wasn’t tired like you get with SSRIs. I’m on a low dose, so there wasn’t any major shift in personality or anything, which I appreciated. I did notice that PMDD symptoms were much better. A lot less irritability. I’m also on ADHD meds, and it didn’t affect those, thank God. I’ve noticed that my typical pessimistic outlook on life has improved, and I’ve been wanting to work on self-development all of a sudden, so I’d say this med is pretty good. I still feel like myself, just better, which is most important to me."

• sli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2024

For Anxiety "My GP prescribed lamotrigine after many months of trial and error with various medications. Every other epilepsy medication I had taken in the past led to awful side effects and very minimal success at reducing anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures. I started on a very low dose, 25 mg twice a day. Although most say they couldn’t feel any effect for about a month, I felt the positive effects within the first week. I was told to up my dose to 50 mg twice a day, but that was too soon for my body. I had awful side effects and couldn’t stand up from dizziness and nausea. I wasn’t deterred, however, I went back to my original dose for another couple of weeks and tried again. I am finally able to leave my home, agoraphobia is way better and easier to handle. My panic attacks are very few and far between, and my seizures have stopped completely. A win-win for me."

• Dzm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2021

For Depression "I've been on Lamictal for almost a year now for major depressive disorder and PMDD. I was on Zoloft previously and did NOT respond well to it at all. We switched over to Lamictal, and the difference has been amazing. I've been diagnosed with MDD for 16 years, and this is the first medication I've been on that really worked. I started at half a 25 mg pill, so 12.5 mg, for two weeks, bumped up to 25 mg for two weeks, and have been on 50 mg a day for the remainder. I had minimal side effects. Some nausea about an hour after taking my dose, which went away in about another hour, and then I was just hungry. That only lasted about a week after each dose increase. I also had some crazy dreams/nightmares after upping each dose, but those also went away quickly. My anxiety is much better, and an added bonus is it's prevented 99% of my migraines! Overall, I’m VERY happy on this medication!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I wanted to add to my review. Besides developing a very bad rash and chest pains, sometimes Lamictal would give me heartburn and indigestion too. It would last for hours, and I would be very nauseated. I never had heartburn or indigestion before, so I know it was the medicine that caused it. I'm so glad I don't take it anymore."

• Bet...
• July 1, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2023

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed with GAD, MDD, and ADD with compulsive tendencies, I have tried various antidepressants and stimulants with no improvement. I have been taking Viibryd 20 mg for five years, which has helped with my depression but not with my mood swings. During my fourth semester of nursing school, I didn't recognize myself, as I experienced ups and downs, an inability to focus and study, a lack of motivation, and a flat and uninterested mood. At this point, stimulants only worsen my symptoms. I sought a new psychiatrist who diagnosed me with BP2 and started me on Lamictal 25 mg. I am sensitive to medications, but there have been a few side effects, including nausea, drowsiness, increased thirst, and blurred vision only twice at night while reading, and I no longer experience racing thoughts. I am now on 50 mg and still have mood swings, but I will continue to increase to 100 mg next week."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder in September. I’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD in the past, but always refused medications. I started Lamictal in September, it’s now February, and I’m on 150 mg. I never saw a difference in it working, still crazy mood swings, still very angry and uncontrollable moods. Still insane, long-lasting depressive episodes. I have lost 15 pounds and can’t gain it back due to sleeping 12+ hours during the day and not eating. Will be stopping this medicine and requesting something else. Everything is still 100% unbearable. I get nauseous here and there from this, and the withdrawal symptoms are intense as well. I recommend this to anyone whose condition is not extreme and just needs something to help a little. But if you’re like me and your condition takes over your life, I’d search elsewhere for medication."

• nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have C-PTSD, depression, anxiety, depersonalization/derealization, and my condition is constantly worsening over the past two years. As you can imagine, I've already tried numerous drugs with mostly pretty bad side effects and no benefits at all. So I was really hopeful that this time it would be different, also because it apparently helped so many others with various conditions. But again, I was disappointed. I started with 25 mg lamotrigine and went up to 300 mg, and still it did nothing. In the beginning, I didn't have any side effects either. Lately, I have nausea, headaches, dizziness, muscle pain, and another weird thing: always when I close my eyes, I see bright colors. But I think all these things are rather because of my ongoing deteriorating health situation than because of this drug. I wish you more luck!"

• 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."

• lil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 25, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Lamotrigine for years. It has been effective, but I have gradually had more side effects. These reviews have been very helpful as I thought some of my problems were created by the sun, humidity, or allergy. Over time and sporadically, I have had more nausea, chills, and a lot of itching. If I scratch the itch at all, the skin turns bright red and spreads along with itching. The itching is horrible. Three days after a 50 mg increase, I have all the above side effects, plus sweats, chills, and flu-like symptoms. I have extremely strange dreams and nightmares. I didn't have these side effects when I first started the medicine. They started gradually, and I think it is time to look for a different medicine."

• ven...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamotrigine has been life-changing. I have bipolar II, and my depressive episodes were so extreme I wasn't sure how I could continue work or maintain my relationships. I was prescribed lamotrigine, and within a few days, I noticed a difference. At first, I had some nausea and headaches, but it was mild. I've been taking lamotrigine for six months now and couldn't be more grateful for this drug. I hardly have any depressive or hypomanic episodes, and when I do, it's difficult to pinpoint them because of how mild they are."

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2018

For Depression "Anxiety, social anxiety, depression. I have had anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. I have tried several SSRIs, SNRIs, and a few others. Started on Lamictal at 25 mg/week, and each week thereafter the dose was increased by 25 mg. I am currently at 300 mg a day with the plan being to go right up to 400 mg/day. The first thing I found was coming off another antidepressant can be quite rough, but Lamictal seemed to have eased that transition, so I felt quite positive about it. As the dose increased, I was always questioning if it was helping or if it was a placebo effect. I am still on the fence with this one, but I will update in a few weeks as I get closer to the 400 mg mark. I am cautiously optimistic still. Side effects: sleepiness, runny nose (early on only), mild itchiness to upper arms, irritability when I went to the 300 mg dose (from 275 mg), nausea, and intermittent headaches."