Lamictal side effects???

Question

I went to see my doctor today about my depression/anxiety medication (Cymbalta) because it wasn't working so well for my anxiety...Well he decided to put me on Lamictal with it to help me sleep and calm me down. I took it tonight, and all I got was a headache from hell, I'm stiff and can't move very well...and insomnia!!!!! Does this go away after I take it for a while, or is it a lost cause?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Lamictal is approved for Epilepsy and as a Bipolar stabilizer. It also is used off label to treat refractory depression since it is the stabilizer with the most antidepressant effects.

I take this med. It was pretty much side effect from up to 200mg. The one caveat is that it's too activating for me to do as monotherapy. I also take Lithium to deal with the hypo/manic stuff.

Lamictal only rarely is sedating at low doses (at least to my knowledge). Your reaction actually isn't that far off normal. Head aches are a potential side effect. Many don't have that problem. Some do. From what I gather, it can fade away. The body stiffness isn't the best sigh. It too can fade away, or it can stick around. Insomnia is not at all unusual. Many need to take this med in the morning.

Lamictal is not approved to treat anxiety, and it is a very strange choice for that since it is an activating med, not a sedating one. Are you seeing a psychiatrist? If not, go get one.

Last, go to this website. They have a write up in plain English on Lamictal with links to the manufacturer Patient Info sheets. The talk board is dedicated to medication issues and questions. There is a section specifically on Lamictal, and there usually are a few on it for hard to treat depression.
http://www.crazymeds.org

If you've already been thru a few SSRIs, Cymbalta or Effexor, and Wellbutrin, Lamictal makes some sense for depression. Anxiety and calming... absolutely none IMHO.

Answer 2

Get off this medication right away! I have no idea why your doctor put you on this medication, it is a seizure medication for people with epilepsy. I have taken it for that reason and that is the only reason it's supposed to be used for and has not been approved for depression or anxiety. I think you should go and see a different doctor if your doctor made this mistake. You should also contact a lawyer about this mistake your doctor made for you could have lasting side affects due to taking a medication you shouldn't have been taking. Another thing, you are supposed to be eased onto Lamictal and if he just started you off on a high dose this can also do damage to your body. STOP TAKING IT IMMIDIATELY! I have no idea what your doctor was thinking. I hope this helps. Good luck. If you need help with your depression and anxiety try a support group who can help answer questions like these and more. I left you a link to one here on Yahoo. Uh, not wrong by the way left you a link to a website that says what Lamictal is to be used for this time. The only other use for this medication is Bi-Polar disorder. Check out the second link for proof.

Source(s):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/windowinto…

http://www.lamictal.com (official website of Lamictal)

Answer 3

Uhh, that first person was wrong, it has been approved for Anxiety a long time ago. If you can put up with the side effects your having see if you can try it for another week, if you still have them stop taking it and see your doctor. Like most side effects the do go away once you system is used to it.
No treating doctor will ever give you something there not supposed to, and they will ALWAYS weigh up the pros and cons and if the pros outweigh the cons they will try you on the meds! Anxiety and depression can sometimes take a cocktail of drugs before you will find the right one.. ive had to try heaps and ive finally found the right one and been properly diagnosed.
Good luck and feel bettr soon!