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I'm 66 and just started Lamictal.Been severely depressed since 1977 when my younger brother Stephen was killed on his bike.He was 6,I was 20.Thanks for info.Jesus loves you.
I’m On lamictal 200mg for BPD mood stabilizer. I have had no side effects at all. No more manic episodes, no more flipping out or irritable anger issues. It hasn’t helped with my depression, but it really keeps me level instead of up and down. No more feeling unstable. Really helpful for me
The 20-40mg of Prozac in combination makes a difference. With the magnesium, glutathione, and DL Phenylate, this is the first time in 2 decades I have felt normal and not ruled by GAD and depression. Lamictal and supplements was game changer.
@@kristij4733 my psychiatrist started really paying attention in the past 18 months. Yes, Prozac does help with depression, yes, lamictal is a game changer on leveling moods and anxiety. The combination for me was extraordinarily beneficial. Added the supplements and magnesium….. there was a breakthrough I can’t articulate -- now I take a very low Prozac…. 40mg every other day with 200 mg lamictal. I experienced a traumatic brain injury over 20 years ago…..I am successful, high functioning but ‘normal” and level is a new experience.
I’ve recently cross tapered from an antidepressant to lamotrigine and finally feel like I’m feeling that I can recover and thrive in life despite mental illness. I had been misdiagnosed for over a decade. I’m so grateful to be finally seeing the light.
Lamictal saved my life. I've been on 400 mg daily for about 7 years (along with 150mg of zoloft) after a suicide attempt, hospitalization, and numerous medications for depression/anxiety/ADD that didn't work. I very slowly increased the dosage under my psychiatrists supervision and have not experienced any side effects, this medication was seriously a life saver for me. I didn't think there was any way to continue with life feeling the way I had been feeling, but lamictal was the light at the end of the tunnel. This was a very informative video, thank you for the education!
I was diagnosed as somewhere between cyclothemic and bipolar II. I was literally out of control. My psychiatrist tried me on a massive range of drugs but none of them brought me relief or were sustainable because of their side effects. Then one day he said "have we tried Lamictal?", I said no and so he prescribed me the drug. He really didn't follow the protocols for titration but fortunately I had no side effects. I have now been on the drug for over 10 years and can safely say I've never felt so stable. I actually do still get some ups and mainly downs (for which I'm on Prozac) but I don't feel "drugged" by Lamictal. I feel, most of the time, kind of 'just right'. I have to admit, sometimes I miss my hypomania, but I certainly don't miss the crippling and extremely dangerous lows I used to suffer with. I'm on 400mg a day and, unlike some of my other meds (I'm on a lot!) I don't feel any need or desire to stop taking the drug. It really changed my life.
I take it for epilepsy and borderline personality disorder and it has been like night and day! I feel stable and my emotions are drastically less intense. It’s absolutely amazing
I'm taking it for borderline too and was sceptical as it's a bipolar treatment. I was told it treats BPD but was sceptical like I said. Seeing comments like yours helps. Best wishes.
I was prescribed this for OCD and had the worst time. My vestibular system was thrown out the window- unable to balance. Extreme blurred vision. Made my intrusive thoughts harder to deal with. Then I was introduced to Dexamphetamine for ADHD and Prozac for Depression (not MDD) and Anxiety (GAD/SAD) and my body was so confused, with all three meds simultaneously. Obviously has helped other people, I think in my case Lamotrigine was carelessly prescribed and not appropriate for my presenting conditions. Immediately felt better coming off Lamotrigine.
Lamotrigine has changed my life. I do have a couple of side effects (photophobia and slight insomnia sometimes) but it's totally worth it. And I still have bad days but the intensity and length of my mood changes has been drastically reduced.
I have dementia and seizures and mini strokes, high blood pressure low heart rate. This is why they have me on this medicine. I just started it. I wanted to learn about it. They had me on some other medicine but they wanted me to try another one to see if it helps my dementia. I’m in my early stage. I always research the medicines that the doctors put me on or what’s wrong with me.
Every doctor has said something different about lamotrigine concerning the side effects, other than the serious rash. ☹️ It leaves me feeling frustrated and having to do my own research. Interesting video
I’m on 100mg of lamitcle since January 2023 it’s saved my life I’ve tried over 26 psychiatric medications , lamotrigine has been one of the only ones that has really been tolerable and has helped me calm down not be as irritable have more focused thoughts definitely more motivation , not cause fights or yell , if it causes you fatigue take it at night time you’ll sleep if off
What I'm about to say is probably a little too early. My doctor prescribed this medication for my case of anxiety and constant mental racing. I've been using it for a week and I can say that I feel fabulous. This medicine simply made all the symptoms I felt disappear and made me see everything in a natural and calm way. I didn't have any side effects.
I just started it. I’m prescribed 25mg per day, for one week, increasing by 25mg increments every week until 100mg. I’ve tried over 30 meds, I hope this helps me.
This is the only mood stabilizer that prevents both mania and depression in the extreme. Lithium and depakote often make depression worse for me due to the "zombie" feeling.
This is my first time on your channel and I will subscribe. My story is something that ties right in with this. I was diagnosed with severe Clinical Depression in 1990 and have battled it since. I have been on Amitrypiline and Cymbalta as well as Ambien for a good number of years now. Two years ago I suffered an abscess in my brain that was inoperable and resulted in a sizable infarction resulting in Focal Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. My Neurologist deals only with Epilepsy and other seizure disorders. I take 200 mg of Lamotrigine twice daily and my seizures are completely under control. I was not fully aware of the other uses of the drug. But I must say that it has not effected my psychiatric drugs either way. I can explode in temper, but that is strictly due to the Epilepsy because the Temporal Lobe of the brain is the seat of emotions. I learned a lot from this vid! 👍😊
Thank you for content. I finally agreed to see a psychiatrist as well as my therapist and try pharmaceuticals. We finally found what worked and that was lamictal. I am so grateful for my doctors and proud of myself for finally getting help, but I feel like I’m not being heard with my concerns. Biggest issue being my eyesight. It’s rapidly getting worse and I had 20/20 before lamictal. Dr is adamant that it has nothing to do with medication. I’m standing my ground on 200mg and if he had it his way it would be much more. It’s just frustrating. I know this is what my brain needs to feel normal for the first time in my life, but I also want to trust the people providing it
ive been on this for four years, helped pull me out of a terrible anxiety/panic state (i mean really bad) my symptoms have recently returned (i was only on 50mg a day) ive been on 100 now with little to no relief, just upped again to 125 (scared of pills so we are going slow). Hoping this guy works again, saved my life the first time around (no joke). Dr and Therapist both have said its super normal for a medication to eventually stop working and people need to up the dose. Good luck on everyone. Also wanted to notate that when i first started i had no side effects, but i also did Genesight which showed that i metabolize and my body works well with it.
How are feeling now? I'm in the same boat as you, I was just prescribed this treatment for severe depression& anxiety along side my regular antidepressant anti anxiety medication. I was so scared to try a new medication I called my Dr. Several times with questions. I just took my first pill I'm still a bit nervous about the possibility of rare side effects. From one Anxiety/depression suffer to another I sincerely hope you are feeling better ❤
@@mrduckman3150 Thank you for replying, It's reassuring to hear good news, Mental illness can be some rough territory wishing you smooth sailing P.S Don't forget your not alone in the boat ❤
I was on this for ten. It causes liver damage. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver when I don't drink it also causes vertigo I went to the hospital by ambulance with what looked like Transit ischemic attacks for 8 years. Doctors had no clue what was causing my vertigo.I had an attack in front of my sister and she figured it out immediately. Don't ask what the possible side effects are. Ask Google does it cause liver damage does this cause vertigo. If you don't ask specific questions you only find out what the pharmaceutical companies want you to know. There also was a 3 billion dollar lawsuit it causes death in some people. You can look all this easy to prove. I quit taking it. my vertigo went away and I no longer have cirrhosis. Please ask Google specific questions about medications not what are the possible side effects you will not find the truth. I cannot believe my sister with no medical degree figured it out in five freaking minutes and I suffered for so long
Cirrhosis is permanent and cannot be reversed. The definition of cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Once you’re diagnosed with cirrhosis, you cannot regenerate liver cells. Now, you can have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and reverse it with specific supplements like NAC, choline, and milk thistle, and it will eventually turn to cirrhosis and becomes irreversible if not treated. When you take medications that are metabolized through the liver like that, it’s a good idea to also take NAC and milk thistle as well because they’re hepatoprotective, therefore they mitigate the liver injury caused by hepatotoxic agents (prevent damage to the liver). This medication is the only one that has ever worked for me without making me feel detached, numb, and weird. It’s really about doing your research and taking things properly, like in this case where there are things you can do to minimize potential risk while benefiting from the medication, improving overall quality of life.
For me - dry mouth, stomach pain - diarrhea, stiff neck, some dizziness - seriously messing with me as I just went from 50-100mg but on the real - the benefits I have had outweigh any of this so I just want to wait it out. I went through this when I first started and it sucked but when it stopped, I felt so much better
Successful 4 many. But caution pay attention .. wkd for me for few years then litterally chemically changed my personality like an ongoing hypomania, bouncy, ur brain so unable to be aware of this, eventually led to mania episodes, my dr. Had me try higher dose and quickly decided to get off it. Back to no pharmas just luthium past 9 years fluidly perfect for myself. It is still the gold standard.
I have tried an extensive list of antidepressants that caused side effects or emotional blunting. Recently prescribed lamictal for complex PTSD due to emotional dysregulation
I was prescribed Lamotrigine with Topirimate, roughly five or six years ago. I had taken the two for seven years, along with setraline. While I was on those prescriptions, my memory was foggy. I can say that I feel much better being off the prescriptions--though I might have a seizure or two per year--because my train of thought is clearer.
@@babynaysc it’s good for killing people. lamictal has already killed at least 15 Americans including a police officer from Texas. Perfectly healthy patients start taking lamictal and 4 weeks later they are dead.
Congrats on taking lamictal. Lamictal has already killed at least 15 Americans and hospitalized thousands. Lamictal is black labeled which means it’s one of the most dangerous medications in the US.
I recently got diagnosed wit Bipolar Type 2 and this is my first bipolar-friendly mood stabilizers. Typically anti depressants don't work for me. I either have Bipolar and MDD at once or my Bipolar was misdiagnosed as MDD in the first place. I just recently started the dose of 200 mg.
Hi! I used to be really worried about those side effects too, especially the notorious rash. Please feel free to ask your provider or pharmacist for more information about potential risks, that's what they're there for! At least that's what helped soothe my anxiety around it, by having a deeper understanding of it. Informed consent is the best. This is part of the response from my provider when I anxiously messaged them about a missed dose: "There aren't any scary side effects from missing a single dose of lamotrigine. If you stop it for awhile (more than a few days), you're supposed to start again with a low dose to avoid getting a rash." I hope this helps and keep taking care of yourself. You're doing great. 💚
@@SS-1289 Hallo ss,mit Rückenschmerzen habe ich auch zu kämpfen.Ich werde Lamotrigin wohl absetzen,oder noch niedriger dosieren müssen.Ich wünsche Dir, daß Du wieder gesund wirst.❤❤
I started using Lamitor for Bipolar depression, they say it's very good, it's a medication that has to start with a low dose and increase slowly, I have to reach 200mg
5 years on it and currently getting off. Totally not worth it for me. I seemed to have little to no side effects at first, but then on 200mg I developed a really bad depression, it was then reduced to 100mg, and the thing is it is not really working against my bipolar cycling that well. Instead, I noticed a continuous decline in my cognitive functions. It was slow enough that I did not ring the alarm for years, but the difference between me 5 years ago and now is staggering. Also, it can cause or make worse heart rhythm problems which is a huge no for me cause I already have problems - but no one told me about this. The withdrawal even with slow tapering is quite horrible too. Please research thoroughly and have a good talk with your doctor before starting it.
Totally agree. Side effects are bad and dementia is real on this drug.. Just do a slow taper of about 5-10% reduction every 3-4 weeks. Really bad withdrawals, similar to benxos (both work on GABA).
Hi! I agree 100% with you!!! I am epileptic and have been in Lamictal/Lamotrigine for 7 Years and l am loosing memory.... A medicine that will take you a surprise trip to having dementia..... *can't be a good medicine.*
Lamictal is my friend. I have bipolar 2 and they tried me on lithium. It made me feel as though I had checked out. I was a walking zombie. They switched me to Lamictal and those symptoms went away!
Lamotragine is also used for SUNCT in slightly higher doses. It has been reported to impact memory in Epileptic patients. SUNCT patients also report memory issues
I have a fabulous mental health team and this medication have been very helpful for me to low mood swings My dr and pharmacist were both very educational on the importance of the titration also ❤
Man. My psychiatrist did blood work and said I wasn't at a therapeutic dose so she bumped me up from 300 MG to 400 mg!! I just had an appointment with my neurologist yesterday for my MS. He said it doesn't sound like that Doctor knows what she's taking about. 400 MG would be more of a therapeutic level for seizures, but not for BP 2. I'm looking for a new psychiatrist!! I noticed when I when I bumped up to 400 MG I was crying at the drop of a hat. It could be over something person all the way to a sad commercial or even thinking of something mildly sad
Yes, your neurologist is right. You don't use lamotrigine levels to guide treatment, you use the lowest dose that will treat the patient's symptoms. Typically this is anywhere between 100 to 200mg.
I was just prescribed this and I’m terrified of the rash because I’ve seen so many horror stories when researching it. Kinda just don’t want to take it 😭
I just got prescribed this medication. My primary care said I need to be put on something while i wait for my appointment with a psychiatrist cause im not doing good at all. So she had to speak to the specialist & they decided I should start on this.
I’ve taken it since it was a branded drug. It has saved my life! Probably my husbands as well; I’ve not offed him yet 😂 Side note, I started it when they were making a Lamictal starter kit so it was super easy. I quickly went to 200mg BID (2x daily) Edited to add I started when I was diagnosed as bipolar type 2, then a full history was taken by a better psychiatrist who realized I was in fact type one bipolar. I had a manic episode at age 13 that was never diagnosed because “back then” we didn’t diagnose younger patients with bipolar disorder.
I'm bipolar, I used 200mg of Lamotrigine and the doctor asked to increase it to 300mg, I started 3 weeks ago and I have a headache and pain on the sides of my face, as if it were sinusitis, even taking pain medication, it doesn't relieve it much. Along with that, it ends up making me a little dizzy.
I have taken it for my diagnosis since I was 17 years old with Bipolar type 1 , anxiety and PTSD with delay expression. With medication which I take would be depakote ER, Klonopin & Depakote XR . Which I actually was not doing well with Lamictal.
I experienced the photosensitivity and double vision, otherwise felt good on 300 mg. Using for seizure disorder was not effective for me, although After changing I see how much it helped my mood and focus ❤
I'm on it for epilepsy, but I hate it. My day to day mood is very bland. I'm an artist and didn't start having siezures until 3 years ago. They put me on lamotrigine because kepra alone wasn't totally working. Havnt been able to create like I used to. My creativity and focus has been severely stunted.
I take effexor and lamictal together to stablize my mood but I've never been diagnosed with bipolar, just major depression disorder. If I take an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer, it makes me more depressed. 🤔 Can someone be prescribed lamictal and not be bipolar?
I'm curious to know the algorithm for bipolar depression dosing. Originally my psychiatrist said we could aim for between 200-400 mg. I noticed pretty early on (75 mg or so) that the physical aspects of my anxiety quieted but around the same time my recall memory (especially for names) became difficult. I really haven't noticed a difference in memory or anxiety quietening with the increased dosage. I also haven't noticed much difference in depression. So, I wonder how does a specialist determine whether going beyond 200 mg. is worthwhile.
Great question, there's no algorithm per se. It is based on treating your symptoms, if your primary symptom is depression and it is not being treated adequately, then that would suffice increasing the dose. Personally, I would hesitate going above 200mg unless there was some response first. Definitely worth a conversation with your provider.
@@LevelheadedMind thanks for your response. I'd say my primary symptoms are anxiety (social), C-PTSD and yes some depression. It has helped anxiety for sure, but help for depression is lagging.
After two days of taking this I started getting SEVERE anger with murderous rage. It was BAD. I stopped taking it before I finished the orange cardboard trial pack.
Hi Doctor! Thank you as always for such informative videos. I am wandering if you can make one more and compare the Abilify with Risperidone. My moms doctor wants to switch treatment from Citalopram (20MG)+ Abilify (2MG) to Citalopram (20MG)+Risperidone (0.5 MG). Thank you so much!
I have a video on Risperidone coming up in 2 weeks. I will add the comparison video to the list of videos. Thanks for watching and for sharing your idea.
I stopped taking it after 4 years for mental problems. It was 200mg and it’s been a week. I feel tired and like I’m cognitively handicapped. I’m a smart guy, but now it feels hard to speak normally. Does this go away is this normal?
Hi Dr, you have been very helpful with all your videos and have been so kind to also respond and I thank you for that . I just started my fist dose of 25mg of lamictal and have been taking klonopin at night for sleep and anxiety. My symptoms are intrusive thoughts, anxiety, I feel obsessed on how to fix my self and insomnia and have low mood due to all of it. I have tried everything from Ssri’s and snris but got nothing but horrible anxiety. My psychiatrist recommended this and I just hope it doesn’t mess with my sleep like the others medications did. I took it at 8pm how will I know what’s the best time to take it? Hope you can help.
I am always afraid of bad side -effects and was told today by my hoosital that they want to put me on this after a blood tests and I am definetly willing. I have a history with earing disorders, so weight-neutral is definetly a pro for me, and I cannot currently afford a lithium shuffle and loss of creativity as intense as can happen with lithium given how I have just started my design master's. And I have not been in an accute state for some months now, so I don't have the urgency for medication effects as I did when they put me on olanzapin and quetiapin. Thank you so much for this information.
I've just been prescribed today for a diagnosis mini seizures. The side effects are scary especially since I am already experiencing a few of these things. I'm on a low dose so unsure if the doc is going to increase it.
i was at the 50/day supposed to go up thursday but they messed my my video appt and i havent been able to get in touch with the dr so i am out. i already feel like a zap feeling going on, hope it doesnt get worse
I believe in holistic integrative approach. I am not completely against medications, however, prefer holistic methods and advocate for using skills before pills.
Do you have a video on what some of those skills are? I wish I could find a doc who preferred this approach. Seems most just want to throw meds at you and I am honestly afraid to try new meds after some bad experiences.
I have chronic fatigue after I stop taking Lamictal is that one of the side effects my brain don’t function like it use too my memory is bad long term and short term I never want to do any thing any more I was a really driven person and now ever since I was on Lamictial My memory loss and short and long term My drive I was a really driven person when I woak up in the morning I could not sit still jumped right in the shower got dress and always was at work early I would work 7 days a week now it’s like I wait to the last Min to do every thing it has changed my life and I hate being this way is there a way to fix my brain to the way it was before I taken this medication 🙏 I’m really depress being like this and it causes problems in my life
What about a Bipolar 2 patient coming in with severe depression? I'm being started on Lamictal but both my psychiatrist & therapist have stated I nearly qualify for hospitalization.
I was just prescribed this I've never been diagnosed with BPD. Is this a routine treatment for severe depression& anxiety when you're current SSRI medication is just not cutting it anymore?
I have Bipolar Disorder, I was diagnosed at the end of last year, I started taking Lamotrigine, I started at a dose of 25mg and this week I reached the dose of 200mg, which was what the doctor asked My depression improved, but from 100mg I started to go into hypomania. I have a lot of nocturnal activation and anxiety, difficulty sleeping because of this activation, as if my brain were plugged into an outlet. I am using Quetiapine because Zolpidem is no longer working for me. Is this type of situation common with Lamotrigine? I've been like this for 3 weeks, I have an appointment next week
Lamotrigine is not very effective at treating manic symptoms, so if you primarily suffer with manic symptoms, you would need an adjunct medication, like Seroquel. Make sure to use Seroquel XR though. Also, consider Seroquel mono therapy as it can treat the whole spectrum of Bipolar and does so very well. It just has a high risk for metabolic syndrome, so you will need labs checked every 3 to 6 months.
I had many depressive symptoms, that's why I was given Lamotrigine, the depression really improved, but it ended up activating the mania part, as I can't sleep the doctor prescribed quetiapine 25mg to sleep, but this medication is giving me effects terrible side effects, like a lot of sedation, dizziness and trembling hands, the doctor will probably prescribe an anti-manic medication at my next appointment, which is next week.
I'm so happy that I'm not the only one experiencing this, I started taking Lamotrigine and I've been exactly the same as you, seems like not many people get induced mania due to lamotrigine
Currently on 100mg divided in 2 doses and fluoxetine at night. I have been studying for n exam and I am completely forgetting everything! No concentration. Think I am going crazy. Is this a common symtom? Told my psych and he just added buspar. I haven started it. 😭😭😭😭😭 my exam is in 40 days.
My doctor wants to have me on Lamictal in combination with either Xanax or Abilify after I stop taking my Depakote/Abilify combination to manage my Major Depressive Disorder. From your experience does Lamictal work well for MDD?
I am taking 100/mg and so dizzy! Walking is so difficult to walking from the meds. I have a neuro appointment on 8th but this is so disruptive. Decreased dose to help with it, but tts not getting better.
I have a video on Bupropion which is a norepinephrine and dopamine reputake inhibitor, but I can make a video about how NRIs work. Thanks for the idea.
That would require clinical evaluation to determine that. If you do decide to stop it, taper it down slowly and monitor patient for return of symptoms.
I take it for major depressive illness with venlafaxine 150mg+lamotrigine 200mg For first 10 days my symptoms was good but now again my symptoms is rebound Should I increased lamotrigine or not
I was put on lamoctyl and after 10 days I got systemic reaction. I’m in the midst of it right now. I haven’t had a fever or blisters but the rash is everywhere on my body and keeps spreading. Doc gave me a cortisone shot and prednisone. How much longer will the itching and rash last? I was started on only 25mg.
I had increased liver enzymes while on 300 mg of Luvox and being on lamictal for about a week and a half. My doctor and I decided to drop the Luvox and restart the lamotrigine this past week. How likely do you think that the Luvox was causing the elevated liver enzymes and not the lamictal? Thanks for the video.
Luvox or fluvoxamine, is known to increase liver enzymes more so than lamotrigine, however, both could potentially increase them. So monitor blood levels in 3 months, if levels aren't trending down, reconsider other treatment options.
You have a very kind and soothing way about you. I have a wonderful psychiatrist as well. I bet your patients love you and they are lucky to have you. Have an awesome day.🌻
My friend has nocturnal epilepsy (I think it's considered as simple partial pr complex epilepsy, depending on whether he convusles or not). Anyway, his epilepsy is starting to show up during wakefulness. His carbamazpine seems a bit "overkill" for his case? Maybe?, so is it OK or "better" for him to be ob lamictal instead? Especially if he wants good cognitive performance for his college life; assuming carbamazapine might be too strong? Thank you 🙏
My doctor just perscribed me with this but did not diagnose me with bipolar and only said I have an unspecified mood disorder. Is this a normal situation? I just picked up my first prescription today but am a little nervous since when I look this medication up all I see is stuff for BP or Epillepsiy which currently haven't been diagnosed with either...
I take 900mg per day. It's been reviewed that women exhibit more side effects than men. I've been on this drug for almost 20 years. I have started to have different things happening recently, especially fatigue and now with a new diagnosis of ADHD it's been harder. Ideation, I had no idea what it was until I did my own research. I had a premonition that I would die at a certain age and when that age passed I realized that I have to live on which is a bit annoying. I rarely have ideation after 20+ years but my status quo has been worse over the past 3 years. The pandemic certainly hasn't helped.