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Re: Scared to try Lamictal - seeking opinions please » Garnet71

Posted by detroitpistons on January 31, 2009, at 20:40:56

In reply to Scared to try Lamictal - seeking opinions please, posted by Garnet71 on January 7, 2009, at 23:55:37

Lamictal has been a great drug for me. I haven't had severe depression in 3 years since I've been on it. Every time I think I'm about to spiral downward, I end up leveling out. It's sort of like a life preserver for me.

As far as side effects, I don't have any anymore. It's really a good drug in that respect. In the beginning, I had a little bit of hair loss, but nothing major, and it went a way after a few months.

Now, to the memory loss....At 200 mg, I definitely had memory problems, but not everyone gets memory problems with this drug. I'm now down to 100 mg and the problem is pretty much resolved. I started taking fish oil too, and now my memory is just fine. I don't think the memory loss associated with Lamictal would necessarily affect you in school as much as you think. You forget little things from one moment to the next (like why you went into a room), but if you are learning things in context and paying attention and studying, I bet it's different.

I would say, all in all, the side effects from this drug are nothing compared to other drugs I've taken. I've never had any sort of sedation or weight issues with Lamictal. For a lot of people, it's a wonder drug. Don't be scared to try it because of side effects. You don't have to be bipolar to get benefits from it. It's a very good prophylactic and has good antidepressant properties....If you get memory problems that are intolerable, you can always go off.


> I saw a new Pdoc today who prescribed Lamictal. However, I do not think I am the least bit bipolar. I feel he prescribed me that med based largely on the fact that I have a sibling who is bipolar, and a close relative with schitzophrenia. I reviewed hundreds of comments from people who have taken Lamictal, and reports of hair falling out, severe acne, weight gain and extreme memory loss were common.
>
> I have anxiety and lack of motivation. Had PTSD and severe depression about 6 years ago; Effexor and Wellbutrin worked great. Been off/on SSRIs and WEllbutrin ever since--mostly for anxiety. They are not working at all, as far as motivation-I know I should be better than this. The Wellbutrin is generic; I think that has something to do with it..still, I don't think I even have depression.
>
> I swear I have ADD-but I don't want to bring this up to a PDOc, because I will then be accused of drug seeking and will not even be able to try it.
>
> My son was diagnosed with ADD years ago, but he doesn't want to take meds because he doesn't want to eat at all when on them, and he thinks he will wither away to nothing. He has a high metabolism. I should have tried one of his pills when he had a script, but I didn't even think of it at the time.
>
> I am so disgusted. This was my first visit with new doc, and he didn'tseem to ask or learn very much about me. I asked the PDoc about the side effects of Lamictal, and he said just to call him if I get a rash. So I go home and do my online research and it appears the drug's side effects are worse than the problem it is prescribed for. You would think he would have at least discussed this with me. He was very evasive of the questions I asked about drugs.
>
> I can't take things that will give me memory loss while in graduate school; I also am very leery of medications that ruin your memory. To me it seems they are causing brain damage if they do that. I could care less if there is no scientific 'proof' that psychiatric drugs cause permanent damage-I don't believe it.
>
> Anyway, I have had one bad experience after another with psychiatrists. What to do?
>
> Sorry about the rambling and bad writing. I am just a little upset now.


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poster:detroitpistons thread:872702
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/877450.html