Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention User Reviews (Page 3)

• BettyB
• July 1, 2018

"I have had good seizure control for my grand mal seizure with lamotrigine. I started off on Teva brand but found out recently that the company discontinued making it and I had to switch to another brand. This has caused some mood swings and nausea, but I think I will get used to it. I take 200 mg morning and night. Previously I was on Tegratol and put up with some nasty side effects. This drug worked much better with fewer mood swings. I would like to reduce lamotrigine and use medical marijuana, which would have far fewer side effects. It is hard to find a neurologist to help with that option. Thanks for sharing experiences. It really helps to connect with people out there."

• Review
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2014

"I have nightmares, weight loss (went from 128 to 118 in a few weeks, which is a lot for me), dizziness. Also "the spins" whenever I lay down, which is when my body feels stable but the whole world spins (kind of like being drunk and lying down). No seizures yet but they aren't that common to begin with (1x/year) and I've only been on lamotrigine for a few months. I'm at 300mg/day now and trying to get up to 400mg. Dizziness is pretty bad right now, that rocking feeling you get after being on a boat. I feel that."

• Cemore
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2015

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "I have been taking it for many years now for tonic clonic epilepsy and had been well for 3yrs. However out of nowhere last week I had 4 seizures had did some major damage. Has anyone else had this I also take Epilim ."

• Jan...
• February 6, 2013

Lamictal XR (lamotrigine) "I didn't have many problems with Lamictal XR . Just sleep problems for about 3 or 4 days and then I adjusted. Constipation also plagued me. I had a breakthrough partial seizure and doc changed from 100mg to 150mg. Now I am having a lot of problems. My sleep is really disturbed, really bad dreams and panic attacks waking me up while sleeping. Wish he could put me at 125mg. Will have to check with him and see if that will keep seizures at bay. I have been a week and one half without a seizure."

• Horri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2016

"After taking Dilantin, (and keppra which cause depresion) it keep me and mom extremely extremely cool. depression faded away. It does well with seizures unless I miss a dose.Now I ONLY have nocturnal seizures. Side effects got worst.I have double vision, studdering, Alzhimers type memory, Cant walk at all dizzinyness, and rashes Other than seizures, side affects are MUCH worst then the medicine itself. I encourage you NOT to take it at all. AT ALL"

• Bev
• April 4, 2018

"I have had "stroke like" simple partial seizures for 2 1/2 years and first diagnosed with mini strokes. The doctor first put me on KEPPRA and increased it gradually up to 1000 mg twice daily and would still have these seizures two or more weekly with "zombie"effects. Finely she gradually brought me down to 500 mg of KEPPRA and up to 150 mg of Lamotrigine. After 7 months I have had 2 seizures, one in the build up stage and another following a very stressful time. Side effects seem light compared to the large amount of KEPPRA. I do have a little off balance, some light rashes and forgetfulness but overall I am unbelievably better. I am 74 and some of these side effects may be from age."

• jt20
• August 24, 2009

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "I have dealt with seizures for 6 years. I started off with Depakote and changed over to Lamictal back in June. I started off with 100 mg split in 1/2, 50mg (morning and at night). Now I'm taking three pills in the morning and night 75 mg. I don't see that much of results. With Depakote I didn't experience seizures. "

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2011

"I took Lamictal for 7 years with no seizures and no side effects - wonderful medicine. They switched me to generic in 2009, have had 2 seizures in 1 1/2 year - increased dosage, but blood levels inconsistent. Neurologist swears it's not the generic, but has no explanation for why it's not keeping level. Stay with the Lamictal if you can, it's wonderful."

• Kevin
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2023

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "I had a traumatic brain injury 6 years ago and I've been on Lamictal for 5 years. When I was taking a higher dose, I experienced side effects like itching and mood swings. However, since I switched to a lower dose, the medication has been highly effective and I would highly recommend it. It has greatly improved my daily functioning and I am very satisfied with the long-term benefits."

• patty...
• May 9, 2009

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "My neurologist used Lamictal effectively for over eight years for a diabetic seizure threshold. After one episode when my glucose was brought down too quickly, I had one seizure. To prevent another, he put me on low dosages until I received a pancreatic transplant and no longer have diabetes."

• Vanessa
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2024

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "I had a brain tumor and cortical dysplasia which were causing me to have seizures non-stop. I got them removed and started taking Lamictal. I did not have another seizure until I was pregnant with my daughter 3 years after the surgery. I had a seizure when I was about 6 months pregnant and then one during delivery, which made me stop breathing. My daughter that I had is now 17 and I haven’t had another seizure since then and I still take Lamictal 3 times a day. The doctor said that during pregnancy my Lamictal level went way down because of the baby. That means there is something in my brain still causing seizures, but it is being blocked by taking the Lamictal. The doctor plans to keep me on it for life and I am fine having babies. Taking Lamictal during pregnancy with her did not cause her any problems. I know there is an increase for cleft palate in babies that the mom is taking Lamictal during pregnancy."

• shaki...
• August 30, 2014

"After 17 seizures in 1 week, 15 years of epilepsy and absolutely NO life, within only a few days, a total change came over me with this medicine. I actually started getting my brain back, depression lifted, I went SWIMMING(!). Not a seizure yet, I am not unrealistic, although at a low dose, I am cautiously optimistic. The insomnia is somewhat relentless, back pain too, & my appetite is insatiable."

• Rob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2015

"I've been on Lamotrigine for three years at a daily dose of 350mg. My seizure frequency decreased dramatically down to once per month. Keppra was added to the regemin and I'm practically seizure free. Brain fog, multitasking issues and the occasional inability to find the words I'm looking for when speaking are the side effects are the primary issues but I'll take those over worrying constantly when the next seizure will occur."

• Arela
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2017

Lamictal (lamotrigine) "I've been taking Lamotrigine for close to a year now, as a alternate for my previous seizure medicine. I am able to continue using Depo birth control, and although there's a small chance I get slight insomnia, it works quite well for me. Two a day, 100 mg each."

• Emma
• August 17, 2020

"I was 17 y/o when my doctor put me on this lamotrigine medication to treat my Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) which had been acting up at the time. After a couple days on the meds I started feeling sick and got little mini jerks but nobody was around to see them so I wasn't sure if it was the epilepsy or if it was in my head. I told my doctor next time I saw him I wanted off the medication. He then told me the meds were safe and tripled my dose. The next couple of months, I couldn't get out of bed in the morning without having seizure after seizure. Eventually it led to a grand-mal and only then would my neurologist see me about it. Unfortunately I found online that its a pretty common thing for others with JME to have this experience taking lamictal. My doctor didn't explain these risks to me, and if he had I would have exercised my right as a patient to refuse the treatment based on how the meds were making me feel and this never would have happened. If you are reading this and are unsure about lamictal, just steer clear."

• GinPP
• August 5, 2015

"My husband began taking this about 20 years ago after being on Dilantin for 6 years, when he was on Dilantin, he had horrible side effects and still had seizures...To us this is a miracle drug...not a seizure since beginning it!"

• Secer...
• September 25, 2014

"Been on: Dilantin, Keppra & Tegretol. All for different length of times. Have been on Lamictal for 12 years, not had a seizure since. I did however quit my high stress job. Truly a leap of faith for my family. I was the bread winner. But health is number 1. The side effects: insomnia. My Epiologist added Neurontin to the mix to help combat this (so so). Weight gain (10lbs). Word finding. Forgetfulness. Headaches. These were all before the the addition of Neurontin. I've been on the Paleo Diet/lifestyle for 1-1/2 years. Never felt better. Eliminated my debilitating headaches! Lamictal gave me my life back."

• Grapost
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2017

"I've suffered from clinical depression and a severe explosive disorder all my life. My doctor prescribed this specificallly for my explosive disorder. Since I was depressed and negative most of the the time, I was easily annoyed and angered. When angered, i became quickly stressed out and would "blow up" and go off "like a rocket" in fit or rage yelling, screaming. pounding and smashing things. The Lamotrigine successfully controls my explosive disorder. It also helped my depression and improved my mood. The doctor started me off at 100 mg a day. However, I had a adverse reaction to that amount. My heart would start racing and I felt wired up and couldn't relax or sleep. So I reduced my dosage to 25 mg a day, and I'm able tolerate that."

• ZZZ
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

"I suffer from nocturnal seizures, and was only having 1-2 a year prior to meds. Since I've been on Lamictal, I haven't had seizures (taking it 2x/day) but man... I'm having struggling with the myriad of side effects. I'm only 30, and ever since I introduced prescription meds into my life - I have SO many "health" problems. Other than my seizures, I had zero physical problems prior to being on meds. Now I have insomnia, my vision is blurry, muscle spasms/vertigo in the mornings, my coordination sucks, I'm always lethargic, and I get tongue-tied and slur all the time. I also got a severe rash on my face and neck the first week I was on Lamictal. But the worst part? I can't remember ANYTHING, can't concentrate, and I'm zoned out all the time. The cognitive impact is negatively impacting me at work and is causing frustration within my relationships. It feels like I just can't win with anticonvulsants. Is all of this really worth it? I don't know anymore..."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2023

"I take Lamotrigine for seizures and had not realized it also could be used to help treat anxiety/depression. In my mid-twenties, I stopped taking it as my seizures had become less regular. I could control them as long as I stuck to a regular sleep schedule. I also found marijuana helped as long as I smoked regularly. However, being off the medication, I did find myself more depressed and sleeping a lot, which can trigger seizures in someone with my condition. After experiencing a few seizures, I went back on lamotrigine and noticed I felt less anxiety and was sleeping normally, not napping throughout the day for multiple hours at a time. I found no side effects, and it really helps prevent seizures, and the anxiety/depression relief is an added bonus."

• Dan
• August 7, 2020

"I am on lamotrigine and I still have complex partial seizures, maybe about 3-4 a month or maybe more, I can't tell when I have them unless somebody sees me have one. I take 300 grams of lamictal and am also on phenobarbital. I also have a VNS. I kind of doubt taking Lamictal. I take all meds about 10 p.m. every night Should I take all before bedtime? Or what else can I do to control seizures?"

• Quin
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

"I’m honestly speechless! This medicine has has saved my life! I have never in my life felt this calm, peaceful and anxiety-free, NEVER! I’ve only been on it for a little over a month, 50mg mornings/ 50 mg evenings! I got it for a few seizures I’ve had this year, doc thinks it’s epilepsy, but I think it’s PNES because of the severity of my underlying mental conditions. I have had anxiety, depression, and panic attacks since I was 14. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my early teens. I’ve recently been tested for other disorders and I have CPTSD, panic syndrome, my panic attacks developed into dissociation and depersonalization a few years back, together with my PTSD from trauma, plus stresses of life, all of it which I believe resulted in my non-epileptic seizures. BUT, taking this medicine has changed me, I will never stop taking this medicine! Why would I? I finally feel “normal”! It makes me wanna cry."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2009

"My son has had seizures since his 4th birthday he is now 20. He has been on all sorts of anti seizure medications over the years and all have had their ups and downs. But the experience with Lamictal and Dilantin together has been the worst! In addition to the common itchiness and dry mouth he would become extremely violent during and after a seizure. The amount of force he had was unbelievable and punching and kicking uncontrollably, to the point that I could not control him and I was afraid he would hurt me and/or himself. After when he would wake up he had no idea what happened. After stopping the Lamictal these violent episodes disappeared."

• Eyes
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2020

"My experience with a generic a lamotrigine Zxdus 200 mg. Has the best experience for the past 5 yrs. I've tried many name brand & other generic. I've myself going from 4 - 6 monthly seizures. To now having 1 - 3 seizures every 6 - 8 weeks. What a really change."

• Nwith...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2016

"I have had seizures since taking. One year I had 3. My trigger is alcohol and late nights. I was on 300mg pd, and I moved to Spain for 9 months, I decreased my meds to 200 as I was getting dizzy spells. The doctor there said because my lifestyle was more relaxed that it was my body's way of saying I didn't need as much. When I moved back and into my hectic recruitment job I didn't increase it back, ha a fit 2 months later! I had been seizure free for 18 months. But I'd had a drink and not enough sleep. went back up to 300mg (but lost my license again, worst thing ever!). Was nearly 20 months recently and I missed a dose the other morning as ran out and had 1 the next morning! Gutted. Also started the aloe gel stuff and think it had an effect?!"