I’m really struggling today. I swear I would do anything just to get rid of these constant mood swings. I have friends with bipolar disorder who have a lot of normal days- by normal I mean that they aren’t in some kind of mood swing. I rarely have a normal day. Today seems to be a mixture of mild depression, worry, lack of focus and a definite concern that my meds aren’t working correctly. I have a big writing project due and it feels like climbing Mt. Everest even though I only need a few more days to get it done.
Every day since I came back from a trip to Texas and Florida has been difficult. Not it a bad way- in other words I didn’t have a terrible depression when I got back- but there is always something to deal with. I just feel physically uncomfortable and can’t seem to find a [ Read More ]
I honestly think that switching to the generic Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has made me more tired. I know it has increased my other side effects. As I’ve said in a lot of other posts, it’s working exactly the same as Lamictal in terms of mood swings. Which is good! But I am not myself physically. I am sure this will end, but it’s definitely proof that generics are not the same as the original product in terms of the non active ingredients. If you look under the Lamictal category on the right, you can read some great discussions on what it was like for those of us who went from Lamictal to generic Lamotrigine!
I wonder who else has had trouble changing to a generic? I’m not even sure if trouble is the right word as the meds are working, but I do know we should get more information [ Read More ]
I was taking generic Lamictal for 4 weeks during December, but around Christmas the side effects-headache, anxiety-became too much on 50mg. I know you’re not a doctor, but in your experience do these subside over time. I’m a street musician in Portland and just getting turned on to your bi-polar crusade. Your work looks pretty amazing.
Regards,
Ted
Hi Ted,
Well, side effects are so tricky as they depend on the person. For example, I take 500mg of generic Lamictal (also called generic Lamotrigine) and have more side effects when my dose gets too low!
The normal Lamictal dose is 250mg- but that is just an average. What matters is that it works- the dose depends on the person taking the meds.
My first question would be just that- did it work? If it did, you may want to wait out the side effects if you can- if they are even moderately tolerable. [ Read More ]
I’ve written a lot about Lamictal and Generic Lamictal (Lamotrigine) the past few months. This is the drug I take as do many other people with bipolar disorder. One reader commented that she couldn’t sleep when she was on Lamictal. That was a side effect I had not heard. Other people have had the same problem- here is a comment from a reader:
Hi Julie,
It took nine months before I could sleep without some sleep aid. Low doses of Zyprexa or levomepromazin helped.
Lena
Hi Lena,
A friend of mine has had trouble sleeping and her doctor suggested that she use a small dose of Zyprexa. She knows it will work, but she’s scared to feel like a zombie again. She just started a new job. It’s frustrating for her. Others use the Zyprexa with great success. She has to find something that will work for her.
I wasn’t familiar with the other drug you mentioned, so [ Read More ]
Hi Julie, I just read all the blogs and comments on Lamictal (and the generic) and they really answered a lot of questions for me. First off, and I know you’re not supposed to do this, but my daughter had some left over when she tried it so I used those up before I refilled my prescription. I noticed a couple of different things that happened to me while taking her prescription but I blew them off not even thinking about them until I read the blogs. The first one was a twitch I got in my left hand when using the computer mouse and the second one is the rash that I got on my chest just above the breast. I am very thankful that all of you talked about the Lamictal side effects. The only thing is these symptoms didn’t show up until I used my daughter’s prescription. Could it have been because [ Read More ]
Well, I have been traveling for a week- first to Texas and now in Florida. It has been great, but I have had a lot of sleep and medication problems.
I am really uncomfortable as I write this- I have what I call the Lamictal twitches and I feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin. I hate it. I’m pretty sure I took my dose this morning, so this is odd. It’s amazing how uncomfortable these side effects can be. It’s hard to live with sometimes- but the Lamictal is worth it for me.
Actually, I should say Lamotrigine as I am now on the generic. Who knows if the side effects worsened because of the medication change. I have not seen a change in my moods, so that is all that matters. There is a big discussion on the generic Lamictal on the blog- if you go to the [ Read More ]
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
