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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
I started Lamictal 4 months ago (added to celexa, trazodone and clonazepam) and have been ramping up the dose very slowly, up to 162.5 mg/day now. I`m starting to get little blips of memory loss where I forget for a second what I was going to say plus twice in the past week I`ve said things backwards i.e "put the jar in the juice" instead of "put the juice in the jar." It`s very scary, my work depends on my brain working properly. Anyone else experienced this and if so does it get better? I`m scared to keep increasing the dose; Dr.Goldberg says he usually has people taking 400 mg./day-can`t imagine that. I`ve tried dozens of meds and experinced lots of unpleasant, and a few scary side effects, but never this. So many people have reported good results with this drug, but I`m starting to wish I`d just get the damn rash and have an excuse to stop. It certainly hasn`t helped my depression any. Cecilia
Posted by rainbowlight on April 26, 2002, at 2:43:43
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
I take Lamictal and I have noticed what you are describing. I will go to say something and get it all mixed up, or substitute the wrong words. I am not sure which of my meds causes this, as I take a few, but I do understand what you are describing. Hopefully someone will have some more info for you.
Posted by polarbear206 on April 26, 2002, at 15:39:14
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
> I started Lamictal 4 months ago (added to celexa, trazodone and clonazepam) and have been ramping up the dose very slowly, up to 162.5 mg/day now. I`m starting to get little blips of memory loss where I forget for a second what I was going to say plus twice in the past week I`ve said things backwards i.e "put the jar in the juice" instead of "put the juice in the jar." It`s very scary, my work depends on my brain working properly. Anyone else experienced this and if so does it get better? I`m scared to keep increasing the dose; Dr.Goldberg says he usually has people taking 400 mg./day-can`t imagine that. I`ve tried dozens of meds and experinced lots of unpleasant, and a few scary side effects, but never this. So many people have reported good results with this drug, but I`m starting to wish I`d just get the damn rash and have an excuse to stop. It certainly hasn`t helped my depression any. Cecilia
Cecilia,
Did you try to cut back on one of your antidepressants since increasing the Lamictal? The Lamictal is probably boosting your ad's and you might just need to back off a little to see if this is the cause. I started on Lamictal last month. I'm up to 75mg and I've been able to cut back on my ad. After all, if possible, your mood stabilizer should be your main med and in combo with an ad in the lowest dose possible.
Posted by katekite on April 26, 2002, at 16:45:42
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
I had that effect from lamictal, it seemed to be there some days and not others. Sometimes I felt like there were six words where I needed one and sometimes there were backwards things. I remember saying: "see you tomorrow week" (meaning 'next week') to my shrink while leaving his office. That and occasionally bumping into things and really poor concentration and memory. It ended up I was having problems with serotonin toxicity/syndrome. Some of the symptoms are cognitive. You are taking several sertonergic drugs (including klonopin and probably lamictal itself). I agree with the last poster who suggested reconsidering one of your ADs, if you can.
Posted by Cecilia on April 27, 2002, at 2:25:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by katekite on April 26, 2002, at 16:45:42
I`m not bipolar so don`t need a mood stablizer for that. I started the lamictal for it`s augmenting effect to AD`s. If lamictal`s serotogenic effects are the reason for its supposed augmenting
benefits in unipolar depression it makes me wonder why increasing someone`s SSRI wouldn`t work just as well. Of course nobody knows why these drugs work or don`t work, they might as well put the drugs uo on the wall and throw a dart. I`ve tried celexa up to 60 mg/day and trazodone up to 400 mg/day and never had memory problems with either. Combined, I`ve been taking 300 mg/day of trazodone, 20 mg./day of celexa and 1 mg./day of clonazepam for about a year. I`ve tried at least 30 different meds or combos with no benefit, I stick with these because at least they have no side effects, I don`t think they really do anything much for my depression, maybe have a small effect on anxiety. Anyway, I definitely don`t want serotonin syndrome so will ask my doctor if I should cut back on the AD`s. Cecilia
Posted by Zo on April 27, 2002, at 4:04:18
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
Cecelia,
I've been having the same experience on Lamictal, and it's even been a bit aggravated by the addition of Provigil, but both these meds have been the breakthough meds for me. When I added them to Effexor and Dex, my decades-long depression was gone. And it's stayed gone.So I had to figure out how to deal with the memory blips, and I found that accepting them in good humor instead of tensing up over it actually allowed my memory to recover quicker. Hope this helps.
Zo
Posted by twlmann on August 29, 2006, at 14:39:34
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
January 06 I had a Grand Mal siezure. I started with Dilanten and that messed up all mental functions real bad. In February I started the change over to Lamictal. Now at 400 mg every night. While most all of the side effects have significantly reduced to include extream virtigo, the major one remains- short term memory loss, or 'blips'. It is noticeable by many, but not dibilitating. Mostly I have problems with words; spelling, saying, names, and even finding the right word to say of things I am very familiar with. Being as that I am an Instructor, I have invented many tricks to effectively combat this problem. I am looking for more diffinative information on this subject, there seems to be little out there. I have read that this is somwhat rare though Lamictal increases pre-existing memory loss. In Men I would guess that it is worse due to Men being more graphicly amd mechanicly inclind while women are better at emotional and organizational memory- to include things said. I have also read that there are other drugs and changes in diet (to include natural dietary supplements) that can aid in memory retention. I would prefere to not take synthetic drugs, but have been unable to gain specific dietary suggestions. I encourage you to look to the future and not concentrate on the memory loss side effects. Over time your body and mind will adapt and you should eventualy have little notice of this side effect. Be patient though, as like most all things-nothing happens over night. My problem did get worse before it began to get better. I notice the memory loss most significantly when I fall off my routine, even if for a few hours. Once I completly skipped a whole day and almost forgot the next evening. I did not regain my 'norm'for a couple of days. The other side effects such as emotional, cognitive, and balance are also increased when I miss a dose, even if by more than a couple of hours. Over all I am doing 100% better than when I was completely off the Dilantin by mid April.
Posted by secretstrangth on June 26, 2007, at 22:28:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by twlmann on August 29, 2006, at 14:39:34
I have been on Lamactil....hmmmm.....don't remember how long, but maybe a year.
My memory gets worse all the time.....
constantly forget everyday words while talking (or thinking), cannot remember what was said to me 10 seconds later, cannot remember what it was I was supposed to be doing, often replace ordinary words with the wrong one, cannot remember what I did a few days ago without looking at the calender, cannot even come up with the word I want even tho I know that I used to know it.Is this because of the Lamactil? I have no idea,
but your comments on this subject have made me consider it.
Posted by stargazer2 on July 2, 2007, at 10:56:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by secretstrangth on June 26, 2007, at 22:28:00
Yes, undoubtably. When we're in the midst of med trials we have no ability to discern when this starts happening but when i took Lamictal I had the memory and worse than that the balence problems which caused me to fall on my face cracking my two front teeth. It was only during my workup for MS that the neurologist identified the medication as the casue of the memory and the balence problems. When your in the middle of this you have no ability to tell what is causing what. What dose are you at, I was at 200 at the highest, so the dosage doesn't even have to be that great to have problems.
Stargazer
Posted by twlmann on July 3, 2007, at 10:04:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/twlmann, posted by stargazer2 on July 2, 2007, at 10:56:58
I am 400mg of Lamictal. It seems that I have a degenerative memory problem. I have been consulting a Naturopatic Practitioner. It is highly possible that my original siezure was caused by pri-diabetes. The proper testing for this and other disorders, are not properly diagnosed by everday doctor's. The Lamictal seems to be exasterbating my memory functions and I am developing other healt problems. It seems that just having a healthy diet is not the end all. I must change chemical inbalances. This of course leads to correcting hormonal inbalances, and ends with putting back on the right track to being free of Lamictal and other disorders. The process may take 12-24 months to correct. I will post follow-up of my progress.
Twlmann
Posted by Myzz2kal on July 8, 2007, at 20:43:12
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/twlmann, posted by twlmann on July 3, 2007, at 10:04:22
In response to: secretstrangth, I have had the exact same symptoms. Moreover, I have been losing memory ever since I was first put on this medication. I used to be smart as hell, but now I feel dumb as a turkey that is drowning from looking up at the rain. Anyway, I feel like this medication is "too stabilizing" to where I cannot shift gears as well as I had been able to. Many things seems to be a tedious task whereas I literally have to say the word "focus" just to be able to do so for several seconds (I call these "lucky days"). Other words have the same effect on me as well. Thereafter, similarly to the preceding relief, pressure builds and I cannot see through the affixial fuzz. In relevance to a temporary fix reassurance only suffices to sub level pain.
P.S. Please don't steal anything I wrote. Respect yourself and don't be a "biter".
-Ryan Stoddard
Posted by secretstrangth on July 9, 2007, at 22:37:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth, posted by Myzz2kal on July 8, 2007, at 20:43:12
won't steal a thing
it's just scary, embarrasing at work when I asked the accountant if he was certain he had been talking to me about what he required......as I had zero memory whatsoever......felt like a total fool.......besides the fact that I have to fake so much of what i'm doing, because I can't remember how I was told to do it.
It's very worrisome.....do I blame this med, or is it my own brain that is failing.
Posted by Myzz2kal on July 9, 2007, at 23:32:08
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth » Myzz2kal, posted by secretstrangth on July 9, 2007, at 22:37:30
Honestly, I have looked into various medications and each and every one of them causes the same side effect of losing memory. Initially, I had searched for what was prescribed to me (400 mg Lamictal, then 100 mg Strattera, and 150 mg Effexor now added to the “party”), and checked into similar anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and ADD/ADHD medications thereafter; all of which listed the same results. Whether it is short-term, long-term, or a combination of the two, I do know that these psych meds all tie into memory loss. The extent of the symptom in comparison to other substitutes is unknown to me at this time, however if any of you who read this happen to have any further knowledge of this side effect, each of us would appreciate your input.
Posted by kirkenmiller on July 21, 2007, at 5:34:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth, posted by Myzz2kal on July 9, 2007, at 23:32:08
To everyone on this thread, I have been on Lamictal three times now. This is taken along with lithium for bi-polar. The first time I was moved to 250mg/d. I would wander into the kitchen having no idea why I was there. I would start a sentence and forget what I was talking about and any distraction would fry my thought process. So I got off the Lamictal. Memory came back 100%. With Bi-Polar, you have problems, so I tried it a second time. Same thing. This third time I am only at 50mg/d with a new doctor. I still get some of the symptoms, but not near to what they once were. As my kidneys are faltering with the lithium, I have no choice, but as to your question if this drug affects you memory(or spelling in my case) it is a resounding yes.
The last post mentinoed other drugs listing memory loss as a side effect, however, ADD/ADHD drugs are supposed to help and affect the body through the nervous system. I've been on nearly every anti-psychotic, anti-seasure, and take clonapin. Not one has ever given me the memory loss that comes with lamictal.
Wish you all the best and hope that helps. I really have been through the works, but this drug is, however, much smoother than the rest.
Take care,
Kirk> Honestly, I have looked into various medications and each and every one of them causes the same side effect of losing memory. Initially, I had searched for what was prescribed to me (400 mg Lamictal, then 100 mg Strattera, and 150 mg Effexor now added to the “party”), and checked into similar anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and ADD/ADHD medications thereafter; all of which listed the same results. Whether it is short-term, long-term, or a combination of the two, I do know that these psych meds all tie into memory loss. The extent of the symptom in comparison to other substitutes is unknown to me at this time, however if any of you who read this happen to have any further knowledge of this side effect, each of us would appreciate your input.
Posted by secretstrangth on July 22, 2007, at 20:58:54
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth » Myzz2kal, posted by kirkenmiller on July 21, 2007, at 5:34:22
Thank you so much for your note.
It is as you have said......i took myself down from 200mg daily to 150 mg and have already had a noticable improvement.
Of course, since this is the first mood stabilizer that has worked this well for me....
I will try to stay on it, at this lower dosage...
don't want to quit altogether and go back to the awful suicidal problems.To everyone on this thread, I have been on Lamictal three times now. This is taken along with lithium for bi-polar. The first time I was moved to 250mg/d. I would wander into the kitchen having no idea why I was there. I would start a sentence and forget what I was talking about and any distraction would fry my thought process. So I got off the Lamictal. Memory came back 100%. With Bi-Polar, you have problems, so I tried it a second time. Same thing. This third time I am only at 50mg/d with a new doctor. I still get some of the symptoms, but not near to what they once were. As my kidneys are faltering with the lithium, I have no choice, but as to your question if this drug affects you memory(or spelling in my case) it is a resounding yes.
>
> The last post mentinoed other drugs listing memory loss as a side effect, however, ADD/ADHD drugs are supposed to help and affect the body through the nervous system. I've been on nearly every anti-psychotic, anti-seasure, and take clonapin. Not one has ever given me the memory loss that comes with lamictal.
>
> Wish you all the best and hope that helps. I really have been through the works, but this drug is, however, much smoother than the rest.
>
> Take care,
> Kirk
>
> > Honestly, I have looked into various medications and each and every one of them causes the same side effect of losing memory. Initially, I had searched for what was prescribed to me (400 mg Lamictal, then 100 mg Strattera, and 150 mg Effexor now added to the “party”), and checked into similar anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and ADD/ADHD medications thereafter; all of which listed the same results. Whether it is short-term, long-term, or a combination of the two, I do know that these psych meds all tie into memory loss. The extent of the symptom in comparison to other substitutes is unknown to me at this time, however if any of you who read this happen to have any further knowledge of this side effect, each of us would appreciate your input.
>
>
Posted by fiftylager on July 24, 2007, at 17:48:48
In reply to Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by Cecilia on April 26, 2002, at 2:40:00
Lamictal has fried my memory and thought processes. I'm going to try to convince my dr. to take me off it since it hasn't helped anyways. I can't stand feeling so stupid.
Crissi
Posted by twlmann on July 25, 2007, at 10:33:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems, posted by fiftylager on July 24, 2007, at 17:48:48
Posted by comedy + tragedy on July 25, 2007, at 22:41:57
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth » Myzz2kal, posted by kirkenmiller on July 21, 2007, at 5:34:22
Speaking of memory loss and Lamictal....I have short term and long term memory loss and Lamictal is the only thing I've been taking so I can't blame it on anything else. As for that....I can't remember where I put things & can't find them for the longest, put things in weird places (like milk in the pantry), my vocabulary has taken a plunge and things come out of my mouth that are not what I had planned to say---like stumbling over words (the wrong words) and stuff like that. It's really gotten bad.
When I was taking risperdal (and I can't remember what I was taking it for) it was wonderful. I didn't miss a beat---every word that I had ever read came to my mind/mouth like magic! My vocabulary was stunning--I impressed myself!
Since my memory is so horrible now, I have thought about asking about Risperdal again. The only thing I can remember about it - other than that I loved it - was weight gain. That was the reason I stopped. Anyway, I was thinking it might erase the memory loss.
If anyone has found a magic cure for memory loss on lamictal, I would love to hear about it.
Posted by Myzz2kal on July 26, 2007, at 11:04:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth, posted by comedy + tragedy on July 25, 2007, at 22:41:57
What I have done is just steadily decreased my Lamictal after my anti-depressants fully kicked in (I'm on Effexor). My vocabulary and memory are slowly coming back. The whole thing is trial and error -see what helps the most out of the combinations and dosages and eventually you should find your nitch. Ginkgo Biloba or "Ginkoba" (same thing) will help with memory and you can find this supplement at any local drug store. Risperdal, by the way, is used for hearing voices, etc. "Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain and is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and mania associated with bipolar disorder" (http://www.drugs.com/risperdal.html).
Posted by mexican pharmacy on July 28, 2007, at 23:23:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth, posted by comedy + tragedy on July 25, 2007, at 22:41:57
Actually there kind of is a magic cure for memory loss on Lamictal . And it will help with "word-finding difficulty" too .
It's called Cerefolin NAC.
It's basically a powerful prescription vitamin made up of a combination of folic acid and a few other things .
There are two types of Cerefolin , make sure you get Cereofolin NAC . It's considered a medical food - it's just a vitamin .
My dr said that Lamictal lowers the amt of folic acid in the brain, + that is what causes the "word finding difficulty" .
If you look up information or when you get your script filled , it will say that Cerefolin NAC is for "mild to moderate cognitive deficits , mild to moderate dementia , mild Alzheimer' disease"
Ignore that info - everyone should take Cerefolin NAC . It keeps your brain young + protects it . (check out the literature about it)
My doctor takes it too . And he's the smartest person I've ever met .
When I first started taking Cerfolin NAC , I kind of forgot I was even taking it bc it was just another pill in my daily cocktail - I take it w/ Lamictal in the morning .
Suddenly , 3 - 4 weeks later , I started thinking "hey i have the memory of a genius , what is happening"
I work at a stock exchange on the trading floor + it's really important to remember basically everything your boss tells you or else believe me you are going to get screamed at . Literally .
And all of a sudden my memory got so good I'd surprise both my boss and myself - which felt so good , not only was I not getting screamed at anymore , but I surprised my boss by doing so good .
Then I realized - I'm not turning into some super genius with memory - the Cerefolin NAC is working !!!!!!
It helps tremendously with word finding difficulty , helps w/ short term memory .
Only once in awhile now do I have days where words come out of my mouth in the way that you described .
It will definitely help your vocabulary come back .
I still have problems with sort of stumbling speech like you described . It's really a frustrating side effect - sometimes I feel like it can really really interfere with verbally communicating with someone + I end up feeling like an idiot a lot of the time when the speech problems kick in .
I really feel for you - if I learn anything else that helps , I'll be sure to post again . Sorry this is so long . Basically my answer is this - tell your doctor you need to take Cerefolin NAC . and don't take no for an answer .
ps it has literally no side effects at all - it's just a fancy vitamin !
Posted by Jeroen on July 29, 2007, at 7:11:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal Memory Problems/secretstrangth, posted by mexican pharmacy on July 28, 2007, at 23:23:20
got me into emergency room after day 4
psychosis, fever syndrome, sweating, after having a drug free life i decided to try to this, i heared sooo many good things
oh yes, my memory was f*cked up too, it's still not ok
Posted by KayeBaby on July 31, 2007, at 15:45:24
In reply to got me into emergency room after day 4, posted by Jeroen on July 29, 2007, at 7:11:39
> got me into emergency room after day 4
>
> psychosis, fever syndrome, sweating, after having a drug free life i decided to try to this, i heared sooo many good things
>
>
> oh yes, my memory was f*cked up too, it's still not ok
Jeron,
It messed me up after 3-4 days as well. Not as bad as it has you but I know where you are coming from. I had a few trips to the ER and the cure was just as bad as the cause. All told, it took months for me to recover from my Lamictal fiasco.Are you getting any better?
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by Jeroen on July 31, 2007, at 15:54:56
In reply to Re: got me into emergency room after day 4, posted by KayeBaby on July 31, 2007, at 15:45:24
hey, kaye, thanks for sharing your story for me and many many others....
i am better but not recovered yet its been 1 month and a half since i quit my lamictal 25 mg..
did you felt it was working (screwing you up) even after a month you quit?
did you take any neuroleptic for a possible drug induced psychosis by lamictal afterwards, the prescription sais: psychosis (frequent)
i've been tortured much aswell, given abilify again by a doctor who gave it to me previously and he taught he actually gave me haldol instead of abilify.. so why not throw it in Jeroen's face again...
all i wanted is a good summer before taking thisi ended up in summer critital care psychiatry..
please share me something good, as how it cleared up in your case : )
that would make me feel better i hope.
thanks!
Posted by KayeBaby on July 31, 2007, at 20:24:12
In reply to to kayebaby, posted by Jeroen on July 31, 2007, at 15:54:56
> hey, kaye, thanks for sharing your story for me and many many others....
>
> i am better but not recovered yet its been 1 month and a half since i quit my lamictal 25 mg..
>
> did you felt it was working (screwing you up) even after a month you quit?
> Well, yes. They gave me high doses of steroids to counteract the reaction to lamictal which made my weight balloon and also caused me near psychosis. I couldn't think straight and was in a panic. After I went off the steroids the fun really began. I could not sleep for a week and this sent me into a downward spiral of fatigue and depression that took a few months for me to pull out of. Also, the Lamictal itself caused me hypo-mania and made my system oversensitive to the point where I could not tolerate my usual meds so the whole thing just destabilized me. I was awful. I did slowly recover and have a lot more respect for meds now. I inform myself and follow my instincts about them more than before.
> did you take any neuroleptic for a possible drug induced psychosis by lamictal afterwards, the prescription sais: psychosis (frequent)
>No. But only because I turned down that suggestion. Dr. wanted to give me seroquel. I stuck it out and refused.
> i've been tortured much aswell, given abilify again by a doctor who gave it to me previously and he taught he actually gave me haldol instead of abilify.. so why not throw it in Jeroen's face again...That sucks, Jeron. See, they may regret their mistakes but we REALLY regret them.
>
> all i wanted is a good summer before taking this
>
> i ended up in summer critital care psychiatry..Man, I feel for you. Maybe you will be rewarded with an excellent fall. I am hoping you will.
>
> please share me something good, as how it cleared up in your case : )
>It did clear up and all things considered-I have been better since than I was before. You will heal but finding the patience for this stuff is so hard. I am sorry this happened to you. It is time for your luck to change. Isn't this so?
Take Care, Jeron.
Kaye
> that would make me feel better i hope.
>
> thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Jeroen on July 31, 2007, at 20:34:25
In reply to Re: to kayebaby » Jeroen, posted by KayeBaby on July 31, 2007, at 20:24:12
thanks for your message!
good luck to you aswell in the future
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