Lamotrigine?

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

I had an assessment last week with a psychiatrist where he diagnosed me with body dysmorphic disorder, depression, anxiety and a 'mild eating disorder'.

I've been on Venlafaxine 225mg for a while now and my anxiety has alleviated somewhat, but I still feel quite low in mood. The psychiatrist prescribed Lamotrigine (to take alongside the Venlafaxine) and said that this will 'augment' the Venlafaxine.... Whatever he meant by that!!

Anyway I just wondered if anyone's tried Lamotrigine, what for, and how they found it?
I don't have much experience with Lamotrigine (none of my patients have ever been prescribed this...) or know too much about it so I'm unsure what to expect. Obviously I know drugs affect people differently but I just wanted a general overview of experiences....

[Cacoethes]

I've been on Lamotrigine for quite a while now for epilepsy and as a mood stabiliser.
it's not known for awful side effects like a lot of medication. I have no side effects unless I get to a certain dose but it's manageable.
I find it does lift my mood as well as stabilise It.
I've found it very helpful.
Although one side effect is a rash that could be life threatening, it's rare though and you just need to look out for it.
Hope it helps you.

[sherlock holmes]

If one drug augments another it basically means it boosts it/makes it more effective!

I tried lamotrigine but had to stop because it made my headaches bad. That's an issue I get with some meds.

[Steel Maiden]

Lamotrigine is a mood stabiliser but I've read that it works for depression as an augmenting agent, as your doctor said.

Be mindful of any rash appearing.

The way I see it is that you can try a medication, and if it goes really badly then it can be tapered and stopped (usually). If it goes well, that is great. If it goes badly, then that can be dealt with.

[tiptoes]

I was on it briefly, and read good things about it when I as looking into it.

It is a mood stabiliser that is generally good for people that have depression/more issues with depressive episode with bipolar.

There is a very rare side effect that can sometimes happen (the RASH!) but they increase the dose slowly enough that this shouldn't be a problem for most people.

Unfortunately for me it didn't do much for my depression nor did it stop my antidepressant sending me hypomanic so I had to come off it. I didn't have any noticeable side effects either though.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

Unfortunately I've decided to stop it as my suicidal thoughts massively increased and I feel very unwell with flu-like symptoms which I've read is a side-effect. I also read that the flu-like symptoms are sometimes a sign that you'll then develop the fatal rash? I don't know.
This drug seems pretty dangerous... Why would it cause such side-effects? Does it affect your immune system? Steel Maiden I bet you know a bit about this?

But yeah- I'm sick of feeling poorly and like killing myself so I've stopped it (had only started on 25mg anyway!).

I feel so low and hopeless right now.

[tiptoes]

I'm sorry that you reacted badly too it. Unfortunately some people get rare and unusual reactions to medication it doesn't necessarily make it dangerous. I have had some unusual reactions to some medications that many other people take without any problems.

Hang in there it can take a while to find the right combination of medications. Have you got a follow up appointment with your doctor?

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

Yeah I have an appointment end of June time.
I just feel absolutely dreadful. Worse than before.
I don't see the point in carrying on like this anymore.

[Steel Maiden]

Edited because advice sometimes break rules as I'm not qualified officially. I'm still a student.

The rash is only serious in one in a thousand. But if you are worried best discuss with your doctor. Don't stop it suddenly though.

But I understand your fears. But don't do anything suddenly like stopping them cold turkey.

[ajrocks]

Hiya I take Lamotrigine for Bipolar.I've found it to be very effective with hardly any side effects apart from when I first started it-headaches,feeling dizzy etc.
Obviously because of the small risk of the rash that has been mentioned it takes a while to get up to the required dose for the particular person as it has to be done very slowly.I remember having flu like symptoms when I first started it but they quickly went.
I would strongly urge you to see your G.P asap before you stop it if thats what is decided as it would need to be tapered back down slowly and not just stopped suddenly.
This drug is one of the ones with least side effects and rarely dangerous as long as you follow the instructions and watch for the rash.Hope that helps.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

Thanks guys.
Usually I would gently taper down but I'd only just started on 25mg a day, I was to slowly work up to 200mg but I absolutely can't carry on feeling this ill so I've just stopped. I feel ok apart from the flu-like thing, but no withdrawal effects etc.

[tiptoes]

The end of June seems like a long way away, would it be possible to get a nearer appointment or contact them to tell them about how you have felt on the lamotrigine. If getting an appointment with your psychiatrist sooner isn't possible could you get an appointment with your GP they might be able to consult with the psychiatrist and get the next option put in place sooner than June.