Sex: F
Age: 38.0
Side effects: The only side effects I experienced was the acne and I did notice slight short term memory loss=at a loss for words--word was on tip of tongue but couldnt remember, or transposing words, might have been some constipation in the beginning. Both have not happened after about a month of increasing dosage to 200mg a day.I was able to remedy the acne that with LOTS of water (68-70oz a day) and Mary Kay Blemish Toner and Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel. No Hair thinning.
Time taken and dosage: 3 months200 1X D
Review: THIS DRUG HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. Before taking Lamotrigine I took Wellbutrin 300XL mg 1x a day for about 4 years. I was still weepy and obsessed over negative thoughts, I just thought this was the way I was inherently and could never change. I needed to go to a new MD because of insurance and he diagnosed me as having cyclical personality disorder and the mildest form of Bi-Polar disorder. This drug has helped me tremendously and would try anything to KEEP taking it. I havent cried since taking it; find it a bit easier to let things go. The only negative I experienced I had is the cystic acne, but seems to subside over time, drinking LOTS of water and changing my skin regiment. I have always had beautiful skin without any effort, so the acne really bothered me. But this pill has done such wonders for me that I didnt want to abandon it, especially since it has not affected my weight. When I first started using the Mary Kay products I used the toner 3x a day and applied the acne gel after. I was able to get rid of a blemish after only 2 days of using the Mary Kay. I do not sell Mary Kay, I am only giving this information for those who might have the same experience.

Sex: F
Age: 33.0
Side effects: No significant side effects.
Time taken and dosage: 2 years200 1X D
Review: Major consideration for me is weight gain. I have had NO significant weight gain on Lamictal. Works good.

Sex: M
Age: 38.0
Side effects: None.
Time taken and dosage: 21 days50 1X D
Review: After suffering for six years with refactory depression my current pdoc recognized signs of bipolar II and prescribed lamictal. Within three days I felt SANE! The suicidal ruminations, anger and irritability vanished. I can now think CLEARLY and Im beginning to experience real emotions again. For years I had been experiencing emotional instability that was attributed to a personality disorder, but after taking Wellbutrin for the first time I began rapid cycling and my doc figured it out. Not a happy pill like some ADs, but I will take normal any day.

Sex: F
Age: 38.0
Side effects: I was on 100mg and all I would do is eat. I would wake up in the night to get food. I ended up gaining 40 pounds and was so depressed I didnt leave the house for months. The solution I came up with was to cut the dosage in half, not eat junk food and exercise often.
Time taken and dosage: 2 years50 1X D
Review:

Sex: F
Age: 29.0
Side effects: Sanity
Time taken and dosage: 5 years100MG 1X D
Review: I LOVE lamictal. I have tried other medications and after HORRIBLE side effects the docs put me on this. I have never felt better in my life! I ran out of insurance due to losing a job and had to go off of it. It was then that I saw what it really does for me. (withdrawals are a b*$@h, as was the rearing up of the mood disorder)Fortunately, I was quickly employed and after adjusting back to my dose, I was sane again. I LOVE lamictal and am actually scared of going off of it when I plan to get pregnant. (Studies are unclear about effects in-utero)I know not everything works for everyone, after all none of the other meds I tried worked for me.but I am BEYOND pleased with Lamictal.

Sex: M
Age: 43.0
Side effects: Running hot, extreme sensitivity to being hot (though it is the summer, may be less tolerant than others), poor concentration, re-occurrence of bad memories upon going to sleep or rising, smelly farts (I can deal with.sort of), some bladder problems.
Time taken and dosage: 21 days100 mg 1X D
Review: Trying Lamictal as a replacement for 750 mg Depakote once daily in the evening. Was trying to get rid of weight gain. Was at 168 lbs and the extra weight was causing a slight borderline increase in liver enzymes. Proper weight should be around 155 lbs. When I discontinued Depakote, I lost weight down to a fluctuating 155 to 158 lbs.Also taking now, as before, 200 mg Wellbutrin once daily in the morning.

Sex: F
Age: 40.0
Side effects: Sever yeast infections. I am a forty year old women that has never had a yeast infection until I started taking lamictal. Short term memory loss, cant think of what im going to say, cant think of peoples names, vived dreams, want to cry all the time and I get mad easly. I fell like I am lossing my mind.
Time taken and dosage: 4 months150mg 1X D
Review: I want to go off this medication and try a different one as soon as possible. I am scared to try a new drug, because I am afraid that my seizers will get worse. I had a seizer while I was driving with my son in the car. I had to wait three months before I could drive again. I have a huge fear of it happening agian. I work full time as a teachers aid, I am scared the side effects are going to effect my job, and or have a seizer at school. I dont know if I will be able to drive if I try a new medication. I have partial seizers when I am sleeping, and I have had two where my whole body seizes.

Sex: F
Age: 47.0
Side effects: Extremely suicidal, very itchy when I,m trying to relax, NO sex drive!, extremely irritable, cant focus, leg muscles very sore, major weight gain, increased appetite, lightening in my head constantly
Time taken and dosage: 6 weeks50mg 1X D
Review: I have only been taking Lamictal 6 weeks or so and I dont know if I havent given it enough time or if it just isnt working. I was taking 200mg of Zoloft and sleeping my life away. Now Im awake but Im constantly thinking about suicide. I started out at 50mg daily, then went to 100 mg daily and now Ive toned it back to 50mg daily. Im going to try and take myself off of all medications and see if I even remember who I was to begin with. The lightening bolts going off in my head is too much for me to handle. I have a wonderful daughter and she is helping through all of this. At one time every female in my family was taking some kind of anti-depressant medication. Now the only one left is me. I just want to feel like a person again. Will not take any more drugs to make me FEEL better!!

Sex: M
Age: 50.0
Side effects: Memory loss, hair thinning, rare bone crushing headache at night, loose train of thought easier, slightly dizzy when eyes closed.
Time taken and dosage: 10 years200 mg 2X D
Review: Only had seizures at night - I think about 3 or 4 (memory loss). One when I tried weaning off. Ive been attributing the hair thinning and memory loss to aging, but after reading these posts Im not sure. The hair thinning is not too bad (yet) but worry some. Memory loss bothers me a lot though. My short term is getting pretty bad. The couple of headaches Ive had (only at night while sleeping - like the seizures) were so bad I thought my head was going to explode, but I havent had one like that for a few years - thank God. I have had severe joint pain, but was finally diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago. I never know what to attribute to Lamictal (generic for the past 2-3 years) vs age, etc. Over all Ive been very happy with it. I agree with another poster who mentions that most people doing well with this drug probably dont check this web site, but Im glad I finally did. A great forum!

Sex: M
Age: 56.0
Side effects: Switched from Keppra to Lamictal 5 moths ago. Similar side effects, such as neck pain and sexual dysfunction(not inability, just less pleasureful). a slight boost emotionally, but my lifes problems still cause depression. Some suicidal thoughts, no rash or unusual itching. I really have no complaints. Take Lamotrigine(generic).
Time taken and dosage: 150 days100 2X D
Review:

Sex: M
Age: 53.0
Side effects: none so far.
Time taken and dosage: 1 months100mg 1X D
Review: started at 25mg then fifty, now 100 for 1 week so far. I think Im a bit more calm, more focused/relaxed. I have suffered for years and NOTHING has worked. The side effects of past perscriptions were horrible. I am really hoping and praying this is the one.

Sex: F
Age: 57.0
Side effects: memory loss,spacey, loss of appetite.
Time taken and dosage: 15 days300 3X D
Review:

Sex: M
Age: 23.0
Side effects: worsened short term memory loss, worsened stutter, worsened difficulty finding words, worsened trouble focusing, increase in acne problems.
Time taken and dosage: 10 months75 mg 1X D
Review: In November 2008, I was diagnosed with atypical rapid cycling bipolar disorder, non-combat related PTSD, panic disorder w/o agoraphobia, rape trauma disorder, ADHD combined type, and hypersexual behavior. The shrink put me on Celexa and Seroquel. The Seroquel began to help immediately, but the Celexa took a few weeks to kick in. The Celexa helped with the depression for a few months, but I still had manic episodes and pretty bad mood swings. Eventually it stopped working all together causing panic attacks. After I started having psychotic episodes, my shrink switched me to Lamictal. The FIRST DAY I started noticing the difference. I was calmer and happier. After a few weeks, the mood swings had gone from 7-15 a day to once or twice every few days. The panic attacks tapered off, and my nightmares tapered off. Lamictal did decrease my sex drive, but I saw it as more of a blessing. Since I began taking Lamictal, I now have a NORMAL healthy sex drive. Im not driven to risky sexual behavior that was dangerous not only to my physical health but to my relationships. This medication has helped me tremendously.

Sex: M
Age: 33.0
Side effects: None so far. My doc says she has been using this since the mid-90s and shes never had any complaints of side effects. Its hard to believe that some of the recurring side effects Ive seen on here are not real, because Ive been told before that a medicine wasnt causing a particular side effect when I knew it was. But, in her experience she claims no side effects. So thats a positive. Well see.
Time taken and dosage: 2 weeks50 MG 1X D
Review: Im taking the starter pack. Just finished my 25 mg two week dose and started today on 50 mg. I have suffered from depression for years, and have tried everything. I re-ordered these posts so that I only saw the 5 star ratings, and it has given me some hope. Thus far, I feel no effects, but that doesnt bother me. I understand it might take awhile. Im at a really low state right now, so Im hoping like crazy for some relief. Im making a promise to update this post every two weeks for the next two months, and then periodically after that if Im still on it. If I start to feel positive effects, Ill update sooner! Fingers crossed, I feel like this is my last resort. Im glad its prescribed for treatment resistant depression, because if it was just another anti-d, I would have little hope. Im rating it a 5, because if it does what Im hoping, it will be a miracle drug to me.

Sex: M
Age: 47.0
Side effects: A little sleepy sometimes. Very easy to fall asleep at night. Easy to nap.
Time taken and dosage: 6 months150 1X D
Review: This drug stabilizes my mood without major side effects. A minor one for me is sometimes I get a little sleepy. Not sure if this is the drug or poor sleep hygiene. The side effects are therefore very mild. I am not carefree, but I can cope. I dont sink so low anymore.

Sex: F
Age: 48.0
Side effects: none
Time taken and dosage: 2 years200mg 1X D
Review: took with effexor had no reaction good or bad

Sex: F
Age: 67.0
Side effects: Frequent depression, headaches, nausea, and an overall feeling of anxiety and sadness.I became preoccupied with how I was feeling . I believe that I felt better only when I was able to overcome the drugs effects through my own determination. Sometimes though I just crashed into a tearful, despairing individual. It was awful. Docs solution, raise dosage. This went on for several years.
Time taken and dosage: 5 years100 3X D
Review: This is a very toxic drug. On two occasions I took 2 in the am (200mg) by mistake and became severely ill. Tried to crawl into bed, vomited all over, and could not pick up the phone to call for help. Finally was able to stand and hoist myself into bed. I remained until I could function enough to clean up. This was just 100 mg extra in the am. If I became so sick from just that, what was the drug doing to my body on a day to day basis? I weaned myself off of it finally and am starting to feel human. Still taking zoloft 100 mg. Would not recommend this. I am disappointed that the doctors didnt go along with me on this. After a couple of years I did it slowly.

Sex: F
Age: 52.0
Side effects: weight loss, headache, insomnia, hypomania, anorgasmia, severe headaches with orgasm, muscle aches, severe cognitive impairment
Time taken and dosage: 1 years100-200mg 1X D
Review: I had not experienced significant manic symptoms for over 20 years. After starting lamictal, I had 4 hypomanic episodes within 6 months, then crashed into bad depression. Did not notice any positive effects. Withdrawal has been difficult. 6 months after my last dose, I am still experiencing brain flashes. Pdoc put me on lithium to counteract the manias, so the cognitive impairment could have been from lamictal, lithium or both. It was extreme. I was tutoring my daughter on her math SAT. When I took the practice exam myself, I could not score above 440. Now that Ive withdrawn, Im back up in the mid 700s. It was more than just memory loss. I am in school now, and was getting As until I started on meds. I could not learn new concepts. The effects of this medication on me have been scary, and Im beginning to wonder if I will ever get my normal self back. It also scares me that so many pdocs are not informed about the possible negative side-effects of this drug.

Sex: F
Age: 45.0
Side effects: not any that I can remember
Time taken and dosage: 2 years150 MG 1X D
Review: Has made a major change in my life.

Sex: M
Age: 45.0
Side effects: Insomnia and DIFFICULTY Concentrating, poor short-term memory,
Time taken and dosage: 13 months400mg 1X D
Review: This med has really helped with my mood swings, but I work with computers and I need to focus. I cant remember where I put my glasses.ooppss, therere on my face.

Sex: F
Age: 16.0
Side effects: Constepation, insomnia, acne, terrible memory, weight gain, hair loss, red bumps on chest, headaches
Time taken and dosage: 3 years200mg 1X D
Review: Its okay. I mean, I still feel the shifts in my bipolar. But Im probably not as crazy as I would be without it so yeah, its chill, fo sho.

Sex: M
Age: 48.0
Side effects: Dry mouth (going away), word recall problems, stuttering
Time taken and dosage: 4 weeks100 1X D
Review: Im reserving judgement on it as we are still titrating it up and Im not sure what dose Ill wind up on. The dry mouth is getting better, well see about the other side effects. Its hard to say whether it helps as other med changes have been required at the same time

Sex: F
Age: 38.0
Side effects: Hair loss, cystic acne, facial/neck paresthesia/pain, insomnia, tachycardia, anxiety, memory loss, inorgasmia, vaginal dryness.
Time taken and dosage: 1 years100mg 2X D
Review: Insomnia was almost immediate, was placed on Ambien to resolve that side effect. Pain, pins and needles in my face and neck on the 2nd day, acne started on 2nd day (Ive always had the clearest skin) on my face, back and shoulders. I felt like someone plugged me into an outlet, totally wired. All side effects increased in severity as my dose was increased. I trusted this psychiatrist with my condition and was told the side effects I had were unheard of, that they were all symptoms/manifestations of my condition. My sex drive was gradually decreased to nothing, this was blamed on depression. I developed tachycardia that made it necessary to be placed on a beta blocker. I feel this medication has side effects should not be disregarded. I wouldnt want anyone to go through the hell I was in all year and have their experience dismissed by a professional the way did. I went from functional to existing. -Have been tapering myself off it very gradually. all side effects are resolving. Ive never felt better or more grateful to have my mind and body back.Id love to know who the pharmaceutical company paid off to play down these very real side effects. Im down to 100mg daily: I am off the beta blocker, on half the dose of Ambien. All side effects are decreasing as dose decreases. Im so grateful to have my life back.

Sex:
Age: 36.0
Side effects: was good at first, now my rage and depression is coming back, but that could be due to counseling and things coming to the surface. took double dose by accident and had extremely rapid eye movement and could not walk with out falling or hitting walls; very scary; was unable to focus on anything. took me 5 minutes to text work to call in sick. if i had been driving, i would be dead now, as well as my husband. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS DRUG. was told that my dose is pretty high.
Time taken and dosage: 450 1X D
Review:

Sex: F
Age: 20.0
Side effects: Short term memory loss, confusion, EXTREME sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures, especially hot.
Time taken and dosage: 3 weeks50 MG 1X D
Review: Even with the side eddects, Lamictal has definitely improved my Bipolar symptoms and so far I am satisfied with this medication.

Sex: M
Age: 45.0
Side effects: Weight loss, which seems rare. I remain 40lbs down from my life-long husky weight(now at the impossible recommended BMI). At 45, I am not complaining.I also lost my appetite. I forget to eat breakfast and/or lunch. If I am preoccupied, the hunger just goes away. This is especially true if I am very stressed. The stomach just knots up closed. My weight does not seem to be affected by what I eat.CANNOT CONCENTRATE OR FOCUS! Horrible! Misspelling words, forgetful, it takes me forever to write a work email. As I write this, I am supposed to be finishing a work assignment.Insomnia is random, sporadic, and comes in 3-4 night cycles. I need to kill the cycle with a sleeping pill on day one. If I am up after 11, it is hard to fall sleep, and Ive gone from a hard sleeper to a light sleeper. I even remember my dreams now.Alcohol headaches! More than 2 drinks, and I get a shooting pain right above my left eye. Every time. Its like a sharp needle. And sometimes a bad han
Time taken and dosage: 1.5 years400MG 1X D
Review: This medicine, combined with Welbutrin (300MG), has made a huge difference with my BiPolar II. Ive maxed out the dosage, so I am hoping this will work forever.

Sex: F
Age: 38.0
Side effects: I have experienced since I have been taking this medicine a number of side effects. For the first 3 weeks I was very nausiated with the medication, that passed thank goodness! Now I have vivid dreaming/nightmares, itching 4-5 hours after taking medicine like ant or fleas biting me, trouble sleeping and staying asleep, loss of sex drive, depression, irritability, weight gain, and my face is breaking out really bad.
Time taken and dosage: 1.5 months100 MG 1X D
Review: Lamictal has been great for my seizures! since I have been taking Lamictal, there have been four different times that I felt a seizure coming on and it never progressed. I have not ever been prescribed any other medication for my seizures so I am not confident that another medication will work for controlling my seizures and eliminating the side effects.

Sex: F
Age: 27.0
Side effects: Insomnia, SLEEP eating. People talk abt gaining weight. I think its because we eat in our sleep. I cant keep any food in my kitchen bc j attack my food! Sounds funny but it really sucks! Ive gained like 15 pounds!!!! I have also noticed memory loss.havent noticed any change in my mood. Getting off this pain in the ass drug
Time taken and dosage: 1 years200mg 1X D
Review:

Sex: M
Age: 36.0
Side effects:
Time taken and dosage: 1X D
Review:

Sex: F
Age: 32.0
Side effects: Nothing major
Time taken and dosage: 7 years400mg 1X D
Review: I was really ill - 3 hospital admissions in total and loads of day care. Lamotrigine really turned things around. I was more depressed than manic and it was definitely good for the depressive symptoms. NOTHING else worked as well. I am now off Lamotrigine as trying for a baby and have managed to remain stable, but would go on it again if symptoms worsened.

Sex: M
Age: 61.0
Side effects: Short term memory loss, trouble spelling, forgetfulness, stomachache, bleeding easily, sores in mouth, mild rashes, acne. Theseare usually mild and most go away after a couple months.
Time taken and dosage: 40 days50 mg. 1X D
Review: I have taken and quit this med at least four different times. Myreason for quitting were bad sores in my mouth and bleeding. It says that these are signs of a bad reaction to the med. The reason I keep going back to it is it stabilizes my mood and helps with the depression. It will pull me out of a depressionand help with the negative obcessive thoughts and ruminations.I will continue to take this med until the side effects get toobad and then stop and start again at a later date. It is one ofthe only two true mood stabilizers.

Sex: F
Age: 22.0
Side effects: Some weight gain. Major anxiety. constantly feeling very aggrivated/impulsive/irational. insomnia. Lazyness. feelings of being scared, and sad, and angry.
Time taken and dosage: 2 years400 mg 1X D
Review: I was prescribed lamictal for my anxiety and infrequent manic episodes, and also was told that it would help me sleep. Ive been feeling more nervous on this medication then i was feeling before i was on it. ive also been acting crazy sometimes and i still have insomnia. i started out at 25mg and now im up to 400. my doctor just keeps on telling me that reason why i still dont feel good is because im not at the right dose yet, and that he wants to continue to increase it. but i feel like, if i havent seen any improvement at all, and im at 400 already - then maybe i shouldnt be taking it. in any case, i wouldnt reccomend this medication to anyone (but just cuz its bad for me, doesnt mean it will be bad for you). it has made me get into a of fights with the people who im closest to, and it has ended up ruining many of those relationships.

Sex: M
Age: 53.0
Side effects: Dry mouth, floaty feeling, and a welcome calmness.
Time taken and dosage: 6 days 1X D
Review: I am also taking Cymbalta, Tramadol and Synthroid. I cant tell much about Lamictal as I have only taken 25 mg per day from the starter pack for 6 days now. I can tell you that it has made me very calm! I will update this after a little more time.

Sex: F
Age: 49.0
Side effects: Ive taken Lamictal for 9 yrs and have experienced: weight gain (50 pounds), memory loss, sleeplessness, anxiety, phobias, and continued depression. Why do doctors think its better to give up mania but they dont care about depression, weight gain and memory loss? I never miss taking my meds - however, Im demanding they change me to something else. I have tried combinations including: Cymbalta, Effexor, Abilify, Depokote, Wellbutrin and a ton of others I cant remember or spell! Again, no memory!
Time taken and dosage: 9 years400 mg 2X D
Review: Ive been taking Lamical for 9 years and over the past three years things have started to go bad - especially my memory. Cant remember names or how to spell simple words. Big loss in concentration. I feel like Im floating and at times I feel a heaviness to my body. WEIGHT GAIN! Ive gained over 50 pounds since I started taking Lamictal. If that doesnt make a person depressed, nothing will. BTW, 200 mg of Selenium for 3 weeks will stop hair loss. 1000/2000 mg of Omega 3 will stop dry eye and dry skin (wont hurt you, check it out). Now Im becoming phobic. At times Im afraid to drive, look in mirrors and leave my house. In case youre wondering, my shrink doesnt think this is bad enough to take me off or change meds. I have a hard time falling asleep and when I do I sleep only a few hours and have very vivid dreams. Ive taken 10 to 20 mg of Ambien every night for 10 years (doctor ordered)! So, heres my suggestion: For a week or two, keep a journal of your habits, thoughts, mood, memory loss - times of day you experience these - whatever you want to measure, read over it every now and then to see if youre getting better or worse. Use it as your own gage to your mental health and talk with your doctor, family and friends to see if they are seeing the same behavior. Without a journal itll be difficult to remember what you want to talk with your doctor about. Doing this has helped me build a case to stop taking Lamictal and become an active participant in my care.

Sex: F
Age: 37.0
Side effects: loss 20 lbs,dizziness,memory loss,hard time concentrating, slight hair loss(hope this stops)
Time taken and dosage: 3 months100mg 2X D
Review: i love it alot fewer side effects that other seizures medications

Sex: F
Age: 53.0
Side effects: first 16 months on 150mg, felt great then suicidal,stopped it for a few months, now on 200mg for the last six weeks, I have very significant pins and needles in my hands and wrists whenever I lay down or watch TV in a comfortable position, it is a disturbing feeling even as I am typing now I have pins and needles in my fourth toe. Other than that no noticeable physical side effects.
Time taken and dosage: 9 months100MG 2X D
Review: The first time I was given Lamictal in hospital it seemed to be very effective almost immediately I was stable and functionning well for over a year ( except since that time I started to smoke like a chimney, I was a little smoker previously) then came stressful events and I went down very quickly, suicidal I stopped everything except Seroquel 100mg at night, I got better without medicine against my doctors advice. Then nine months ago, I was very panicky and fearful, again i was prescribed Lamictal 150mg and I picked up a bit (with Seroquel and Pristic) now I am low again I have been increased to 200mg and 400mg Seroquel 100mg Pristic; I have anxiety, I am self centered and preoccupied, I am now trying to convince myself that I always had a personality disorder I also gained 10 pounds( maybe Seroquel), I want to be lethargic all day and forget the things I need to do, just want to read and watch late night movies, almost scared to venture in the fresh air. I have been treated since 21 years and have been on many things so many I cant recall them including Lithium for a long time. I have almost lost faith in psychiatric drugs, I believe now that they become ineffective after a while (up to a year), then they get lost in the washing cycle of the brain. Naturally I am only speaking for myself, perhaps what I experience is another experience of normality only very twisted as some vegetals in nature can be and this is not a illness.

Sex: F
Age: 20.0
Side effects: initially extreme nausea, lost 10 pounds in two weeks. lately ive been very hungry. Also was put on zoloft, so Im not sure. But weight gain is seriously concerning me. Ive gained 3 pounds in 2 days. Usually tired.
Time taken and dosage: 3 weeks50 mg 1X D
Review: WAY less mood swings. But when I do get mad, far more violent, yet not as long. Sometimes I feel like a zombie. Im happy because my boyfriend and I are able to get along better, and Im far more reasonable.

Sex: F
Age: 26.0
Side effects: short term memory loss, nervousness, stumbling over words, trouble recalling words, loss of train of thought, hair loss, acne, became intoxicated very easily
Time taken and dosage: 11 months300 MG 1X D
Review: Initially I thought this drug was helping me but after about 6 months I returned to writing and found it extremely hard to concentrate, recall words and hold conversations with people. I felt very dumb compared to my old self. Would get hiper sometimes out of nowhere. Got a new pimple every day and never before this had I experienced acne. You cannot drink on this drug and it is very expensive if you dont have insurance. Cons outweigh benefits.

Sex: M
Age: 24.0
Side effects: The decrease in sex drive (i.e. no sex drive at all) is one of the worst side effects I have experienced. I have to take Levitra (40mg to 60mg) just to hold an erection for any amount of time. I am also borderline DPD (Dissociative Personality Disorder) with anti social (sociopathic) tenancies, PTSD, and low grade Schizophrenia. I have to take 400mg to 600mg of Seroquel (an atypical anti psychotic) a night just to keep myself functioning.I dont know if I am experiencing hair loss because I have been slowly loosing my hair since I was 16. I randomly break out in extremely dry skin (especially on my face and scalp), and I have outbreaks of red spots all over my torso almost monthly. That lasts for a few days, but there hasnt been any negative effects from that. It also has caused me insomnia.
Time taken and dosage: 3 years400mg 1X D
Review: Over all, this medication has saved my life. My Mood cycles cycle extremely (and I do mean extremely) fast. I documented 52 Major mood shifts in a 10 hour period before I started taking this medication. I still cycle, but it has slowed down a lot. I now only cycle once or twice a week now. Randomly I do start cycling fast again, but those only last a few days to a week at most, and these episodes only happen once or twice every 2 months. I continue to document my mood swings, hallucinations, and flash backs (PTSD) almost religiously as to help with my ongoing therapy.I was deployed to Iraq for 16 months, and again to Afghanistan for 12 months while I was in the Army. My symptoms started worsening during and after both deployments. My combat experience was extensive, and I continue to cope with a lot of what I saw/did. The Lamictal also helped a lot with my nightmares and flashbacks.All in all, this medication saved me from suicide and from violence in the civilian world. The pros have outweighed the cons and I like this medication.

Sex: F
Age: 25.0
Side effects: None.
Time taken and dosage: 3 months50 2X D
Review: This drug has saved my life. I have literally tried dozens of different medications for horrific nerve pain in the face (trigeminal neuralgia) due to a brain tumor and this is the only one that has worked so well with NO side effects. I was so scared to start taking it because of the possibility of a rash, but Im glad I gave it a chance. I titrated on to it VERY slowly starting at 12.5 MG and now after 3 months I am up to 100 MG which is working well so I plan to stay at that dose unless I need to increase it. I was also scared of hair loss and acne, neither of which Ive gotten. In fact, I had a slight hormonal acne problem before lamictal which ironically has completely cleared up since taking the lamictal! Maybe a coincidence but who knows. Im am just so grateful that it is working for my pain.

Sex: F
Age: 26.0
Side effects: Serious difficulty focusing my eyes when reading or typing. I’m in grad school and enjoy reading but the constant struggle to see made reading miserable. Drug worked well to soften the depressive parts of the cycle and it took the edge off of the manic peaks, but did nothing for reduce anxiety. I was tense ALL the time and had difficulty falling asleep. Usually I can get up and out the door quickly but since taking the drug getting out of bed in the morning is EXTREMELY difficult. My body just doesn’t cooperate the first time around.
Time taken and dosage: 6 months100 1X D
Review: Worst side-effect is WEIGHT GAIN. I am very active, work-out 4-5 times a week and eat a super healthy diet. I never had trouble managing weight before so when my weight started to creep up as soon as I got on the drug I was worried. Ironically I had a lot more energy to exercise, but despite an even more rigorous routine I still couldn’t lose a single pound, no matter what I did. Before if I gain a little weight over the holidays I was always able to easily shed it in a few weeks. Since September 2009 I gained 13pounds! I’m off the drug now and looking for other alternatives. Overall I was happy with this med, but constant weight gain is a deal breaker for me.

Sex: F
Age: 28.0
Side effects: I started taking Lamictal so I could get off Valproic which cause weight gain. My hair has been falling out for 3 months. Im almost completely bald. Thanks.
Time taken and dosage: 1 months 3X D
Review: DONT GO ON THIS DRUG. I should have been more weary about a drug that can cause life threatening rashes.

Sex: F
Age: 21.0
Side effects: Initially-HORRIFIC acne, CRAZY dreams, intense migraines, severe depression. 6 mo. later-mild acne, some weight gain, stable moods & ( most importantly )seizure free!
Time taken and dosage: 6 months200XR 1X D
Review: worst depression ive ever experienced when i first started taking it. not to mention acne was AWFUL (were talking worse than teen years x10). increasing the dosage over time was a bitch, but now that ive reached my correct level it is helping a lot! no seizures and balanced moods! so while it may suck initially, it gets better with time :)

Sex: F
Age: 30.0
Side effects: tired all day long,nausea.etc. afraid to come off of it. i have heard it has bad withdrawl symptoms
Time taken and dosage: 8 months35mg 1X D
Review:

Sex: M
Age: 43.0
Side effects: None
Time taken and dosage: 2 years200 2X D
Review: Extremely effective as a mood stabilizer. Very good in combination with a low dosage of klonopin for anxiety

Sex: F
Age: 25.0
Side effects: HORRIBLE Memory Loss, forgetfulness, cant concentrate.
Time taken and dosage: 1.5 years150mg 1X D
Review: While its definitely helped with the depression, the amount that it has affected my memory and concentration has made going back to college and into the medical field, difficult and scary for me.

Sex: F
Age: 26.0
Side effects: i started this medication right after my son was born. i had hairloss happend about 4 months later but that was excused for the postpardom symptoms. my hair stopped falling out about 3 months after it started. six months later it started again-BAD! iv been to my pcp 5 times over the last 6 months, dozens of blood tests later theres no explanation for the hair loss. i already have bald spots that i have to take extra time in the morning to try and cover up. the first 2 years on the med i had extreme weight loss, no complaints, ate watever i wanted, hardly any exercise. over the last 4 months i have gained ten pounds, no change to my diet. no matter what i do i cant seem to lose it. i have absolutly no short term memmory left. im a college student and i cant even join in the class discusions because i forget what im trying to say in the middle of my sentences. i feel like an idiot when this happends, last semester it wasnt this bad. i cant even remember what cloths i put on my son when h
Time taken and dosage: 2.5 years200 1X D
Review:

Sex: F
Age: 37.0
Side effects: Constipation - went away after a week. Mild headaches, also went away after a week. Slight hair thinning, but not enough for me to freak out about.
Time taken and dosage: 30 days50 1X D
Review: I love this medication! I am taking it with Prozac and Vyvanse. Im 37 and have struggled for almost a decade to try and find the right combination of meds for me. what I am on now has been a LIFESAVER! Clearer thinking, less dwelling on negative thoughts, ability to maintain organization (ie office paperwork, checkbook balancing, etc) Currently on 50 mg but Dr. is going to up me to 100 mg next month. I feel like a brand new person!!! Cant imagine how Ive lasted so long before without it!

Sex: M
Age: 72.0
Side effects: Awful, constant, stomach cramps, difficulty evacuating bowel.
Time taken and dosage: 6 months25mg 3X D
Review: Lamictal has helped my burning feet/legs pain more successfully than neurontin did, but does not completely ease the burning sensation.

Sex: F
Age: 25.0
Side effects: short term memory loss, inability to focus for long periods of time, concentration problems, forgetting words mid-sentence. Overall, forgetfulness, easy bruising.
Time taken and dosage: 1 months100mg 1X D
Review: I self-diagnosed myself as BP II a few years ago and after taking cymbalta (made me want to kill myself) and then Wellbutrin, I quit meds entirely. However, following that came the destruction of several relationships, out of control spending, and intense periods of irritablity where I would flip out over absolutely NOTHING, I realized I needed help. I went to my Dr. and he put me back on Wellbutrin - mistake, I quit smoking but my rapid cycling went out of control. I was up and down, up and down. sometimes every few minutes. After doing this for about 5 months - I went back and told him what was going on. He explained that with BP people, Wellbutrin (300mg daily) often makes them cycle even faster. He gave me Lamictal (because I demanded I be put on something that did not make me gain ANY weight) and Klonopins (1mg a day) for my anxiety and OCD thoughts. At first I didnt notice much of a difference but now my life is completely different. I didnt realize how miserable I was before! My mood swings are very rare now. The only concern my doctor had was the fact that in 2 weeks I lost 15 pounds - all 3 of these drugs decreased my desire to eat and Im basically living on salad and hard boiled eggs (WTF?!) A month later and Im down about 18 pounds and I feel great. Im 52 and went from 140 to 122. Im also having bad bruising and Im being tested to make sure Lamictal isnt supressing my blood platelets. Otherwise, I wouldnt change a thing about my meds and so far so good