1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Lamictal and depressed mood?

Posted by minajo @minajo, Jul 18 6:07pm

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifeless
No more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?
We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not so
Also takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for years
After disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .
She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..
She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..
Thanks to all in this group !

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Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Jul 19 10:22am

Hi @minajo
Depression is mentioned as one of the side-effects of Lamictal according to this link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lamotrigine-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067449?p=1. But please do also check the leaflet that comes together with the medication. It would also be interesting to look at interactions with other medications (it is also mentioned in this link I copied you).
Lamictal was the first AED I took and one of the ones I tried with fewer side effects. I had first mild skin rash and then severe insomnia, which is the reason why the doctor took me out of this medication.
Please, keep in mind that every person reacts differently to those medications. What might work for some, might not work for others.
I believe it would be interesting to talk to the doctor and report those mood changes.
I hope your daughter gets better and finds the right medication for her seizures soon!
Chris (@santosha)

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lagiaconda | @lagiaconda | Jul 26 1:55am

minajo,
I'm not in this group but with the enormous extended family I have (87 first cousins), I have several relatives who suffer from seizures, including a brother.
I am truly sorry your daughter has such challenges, as you must also have, parenting her. I deeply feel for you.
Have you asked your daughter's doctor(s) about TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? Over the past four years, I've completed three cycles of TMS to treat severe depression. Several anti-depressants (I've tried 12-14) worked for a while but not permanently. TMS is noninvasive and it's brought me back to life three times! From my understanding, TMS was originally used to treat seizures and it was "discovered" that it took away patients' depression as well. The description you give of your daughter definitely sounds as though she's a very depressed girl. Some of her medications may help, but it seems as though taking too many medications may be harming her. I took Lamictal with Cymbalta to treat depression and it didn't cause me to be more depressed. In any event, talk with your daughter's physicians about TMS. Also research TMS to familiarize yourself with it. I wish you and your daughter the best life has to offer! May she heal and bring your family peace and relief!

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1 reply
Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Jul 29 6:21am

I do very much agree with @lagiaconda
I got into a deep depression in my second year of treatment of epilepsy and medications were harming more than bringing benefits. It was when I did TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for some months. It was fantastic and I recovered from my depression. As @lagiaconda has well mentioned it is a non-invasive treatment for depression without side-effects.
Chris (@santosha)

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minajo | @minajo | Jul 29 2:15pm
In reply to @lagiaconda "minajo, I'm not in this group but with the enormous extended family I have (87 first..." + (show)
@lagiaconda

minajo,
I'm not in this group but with the enormous extended family I have (87 first cousins), I have several relatives who suffer from seizures, including a brother.
I am truly sorry your daughter has such challenges, as you must also have, parenting her. I deeply feel for you.
Have you asked your daughter's doctor(s) about TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? Over the past four years, I've completed three cycles of TMS to treat severe depression. Several anti-depressants (I've tried 12-14) worked for a while but not permanently. TMS is noninvasive and it's brought me back to life three times! From my understanding, TMS was originally used to treat seizures and it was "discovered" that it took away patients' depression as well. The description you give of your daughter definitely sounds as though she's a very depressed girl. Some of her medications may help, but it seems as though taking too many medications may be harming her. I took Lamictal with Cymbalta to treat depression and it didn't cause me to be more depressed. In any event, talk with your daughter's physicians about TMS. Also research TMS to familiarize yourself with it. I wish you and your daughter the best life has to offer! May she heal and bring your family peace and relief!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your kind and supportive words! I doubt my daughter could do the TMS, first as her epileptologist wouldn't order and secondly, she pulls off leads just for EEG!
We might have turned corner with Lamictal, as she reached 250 mg she has seemed calmer, no seizures and now titrating to 300 with biweekly additional 25 mg, then the lab to see level.. as with Dilantin she needs to be on high end of " normal" range to prevent seizures..
Her g . i. system is still out of whack from the colonic interposition and have to be careful with drugs that cause constipation..
So her comorbid of autism/ epilepsy remain a huge challenge. she needs 24/7 supervision, care and i trust her team if 2:1 caregivers in licensed carehome.. they are very familiar with seizures as 3 of the 6 residents gave epilepsy
I just try to stay very involved but as a 76 year old mom with my issues its getting harder!
Such a great support group here, with my daughter being nonverbal it lets me get answers from " typical" users of drugs for epilepsy!. Thank you to all!!!

REPLY
1 reply
Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Jul 30 7:24am
In reply to @minajo "Thank you for your kind and supportive words! I doubt my daughter could do the TMS,..." + (show)
@minajo

Thank you for your kind and supportive words! I doubt my daughter could do the TMS, first as her epileptologist wouldn't order and secondly, she pulls off leads just for EEG!
We might have turned corner with Lamictal, as she reached 250 mg she has seemed calmer, no seizures and now titrating to 300 with biweekly additional 25 mg, then the lab to see level.. as with Dilantin she needs to be on high end of " normal" range to prevent seizures..
Her g . i. system is still out of whack from the colonic interposition and have to be careful with drugs that cause constipation..
So her comorbid of autism/ epilepsy remain a huge challenge. she needs 24/7 supervision, care and i trust her team if 2:1 caregivers in licensed carehome.. they are very familiar with seizures as 3 of the 6 residents gave epilepsy
I just try to stay very involved but as a 76 year old mom with my issues its getting harder!
Such a great support group here, with my daughter being nonverbal it lets me get answers from " typical" users of drugs for epilepsy!. Thank you to all!!!

Jump to this post

Hi @minajo
That God gives you all the strength, wisdom and persistence you need at this time with the challenges of your daughter!
"All life will be explained later, if Our Lord did so, Our Lord knows so. What is up to us is gratitude. Whoever is grateful is always happy." - Valter Hugo Mãe from the book God in the Darkness.
My best wishes and vibrations to both of you!
Chris (@santosha)

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