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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by clint878 on November 4, 2006, at 20:19:27
Are there any treatments that can alleviate dizziness induced by lamotrigine? The medication has, so far, has worked better than anything I've ever tried. I cannot discontinue it. But the dizziness is becoming severe, like the world is spinning around me.
I frequently find myself bumping into things, and I burned myself twice yesterday, first trying to carry a cup of coffee across the office, and second when I fell and stopped myself with my hand on a hot stove.
There must be a way to deal with this, because death through accidental injury, rather than through suicide, is still death.
Posted by yxibow on November 4, 2006, at 22:06:08
In reply to Dealing with dizziness, posted by clint878 on November 4, 2006, at 20:19:27
> Are there any treatments that can alleviate dizziness induced by lamotrigine? The medication has, so far, has worked better than anything I've ever tried. I cannot discontinue it. But the dizziness is becoming severe, like the world is spinning around me.
>
> I frequently find myself bumping into things, and I burned myself twice yesterday, first trying to carry a cup of coffee across the office, and second when I fell and stopped myself with my hand on a hot stove.
>
> There must be a way to deal with this, because death through accidental injury, rather than through suicide, is still death.
If Lamictal perpetuates dizzyness through the vestibular system then OTC meclizine (Dramamine II / Dramamine Less Drowsy) or its pharmacy generic may be of use. The medication may cause slight atropine (brightness, etc.) side effects.But it may be more complicated than that.
You could try it, its fairly harmless in a small dose. As with all atropine like antihistamines, one shouldn't exceed the typical dosing because there is a small chance of temporarily becoming loopy/pseudopsychotic.
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2006, at 22:16:34
In reply to Re: Dealing with dizziness » clint878, posted by yxibow on November 4, 2006, at 22:06:08
Jay that's not too encouraging. I liked lamictal but had excess salivation on it. Is the dizzyness a temporary side effect of lamictal?Love Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2006, at 7:14:37
In reply to Dealing with dizziness, posted by clint878 on November 4, 2006, at 20:19:27
Would it be possible to reduce your lamotrigine dose? Alternatively, splitting up your daily dose may be helpful, if you are not doing so already eg. 100mg twice daily instead of 200mg once daily. I don't think anti-vertigo drugs will be helpful because although they can relieve nausea/vomiting associated with dizziness, they do not improve co-ordination.
Ed
Posted by clint878 on November 5, 2006, at 8:49:00
In reply to Re: Dealing with dizziness » clint878, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2006, at 7:14:37
Well, if I reduce the dose, I'm afraid that my thinking capabilities will be reduced as well. It would be far worse to be unable to think again than to be dizzy.
Some people believe that with antidepressants, for example, you can discontinue the drug after recovery, and still maintain remission in some cases. Is this a similar case? If the dose was reduced, will the symptoms return immediately, or will some of the recovery hold?
Posted by yxibow on November 5, 2006, at 15:30:30
In reply to Re: Dealing with dizziness » clint878, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2006, at 7:14:37
> Would it be possible to reduce your lamotrigine dose? Alternatively, splitting up your daily dose may be helpful, if you are not doing so already eg. 100mg twice daily instead of 200mg once daily. I don't think anti-vertigo drugs will be helpful because although they can relieve nausea/vomiting associated with dizziness, they do not improve co-ordination.
>
> EdProbably true. Individual results may vary
Other agents that are used:
(Emedicine)
Diazepam (Valium) -- Effective in treating vertigo. Depresses all levels of CNS, including limbic and reticular formation, possibly by increasing activity of GABA, which is major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Individualize dosage and increase it cautiously to avoid adverse effects.Lorazepam (Ativan) -- By increasing action of GABA, which is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, may depress all levels of CNS, including limbic and reticular formation.
Ephedrine (Pretz-D) -- Stimulates release of epinephrine stores, producing alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.
I wouldn't particularly go with ephedrine with its fairly strong shock on the system, but a benzodiazepine test is fairly harmless.Original Dramamine, which will make you drowsy, may be slightly better at vertigo, but they have similar mechanisms.
-- Jay
Posted by tensor on November 5, 2006, at 16:20:26
In reply to Dealing with dizziness, posted by clint878 on November 4, 2006, at 20:19:27
>But the dizziness is becoming severe, like the world is spinning around me.
I have something really strange going on right now, it's like you desribed it. I also feel like i'm losing grip of reality in a strange way, really scaring, i just had some anxiety attacks, almost panicked. Never felt like this before. So this is a side effect from Lamictal? Had to take some clon to calm me down.
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2006, at 16:48:48
In reply to Dealing with dizziness, posted by clint878 on November 4, 2006, at 20:19:27
Hi
What dose of lamotrigine are you taking?
ed
Posted by clint878 on November 8, 2006, at 17:06:25
In reply to Re: Dealing with dizziness » clint878, posted by tensor on November 5, 2006, at 16:20:26
I had that happen, but I don't think this has anything to do with the medication, because this happened before I started taking Lamictal.
As I'm improving, this seems to happen less and less, and indeed, research seems to indicate that panic attacks usually subside as the patient improves.
Posted by tensor on November 8, 2006, at 17:13:34
In reply to Re: Dealing with dizziness, posted by clint878 on November 8, 2006, at 17:06:25
It was the first panic attack i have had for a long time. I hate it, feels like you're losing it completely. Those minutes it takes for the sedative to kick in feels like an eternity.
/Mattias
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