oohshinyobject Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Last week, my pdoc upped my Lamictal to 400mg and since then, I've been feeling extremely fatigued. I'm sleeping about 12 hours a night and wake up feeling tired, unable to do pretty much anything. My pupils are dilated and I look really drugged up. The only other thing I take is Ativan 2mg to get to sleep, but I'm pretty sure it's not that because I've had no trouble with it before. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 What dosage were you taking before (I'm wondering how big a jump it took to get you to 400mg)? How long have you been at 400mg? You might still be adjusting to the increase, and the fatigue may be something that will pass in a week or so. If not, it's also possible that 400mg is just too much for you, and you'll need to taper back down to a lower dose. You might also try dividing your dose, if you're taking it all at once now. That's something I've found helpful with adjusting to increases in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohshinyobject Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 I was at 300mg for the past year...and it just got upped to 400mg last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I was at 300mg for the past year...and it just got upped to 400mg last week. That's a pretty big jump. If you keep having problems, you might want to talk to your pdoc about spending a little time at 350, and seeing if that might not be enough of an increase. How has your mood been since the increase? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohshinyobject Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 the same (depressed, blah blah blah) and not being able to do much of anything (because i'm so god damn tired) is making me feel absolutely miserable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 If Lamictal's not helping at such high dosages, it might be time to talk to your pdoc about trying a different med entirely. Espescially since you're finding the side effects so difficult to deal with as you go higher and higher up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 drop the dosage to half what you increased (50 vice 100mg?) and see if that eases up the symptoms. Fatique is typical for lamictal, I guess you just didn't have it this bad before. Try the lowered dosage and wait till any symptoms ease off before increasing again. Let your pdoc know what you did. Remember, there is NO race to titrate upwards!! If its really bad go to 1/4 the increase (25mg?) and try that. best. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohshinyobject Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 I've also been having problems with my skin. I know Lamictal can cause a rash --- and I think it's flaring up my eczema... So yeah...I'll definitely talk to my pdoc as soon as possible and see if we can lower the dosage. I really can't function like this. It's awful. THANKS for all your help, SashaSue and AirMarshall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usernametaken Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 RASH? call pdoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangergirl Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I was gonna say the same thing AM said - 100mg is a really big jump. I had the same problem as I was titrating up - with each increase I would feel really zonked out but the effects would wear off after about 5 days - just in time for the next increase...LOL....but if you're geting a rash and especially if your glands are swollen (this is what my pdoc told me) - call ASAP or go back down on your dosage (since you weren't having these symptoms at the lower dosage). If you aren't having a rash and just your eczema is flaring up...that's a tough one - I notice mine has been better on the Lamictal but my nails have been worse (usually not how it works for me). Either way, I'd call...it's not going to hurt you to call him. Sorry you're feeling so crummy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 If you've got anything like a rash, you should go ahead and call your pdoc asap. Better safe than sorry with the lamictal rash thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 what ended up happening with your titration? im at 50mg now and supposed to titrate to 100 after 2 weeks but im taking it even s-l-o-w-e-r. im gonna spend 3 weeks at 50 then up to 75mg for 3 weeks THEN up to 100mg. i dont plan on going passed that till my 90 day rx is up THEN i'll see how im doing it. i was having quite a few side effects (as i posted in my blog a few days ago) but many of them have settled down. im itchy all over though but i also spent a bit too much time in a tanning stall so im waiting to see how the itvhing is after the burn fades a bit. BUT, im still so tired much of the time. im just trying to pace myself so i dont get too worn out. my tdoc suggested today that i start exercising. she said itll increase my energy level, but the thought of exurting myself sounds tiring! lol post an update on whats going on with you and the lamictal. thinking of you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.