There are 1402 ratings for the drug: LAMICTAL in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for lamictal: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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5	bipolar II, OCD.	short memory impairment, at the beginning increased mood swings, but now none!	this medication in combo now with luvox has literally saved my mind and my life. nothin' else to say.	M	24	6 months 100 mg 2X D		2/28/2010
5	rapid-cycling bipolar type II	None	Extremely effective as a mood stabilizer. Very good in combination with a low dosage of klonopin for anxiety	M	43	2 years 200 2X D		3/16/2010
5	Depression	A little sleepy sometimes. Very easy to fall asleep at night. Easy to nap.	This drug stabilizes my mood without major side effects. A minor one for me is sometimes I get a little sleepy. Not sure if this is the drug or poor sleep hygiene. The side effects are therefore very mild. I am not carefree, but I can cope. I don't sink so low anymore.	M	47	6 months 150 1X D		5/25/2010
5	atypical rapid cycle bipolar	worsened short term memory loss, worsened stutter, worsened difficulty finding words, worsened trouble focusing, increase in acne problems.	In November 2008, I was diagnosed with atypical rapid cycling bipolar disorder, non-combat related PTSD, panic disorder w/o agoraphobia, rape trauma disorder, ADHD combined type, and hypersexual behavior. The shrink put me on Celexa and Seroquel. The Seroquel began to help immediately, but the Celexa took a few weeks to kick in. The Celexa helped with the depression for a few months, but I still had manic episodes and pretty bad mood swings. Eventually it stopped working all together causing panic attacks. After I started having psychotic episodes, my shrink switched me to Lamictal. The FIRST DAY I started noticing the difference. I was calmer and happier. After a few weeks, the mood swings had gone from 7-15 a day to once or twice every few days. The panic attacks tapered off, and my nightmares tapered off. Lamictal did decrease my sex drive, but I saw it as more of a blessing. Since I began taking Lamictal, I now have a NORMAL healthy sex drive. I'm not driven to risky sexual behavior that was dangerous not only to my physical health but to my relationships. This medication has helped me tremendously.	M	23	10 months 75 mg 1X D		5/26/2010 Email
5	Major depression / dysthymia	None so far. My doc says she has been using this since the mid-90s and she's never had any complaints of side effects. It's hard to believe that some of the recurring side effects I've seen on here are not real, because I've been told before that a medicine wasn't causing a particular side effect when I knew it was. But, in her experience she claims no side effects. So that's a positive. We'll see.	I'm taking the starter pack. Just finished my 25 mg two week dose and started today on 50 mg. I have suffered from depression for years, and have tried everything. I re-ordered these posts so that I only saw the 5 star ratings, and it has given me some hope. Thus far, I feel no effects, but that doesn't bother me. I understand it might take awhile. I'm at a really low state right now, so I'm hoping like crazy for some relief. I'm making a promise to update this post every two weeks for the next two months, and then periodically after that if I'm still on it. If I start to feel positive effects, I'll update sooner! Fingers crossed, I feel like this is my last resort. I'm glad it's prescribed for treatment resistant depression, because if it was just another anti-d, I would have little hope. I'm rating it a 5, because if it does what I'm hoping, it will be a miracle drug to me.	M	33	2 weeks 50 MG 1X D		5/26/2010 Email
5	Epilepsy	Memory loss, hair thinning, rare bone crushing headache at night, loose train of thought easier, slightly dizzy when eyes closed.	Only had seizures at night - I think about 3 or 4 (memory loss). One when I tried weaning off. I've been attributing the hair thinning and memory loss to aging, but after reading these posts I'm not sure. The hair thinning is not too bad (yet) but worry some. Memory loss bothers me a lot though. My short term is getting pretty bad. The couple of headaches I've had (only at night while sleeping - like the seizures) were so bad I thought my head was going to explode, but I haven't had one like that for a few years - thank God. I have had severe joint pain, but was finally diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago. I never know what to attribute to Lamictal (generic for the past 2-3 years) vs age, etc. Over all I've been very happy with it. I agree with another "poster" who mentions that most people doing well with this drug probably don't check this web site, but I'm glad I finally did. A great forum!	M	50	10 years 200 mg 2X D		6/15/2010
5	Biploar II	None.	After suffering for six years with "refactory depression" my current pdoc recognized signs of bipolar II and prescribed lamictal. Within three days I felt SANE! The suicidal ruminations, anger and irritability vanished. I can now think CLEARLY and I'm beginning to experience real emotions again. For years I had been experiencing emotional instability that was attributed to a personality disorder, but after taking Wellbutrin for the first time I began rapid cycling and my doc figured it out. Not a happy pill like some AD's, but I will take normal any day.	M	38	21 days 50 1X D		7/2/2010
5	Bipolar I Disorder	NONE. (which I find amazing for a psychiatric medication). I do suffer from very mild acne (I use acanya, retin-a micro and rosula because I'm very obsessive about it) which I believe has been slightly anatagonized by lamictal. Granted, I already had acne.	This drug has helped me tremendously with bipolar disorder. I find it has helped especially as an antimanic. It has helped immensely with mixed states and rapid cycling. It has definitely had some antidepressant effects, although not enough to be an option for me as monotherapy. While it has been antisucidal, I was still very depressed on lamictal alone. I do believe that this drug has truly saved my life and that I would have most likely done something destructive enough that I would not be here today.	M	20	3 years 300 mg 1X D		8/1/2010 Email
5	seizures grand mall and petit mall	Minor confusion if miss a dose and tiredness if miss a dose. Minor short term memory loss but maybe I am just absent minded.	Found it works best taken every 12 hours. I take 50mg in morning and 25mg at nite. Has worked great for years with no seizures. Use to have violent seizures that discloated shoulders and etc. Curious if too many patients do not take too high a dosage which may cause their side effects as doc insisted I take 100 to 200mg twice a day but due to cost of med I chose the lower dosage of 50mg/25mg and it has always worked. I weigh 170 lbs. Have tried numerous other meds and nothing else worked.	M	52	5 days		10/23/2005 Email
5	seizures grand mall and petit mall	See the rating I just put in, I put the wrong time used down, 5 years, not 5 days.		M	52	5 years		10/23/2005 Email
5	Bipolar Depression	None	Lamictal saved my life. Period! It took me 2 years to find something that would stabilize my moods. Lamictal did the trick. I take 200 mg twice daily and have been doing so for the last 2.5 years now. I did need something for a good night's sleep though. After 2 years, Zopiclone and Temazepam no longer worked. Now I'll be trying small doses of Seroquel at bedtime for a good night's sleep.	M	42	2.5 years		12/2/2005
5	Partial Complex Seizures	I feel as though my memory has drastically decreased since I started taking Lamictal, but the two maaaay be unrelated.	I lost about 60lbs in the few months after taking the drug, although it was likely more related to an unrelated period of depression... Still, I cant argue with the results. As long as I keep sleeping I havent had any sorta problems :)	M	20	4 years		1/17/2006
5	Bi-polar	Frequent urination and urinary urgency.		M	35	8 months		5/2/2006
5	BIPOLAR 2	NONE	WONDERFULL.......SO To all who diagnosed bipolar 2 in all over the WORLD: I rimind this great statement of Shekspire " HE WHO HEZITATE IS LOST." FOR ME only ' NEW BORN AT 51 Y/O ' AMAZING. LAMICTAL SURPRISED ME.	M	51	20 days		9/1/2005 Email
5	BIPOLAR II	not at all	LAMICTAL WORKS WELL FOR ME. I CAN NOT BELIEVE ITs EFFECT. I WAS SEARCHING FOR TREATMENT FROM 30 YEARS AGO AND FINALLY FIND IT??? YES MY MISSED REMEDY WAS LAMICTAL. I AM NOW 51 Y/O MAN AND THINKING WITH SAD " Why not from early childhood?" MY PERSONALITY CHANGED. VERY GOOD. VERY INTERESTING. THANKS GOD. now I wish to visit the personel of the MANUFACTURING FACTORY OF LAMICTAL TO KISS THEIR HANDS. Im GLAD FINDING LAMICTAL. AND I AM SURE I LIVE IN COMING YEARS. BUT WHAT WAS LIFE IN 51 YEARS WENT WITHOUT HAPPINESS????	M	51			9/11/2005
5	Depression	None	I have been depressed almost all my life. I finally admitted it to myself and that it wasn't normal (you'd think I could have figured that out before now - I'm 46, but there you are). The only way I can describe it is being like a "walking wound" and having a "glass is half empty" attitude. I'd been on Zoloft and was still on Wellbutrin when I started this (and still am) but they didn't seem to do a lot. Wellbutrin helped some with energy but that was it. I talked to my therapist and he said he thought I might be bipolar. I am NOT manic in that I don't have "highs" only constant low and then periods of DEEP lows. He explained that there is a type of bipolar like that, but I had no idea. Frankly, I don't care what I am labeled. Anyway, I went to a psychiatrist to be eval'd for a med and she put me on Lamictal. It has been wonderful! I am not "happy" per se but I also am not stuck with that "walking wound" feeling. I can handl	M	46	30 days		6/23/2006 Email
5	Bipolar II Disorder	Some bad, vivid dreams, but nothing I can't deal with compared to the awesome effect it has had for my mental health.	I have been mentally ill for as long as I can remember. My family doctor diagnosed me with depression. For several years, I was on every single kind of typical anti-depressant that is made. I was severly debilitated because of this illness. I then decided it was time to go to a psychiatrist. My psychiatrist just thought that I was depressed and continued my 300 mg of Effexor that my family doctor had lastly prescribed. Effexor is a horribly evil drug and I recommend that no one take it. Anyways I realized that this psychiatrist was useless and I decided to go to psychologist and get some psychological testing. This psychologist was kind of ignorant and didn't do the right testing on me. So his conclusion was guess what "major depression". He recommended that I go see this new psychiatrist and within about 5 minutes this amazing psychatrist determined that I had bipolar II disorder and put me on Lamictal 400 mg a day. I have been %100000 better since getting my dose	M	28	6 months		9/14/2006 Email
5	Bipolar	Memory loss, shaking in the hands,tiredness, personality change-much more mellow and lack of overrall interest in anything.	Completely took away the highs and lows, especially anger, but stress can still set me off but no where near the anger levels	M	55	1 years		1/18/2006 Email
5	Epilepsy	Headache, rash in the neck area, night sweating, absent feeling at times, sometimes waking up many times after falling asleep, difficulties with learning and concentration, muscle weakness & numbness, tiredness.	In overall a great and effective drug compared to previous "old school" drugs. Side effects are a bit annoying but I don't know if lamictal or valproate causes them. Daily dosage: Lamictal 200 mg + Valproate 800 mg.	M	35	7 years		1/19/2006 Email
5	Epilepsy	Occasionally after drinking larger amounts of caffeine or getting little sleep the effects of the drug are weakened, but I suppose that's natural. Have had some nervous ticks/twitches in recent years, but I'm not sure if that began after taking lamictal or before. At times it's hard to concentrate. Acne was quite exacerbated when I began the drug and lasted for a year or two, but it has subsided considerably since then.	I was diagnosed with Grey Matter Displacia also in April 2001. I started taking tegretol and carbotrol and they were horrible for me. I started taking lamictal after just a few weeks and experienced a great deal of short term memory loss, but that very well could have been the tegretol. Overall I am very pleased with the drug. As long as I take care of myself (get enough sleep and don't drink too much caffeine, and I never have drunk alcohol) I basically do fine. I take 150mg/2xd.	M	22	5 years		1/25/2006 Email
5	Bipolar 2 depress, racing thoughts	Itchiness on face and neck every time I titrate up; benign rash which I fixed by switching to electric shave instead of wet shave.	I escalated EXTREMELY slowly as I knew this had the power to save me and I didn't want to fuck up my chances with getting the rash. Cured my depression. Generics are cheap where I come from (God Bless India!) Suggest making trips here and importing supply (until expiration date) back into US. Sells as Lametec here.	M	30	8 months		3/31/2006
5	Bipolar II	A little worse acne, I think I had some memory loss for the first few months, but seem better now. (Memory is hard to self-access.) 400 mg gave me BAD itching (I would take 200 mg before bed and itch miserably an hour later.) 300 mg has few side effects now.	This drug is amazing! I started feeling better around 125mg. The only bad thing is that the effectiveness would "wear off" after a week or so at each higher level. Finally, 300 mg seems to do a good job consistently for me. (I have been at 300 for 6 months.) Lamictal seems to help mostly with my lowest-lows and my agitation. I am taking Provigil as needed to help a bit with the remaining depression.	M	44	9 months		9/23/2005
5	seizures	acne, tired, insomnia, vivid nightmares, ataxia, depression	lamictal is my fifth medication, haven't had a seizure for a year. The most annoying side effects are the insomnia and nightmares which seem to be worse on lamictal than my previous prescriptions (tegretol, dilantin, trileptal, keppra). acne has gone down, hopefully i can get more than three hours of sleep a night. Any suggestions?	M	19	8 months		4/11/2006 Email
5	Seizures from Brain Tumor	I've been taking it so long I don't know what's a side effect of the medicine, and what's a side effect of getting older. But these are some of the negative symptoms I feel are caused from Lamictal: -Horrible nightmares (about 5 per week) -Frequent muscle cramps and backache -Poor short term memory	I take 400mg oer day to prevent seizures caused by a brain tumor which was removed about 12 years ago. After a few years of taking the medicine I went to the doctor to try and see if I could stop taking it. I started to taper off the dosage and all of the sudden I would get these periods of about a minute where I couldn't talk. I would be find otherwise but just could not get any words out. It was very akward, especially at work, or mid conversation with someone. Anyway we upped the dosage and I have been fine ever since. The nightmares I get are horrible though, and I think it's from the medicine.	M	31	10 years		1/5/2007 Email
5	Bipolar Type II	Difficulty finding the right word, articulation issues (losing the thread in the middle of speaking, etc.). Short term memory loss, blurred vision (at times), more frequent urination.	Tremendously helpful controlling frequency and severity of mood swings, especially depression. I was misdiagnosed with depression for twenty years because I did not have classic mania. Lamictal has allowed me to have a better relationship with my wife and children, as I no longer have the explosive rages and uncontrollable anger and irritation I had with severe mood swings. The suicidal thoughts and self loathing I have experienced all my life are now less frequent and of shorter duration. To help yourself keep a daily mood log--this will help you rate the effects of the drug over the long term--mine is in horizontal bar graph form, with normal in the middle, ranging from severely depressed to severely elevated on each end. This gives me an instant visual baseline for comparison over time. The degree and severity of your cycling are immediately apparent at just a glance, as is your progress over time.	M	49	2 years		1/5/2007
5	seizure	My son has had no side effects at all taking Lamictal. This is the first drug prescribed to him by his doctor, and he doesn't take any other medications.	He had a seizure in May of 2005. He had an MRI and was diagnoised with Grey Matter Displacia. The doctor said this was probably the cause of the seizure and this was a condition he probably had since birth. He started out on a dose of 25 mg. and is now taking 100mg. twice a day. We have not noticed any changes in his learning, sleeping, or memory. He is an A student and also participates in Marching Band. His doctor said there is a good chance he will outgrow the seizures and could be off the Lamictal by the time he is in his early 20's. He has had no reoccurring seizures since the orignial one in May.	M	16	6 months		11/21/2005 Email
5	Bi-Polar II	The big one is the zoned out feeling, can't find my words, slight stuttering, headaches, dizziness, mood swings increased acne, increased libido.	This is my first medication. All the side effects leveled off around 5-6 months. It was really tough to come on. I got bad headaches each time the dosage increased. I got violent mood swings that would change multiple times a day. I felt really crazy for a few weeks. I would get completely depressed, happy, angry all within a few hours and with the littlest reason. I would recommend that you have a good support system in place as you work up to the appropriate dosage. Unlike others, I actually got a huge sex drive boost, which while it sounds good, was difficult to manage and quite frustrating for my significant other as well as myself. Having said all that, the results are amazing. I feel so much more in control of my life and my emotions now. I can think clearly and get through my day better. I can experience emotions without letting them ruin my life. I can feel depressed and still manage my life and my job.	M	31	7 months		3/4/2007
5	Bipolar II	No Side Effects	This medication gave me my life back! I have tried every psych med (literally) and this is the one for me. It can pull me out of a depression within days. I can't recommend this drug enough.	M	38	6 years		2/11/2007
5	Partial complex seizures	First year Great energy boost, sleeping problems (stay awake all night sometimes),slight dizziness. After 5 years blurred vision,body twitching,itching,short term memory loss,rash at times on chest,clumsiness,increase of urination at night and now I have no problems sleeping. I have problems getting out of bed. Too lazy at times,loss of sexual drive.	No seizures !My life changed alot after taking lamictal the first 6 months. I used too take dilantin and was fighting a drinking problem which caused depression problems. After the 6 months I felt good and had lots of energy. No seizures just feeling good. My drinking problems gone away and I felt good about myself.I didn't need drinking to feel good. At one time before i was taking dilantin and was working in a factory and always was asked to be a foreman but I never accept. ( too many Problems I thought). Now with lamictal I feel i could run the whole factory myself.Long term I believe after feeling great my body has gotten used to lamictal that I sometimes think I don't need it.But,deep inside I know I would never want to stop taking lamictal. Even with the problem with side affects I would recommend using Lamictal.	M	39	5 years		12/14/2006 Email
5	Bipolar I	Tremor; headache only once, on the third day of treatment; nausea only once, in the first week. I develop a tremor more easily while on Lamictal-- mainly after drinking caffeine drinks, which I tend to drink a lot of. Minor-to-medium-severity rash began on 50 mg/day (thought it was probably poison ivy at that point); I went to 100 mg. I titrated on the exact schedule laid out by the Lamictal starter pack. Then I went to 150 mg and I was sure I had a Lamictal-caused rash. My psychiatrist wasn't terribly alarmed about the rash. Neither was I--I wanted to keep taking Lamictal. He said it was a common "drug rash" that can be caused by a number of drugs. I dropped dose from 150 mg to 100 mg for about three weeks. Rash went away. Went back to 150 mg for a couple weeks; no more rash except maybe some itching late in the evening. I've been on 200 mg for 1-1/2 weeks. A little more tremor now, as I said earlier.	As others have said, Lamictal is amazing. I had been getting approx. a week of depression each month before Lamictal. I've been on Lamictal 3 months and the depression has lessened each month. I haven't been depressed in 2 months or so. For me, that's a very big deal. I've had depression at least since age 16. My other meds are Lithium (been taking it 20 years), Wellbutrin XL (been on Wellbutrin for a total of 10 years of so), Lexapro/Celexa (4-5 years). This is probably the first time I've gone this long without depression, unless I was hypomanic/manic, in 15-20 years. Lamictal is almost totally "transparent" for me; in other words, it feels like nothing else has changed (aside from the few side effects) other than this: NO MORE DEPRESSION! Yeeehaa. From what I've seen and read, when this drug works well, it works well reliably for years. That's reassuring too.	M		3 months		10/22/2005
5	Bipolar 2	At first I ramped up as I was told to, which turned out to be too fast for my system. As a result I had a significant rash and very swollen lymph nodes. I went off of it for 2 weeks, then back on DOUBLING the ramp up time. This was a long period of feeling unwell, but now I am alright, no rash or lymph node problems	The trick to avoiding side effects is a VERY slow ramp up. It is otherwise a great medication. I am on 150 MG/day because I am very thin and the Dr. says I tend to respond to lower doses than most of his other patients. He has it broken down into 75 MG AM and 75 MG PM. I also take Seroquel at night. Don't get discouraged...it takes time but it really did wonders for me once I reached the "therapeutic dose" which varies by patient.	M	30	9 months		10/13/2007 Email
5	Mood Swings, depression?	Headaches & some nausea on uptake. No night sweats, acne or rash. Some joint pain in hips but I am not certain it is related, I have a knee injury from skiing and I am walking differently so I am told by my Physical Therapist.	I have been on all the usual meds for depression; Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa & etc. All had side effects I could not tolerate; weight gain, sexual side effects, nausea, dizzy, dry mouth, insomnia & etc. None of these with Lamictal, currently @ 150mg, no plans to increase, this dose is working well. Lost 21lbs over past 8 weeks. Tidbits from my Doc; rash to be concerned with is on the trunk of the body, (chest, stomach, sides, back); my diagnosis is mood disorder & not depression; the more gradual the increase @ a higher dose the better, we are all individuals & all meds work differently for each one of us..... What else can I say except it is working for me.	M	51	13 weeks		7/6/2005
5	Depression	mild acne both face and body	I was swtiching drugs a lot this year. Effexor made me a zombie and killed my sex life. Welbutrin made me lose 15 lbs because eating was repugnant to me (and I was underweight to start with)and I had terrible anxiety attacks (and still no sex life). Its only been 2 months but this is the best Ive felt in a long time. Im happy, I'm gaining back some weight (nothing big- just getting back to normal), my anxiety attacks are nearly gone and My sex drive is finally back (my boyfriend is thrilled). The only downside was the acne. It wasnt terrible for me, and I found that the EXPOSED SKIN CARE SYSTEM works amazingly well for it, so it really hasnt been an issue.	M	21	2 months		7/8/2005
5	Depression	mild acne both face and body, dry mouth	I was swtiching drugs a lot this year. Effexor made me a zombie and killed my sex life. Welbutrin made me lose 15 lbs because eating was repugnant to me (and I was underweight to start with)and I had terrible anxiety attacks (and still no sex life). Its only been 2 months but this is the best Ive felt in a long time. Im happy, I'm gaining back some weight (nothing big- just getting back to normal), my anxiety attacks are nearly gone and My sex drive is finally back (my boyfriend is thrilled). The only downside was the acne. It wasnt terrible for me, and I found that the EXPOSED SKIN CARE SYSTEM works amazingly well for it, so it really hasnt been an issue.	M	21	2 months		7/8/2005
5	Bi Polar 2	Occasional challenge in finding a certain word. Return of childhood asthma. Floating dark specks over my vision. Random feeling of water trickling over my fingers (almost like they are falling asleep). Decrease in sexual activity. Concerning rash and sores in my mouth. Doctor lowered dosage per day from 200 MG to 175 MG. After this the rash and sores cleared up. IF YOU EXPERIENCE A RASH CONTACT YOUR DR. right away...it can be very serious	Prior to taking Lamictal, I quite literally had a nervous breakdown. I was incapable of functioning and was absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed. By combining therapy with Lamictal, I have returned to feeling much more stable. I was clearly suffering for many years prior to my recent breakdown, and feel like I am my old stable self again. Keep in mind if you are Bi Polar, do not confuse the illness with the medication. For instance if you begin suffering from insomnia, it is likely due to the illness and not the medication. In my non professional opinion, stay on it unless you have the rash or sores.	M	29	2 months		5/20/2007 Email
5	Bi-Polar Type 1	PLEASE READ!!!!!! As many others with bi-polar, I have been on multiple medications. After my first manic episode, I went into a severe depression that lasted over a year. The only medication that has helped me get out of this depression was Lamictal. I often thought that my depression was mostly situational, because I have been out of work for an extended period of time, and I have been living a life of misery (sleeping, watching tv ALL DAY). After starting Lamictal, I started feeling like myself again. I must tell you that I had some side effects (light rash, dizziness, neck pain, swelling of the throat) but they were all dose related. I went up to 300mg and had to back down to 150mg, but I am still benefiting from this dosage. I also take the following medications, but I did not get relief until the Lamictal: Geodon 80mg, Ativan 1mg(for anxiety as needed), Effexor 300mg, Provigal 200mg. Lamictal has been a life saver for me. I wish I was not on any medication, but I take th	It's the only medication that has helped with my severe depression. I would give up all my other medications to stay on Lamictal. Lamictal has been a life saver for me. Hang in there, you will feel better soon, even if Lamictal does not work for you. GOD is on your side.	M	35	8 months		5/2/2006 Email
5	bipolar — rapid cycling	impairs cognitive functions. i often have problems recalling vocabulary and even more often word pronunciation. i can become disoriented at times. on a couple occasions i have confused north and south in relation to where i wanted to go (i.e. going northbound instead of southbound in areas i've lived my entire life.) i had intended to major in mathematics, but gave it up because i lost my natural inclination for it. the work would become confusing and disorganized, spending long periods on single problems and still getting the answer wrong. my speech becomes disorganized to. i'll say things wrong. the best example is "when life gives you lemonade, make lemons."	despite the side-effects, it's the most effective drug i've ever taken in treating my illness. every other anticonvulsant bipolar treatment was nowhere near effective and caused extreme lethargy.	M	26	1.5 years		4/24/2006
5	Bi polar disorder	At first euphoria and vivid dreams. Now a sense of well being.	Fortunately for me,this is the best medication I have ever taken for my bi polar disorder. At first I was skeptical and paranoid about developing a rash, but after being on it for a few weeks I was beginning to experience it's positive effects. I was taking Wellbutrin (300 mg. XL) in the morning and my Lamictal at night. My Doctor gradually increased my dosage to 100mg. over a months period of time and I continue on that dosage today. I stopped taking the Lamictal at night and find that the vivid dreams subsided almost immediately. The hardest part of taking the Lamictal for me was the temptation to continue increasing my dosage. The euphoria I felt was amazing in the beginning. I was no longer agitated and irritable and had a real sense of well being. My violent mood swings had subsided and I felt better than I had in years. I find myself leveled off and stable at 100 mg. along with the Wellbutrin. I was also taking Seroquel (50 mg.) at night for sleep but found it hard to get up in t	M	40	1 years		4/30/2006 Email
5	bipolar 1	I have had terrible night sweats with missed or late doses, but nothing more than that. It has helped the mood swings a great deal. Haven't found anything to really help the anxiety though.	Love it, I do not have so many obsessive thoughts.	M	38	8 months		5/26/2006 Email
5	mixed bipolar state	none	After getting worse on zoloft and overmedicated on geodon to counteract the mania caused by the zoloft, Lamictal has stabilized my mood enough to allow me to benefit from therapy.	M	16	8 months		11/18/2006
5	Bipolar I disorder	Some initial constipation, occasional severe headache if it starts to dissolve before swallowing	I have slowly had my dosage increased to 150mg / day. There was little improvement until 100mg and then I started a depressive episode again. The 150mg /day dose fortunately has stabilized my moods very well. Still have my personality and still have good days and bad days, but the moods don't escalate further than blue or upset and come back to normal shortly (hours). When switching to 100mg from 50mg I felt almost intoxicated for two days but quickly adjusted. Recently I have developed pneumonia, which can be related to a lowered immune function, but it mostly is not related to the medication. Overall I am very impressed with the tolerablility and control of symptoms I have had.	M	24	14 weeks		12/23/2006
5	Bipolar/Depression	Very few; especially compared to other mood stabilizing medications I have taken in the past. For the first few weeks I had some difficulty with memory and word recall, but this went away with time. I sometimes experience more vivid dreams, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Otherwise, no side effects of note.	This is an excellent medication that has significantly improved my life. After having tried Lithium, Depakote, and many other anti-depressants, I was frustrated. But after taking Lamictal, and sticking with it, the results have been exceedingly positive. I strongly recommend it.	M	27	10 months		7/7/2007 Email
5	Epileptic/seizures	You don't know how good this makes me feel. I thought I was going rock dumb. Thanks to you all for adding your effects, but I'm sorry you have to go through it..... I have Memory Loss (forgotten music chords), can't remember or read common words, reading has gotten bad, words get tangled in my mouth. Get so upset about not being able to do things that I fight until I win cause I'm a fighter. But it may take hours to accomplish. Vision has gotten worse, but really not enough to say. I was on tegretol. Now I can eat my Favorite (chocolate) which I have not in more then 25yrs. At atleast I have no seizures anymore and if I do, it's just so minor symptoms that it's no need to mention. May Jah Bless you all. Much Love and Respect. Funkface PS Please feel free to contact me so we can help eachother. Please put side effects in the Subject so I don't delete your message. Thanks	I'm an Professional Artist signed/road. Doing a lot of Business out side of my state(NC). Now I go to NYC, walking the streets alone, w/o worrying about anything happening to me. But I still wear my neckless just in case.	M	37	10 months		7/28/2006 Email
5	Seizures	Skin sensitivity came on after a year at 150 mg, but lessened considerably at 125 mg. Joint stiffness and pain has become very noticeable after 2 years.	Very effective at controlling my seizures. Tegretol and Dilantin had no effect on them. Each body is different.	M	51	2 years		7/29/2006
5	Bipolar II	I am able to concentrat better...since before my thoughts were rapid. I have been infromed by my wife that I grind my teeth more. WHen I first take the med I am "zoned out".	as others have stated this is a "GREAT" med. I am able to concentrate better, where before I had a hard time sitting still enough to finish a task. Lost 25 poounds on the med... feel much better about myself. I take the med in the morning and drink coffee to get myself going. I am a litle "zoned" when I take the med in the morning, so everyone thinks that I am just tired...great way to hide it... but it only lasts for a short time period. I write down thing that I feel I may forget...this is a way to cope with the possible "MEMORY LOSS", which I am sure I had before. I was never one who could remember names. My relationship with my wife is better and overall I think this med is a wonder!!!!!	M	30	1.5 years		1/8/2007
5	Depression	Vivid dreams - nightmares. Blurred vision, dizziness after alcohol. Memory/spelling issues. Getting better with time.	Have tried almost every anti -d with limited sucess. Ones that work caused major sexual side - effects. VERY satisfied with lamictal so far. it's early and just up to 50mg so far. Interested from hearing from other people taking this med for depression, as that is not so common.	M	39	24 days		1/9/2007 Email
5	Bipolar mood stabilizor	I haven't noticed many at all. When I canged from Deopakote to Lamictal I lost 25kgs. I do dream and have bladder issues, but I take a coctail of medications so it's hard to blame a particular one.	Before Lamictal I had at least 1 inpatient admission for depression every year, I have been out now for 17 months. My moods still fluctuate but the lows are not as deep and disabling as before, I still remain functional. It has been a revelation to me.	M	50	3 years		4/16/2007
5	Bipolar II	Occasional confusion regarding word selection, similar to non-medicated	This is a very effective medication for BPDII. I use as monotherapy. This is the first time I can remeber feeling normal, whatever that means. The mood stabilization offers me the opportunity to deal with other underlying issues in BPDII. As a patient, I strongly recommend for depressives now identified as having more than clinical depression.	M	50	1.5 years		7/27/2005
5	Bipolar II	Occasional confusion regarding word selection, similar to non-medicated	This is a very effective medication for BPDII. I use as monotherapy. This is the first time I can remeber feeling normal, whatever that means. The mood stabilization offers me the opportunity to deal with other underlying issues in BPDII. As a patient, I strongly recommend for depressives now identified as having more than clinical depression.	M	50	1.5 years		7/27/2005
5	migraines/psych reasons	none	Lamictal has been a Godsend. from migraines, it helps and works better than topamax. also take for instability for borderline personality disorder. i finally feel comfortable in my skin & that everything might end up ok	M	36	9 months		10/23/2008
5	Bipolar Disorder Type II		It seems to have helped my OCD.	M	69	2 years		10/4/2007
5	Bi Polar disorder, depression	None really. Possible sexual dysfunction	Been on it a year now. I also take Prozac and Seroquel. I have found this combination to be the most effective of any I have ever had! I have struggled with depression my entire life. I have taken most antidepressants on the market, as well as Depacote for Bi Polar disorder. I am very pleased, I actually wake up a lot of mornings in an optimistic mood. That never used to happen. Sometimes I can't believe how good I feel and wonder if it's for real. If I don't take Lamictal, I experience a complete drop off in about 5 days, tired and not social at all. Once I get back on it, in about 4-5 days, I can really see the difference. NOTE to users: if you get a rash from this, you are supposed to discontinue this medication AT ONCE. Personally, I have no side effects.	M	35	1 years		10/8/2006
5	Depression and Bipolar I	Dry mouth, forgetfulness (*almost got fired for missing too many meetings*), and now mild sharp pains in my chest. I have to get the pains checked out. I sometimes get very, very sleepy in the afternoon if I get less than 8 hours of sleep for any length of time. A 20-40 minute nap takes care of it.	Saved my marriage. I am also on 300mg Wellbutrin and 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac). They were working for 3 years, but then I started to have mood swings, irratibility, and withdrawal from family. I also had problems interacting with people at work. My Pdoc added Lamictal a year ago and after 4 weeks I was doing much, much better. My relationship with wife and kids has turned around 100%. I wish I was able to go on fewer meds. Stopping prozac led to immediate irratibility and bad temper, as well as dark moods. If I miss my evening 150mg Wellbutrin SR for more than 1 day, I become apathetic and don't work hard enough at work. But, with Lamictal, Wellbutrin, and Fluoxetine cocktail I am ok. My dad was Bipolar II and was on Depakote, Lithium, and antipsychotics at the end. Glad I haven't progressed that far (and am not a nasty bastard like he was).	M	41	400 days		10/10/2006 Email
5	Bipolar II, depressive tendency	No side effects currently (am at 175mg/day). Starting up I had frenetic dreams and balance issues. Dropped dose temporarily, improved, went back up. At 200mg, though, I maintained occasional mental fuzziness and a	Did seem to interact w/ marijuana, making it	M	31	1 years		10/13/2004
5	Bipolar II, depressive tendency	No side effects currently (am at 175mg/day). Starting up I had frenetic dreams and balance issues. Dropped dose temporarily, improved, went back up. At 200mg, though, I maintained occasional mental fuzziness and a disassociation with my feet when tired which made me have pull over if driving. At 175mg this isn't happening. BTW I also use Wellbutrin at 150mg/day.	Did seem to interact w/ marijuana, making it wipe me out... that mental fuzziness and disassociation was multiplied greatly. Also, GSK has a program to give you free prescription drugs if you're poor. look into it, because this stuff is pricey.	M	31	1 years		10/13/2004
5	Bipolar II	A little anxiety and	Effect is very subtle, but I have been doing much better since I began taking this. Friends agree that I'm mellower and more rational. Rarely depressed now. I feel much more normal.	M	47	4 months		8/29/2004 Email
5	Bipolar I I , with mixed features.	The most noticeable was a swelling or edema of the feet.But the benefits are more than worth it for me personally. I would also notice the begining of a headache, but by the time I thought of reaching for an asprin, it started to dissapear.	I have tried alot of different antidepressants over twenty years but I have to say I noticed within a month a real difference in my mood. Probably the first time in my life. I was even tempted to write gsk and praise them,as well as tell them that I was going to buy their stock.	M	49	2 months		9/1/2004 Email
5	seizures	None	My son has been on it for 6 yrs. and for the first 5 years was SEIZURE FREE. At one point he had been on 4 meds (with bad side effects) and was still having many seizures a day. His seizures have returned and we're trying combinations w/the lamictal to lessen them. But even w/o the second meds, he's only having a seizure every few weeks (on 400 mg. of lamictal daily).	M	25	6 years		7/4/2004
5	bipolar depression	sleepiness especially at onset of drug therapy, dry mouth	i have suffered with bipolar for 20 years. i have tried many drugs. this one has been the best so far. i did get a rash first time and had to stop and restart it was worth it.	M	41	2 months		6/11/2004 Email
5	Bipolar I	Back pain, blurred vision, night sweats, short-term memory loss, sensation of water drops on skin.	My doctor told me there were no side effects using Lamictal. That is just wrong. But, he did me a big favor by putting me on this. I had a lot of side effects with Depakote also, but nowhere near the benefits. I am at 300mg day, taking 200 in the morning, and 100 at night. I have a lot of energy, and just feel good, which is a really odd thing for me. I feel like what I imagine a "normal" person feels like. If you are hesitant to use this, don't be. Any side effects are worth getting through.	M	41	8 months		10/5/2006 Email
5	Originally TLE, then BPD	None	The relief of Cyclothymic (Bi-Polar) symptoms I originally experienced, along with an overall regulation of mood, was noticable. However, it was when due to financial issues (no insurance) I had to go off Lamictal for a while that I fully realized how greatly it had affected me. Now in Canada where Generic Lamictal IS available, I'm back to	M	61	3 years		1/14/2005
5	TLE, BPD	None	Ref previous entry: TLE: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (Complex Partial Seizures) BPD: Borderline Personality Disorder (also related Bipolar Disorder)	M	61	3 years		1/14/2005
5	Bipolar I (depressed)	dry mouth	I am taking 300mg/day. It has worked very well to stabilize me when nothing else would (I am treatment resistant). I feel the best that I have in 20 years.	M	40	14 months		1/21/2005
5		No side effects at all	I think Lamictal is the best drug for controlling petit-mal epilepsy. I had been on Dilantin, & Depokote for 30+ years & when my neurologist finally realized it was not working she switched me to this drug after we moved to Mena,Arkansas	M	38	5 times		4/5/2005
5	Petit mal seizues	NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL	Lamictal is undoubtably the best anti-epilepsy drug. I had been on Dilantin/Depokote/Phenobarbital for 30+ years & my neurologist discovered that this combo was not working as it should.As a matter of fact,in 1999, my WBC had dropped so low,due to the depokote that she thought that I might need a bone marrow biopsy to see what was happening. My neurologist recommended getting off of the Dilantin/Depokote & trying the Lamictal/Phenobarbital combination to see how that would work & to see if that would bring my white blood count back to normal. I started the Lamictal in 1999 & I have had fantastic results with this particular drug.I had to get off of the Dilantin/Depokote combo first & that was a very unpleasant experience. But since I started taking 25mg of Lamictal twice a day, I have had NO petit-mal seizure problems since.	M	38	5 years		4/5/2005
5	Bipolar II	Minor headaches, a bit drowsy while stepping up dosage.	I'm taking 200mg daily, which effectively cut off my manic episodes, but didn't seem to help the depressed side. Last month, added 300mg of Wellbutrin XL daily, and have not felt this good in years.	M	24	5 months		4/21/2005
5	Major Depression	Blurred Vision, Bruising Easily, and Serious Weight Gain.	I was diagnosed with OCD and major depression. Have had these problems for as long as I can remember. However I did not seek treatment until 5 years ago. I have been prescribed almost every antidepressant out there. Most would start out working then stop. Finally I was prescribed the max dose of prozac (80mg) and it completly took care of the OCD. I just didn't care. However, depression and feeling exhausted was still an issue. So, my doc augmented the prozac with everything from provigil to adderall. Then not only was I depressed, but I was anxious. THEN, as I was about to give up on the whole medication thing, she gave me lamictal. Starts out really slow, but once I got above 100mg, it's been amazing. My entire preception on life has changed, I have energy, I have empathy, I feel connected to people. I do not coward away in social situations. I laugh and joke, have confidence and do not take things so seriously. I feel NORMAL! Try this drug and give it time to wor	M	29	3 months		4/19/2007 Email
5	Depression	Vivid Dreams at onset	Added Lamictal to Zoloft regimen 2 yrs. ago, then switched from Zoloft to Effexor XR a yr. ago. Now, I take 200 Lamictal + 187.5 Effexor XR, and things are much smoother. It's not a cure-all, but former life irritants (work, other people!) are now mild annoyances, if anything. Tried "weaning" myself to 175 mg a month ago, but noticed recurring irritability, depression. Went back to 200 mg. a week ago, and feel much better. I'm incredibly sensitive to most drugs. A question: I see some people take their doses once-a-day, and others twice. I take mine once, but what's the conventional wisdom on this? (I know it has a short half-life).	M	38	2 years		4/22/2007 Email
5	Bipolar I	Some skin irritation, mostly in the beginning, and slight issues forgetting or misspelling words, but which generally never happened to me in the past. Haven't really experienced any of the other side effects mentioned here.	I am at 100mg and this drug has seriously saved my life. Instead of the madness of mood swings, I am completely balanced and I feel consistent like I did in my teens. This was my first bipolar medication and I haven't experienced anything really negative to date. In the beginning I did have a few inconsistent spells, or brief periods of depression, but I haven't experienced that in quite a while.	M	28	90 days		4/27/2007
5	seizures	More energy and concentration, less mood swings		M	32	3 years		7/16/2007
5	Mood stabalizer / bipolar	feeling lethargic/exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, feeling in a mental "fog"/short-term memory loss.	****ADVICE FOR ANYONE TAKING LAMICTAL**** There is a way to minimize side effects relating to mental functioning and memory, almost eliminating them, that I works very well for people other than myself. Try it!: Take the Lamictal only in the morning. Taking it in the evening seems to negatively effect memory. After you take your regular dosage, ***go back to sleep*** for a period of half an hour to an hour. When I took it on my way out the door, I was in a "fog" for a few hours and had similar problems with intellectual functioning that I've read about on this site. When I set an alarm to take the lamictal in the morning and go back to sleep (not just lie down), the negative cognative side effects are gone! I told my psychiatrist about this, and he reccomended to his other patients to try it, and it worked for them too!!! I would be happy to hear from others if this technique works for others too, and be in touch by email. Overall, This medication has completely saved	M	26	5 years		5/9/2007 Email
5	Bipolar Disorder	Only good side effects - like feeling normal again	The drug has been a savior for me. It worked right away during the first few doses. I am still afraid I might plunge back into depression, but this is understandable since I have been down for so long. I wish all of you the best of luck. Oh, I take Depakote and Zyprexa too.	M	30	3 months		9/24/2007
5	BP-II	Benefits: **Cancelled chronic depression** Strong vivid dreams (good for me) I'm now focused, disciplined, organized and taking care of myself physically (essential to long term management of my illness). Side effects: I may be having a slight problem with jumbled speech, but my thoughts are coherent, and I'm able to catch my mistakes and correct them (something you rarely do when in the grip of mania). Lamictal may also be causing me some insomnia, so I take the dose (500 mg) in the morning, and take a sleep aid at night. Possible interactions: Gabapenten tolerance excellent. Abilify caused extreme hypomania. I stopped Abilify after only one month. Seroquel (100-200mg) caused severe tardive kinesis, sluggish thought, impaired short term memory, and sleepiness.	I've been taking the drug since about 1999 with excellent results and minimal side effects. Mood stabilization is excellent. Anti depressive effects are excellent. In short, this drug is a god-send for me.	M	35	8 years		5/31/2007 Email
5	Bipolar 2	I take a combination of drugs so to pin anyone side effect on lamictal would be difficult. I have vivid lucid (pleasant) dreams which could also be attributed to lamictal or Seroquel. I have a decreased libido, but I blame that on the Zoloft	I lived with anxiety Depression and OCD for 8 years. I take 200 MG's and this drug and it is a life saver. It stopped my uncontrollable outburst in public, my suicidal thoughts, and my nervous shaking hand. I can go outside and not feel like I am constantly under attack or like someone is going to punch me in the back of the head. For the most part I feel great and like a normalish person. I wouldn't write this drug off it has enormous benefits, the side effects are a little price to pay for greater good this drug does.	M	26	2 years		4/11/2007
5	BP I	Fatigue, tiredness. I am a little more cranky than when I was on Prozac, but the crankiness may be due to the fatigue. ANy ideas in how to combat the fatique? I feel like I should own stock in Starbucks for the amount of caffiene I am ingesting!	Lamictal has picked up my sex life, but not in a manic-sort of way. I would recommend it to anyone. I've been on SSRI's for 13 years, and definitely am doing much better on Lamictal, without the SSRI	M	49	2 months		6/6/2007 Email
5	Diagnosed bipolar	Horrible rash that lasted for two weeks. I looked like a lobster and the rash turned my skin every shade from dark grey (around my crotch, nonetheless) to dark purple to crimson to pink. My skin began to flake. I racked up dermatology bills which included a biopsy that left a scar. This allergic reaction had a significant impact upon my life. People started asking questions at work and I spent a lot of money/insurance determining what was wrong with me. I was told that this reaction is extremeley rare. Even rarer was the fact that I didn't develop this reaction until after a year of very successful treatment. I was on a relatively small dose...50mg every morning combined with one 200mg (I think)Depakote in the morning and one at night. Fortunately, the rash went away when I stopped the meds and didn't develop into the dangerous Stephen Johnson syndrome. If you experience a rash of any sort, DISCONTINUE ASAP!!!!! and contact your doctor. I am now experimenting with Seroquel and I'm havi	The lamictal, in combination with the depakote, was a dream come true for me. I functioned wonderfully for well over a year on this combo. Unfortunately, my body rejected the lamictil and I had to stop the therapy. Depakote alone was not effective and caused weight gain. I suffered no ill sexual side effects from this medication. This drug really took away the depression! Wonderful! However, I'm very disparaged that I can no longer take it.	M	28	1.5 years		8/9/2007 Email
5	Bipolar I	not so bothersome: vivid dreams, weight loss, decreased appetite (compared to increased from Depakote, drastic improvement in menstrual pain/ it cured my dysmennorrea./// bothersome, but livable: slight word recall trouble/ speaking difficulties, some mental cloudiness and listlessness (but then again, i graduated magna cum laude on it), incredibly easy bruising, break through bleeding during ovulation which stopped after 10 months on it (but this could be due to stress)	A godsend. I was miserable on Depakote, which I was placed on during my first (and only) manic episode. I taped off Depakote and onto Lamictal. I lost 20 pounds and felt I had returned to normal. I felt/feel saner than ever. Mood improvement,it took the edge of my frequent spells of anxious depression and erased signs of mania. I excelled in school and personal life. hope it keeps working for me and I hope it causes no long term damage. anyway, it saved my life. the side effects do not interfere with my life. but if i miss a pill, my hands shake uncontrollably and i feel horrible. so dont miss doses. and do not go onto estrogen-containing contraceptives as they cause fluctuations in lamictal blood levels. try to use a progestin only mini pill. i am trying that now. i also feel that an increased libido is due to the general increase in well being that lamictal engenders. I am most bothered by the mental effects, but i get by just fine and am still known as highly verbal a	M	22	11 months		7/31/2007 Email
5	mood swings	dry mouth.	I am on the same cocktail as #6. It rocks. The fluoxetine takes away the anxiety. The wellbutrin addresses the resulting lethargy and lack of motivation. I was on those two for two years, then my mood swings got worse. The lamictal made me and my family much happier. The biggest change in cognition is that I can now remember 7-9 digit numbers again. That was a huge struggle on just the other two meds.	M	42	2 years		8/29/2007 Email
5	Bipolar	I have short term memory loss and some problems sleeping although the sleeplessness is generally treatable. I was getting more and more clumsy (I would be bending down, start to fall and could not stop myself) and on a checkup asked my internist about it. Her research into Lamictal showed clumsiness as a rare but noted side effect. Oh joy!	I take this in combination with Wellbutrin which I have taken now for some time. Switching to a new doctor really made a difference as he changed my diagnosis and life has been so different since then. We had some trouble getting started on Lamictal as a rash appeared early on but I was sure it was a topical allergic reaction. We stopped the Lamictal and then tried it again four months later with no problems. I have been increased and am on a fairly middle of the road dosage. At this point I don't see problems and I feel extremely better than those horrible "Low" periods which are unnverving. As much as I HATE taking medications, I really think this one is the answer to what goes on inside of me. I'm happy! And that... is what it's all about.	M	56	1 years		9/17/2007
5	BiPolar II	Dry mouth, night sweats	After a recent suicide attempt I was finally diagnosed as BiPolar. It has been such a relief to have a name to put on this roller coaster of a life. So far the Lamictal has kept me level, which is such a relief. I feel like I can start putting my life back together.	M	50	1 months		5/24/2007 Email
5	Bi Polar 1	Loss of words at first, but that's gotten better. Slightly, (very slightly) blurred vision on really small print. But then again, I'm 40 so... My view on relationships are less jealous and insecure than before I took it. I see things for what they really are, not some weird kind of feeling that my girlfriend is hiding something or cheating on me.	This is an update to a post I wrote on August 7. This medicine is really a Godsend. I've been at 200 mg for 4 months and it seems to really be working well. At first I said that the Euphoric feeling has subsided, but I feel "Really Good" most of the time. Work productivity is greatly increased and lots more consistant. I feel like I've got my life back. If you dont react with a rash, I'd recommend that you try it. The real effect for me started at 60 days after starting. My feelings moved between "good" and "fair". Now they've increased to "good" to "very good".	M	40	75 days		9/19/2007 Email
5	Bipolar Disorder	none	This is the second time I have taken Lamictal. It worked the first time, but I stopped taking when I felt better - i.e. denial of Bipolar disorder. It seemed to work on the very first dose. It also seems to have prevented withdrawal symptoms I was expecting from Effexor XR. I am also on Zyprexa and Depakote. I hope I can do Lamictal long term.	M	30	2 days		9/24/2007
5	Moderate Bi-Polar/Cyclothymia	Dizziness and upset stomach, which has improved over time. Vivid dreams, but no nightmares, which someone else pointed out. In terms of speech problems, I've always mumbled and mixed up words, which has gotten better from taking my time when speaking, even if it is slower. The lamictal certainly hasn't helped with this. My ever-persistent insomnia has only gotten worse, as I have moderate bi-polar disorder and, according to my doctors, this seems to be the result of the medicine only treating the depression phases.	Lamictal is a wonderful drug. It has done wonders to help me function by taking away my depression, has improved my overall mood (not too much like an SSRI), and has helped me maintain order in my formerly messy lifestyle. Moreover, the side-effects have been minimal, and I have been able to deal with most of them. Finally, I've noticed a marked depression when I'm off my meds for only a few days time, end up sleeping in to ungodly hours, and can hardly focus or get work done. I'm thrilled that this med alone has helped me remarkably, and that I have yet to need any stronger meds after about 9 months on it.	M	22	9 months		10/18/2007
5	Depression/GAD	Some itching, random pain but nothing lasting more than a few seconds. slight vision change, night sweats, no headaches this time.	This is the third time trying Lamictal but this time I am only on Ativan with it. It has worked wonders with both the depression and GAD. I was taking 2-3mg of Ativan a day and now just .5mg in the morning and 1mg at night. I am on 32.5mg of Lamictal, thats 25mg in the morning and 12.5 at night. The side effects are nothing compared to all the other meds I have tried over the past 4 years. I feel more alive and positive and I smile a lot more just because I feel good.	M	43	1 months		10/18/2007
5	bi-polar	Slight memory loss, blurred vision.	Lamictal has helped me tramendously. My mood has stabalized and i'm actually in a good mood most of the time. It has been worth the side effects. I have also lost over 30lbs. and have not changed my eating habits. I actually started to eat more to see if I would gain weight but my weight remained the same.	M	42	9 months		11/4/2007
5	Depression and anxiety (unipolar)	On 200 mg (1 week), I seemed to be more tired and hungry than usual. On 100 mg, no side effects.	Lamictal is a godsend for me. I had no success with cymbalta, remeron, or pamelor - I was depressed all the time (mainly due to orthopedic pain and related incapacities) and often anxious. My psychiatrist said it was worth trying lamictal along with the cymbalta and remeron that I was taking at the time, and within a few days I began feeling a bit better, even at 25 mg of lamictal. Went all the way up to 200 mg and discontinued the other meds, but found that 200 mg was too much. A 100 mg dose of lamictal has been helping enormously with my depression and anxiety. At the times when my orthopedic problems aren't too bad, I sometimes go down to 67 mg for a while (doc says that's fine).	M	52	6 months		1/3/2008
5	Bi Polar	floating things in vision, skin sensitivity-more prone to rashes than normal IE itchy sweater results in a minor rash that Hydrocortisone gets rid of. Memory loss.	I am taking 100 MG 2x/day and it has helped to bring me back to a more normal state. I dont seem to have the severe highs and lows anymore. The side effects are well worth it in my opinion.	M	30	2 years		12/27/2007 Email
5	bipolar	Insomnia for days mixed with oversleeping for days, back and forth. Breast enlargement. Increased concentration, mental acuity, and memory	The dosage is being increased very slowly ...25mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg - which is what I am on now but will continue to go up I'm sure. It has substantially increased my concentration, mental acuity, and memory. I have insomnia for days mixed with oversleeping for days, back and forth, which I have not yet been able get undercontrol, with Vistaril, but I'm hopeful I'll find something that will work. I certainly feel better, which is amazing after 30 years of trying what seems lile every MAOi, Tricyclic, NRI, and SSRI there is. Lo and behold, my bust / bust size has been increasing as well. That was listed as a possible side effect on the meds sheet the doctor gave me. She laughed when I said that I had never heard of such a thing. I wondered aloud why, that being true, this drug wasn't being sold in the back of every magazine along with all the ads for penis enlargement, etc. She said that they ( I assume she meant docs ...the medical community) want to keep it a secret just for	M	53	3 months		1/3/2008
5	bipolar, depression (suicidal)	No noticeable side effects - I'm sure that I've experienced them, but nothing that couldn't be attributed to something else (such as age).	I have been very thankful for Lamictal. I was VERY hesitant about taking it in the beginning. I didn't want to accept that I was bipolar and had a major mental illness. I was VERY scared when I read some of the possible side effects. The primary reason I took the drug was that I was suicidal and it was just a matter of time before I killed myself. I figured that I had nothing to lose. I started on 25 mg, went to 50 mg a week later, then 100 mg two weeks later, 150 mg two weeks later, and 200 mg two weeks later. I've been on 200 mg for a little over a year. As a side note, my doctor added Lithium (600 mg) when I hit 100 mg of Lamictal, because the Lamictal wasn't enough. When I hit 150 mg of Lamictal with the Lithium, it was like someone flipped a switch and my life was back. It was just incredible. I hate mental illness, primarily because the answers don't come in neat little packages (take two pills and call me in the morning). Your brain chemistry may not be anything like	M	48	14 months		2/17/2008 Email
5	Bipolar 1	Memory problems, affected physical coordination, sleep interruption - long one night, periodic the next night, blurred vision, involuntary limb movement	This med saved my life, marriage, family. Worth the side effects. Two years without any extended mood disorder. A regular loss of cognitive ability equal to about twenty-five IQ points. Luckily, I've tested very high to begin with. Of course, my mother could drop dead in front of me and I'd shrug my shoulders and keep doing whatever I was doing. Perhaps this has absolutely nothing to do with the drug ;)	M	45	2 years		2/25/2008 Email
5		In the very begining of taking it, 25mg a day, I had a continuous mild headache. this lessened over the first couple of weeks and I've had no side effects since.	My wife and I have noticed a big difference in my behavior and my ability to handle stressful situations. This was when I got to the level of 200mg/day. My doctor had me increase up to 300mg/day but we don't notice any improvement over the 200mg/day. On my next appointment I am going to ask the doctor if we should drop back down to the 200mg level. Does anyone have any advise to share on how to determine the correct dosage? Thanks	M	42	8 weeks		3/7/2008 Email
5	Bi Polar 1	3rd post- August and Sept 07 /March 08. I have minor word issues still. Very vivid dreams have returned to normal. Moods have stabilized. No longer feeling like I have to get out and drive my car an hour or two late at night anymore.	Highly recommended. I've logged posts as updates so I can have a baseline for my own treatment and see progress. Lamictal causes a narrowing of "Highs and Lows" but instead of having long deep cycles where the high and low are furthur apart and intense, they become lessened and the cycles become shorter. In my case they are very mild, and quicker cycling, almost looking like normal day-to day moods.	M	40	10 months		3/21/2008 Email
5	Rapid cycling bi-polar II	Insomnia (may be BP though) Dry and red eyes??? Itchiness at first. Weird dreams sometimes.	Pretty amazing stuff overall. I have been plagued with rapid thinking and obsessive thoughts all my life. This is the first time I haven't obsessed on angry thoughts. I am able to get over things much easier now - I used to brood for weeks. I also obsessed on confrontations from YEARS past, reworking in my mind how I could have "triumphed" This is getting that under control. Also, much less aggressive and angry. Only medication that has EVER worked for my problems.	M				4/11/2008
5	Cyclothymia / BP2	Some terrible headaches to start with and some mouth ulcers - nothing serious. Also very very vivid dreams. Incredibly realistic and fun! Oh I cant drink anything more than 2 beers on this as I get the headaches badly	Lamictal has changed my life. After 12 years of struggling with episodes of deep depression followed by a few days of ecstasy and then normality, I had come to the end of my tether and was determined to give mood stabilisers a go with SSRI's making the whole rollercoaster much more pronounced. I havent tried any others, I dont need to. Im only on 50mg but it makes everything much more focussed and lighter.	M	35	4 months		11/11/2008
5	bi-polar II , Insomnia	At first week mild headaches, 2 weeks a little acne, at first I would wake me up in the middle of the nigh. NOW, none.....a little drowsy	I have been on everything. I could be a pharmacist. This is the ONLY MED I COULD tolerate and WORKED.........BEST MED EVER and IM ONLY at 150mg and my goal is 400mg.	M	34	2 months		11/20/2008
5	depressive moodswings	tiredness	worked great! only brief tiredness i take 200mg and it effectively controls my moodswings	M	19	1 years		12/5/2008
5	Bipolar II	Night sweat. Temperature sensitiv. Small rash on my hands. Lamictal is the only medicine that i use.	A year ago I was searching like crazy on the net trying to find out what was wrong with me and I stumble on this page. Now that I have been cured I thought it would be nice to write some lines. I think that those who have been cured by this drug stop searching the net because they don’t need to and that’s why you have more negative feedback than positive on this medicine. Anyway, the depressive side forced me into a black hole that I could get out from without help. Started out with large doses of pure fish oil (6 large capsules a day with Omega 3 without vitamins), that lifted me up some (it took 3 months). Finally I was diagnosed bipolar II and put on lamictal. I am on 200mg a day plus fish oil and I have to say that I have never felt better. My brain is working again, all thoughts of dead has gone, muscle tension is much better, I have control over my anxiety +++. If lamictal or other drugs fail….try fish oil.	M	42	2 months		1/13/2009
5	bipolar disorder	mild short-term memory problems	i think lamictal is great. it didn't "cure" anything 100% but it narrowed the up and down swing. honestly, i'm surprised at how many unfortunate experiences some of you have had with it. i really hope things calibrate with time and are better.	M	25	3 years		5/29/2008 Email
5	seizures	none unless I am late taking a dose by a few hours, then my throat feel funny and I get a little dizzy, but this goes away as soon as I take my dose. I take 750mg/day	Awesome medication! was on tegretol, which gave me severe anxiety and low testosterone over time(was on it for 10 years). very low testosterone. switching to lamictal was wonderful.	M	27	1 years		2/24/2009
5	GAD/Panic disorder	Insomnia, mild rash	I just began taking lamictal, after having achieved mixed results with SSRIs. The SSRIs provided relief but at a high cost in side effects; lamictal is nearly all-gain so far, save the insomnia. I was able to discern a distinct difference in my mood within two weeks. I feel like myself for the first time in a long while; I am full of hope for the future.	M	20	2 months		3/23/2009

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Average rating for drug: 3.5. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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