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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
Hi there. First time poster, long time lurker. Thanks for all the valuable information.
So, I started taking lamictal to replace Lyrica, for neuropathic pain. Lyrica caused awful side effects -- massive wt gain, irrespective of diet and exercise, and the stupids.
I have titrated up to 200 mgs of lamictal (5th day). I've noticed that every time I increase the dose I become manicy, irritable and hyperactive. Additionally, I've become sort of dyslexic -- for instance, I will reverse words and write a words that sounds like the word that I intended, but means something different, or spell the word like it sounds -- e.g. brewzed instead of bruised, bye instead of by, hallow instead of hello. I am usually very precise with my language, and a capable speller, so this is mildly distressing. But still, it's nothing like the cognitive blunting caused by Lyrica.
I am wondering if these side effects will remit once I am stable on the 200 mgs, which I assume will take a few more weeks. Anyone have any insight, based on personal experience, including observation of another?
Additionally, I am suffering from mild edema -- not nearly as badly as caused by Lyrica. I also started Cortef (oral hydrocortisone) at the same time, replacing Florinef, for postural orthostatic tachycardia.
Thanks in advance.
Whip
Posted by emmanuel98 on June 2, 2010, at 22:13:40
In reply to Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
Well I tried lamictal twice (stayed on 200mg for several weeks) and had no side effects whatsoever. I also had no postive response.
Posted by obsidian on June 2, 2010, at 22:14:07
In reply to Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
> Hi there. First time poster, long time lurker. Thanks for all the valuable information.
>
> So, I started taking lamictal to replace Lyrica, for neuropathic pain. Lyrica caused awful side effects -- massive wt gain, irrespective of diet and exercise, and the stupids.
>
> I have titrated up to 200 mgs of lamictal (5th day). I've noticed that every time I increase the dose I become manicy, irritable and hyperactive. Additionally, I've become sort of dyslexic -- for instance, I will reverse words and write a words that sounds like the word that I intended, but means something different, or spell the word like it sounds -- e.g. brewzed instead of bruised, bye instead of by, hallow instead of hello. I am usually very precise with my language, and a capable speller, so this is mildly distressing. But still, it's nothing like the cognitive blunting caused by Lyrica.the irritability, hyperactive thing faded for me over time after each increase
the word stuff...I often say words close to what I mean, maybe in the same category, but really off...it's very strange
my spelling remains pretty darn good>
> I am wondering if these side effects will remit once I am stable on the 200 mgs, which I assume will take a few more weeks. Anyone have any insight, based on personal experience, including observation of another?
>
> Additionally, I am suffering from mild edema -- not nearly as badly as caused by Lyrica. I also started Cortef (oral hydrocortisone) at the same time, replacing Florinef, for postural orthostatic tachycardia.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Whip
Posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 22:23:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive » whiplash, posted by obsidian on June 2, 2010, at 22:14:07
> the irritability, hyperactive thing faded for me over time after each increase
> the word stuff...I often say words close to what I mean, maybe in the same category, but really off...it's very strange
> my spelling remains pretty darn goodThanks, that's hell pee full. That's a yolk, LOL.
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2010, at 0:06:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 22:23:32
Welcome to babble. I myself only got to 50mg and was excessively spitting so had to stop. What are you taking it for Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on June 5, 2010, at 9:14:03
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 22:23:32
- for me the agitation went away, as with most people
- "trouble w/ words" is something I have seen to be very common with Lamictal users. for me, it still has some effect but it has eased up.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 7, 2010, at 15:13:52
In reply to Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
Hi Whip, welcome! Glad you posted.
Lamictal for neuropathic pain? How is it working?
Spell check was invented for the likes of me. Don't know I would have much capacity there I could afford to lose!
fb
Posted by whiplash on June 8, 2010, at 11:55:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » whiplash, posted by floatingbridge on June 7, 2010, at 15:13:52
> Hi Whip, welcome! Glad you posted.
>
> Lamictal for neuropathic pain? How is it working?
>
> Spell check was invented for the likes of me. Don't know I would have much capacity there I could afford to lose!
>
> fb
Howdy. It's actually helping the pain some -- neuopathies and radiculopathy and myofascial pain. I still take tramadol and soma regularly, but the lamictal has reduced the intensity (which I initially called "tendency" -- the darned work issue).That said, I have edema, considerable constipation (not from tramadol), consequent weight gain (about 4% of my bodyweight), and then the word/spelling/memory issue. The latter seems to have gotten worse. But still, not as bad as Lyrica, on weight gain front, and cognitive impairments. It also hurts my legs and feet to stand still for more than 15 minutes, but I assume that's the edema, combined with my autonomic condition.
I'm looking forward to hearing from others.
Take care.
Posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2010, at 20:29:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact, posted by whiplash on June 8, 2010, at 11:55:56
I'm supposed to be on Soma but got bad nightmares the first night took so didn't. How do you like it? Is it relaxing? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Whiplash on June 9, 2010, at 0:12:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » whiplash, posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2010, at 20:29:00
> I'm supposed to be on Soma but got bad nightmares the first night took so didn't. How do you like it? Is it relaxing? Thanks Phillipa
I like SOMA a lot. Even though it's not a controlled substance in my State, it's a barbituate substrate. It's definitely relaxing, and helps sleep, particularly if you wake up early in the morning with body pain. It also plays well with tramadol and the opioids. Beats all the other relaxants for me, and I've tried them all, as I have chronic myofascial pain, referred from a neck injury, combined with scoliosis that was never treated, as we discovered it after I was fully grown at 13.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 9, 2010, at 0:33:31
In reply to Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
There's nothing like hearing personal experience, so I hope a few more will post. Have you looked at askapatient.com? A zillion lamictal reviews. Good luck, Whip.
Posted by SLS on June 9, 2010, at 4:57:54
In reply to Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by whiplash on June 2, 2010, at 20:25:56
When Lamictal first came out, it was touted as being devoid of cognitive side effects when compared to other anticonvulsants. This is probably true for a great many people. However, I suffer profound memory impairments, cognitive slowing, and brain fog at dosages above 200mg. Regarding cognitive side effects, my doctor has observed that when Lamictal hits, it can hit hard. These effects have not dissipated over time for me. As a matter of fact, I recently reduced the dosage from 200mg to 100mg. I got sick and tired of being unable to remember my own name.
- Scott
Posted by Whiplash on June 9, 2010, at 19:59:13
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » whiplash, posted by floatingbridge on June 9, 2010, at 0:33:31
> There's nothing like hearing personal experience, so I hope a few more will post. Have you looked at askapatient.com? A zillion lamictal reviews. Good luck, Whip.
Thanks. Yeah, I've looked. But largely you hear of the bad, whereas here, it's just people on various pyschotropics, anti-epileptics, etc., with favorable and unfavorable opinions. And since they are part of a community, I think there is more credibility. I guess I am skeptical about askapatient, because most meds have a low rating, including many I have taken with no side effects -- and I've taken plenty with side effects.
Posted by Whiplash on June 9, 2010, at 20:03:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive » whiplash, posted by SLS on June 9, 2010, at 4:57:54
> When Lamictal first came out, it was touted as being devoid of cognitive side effects when compared to other anticonvulsants. This is probably true for a great many people. However, I suffer profound memory impairments, cognitive slowing, and brain fog at dosages above 200mg. Regarding cognitive side effects, my doctor has observed that when Lamictal hits, it can hit hard. These effects have not dissipated over time for me. As a matter of fact, I recently reduced the dosage from 200mg to 100mg. I got sick and tired of being unable to remember my own name.
>
>
> - ScottThanks Scott. It seems all of the anti-epileptics have this side effect when they are taken at doses for this purpose. Are you taking it for epilepsy or bipolar/treatment-resistant depression.
It's definitely helping for me, but man oh man, I am now constantly typing the wrong words -- it's embarrassing. Perhaps I will talk with my doc about dropping the dose to see if I get the same benefit at the lower dose. I was only on 100 and 150 mgs for a week each.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 9, 2010, at 20:46:17
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperactive, posted by Whiplash on June 9, 2010, at 20:03:29
Has anyone experienced any hair loss?
Posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2010, at 0:04:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » Whiplash, posted by floatingbridge on June 9, 2010, at 20:46:17
I wish! I'm so hairy! :P
Posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2010, at 0:43:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » floatingbridge, posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2010, at 0:04:29
:-)
(I'm worried I'd lose the hair on my head and sprout a few more on my chin....)
Posted by whiplash on June 10, 2010, at 16:41:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal Side Effects -- Irritability/Hyperact » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2010, at 0:43:14
I think I may have lost some hair at the crown and towards the top center. No loss on my body, that I am aware of.
This is the end of the thread.
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