Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 100496

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc.

Posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

I have yet another Lamictal question. . . For all of you seasoned Lamictilians out there, can you tell me how Lamictal affects your cognition, learning, memory, etc.? So many of you have written such positive, promising posts about Lamictal, and I assume that if it affected your mental status adversely, you would have said so. Is that correct? I have heard that, of the three anticonvulsants, Neurontin, Lamictal and Topomax, Topamax is the worst one for learning and memory, and Lamictal is the "best" or least likely to impair cognition. Would you say that is true in your experience?

I started Lamictal recently, and I have felt some confusion that I did not feel before I started it, but I thought that might be due to the lack of sleep. I've slept very poorly since starting the medicine, and sleep deprivation definitely impairs cognition!

Thank you for your help.

Bekka

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H.

Posted by JohnX2 on March 27, 2002, at 2:17:56

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00


Hi Bekka,

My experience with Lamictal titration was that it impaired my concentration, caused some slurred speech, and some stumbling. This was generally transient at each dose increase and would wear off if I stayed at that dose after a number of days. When I reached the therapeutic doses, the side effects wore off substantially. Above 100 mg, I noticed that dosage increases caused fewer side effects than when titrating upto 100 mg.

Lamictal of all my medication trials (20+) has had the fewest side effects at a steady state dose(none).

Neurontin tended to cause a low level brain fog for me which wasn't too bad but was persistent.

I am the exception to the rumor mill on Topamax. At a strong dose of 400 mg, I report no cognitive decline.

Regards,
John

> I have yet another Lamictal question. . . For all of you seasoned Lamictilians out there, can you tell me how Lamictal affects your cognition, learning, memory, etc.? So many of you have written such positive, promising posts about Lamictal, and I assume that if it affected your mental status adversely, you would have said so. Is that correct? I have heard that, of the three anticonvulsants, Neurontin, Lamictal and Topomax, Topamax is the worst one for learning and memory, and Lamictal is the "best" or least likely to impair cognition. Would you say that is true in your experience?
>
> I started Lamictal recently, and I have felt some confusion that I did not feel before I started it, but I thought that might be due to the lack of sleep. I've slept very poorly since starting the medicine, and sleep deprivation definitely impairs cognition!
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
> Bekka

 

No cognitive probs for me on Lamictal 100 mg

Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 27, 2002, at 4:11:38

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

I used to take Neurontin 300 mg 3x per day & was a drowsy, somnolent, zombie & dumb as a brick.

With Lamictal I haven't noticed any cognitive effects. At 100 mg I haven't found it activating like many people report. In fact, in makes me slightly drowsy, so I take it at bedtime. Every time I increased the dose I felt like a had the flu, but that went away after 3 days.

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H.

Posted by Zo on March 27, 2002, at 4:49:41

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

Right, right and right. . .And sure it's confusing and upsetting to the brain to change meds. . .Give it some time, try not to assign it to the drug, hang in, stay neutral. . .that way the situation reveals itself. And you will know how Lamictal effects you. But it does seem pretty damn positive, all round.

Zo

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H.

Posted by Thrud on March 27, 2002, at 8:34:31

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

On 150mg/day I do notice a bit of cognitive decrease. Mostly I feel a little more absent minded. Compared to the SSRIs it is very minor: they all affected my intellect quite badly, especially Effexor which basically put me in a haze for four years.

You will never find a side-effect free medication, but in my experience Lamictal is one of the free-est.

Thrud

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H.

Posted by JonW on March 27, 2002, at 9:38:15

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

Sorry to crash the party, but my experience with Lamictal wasn't so good. At a low dose I would slur words out of nowhere. At high doses I could barely hold a conversation -- I'd be thinking what I was going to say next and when it was my turn to talk I couldn't remember for the life of me what I was going to say! I'd just stand there and say "Well...uhhh.....I" hoping it would find it's way to my mouth. However, it weren't for that I would have stayed on it longer because I felt it was helping my mood and anxiety to a certain extent. Also, I would cry more easily when on Lamictal. Not necessarily a bad thing, and also happens to me with neurontin. Hardly any sexual dysfunction. Good drug, but not for me -- hope your mileage varies!

Jon

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc.

Posted by Roo on March 27, 2002, at 9:48:31

In reply to Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H., posted by JonW on March 27, 2002, at 9:38:15

I felt cognitively impaired--forgetful mostly...would
be driving around without my lights on...forget words...
but it went away after I adjusted to the drug.

 

LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity - JonW

Posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 18:00:30

In reply to Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc. » Bekka H., posted by JonW on March 27, 2002, at 9:38:15

Hi Jon,

I'm sorry to hear about your negative experience with Lamictal. Were you on any other medications when you were on Lamictal? Did those adverse reactions occur at all doses or just high doses? By the way, I have had speech problems on nearly ALL psychotropic medications EXCEPT FOR the stimulants. Even Ritalin adversely affects my speech in subtle ways. Dexedrine, however, actually improves my speech, articulation and fluency. Interestingly, in clinical studies, amphetamines have shown great promise in treating stroke patients who have stroke-induced speech impairment and stroke-induced motor impairment.

Bekka

 

Re: No cognitive probs for me on Lamictal 100 mg

Posted by OldSchool on March 28, 2002, at 20:57:40

In reply to No cognitive probs for me on Lamictal 100 mg, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 27, 2002, at 4:11:38

> I used to take Neurontin 300 mg 3x per day & was a drowsy, somnolent, zombie & dumb as a brick.
>
> With Lamictal I haven't noticed any cognitive effects. At 100 mg I haven't found it activating like many people report. In fact, in makes me slightly drowsy, so I take it at bedtime. Every time I increased the dose I felt like a had the flu, but that went away after 3 days.


I have heard of so many great things about lamictal being used in both unipolar and bipolar mood disorders. It seems to be the best drug for many things. I have yet to try this one, but Im sure I will get around to it.

Old School

 

Re: same so-so cognition as ever, here (nm) » Bekka H.

Posted by Hattree on March 31, 2002, at 13:14:31

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity - JonW, posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 18:00:30

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc.

Posted by Navah on July 4, 2002, at 21:06:30

In reply to LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Bekka H. on March 27, 2002, at 2:06:00

Hi I just joined. I'm wondering if anyone has any opinions on my situation.
I find this infor helpful. I have been on Lamictal 600MG for two years now for severe anxiety and depression(I am 120 lb female). I am wondering if this may impact my memory and cognition and if this may be permanent. I am slowly losing my memory - which was excellent up until this year. I misplace everything, forget names the minute I hear them, cannot remember the words to express what I am saying. Walk into rooms and forget why I am there, dont remember any of top pop stars and my favorite movie stars. I have also lost my ability to learn. And lose things every day. Can this be a sign of further depression? side effect or overdose? I am also taking 60 mg of celexa. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc.

Posted by petters on July 4, 2002, at 23:46:24

In reply to Re: LAMICTAL and cognition, mental clarity, etc., posted by Navah on July 4, 2002, at 21:06:30

Hi..

This side effect is very common with all moodstabilizar. Was this side effect the same at 300 mg ? Is it possible dose related?

Sometimes one have to choose betwen this side effect and the depression.

I´m sorry, but the cognitvie side effect will probably be permanent. Maybe you can get used to them.

What do you think?

Sorry for bad speeling. I´m not from U.S

...Petters.


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