Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 108412

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 2:21:16

I feel like this is gonna break my heart. The I'm on 100 lamictal and it's helping me a lot in terms of fatigue. I'm getting up in the am and not dragging through the day. But i'm on it nearly 2 months and the headache is constant. Alleve helps some, not enough. I think my doc wants me to just deal... he's seen me so down, but being in low level pain all the time is draining me.

I can't do most anti-depressants cuz of sexual side effects. I'm also on imipramine and sam-e. Is there another mood stabilizer with lamictal's activating quality?

Any suggestions from the smart folks here appreciated. This med failure is really hard to take cuz i know the stuff is helping me.

Lia

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by katekite on June 2, 2002, at 10:23:22

In reply to lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 2:21:16

was there a dose of it that didn't cause the headache or has it been constant from the beginning? -- kate

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 18:03:40

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by katekite on June 2, 2002, at 10:23:22

Hi Kate...

Thanks for responding. I had the headache even at 25, but not as bad. I suppose trying to cut the dose will be the next idea.

Lia

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next?? » Lia Mason

Posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 19:56:08

In reply to lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 2:21:16

> I feel like this is gonna break my heart. The I'm on 100 lamictal and it's helping me a lot in terms of fatigue. I'm getting up in the am and not dragging through the day. But i'm on it nearly 2 months and the headache is constant. Alleve helps some, not enough. I think my doc wants me to just deal... he's seen me so down, but being in low level pain all the time is draining me.
>
> I can't do most anti-depressants cuz of sexual side effects. I'm also on imipramine and sam-e. Is there another mood stabilizer with lamictal's activating quality?
>
> Any suggestions from the smart folks here appreciated. This med failure is really hard to take cuz i know the stuff is helping me.
>
> Lia

If this is a standard headache (not a tension headache),
then omega-3 fatty acid supplementation will help.
It prevents the conversion of something (I forgot what off top of head)
to arachadonic acid (the headache inducer). It prevents
the same conversion as over the counter analgesics.

Omega-3's are also highly recommended for mental health.
Take with Vitamin C & E.

John

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by katekite on June 2, 2002, at 21:21:23

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 18:03:40

Ok this is what I would do.

I would not cut the dose, since it's still present at a lower dose.

Instead I would agressively try to treat the head pain by seeing someone at a headache clinic or chronic pain clinic. Longterm headache is so common it has a list of treatments a mile long that you could try. Take a list of known interactions of lamictal.

Yes it would be better to be headache free. But lamictal is working otherwise for you...so seems like a shame to dump it if some headache med would help. Maybe its not time to try the next mood stabilizer yet.

kate

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by SLS on June 2, 2002, at 22:48:43

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by katekite on June 2, 2002, at 21:21:23

> Ok this is what I would do.
>
> I would not cut the dose, since it's still present at a lower dose.
>
> Instead I would agressively try to treat the head pain by seeing someone at a headache clinic or chronic pain clinic. Longterm headache is so common it has a list of treatments a mile long that you could try. Take a list of known interactions of lamictal.
>
> Yes it would be better to be headache free. But lamictal is working otherwise for you...so seems like a shame to dump it if some headache med would help. Maybe its not time to try the next mood stabilizer yet.
>
> kate


This makes sense to me too.


Lia - just curious - have you tried either Effexor or Neurontin?


- Scott

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 23:02:18

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by SLS on June 2, 2002, at 22:48:43

Thank you, everyone! This is all good advice.

Re: John... Unfortunately, I'm already taking omegabrite and it doesn't seem to impact the headaches. I actually think these *are* tension headaches (tight band at the back of the head, lots of cracking). I was treated for them a few years ago and got rid of them (first with cardizen, then imipramine), but... I am very headache sensitive.

Re: Kate. I never thought to run this by my neurologist who is a headche doc. Good thought.

Scott... I have taken both effexor and neurontin. Effexor works for me with sexual side effects I can't stand. It gave me a headache initially, but that passed. I had a strange reaction to Neurontin. I was massively sedated on a tiny dose. Couldn't go up.

Lia

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next?? » Lia Mason

Posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 23:39:11

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 23:02:18

> Thank you, everyone! This is all good advice.
>
> Re: John... Unfortunately, I'm already taking omegabrite and it doesn't seem to impact the headaches. I actually think these *are* tension headaches (tight band at the back of the head, lots of cracking). I was treated for them a few years ago and got rid of them (first with cardizen, then imipramine), but... I am very headache sensitive.
>

Yikes! I have chronic tension headache and Lamictal makes things worse
at high doses. A pinch of Topamax may do the trick (great rep for
tension headache). Klonopin and Serzone have been my other saviours.
I have not tried the tricyclics, but I hear they are good.

Fish Oil actually makes my tension headaches worse.

Good Luck!

John

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by Emme on June 3, 2002, at 8:34:16

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next?? » Lia Mason, posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 23:39:11

So I'm not the only one!!! I've been having lots of headaches on 100 mg Lamictal, and they feel kinda like tension headaches. I tend to carry tension in my shoulders and back of my neck and I keep thinking the Lamictal is making this worse. But then I thought no, I can't blame *everything* on my medication. I was going to write a post to ask if anyone else noticed increased muscle tension on Lamictal and if so what they had done about it.

I also have an eye muscle problem which is normally unnoticeable to me, but is bothering me lately. It's usually a sign of my body being sick or under stress in some way. At the moment I have no intention of dropping the Lamictal because it helps me as a mood stabilizer and antidepressant, and I was starting to run a bit short on options.

For now, I am going to schedule a massage or two to see if I can break the muscle tension in my shoulders a bit. I'll wait a bit to see if my eyes improve. If not, maybe we'll have to inch the dose down a bit. I'll keep in mind any suggestions made in this thread.

Thanks,
Emme

 

Re: lamictal and Muscle tension- Emme??

Posted by Denise528 on June 4, 2002, at 16:28:47

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Emme on June 3, 2002, at 8:34:16

Emme,

I've had the same experience on all of the SSRIs as well (especially when they are not working), my shoulders seem to tense up automatically and I feel as though I have muscle spasms in the back of my neck, almost as though something is pushing it back. It's not like a normal headache just tense muscles that no amount of massaging will help.

Denise

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by Butch on June 4, 2002, at 18:35:41

In reply to lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 2:21:16

I am on 500 mg, and Oh, yeah, the headaches can be a killer - it has been my experience though, if you find the right painkiller, you can keep the headaches at bay. In my case for instance, only generic buffered aspirin helps - anything other than that is useless to me.

Keep trying other painkillers - and I sincerely hope something works.

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next?? » Lia Mason

Posted by Cece on June 5, 2002, at 0:56:26

In reply to lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Lia Mason on June 2, 2002, at 2:21:16

Lamictal has worked great for me too. I'm on 300mg, which I worked up to very very very slowly as I felt yukky if I moved up more than 12.5mg/every 2 weeks. Going slow worked out just fine- don't know how fast you went up, but that's an idea to try.

I have always had headache problems, and for a spell as I was working up on Lamictal they were worse than usual, but went back down to my 'normal' level.

SSRI's ruined my neck as others have said. No more of them for me- even the best body worker couldn't help, although my acupuncturist was able to break the spasms.

I finally got to see a headache specialist recently who told me first to cut out caffeine. I only drank one cup of coffee, and maybe one cup of tea a day, but to my great surprise, when I stopped, 80% of my dull type headaches went away. I have since discovered that aspartamine (the artificial sweetener) gives me blinding headaches. And fatigue gives me headaches.

I don't know the whys of Lamictal headaches. I know that I have to watch out for constipation with it and don't know if that's related. Knowing the why might help in finding the fix. Got a smart doc?

I say, hang in there with the Lamictal- one way or another. Keep looking for answers.

Cece

 

Re: Prunes For Headaches. . .? Big Science ? (nm)

Posted by Zo on June 6, 2002, at 0:24:46

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next?? » Lia Mason, posted by Cece on June 5, 2002, at 0:56:26

 

Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??

Posted by HananKE on September 7, 2002, at 15:52:57

In reply to Re: lamictal works, side effects too bad--what next??, posted by Emme on June 3, 2002, at 8:34:16

Without a doubt I blame these headaches and muscular aches (especially in the neck/shoulder area) on the Lamictal. I also had terrible insomnia from the Lamictal and this would be worse if I took it later in the day. It was like my mind was churning with constant nonstop thoughts. Even after I finally fell asleep the quality was very poor bcs it was like I was still thinking and half asleep/half awake.
I discontinued Lamictal for over a year and all of these symptoms dissapeared. A new doctor recommended Lamictal once again for another issue. I decided to give it one more try and within one week I was reexperiencing all the same side effects. Even though he recommends it very hightly as a mood stabilizer...it just isn't worth the discomfort. I have just weened off of it and I think I will now try Neurontin.


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