Lamictal and Depression: What Users Say

• TON...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 10, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried and failed every medication out there!! I just could not tolerate the side effects and weight gain. I came very close to suicide, and I finally got on Lamictal. What a difference!! I am finally not having the mania keeping me up for days and the severe depression of constantly writing suicide letters. I am also on Klonopin. I had to go off my meds during my pregnancy, and my husband said 'I will never get you pregnant again!!!' That is how much better I am on the medication. My dose is 300 mg split twice daily. I had gastric bypass as well, and I am tolerating it the same as I was before. I have been on Lamictal for 8 years. I wanted to share my experience so that I might touch someone's life and make a difference!"

• Bra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking Lamictal since I was 16. 150 mg nightly. It was an amazing drug. When I was 34, I got pregnant and had to switch to Latuda. It worked okay, but eventually, my bipolar got out of hand. I got super depressed and started to drink way too much. I couldn’t get through the day without listening to headphones. I was an empty person, sleeping 10 or more hours a night. Finally, a switch happened, and I had an extreme manic episode. I asked my doctor for my Lamictal back, so now I’m on 25 mg a day for now. I already have noticed a HUGE difference! I cleaned my house. I did my job at work. Stopped using headphones 24/7. And I felt my brain make happiness! Without the help of alcohol."

• Lig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "On Lamictal for bipolar, and I developed cognitive problems, memory loss, hair loss, and other problems. Had many serious depressive episodes and an increase in anxiety while on it. Worsened sleep. Difficult withdrawal occurred when trying to get off it."

• meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 27 and was diagnosed with Major Depression 7 years ago. I was on Fluoxetine, which helped somehow but with emotional flatness and low motivation as side effects. I also used Paxil when depression struck again 2 years later, but it made my depression worse, so I went back on Fluoxetine. One year ago, I felt I was going depressed again, and my doctor put me on Zoloft, but I started rapid cycling, so I was diagnosed with BP2 and started Lamictal 150 mg. I feel really good and normal with it. I never felt like that before. Now I also use 10 mg Lexapro, which helps me with depression. The great miracle for me was Lamictal, not SSRIs! It surely helps for BP2 to feel normal and happy without any sedation or annoying side effects."

• meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 27 and was diagnosed with Major Depression 7 years ago. I was on Fluoxetine, which helped somehow but with emotional flatness and low motivation as side effects. I also used Paxil when depression struck again 2 years later, but it made my depression worse, so I went back on Fluoxetine. One year ago, I felt I was going depressed again, and my doctor put me on Zoloft, but I started rapid cycling, so I was diagnosed with BP2 and started Lamictal 150 mg. I feel really good and normal with it. I never felt like that before. Now I also use 10 mg Lexapro, which helps me with depression. The great miracle for me was Lamictal, not SSRIs! It surely helps for BP2 to feel normal and happy without any sedation or annoying side effects."

• Lar...
• December 22, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Lamictal for 12 years. I was taking 150 mg, now 75 mg daily. I have not been manic the entire 12 years, and that is what I wanted to prevent. I still feel sad and scared sometimes but not manic. I am an introvert and like to have a lot of alone time to read, work on the computer, etc., so it's not going to make you an extrovert if you really aren't one. I have medical insurance that helps pay for the brand name since the generic doesn't work for me. I ended up in the hospital on the generic. I will never stop taking Lamictal because I don't ever want to not be in control of myself."

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "First, I want to thank you all for your helpful reviews. It helped me to do my own research so I can suggest my choice of treatment to my psychiatrist, rather than just trusting the one he suggests. After being diagnosed with bipolar 2, he suggested another med. I strongly advocated for Lamictal. I tapered up to 200 mg on a conservative schedule. I've had good results over the past 9 months. It definitely has lowered the instances of hypomania or at least deescalated the intensity. It's done little to address the depression or anxiety, so we've agreed to add an antidepressant. Again, he suggested Cymbalta, which I opposed due to all the information regarding withdrawal syndrome. We agreed on a low dose of Prozac, which is going well so far."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has been working pretty well so far. My only complaint is that lately depression is creeping up on me, but this could be just part of the 'winter blues.' On Lamictal, I am not emotionless; it just helps with the dramatic mood swings (I have bipolar type 1). I was given Lamictal as an option due to the fact that I requested a medicine that would not make me gain weight. As I was told, I do notice Lamictal seems to be weight-neutral, which is a good thing. I haven't been on Lamictal for more than a few months yet, but I am hoping it continues doing its job."

• sud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar II recently at 34 years old. I'm also diagnosed with severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. After being on what seems like every antidepressant in the world, finally, a combination of Lamictal, Wellbutrin, and Xanax has been a lifesaver. I was prescribed the Lamictal a couple of months ago. I noticed that after a couple of weeks, the Lamictal started to wear off a little, and the depression started to appear again. I was started on 25 mg and then upped to 50 mg. A few days ago, I noticed the depression again. I'm going to ask my doctor to up my dose again. Sorry for the long response, lol. I just wanted to let anyone else know that I'm going through a similar experience."

• Rae...
• August 16, 2013

For Seizure Prevention "It will be 10 years in October that I've been taking Lamictal. I've been seizure-free that long as well. I take 200 mg at night and 200 mg in the morning. I too experience memory loss and concentration issues. I feel as though my eyes don't move normally. Since my dosage was upped, I find myself in slow motion. I also notice that I have a form of dyslexia. Example: putting on my windshield wipers instead of my blinkers. Another example is: when I'm speaking, I might say into my sentence what I'm looking at. Talk about making me feel stupid! I must add that I also take Zonogram, which was causing me other side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts. After doctors lowered the Zonogram dose, depression and suicidal thoughts were gone, but I gained weight."

• msl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 7, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar 2, bipolar with depression, bipolar without mania. The main thing I noticed about Lamictal is that it seemed to have helped with ADHD symptoms that I really didn't know I had until I read the symptoms for that. I was chronically late my whole adult life. I lost almost every job I had due to lateness. I had other ADHD symptoms, but that was not my diagnosis. Guess I thought all those things were just character flaws. After I started taking Lamictal, I was not late anymore! It seemed to have helped with depression, but any benefit from that has seemed to come back. I came to this site looking for extended, long-range use of Lamictal."

• Jes...
• August 3, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 80 mg of Geodon, 25 mg of Topiramate, 40 mg of Prozac, 50 mg of Trazodone, 200 mg of Lamictal, 100 mg of Vistaril, and Xanax as needed for anxiety. The Lamictal helps me the most out of any drug I have ever been prescribed. I was on 50 mg of Lamictal and went through a pretty rough depression, I felt catatonic and didn't care about anything - I felt desolate. I am now taking 200 mg, and I feel so much better! I have more energy, I have a genuine smile, I feel like my old self again... or, pretty close anyway."

• hma...
• May 8, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "My PDoc prescribed it to me, but I refused to accept that I had mild bipolar (type 2). However, my SSRI (Cipralex) was only numbing and sometimes energizing me for no reason and eventually... led to inevitable depression dips. I stuck it out for almost 1.5 months on Lamictal, only 25 mg, and trust me, I feel a world of a difference. My life has changed. I feel like I can focus. Although there is mild emotional numbing, almost stoic, I am able to be present with people and calmly socialize. It is easier to process emotions, which used to be overwhelming before. It allowed my mindfulness and self-acceptance practice to skyrocket. Anyone planning on using this, titrate slowly!!!!! My symptoms were too much to handle when I shot up to 50 mg. I might be different, but please be patient with the drug and move slowly."

• mma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "It really does work amazingly! I am bipolar II. I was originally diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, but my depression did fluctuate in intensity quite a bit, so my psychiatrist thought Lamictal could work and that I could be bipolar. So I started Lamictal (ironically, right before I started the Lamictal, I started having hypomania and was then properly diagnosed as bipolar II). For weeks, it really did not help much - and then I reached the full dose of 200 mg. I've been on this dose for a month and have felt completely normal or virtually normal most of the time! The medication isn't perfect though, as the depression occasionally comes on rather hard, but even when it does, it is temporary and NOWHERE near as bad as it was before."

• seg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 6, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on 200 mg of lamotrigine for 5 years. I also take 50 mg of Seroquel at bedtime, which also helps immensely with my insomnia. And yes, it took a moment to pull that last word out of my brain, and I do goof up words sometimes, but so do all the other alcoholics I know and love. I self-medicated for many years, and it worked even better after quitting 2 years ago. I still am a little manic and vaguely depressed under stress, but this treatment has been a lifesaver. I highly recommend giving it a try if you're unhappy with your current regimen, but you'll have to give it time. It took me about 6 months to get the full benefit."

• AFC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "When I was diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder, after coming out of my first and only admission for mania and spending months with depression that only came out a few days, they only gave me valproic acid, which depresses me. Quetiapine worked for a while, but I had to stop taking it at high doses for constipation and rhinitis. With aripiprazole, for 2 whole days, vomiting, with cariprazine for a whole month, with akathisia, and olanzapine only depressed me. I saw that there was Symbyax (olanzapine plus fluoxetine) that in 6 days took me out of the depression. I managed to change psychiatrists. I told him that I was still sleeping 10 hours a day and mentally dull with Symbyax, so I was prescribed 100 mg of lamotrigine and 50 mg of quetiapine, which does not make me fat at such a low dose. Since then, I sleep only 8-7 hours and I can continue with my life without depression, mania, or drowsiness. Thank God they gave me lamotrigine. I am from Spain, and sorry if I made some mistake."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on this medicine for only a month, but I couldn't take it any longer. I had a constant sore throat and nasal congestion, brain fog, and more, but most difficult to me was how deeply depressed I felt on this medicine, and it didn't lift till I quit taking it. I was always crying, and I'm not a crier. I had no positive benefits, unfortunately. I had high hopes Lamictal would help with the low side of bipolar while my lithium helps keep the mania away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2017

For Epilepsy "I have taken 150 mg of this drug for 3 and a half years for a condition known as benign epilepsy. In that time, I've continued to have seizures every six months on average, as well as experiencing a number of negative side effects including insomnia, constant sighing, impaired short-term memory, lack of motivation, depressive thoughts, and difficulty completing tasks due to lack of motivation."

• Lee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Taken this med for years. Age 15-18 then on and off a bit. Then the last three years very consistently. Did I think it helped? At first, sure. Every time at first, I thought I felt relief. Calmer, less angry. However, my bones hurt, joints hurt, mad migraines… weight gain, horrid sudden depression I had never had before - I dealt with it. I recently stopped taking this medication - the first time I stopped, I got VERY sick. Very sick. So I restarted. I can’t keep going on this medication. I have no motivation. Horrid memory loss. Horrid stomach pains and joint pains. So I stopped. I already feel more energy - less suicidal - this med ruined my life … coming off has been so amazing. As a person who's been on this long term - it’s not worth it for me. I’m ready to enjoy some form of life again. It’ll feel so subtle - the loss of yourself to this drug."

• IHC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently diagnosed with PMDD, and my doctor also suspects I may have Bipolar 2. I have had many years of agitation and irritability and other dark thoughts. Doctors have prescribed many types of medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety, you name it, I've tried it. I got off all medication in 2009 because it just wasn't working, and I felt the same whether I took it or not. In 2022, my mental health had deteriorated to the point that I really wasn't sure if I would hurt someone or not because my irritability had grown to blind rage. I could barely stand myself, and other people couldn't stand me, so I tried medication one more time. THANK GOD! My new doctor started me on a low dose of Lamictal and Prozac, and within days I felt calmer. I slowly titrated up until now I am at 200 mg of Lamictal and 40 mg of Prozac. I think this is my sweet spot for both medications. I have lost my rage, irritability, and depression, jumpiness-I could go on and on."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has changed my life. I was diagnosed bipolar 20 years ago and have never been 100% happy with my meds. Although I was functioning, I was always battling weight gain, lack of motivation, binge eating (due to antipsychotics), had a terrible episode (manic then severe depression after), was given Lamictal to take. My life has turned around. I’ve been able to lower my 2 other meds. I’ve gone from obese to a normal weight. I read about this happening with others and thought that will never happen to me, but it did. It truly is an antidepressant to me (I still take a lower dose of Seroquel as well). I don’t know if Lamictal would be strong enough alone, I don’t want to find out either, as I’m finally happy on my mix of meds. The weight loss is because I finally can eat a healthy diet and have the motivation to go walking and go shopping to buy proper food. Side effects are mild, kind of makes you more “ditsy” and a bit forgetful. But that’s it."

• Gil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been taking lamotrigine for a year now. It has made me more depressed than I was before I started this medication. My emotions are totally numb. I don't have any joy in my life. It's like I am a walking zombie just going through the motions. I would not recommend this drug. It has helped some people, but it's not worth the side effects for me."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on lamotrigine now for over 8 weeks. I was abused and used drugs as a child. My mum has a diagnosis of bipolar. I saw a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 when all the doctors I saw didn't see the signs and kept denying I had bipolar and that I just had EUPD. A few weeks ago, I was severely depressed where I could not stop crying all day and everything was a struggle. Then, a few days ago, I had a hypomanic episode. I was depressed yesterday, but today my mind is clearer and I'm not getting annoyed with everything and everybody. Overall, I feel genuinely a little bit more stable than I was before lamotrigine."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I left my opinion last year around October. And things have changed just a bit. I understood my illness is genetic because my uncle had it and my dad has it, but I don't accept it, I guess. Anyway, 70% of cases have a genetic background, so feel better about that. You didn't choose this. I feel Lamictal is not working as well after two years, but not a major change. I will increase it from 200 mg to 250 this week. I control my depression with clonazepam. I feel anxiety makes depression worse. So when it kicks in, then I feel strong enough to make a prayer, and it goes away. We need to do some work in our brain. Everything that is negative, you change it for 'yes,' and I can and I will."

• Vel...
• March 1, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've used Lamictal for several years, and I feel that it is a very effective drug with little to no side effects. Moods are quite stable; although I still do get some depression. Overall, I've been extremely stable for the past 3 years, taking it with a combination of Lexapro for depression."