Hi, I just had a letter asking me to talk abot Lamictal side effects. I will do a few here and then give more information in the bipolarhappens.com newsletter.

 I call Lamictal my wonder drug. It gave me a much more normal life. It can have some intense side effects though.

Lamictal side effects can be there from the beginning- literally from the first week- in the form of a stiff neck, clenched jaw or some mild breathing problems. I had these for quite a while and then they went away.

There is definitely a rash associated with Lamictal- one is serious the other benign. I will talk more on this in the newsletter. My coauthor Dr. John Preston said that most of the rashes from Lamictal are very mild and not of concern- but I also know people who have the rash from head to toe.  No matter what, see your doctor if you see a rash. This does NOT mean you have to stop the drug unless there is a serious rash. People do learn to manage the itchiness. Talk with a doctor who really, really understands Lamictal. You can get on chat boards as well.  Many psych drugs have potentially fatal side effects, so don’t throw Lamictal out too soon!

It’s important to know that the serious rash is extremely rare.  All rashes need to be reported, but there is no need to panic.

I’ve been on Lamictal for three years. My side effects come and go. It’s frustrating, but I need this drug so I deal with them. The stiff neck is hard and I’m now experiencing extremely intense itching- without a visible rash.

I’ve talked with my doctor.  It’s pretty bad.

So, it’s always a tradeoff with psychiatric meds like Lamictal. Can you live with the side effects? Are there ways to make things easier such as massage, chiropractic help and ice packs? That’s what I do. The itching is worse. I’m going to do all I can to pinpoint what is going on so that I can take care of it.

More on this later!

Julie

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Bipolar Medications: Lamictal Side Effects

I love Lamictal. That could be a bumper sticker on my car. I hope you have a medication that you love.

Unfortunately, I have some pretty tough side effects. Right now I’m dealing with the super stiff neck that often comes with the drug. It disrupts my sleep, which isn’t good! It’s like nighttime whip lash. I’ve found that stretching my neck and then using an ice pack helps. I try to get a massage as often as possible. I find myself moving my head over and over again to try to find a comfortable place on my pillow. There usually isn’t one! My side effects come and go, so hopefully this will be gone soon.

I’ve probably written about this on the blog- but I had to write it again to remind people that we may have to live with some side effects if the medication works really well.

Here’s some more info about Lamictal: Lamictal, like Depakote and Tegretol is an anticonvulsant drug that just happens to work for bipolar disorder!

Lithium is the only ‘real’ mood stabilizer. It’s a natural salt which is why it’s so inexpensive! Lithium is a miracle drug for many people- but a lot of us can’t take it.

When it comes to symptoms, Lithium, Tegretol and Depakote are anti mania drugs. They are not anti depression drugs- which is why Lamictal has been the miracle for those of us with bipolar II who don’t have full blown mania.

Lamictal helps with depression, mild mania, rapid cycling, psychosis, OCD symptoms and ADHD symptoms. Wow, that is great.

Julie

Bipolar Driving and Missing My Lamictal

I’ve had a lot of irritation lately. My Lamictal dosage is messed up (my fault) and I can feel it affecting my tolerance level. I swear, I was in so much traffic the other day I thought I would explode. I live in a city, so this was not abnormal. What was abnormal is how I reacted to the traffic: cussing out my window when I was stopped at a green light. Honking my horn. Banging my steering wheel. Leaving a message on my friend’s cell saying, “Portland is a great city, but it’s going to hell!! This traffic is getting worse every day!”

I felt my face squeeze into an ugly mask. I wanted to hurt someone or ram someone’s car. And then I stopped and thought,Oh no. I’m rapid cycling. And right there, I realized what was going on. I was rapid cycling and my head was jerking around and I started to cry a bit. I missed a dose of my meds again and this always happens.

Solution: Take my meds on time! Keep out of my car when I’m super irritated! Wait a bit so the traffic can clear. Accept where I am and turn on the radio, etc. Say to myself, “Calm down Julie. You’re overreacting and you really do have a choice how you feel right now.” Remind myself that this is an illness and I’m rarely irritated when I’m not rapid cycling!

Julie

I just can’t seem to get my Lamictal regulated. I have had trouble remembering if I have taken my meds! It’s ridiculous. I’ve been taking this drug for three years! Why on earth would I suddenly have dosage problems?
Our bodies change over time- they change with stress too.

 I’m going back to my measured medication box- the one that says Monday, Tuesday, etc on it.  I have to get back on track as the withdrawal symptoms are really, really painful!  I’m twitching and jerking pretty badly.

I wonder if you have medication problems? Many people do. A friend of mine just went off his antidepressants- but he did well. Another friend is reducing her anti psychotic- but she had to stop for a while to let her body acclimate to the lower dose. It’s all about the liver!

 Julie