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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 8:08:39
I've noticed a marked sense of flakiness since I've increased my Lamictal past 200 mgs. Now I'm at 300mgs and the symptoms have gotten severe. I can't finish my thoughts or sentences and have dramatic memory lapses.
I've asked my pdoc to give me some Strattera samples as ADD has always been a possibility and it might counteract what's going in.
He's demanding now that I get a brain scan because the incidents I describe may indicate a neurological pathology. I tried to make the link between lam. and memory loss clear, but he is firm and said it's the only responsible thing to do.
I know others have had issues with cognitive functioning on Lamictal, but I'd like to know how severe it is amongst y'all.
thanks,
Craig
Posted by anastasia56 on December 9, 2004, at 8:31:20
In reply to Flakiness, Lamictal and UGH- brain scans!!!, posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 8:08:39
I couldn't remember a dang thing at 300-350mg lamictal. Panic attacks, etc. It really played with my mind big time. I reduced the dosage and the symptoms went away.
anastasia
Posted by lostforwards on December 9, 2004, at 9:21:32
In reply to Flakiness, Lamictal and UGH- brain scans!!!, posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 8:08:39
I noticed a deadening of my long term memory on just 50mg Lamictal. It was hard for me to think about anything. I was completely blanked, felt like I was litterally being erased, it made me feel a lot better in the present though. I had that blanked feeling sometimes when I was overmedicated with APs. I had a bunch of physical symptoms like stiffness, shallow breathing, and a lot of eps - like dyskinesia in my fingers.
Those problems may have influenced my reaction to to Lamictal. I think it was related to my dopamine levels being very low ( I suspect my brain has difficulty coping with drops in DA due to stress and APs ) from side-effects of antipsychotics. I don't have any direct evidence, but I do have a lot of physical evidence and other things like going to bed and waking up confused.
I think lamictal memory blanking is related to having a dopamine problem. That's the best I can describe it from my experience. In the past when I've taken lamictal, under normal circumstances, I didn't have this problem.
Posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 19:03:30
In reply to Re: Flakiness, Lamictal and UGH- brain scans!!! » CraigD, posted by lostforwards on December 9, 2004, at 9:21:32
Saw the doc today (primary care) and he agreed it's best to rule anything physical out.
It's a shame because I can't see any downturns to the Lamictal other than the memory, albeit significant.
Posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:35:22
In reply to Re: Flakiness, Lamictal and UGH- brain scans!!!, posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 19:03:30
I became thicker than a plank on 100mg Lamictal.
Memory loss, unfinished sentences, spoonerism, forgetfullness, lack of comprehension. I have been off of it for more than a week and I'm still wearing the dunce cap.
I'm now on Topamax which I believe carries the same side effect.
Sabrina
Posted by theo on December 11, 2004, at 7:12:36
In reply to Re: Flakiness, Lamictal and UGH- brain scans!!! » CraigD, posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:35:22
Not to burst your bubble on Topamax, aka "Dopeamax, but it has cognitive impairment at just 25mg! I hated it.
On the Lamictal, I was having the same problems you had at just 100mg. I was taking it in one dose at night. I started splitting the pills (dose), 50mg 7:00am and 50mg 7:00pm and most of the sides have gone away and I don't feel fuzzy anymore. Funny how something so simple in dosing can make a difference.
This is the end of the thread.
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