Lamictal side effects

Hi @kb2014
Thank you so much for sharing your approaches, I have really appreciated them.
You've done some really meaningful work on yourself. Breaking and changing habits is so challenging, and it sounds like you've made real progress. That's truly something to celebrate!
I also faced anxiety and depression at the start of my epilepsy treatment in 2019. I was fortunate to find a wonderful neuropsychologist I've been working with since then. Learning to say no is such a fundamental skill that I'm still working to put into practice more consistently.
When you mentioned "learning not to act or react to everything and everybody," Mel Robbins' book "The Let Them Theory" came to mind. In case you're interested, here's a link to one of her interviews where she explains the "Let Them" and "Let Me" theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4z5C8G32AY&list=PLjjNLpxtjihMuEy0geqIqkBGTKTkFxIr4&index=65&t=2s

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 lifelessNo 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 soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter 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 !

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 lifelessNo 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 soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter 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 !

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 lifelessNo 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 soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter 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 !

@murphymarg59
I have not taken Lamictal however I've taken plenty of other seizure meds. It's important to understand these are potential side effects. The nocebo effect is where negative expectations about a treatment may lead to or worsen side effects.
The only expectation you should have is that it's going to help your seizures. Don't be concerned or stress about side effects that may never happen.
Take care,
Jake

Has any one taken Lamictal for seizures?
What side effects have you had if any.
My neurologist has put me on 25 mg a day for 14 days then increasing dosage over the next 6 weeks. I took Keppra and wound up min hospital. Couldn’t tolerate it. Reading side effects of Lamictal I am concerned.

Hi @murphymarg59
As I mentioned earlier in this discussion, Lamictal was my first AED and had the fewest side effects for me. I only stopped taking it because of terrible insomnia. But as my doctor always reminds me, everyone responds differently - what doesn't work for one person might be perfect for another.
I completely agree with @jakedduck1's point of view. Reading the medication leaflet can potentially influence us. Based on my husband's suggestion, I've stopped reading the leaflets myself. Instead, if I experience any side effects, I ask him to check the information for me. You might consider asking someone you trust to do the same. That way you can avoid being influenced by all the potential side effects listed, while still having access to the information if needed.
Chris

Has any one taken Lamictal for seizures?
What side effects have you had if any.
My neurologist has put me on 25 mg a day for 14 days then increasing dosage over the next 6 weeks. I took Keppra and wound up min hospital. Couldn’t tolerate it. Reading side effects of Lamictal I am concerned.

Thank you for your input.
Are you taking an AED now?

I also have a frustrated neurologist. In the last 30 years of seizures, like most, I have been on the medication merry-go-round. I had severe reactions - from being found hiding under my desk at work to drug-level toxicities. And it seemed that a change in any other medication impacted the ability of my seizure medication to treat the seizures. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with depression (I, a math-whiz, couldn't figure out how to balance my checkbook!). That brought on the addition of the antidepressants.

A new, now bestest, friend was a drug-rehab counselor. As I was turning to her for advice, I asked if she knew someone who could help. I didn't want to put this friend in the position of being "nurse" as well. She referred me to a retired psychiatrist. He was a counselor to the counselors, practiced behavioral alignment, and, better yet, he was a neurologist who knew drug effects backwards and forwards.

The result is Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine). I don't presume to suggest what works for you, but I was so pleasantly surprised. The bi-weekly counseling sessions allow me to go with the flow. There is more to the story of how well this is working for me, so I will keep you and all others dealing with seizure med issues in my prayers.