Lamictal (or similar med) destroying your creativity and ability to think clearly?

[Evey]

Hi everyone,

As the topic says Creativity lessened or gone, memory problems, ability to think clearly, etc from taking Lamictal (or similar med)?

Thanks everyone. Really suffering here. I'm a former writer and can't write at all. Can't even pick up a book and read for awhile without getting distracted.

[LilacOutsideMyWindow]

How long have you been at your current dose of Lamictal? I ask because I noticed a LOT of cognitive side effects at first, and going up, but either they've lessened, or I've learned to work around them now, several months later. I think it was at it's worst for just 3-5 weeks. At that point, I was having horrible word issues - typing a homophone instead of the word I meant to type, and then typing words that made no sense in the context, instead of the word I meant to type ( like house for sound). So maybe if it hasn't been that long, you can wait this out a bit, if the meds are otherwise working well for you?

[Evey]

How long have you been at your current dose of Lamictal? I ask because I noticed a LOT of cognitive side effects at first, and going up, but either they've lessened, or I've learned to work around them now, several months later. I think it was at it's worst for just 3-5 weeks. At that point, I was having horrible word issues - typing a homophone instead of the word I meant to type, and then typing words that made no sense in the context, instead of the word I meant to type ( like house for sound). So maybe if it hasn't been that long, you can wait this out a bit, if the meds are otherwise working well for you?

I've been on various doses since 2007. I just have this empty feeling in my head.

[Evey]

It could also be the depression. We're all apt to blame the meds for everything when a lot of times they're not the culprit.

I almost wish it was the depression, but I'm having cognitive problems that I have read that certain psych meds can cause.

[LilacOutsideMyWindow]

I don't know that I'd blame a med after 4 years on it - I think I'd be looking at other causes.

[Evey]

I don't know that I'd blame a med after 4 years on it - I think I'd be looking at other causes.

I've been on it that long.. and slowly my mind has gotten worse. At one point I didn't care and let the numbness take over and now I haven't written anything in about 2 years. It has to be the medication, after research I've done. I was wondering if theres people in the same boat as me.

[rowen]

You might just need a dose adjustment. I've found that I've had cognitive issues with Lamictal if I'm not on just the right dose. Talk to your doc.

[december_brigette]

Hi,

my time on lamictal was hell.

regardless - different meds, different situations and I still can't write or do other creative things. working really hard on reading again.

db

[LilacOutsideMyWindow]

I don't know that I'd blame a med after 4 years on it - I think I'd be looking at other causes.

I've been on it that long.. and slowly my mind has gotten worse. At one point I didn't care and let the numbness take over and now I haven't written anything in about 2 years. It has to be the medication, after research I've done. I was wondering if theres people in the same boat as me.

Ah, I thought - you'd been on it for 4 years and the cognitive stuff was NEW, not slowly increasing.

[SashaSue]

It could also be the depression. We're all apt to blame the meds for everything when a lot of times they're not the culprit.

I almost wish it was the depression, but I'm having cognitive problems that I have read that certain psych meds can cause.

Just because the meds CAN cause them, that doesn't mean they ARE causing them.

I had the wordfinding thing for a while with lamictal, but that's it.

I don't know that I'd blame a med after 4 years on it - I think I'd be looking at other causes.

I've been on it that long.. and slowly my mind has gotten worse. At one point I didn't care and let the numbness take over and now I haven't written anything in about 2 years. It has to be the medication, after research I've done. I was wondering if theres people in the same boat as me.

Side effects don't usually get worse over time like that. I'm more and more inclined to think you're having breakthrough symptoms, and being too quick to blame it on meds.

[AirMarshall]

I think it unlikely that 4 years on Lamictal would worsen side effects.

One thing that must not be discounted is that Cognition problems are a basic part of Bipolar Disorder and Depression.

-Difficulty concentrating

-Numbness (certainly not Lamictal)

-Inability to write

These certainly fit a depressive swing. It makes more sense to explore that with your pdoc first.

Best, a.m.

[Velvet Elvis]

I've found that even if some meds do inhibit my creativity by decreasing my ability to make free associations and act spontaneously, they have definitely increased my productivity. Being creative isn't worth anything if you're too depressed to get out of bed or bouncing off the walls.

If the med hasn't significantly helped you achieve your goals or put you in a position where you are better able to do so, it might be time for a med change, on the other hand.

[Evey]

What about all the studies saying Lamictal does cause cognitive problems and it is known to deplete folate. I was fine before I went on Lamictal. I plan on telling my doc that I want off it. After all the research I've just done (if you go and research it you will see what I mean), I don't want to be on it and it certainly explains some bloodwork results I got recently.

[notfred]

What about all the studies saying Lamictal does cause cognitive problems and it is known to deplete folate.

A) No question it can cause cognitive problems but so can most psycomeds. No big secret there. The operative word is "can". I don't have any side effects from Lamictal.

B) Lamictal is noted generally to not eat up your folate. Many AC's do but you can't lump them together.

nf

[Evey]

What about all the studies saying Lamictal does cause cognitive problems and it is known to deplete folate.

A) No question it can cause cognitive problems but so can most psycomeds. No big secret there. The operative word is "can". I don't have any side effects from Lamictal.

B) Lamictal is noted generally to not eat up your folate. Many AC's do but you can't lump them together.

nf

Lamictal does inhibit dihydrofolate reductase. I'm not lumping anything together. I've done my research (not reading what they say in their rx info). And I am looking for people who do have problems with Lamictal. How long have you been on Lamictal and at what dosages. I've been on it for years at all different doses. The highest being 400 mg.

Edit: I see you are taking Lamictal XR--- different from regular Lamictal.

[notfred]

Edit: I see you are taking Lamictal XR--- different from regular Lamictal.

Not really, it is a Lamictal pill partially wrapped in a coating, which accounts for its slow release. I found it no different from regulat Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal for 5 years at 300 mgs with normal folate levels. Lamictal

weakly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Folate is everywhere in our fortified diet.

nf

[Evey]

Edit: I see you are taking Lamictal XR--- different from regular Lamictal.

Not really, it is a Lamictal pill partially wrapped in a coating, which accounts for its slow release. I found it no different from regulat Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal for 5 years at 300 mgs with normal folate levels. Lamictal

weakly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Folate is everywhere in our fortified diet.

nf

I just had bloodwork a little over a month ago and I am Folate deficient. It may not be a different med per say but it is released differently. I didn't even know Lamictal XR existed. I don't know where you are located. Maybe its not available in the US yet (or maybe my [horrible] psychiatrist hasn't told me about it). Did you notice any difference? Like the XR being better for you?

Edit: I just looked up Lamictal XR real quick before I leave and it says right on this page "Also, lamotrigine decreases folic acid in the body." http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal-xr/lamictal-xr-and-pregnancy.html

[notfred]

If Lamictal is that bad for you why are you still taking ? And going on and on about it ? Lamictal XR is available in the States, I take it because my insurance will pay for it and not regular Lamictal.

Epilepsy Res. 1992 Oct;13(1):89-92.

An assessment of serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in patients with epilepsy on lamotrigine therapy.

Sander JW, Patsalos PN.

Source

Epilepsy Research Group, Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, UK.

Abstract

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a new antiepileptic drug which is effective in refractory epilepsy and which has been shown to have weak antifolate properties in vitro. The effect of LTG on serum folate and red cell folate (RBC) concentrations was assessed in a series of 14 patients on short-term LTG treatment during a placebo-controlled double-blind study. A further 14 patients who had been treated with LTG for up to 5 years were also assessed. In the short-term double-blind study the baseline mean serum folate concentration was 2.7 ng/ml and mean RBC folate concentration was 295 ng/ml. After 12 weeks of LTG therapy mean concentrations were 3.3 ng/ml and 339 ng/ml respectively and corresponding levels after 12 weeks of placebo were 2.4 ng/ml and 288 ng/ml. Patients on chronic LTG therapy showed no significant difference in RBC folate concentrations compared to those prior to LTG therapy (346 compared to 407 ng/ml). Other biochemical and haematological parameters were unaltered by LTG therapy. Thus, neither short-term nor chronic LTG therapy appears to be associated with significant changes in serum or RBC folate concentrations.

PMID:1478201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[AnneMarie]

Edit: I see you are taking Lamictal XR--- different from regular Lamictal.

Not really, it is a Lamictal pill partially wrapped in a coating, which accounts for its slow release. I found it no different from regulat Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal for 5 years at 300 mgs with normal folate levels. Lamictal

weakly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Folate is everywhere in our fortified diet.

nf

I just had bloodwork a little over a month ago and I am Folate deficient. It may not be a different med per say but it is released differently. I didn't even know Lamictal XR existed. I don't know where you are located. Maybe its not available in the US yet (or maybe my [horrible] psychiatrist hasn't told me about it). Did you notice any difference? Like the XR being better for you?

Edit: I just looked up Lamictal XR real quick before I leave and it says right on this page "Also, lamotrigine decreases folic acid in the body." http://epilepsy.emed...-pregnancy.html

IIRC, folate deficiency can cause memory issues which of course can affect creativity and cognitive clarity. Why not address the folic acid deficit to see if that resolves your problems before you bail on the med?

FYI, it's one thing to ask if others share a similar experience. It's another to diss a med. The first is fine, the latter makes little sense since others have done very well on Lamictal, some to where they say it is the reason they can live normal lives.Instead, just say it's not working for you.

[Evey]

If Lamictal is that bad for you why are you still taking ? And going on and on about it ? Lamictal XR is available in the States, I take it because my insurance will pay for it and not regular Lamictal.

Epilepsy Res. 1992 Oct;13(1):89-92.

An assessment of serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in patients with epilepsy on lamotrigine therapy.

Sander JW, Patsalos PN.

Source

Epilepsy Research Group, Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, UK.

Abstract

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a new antiepileptic drug which is effective in refractory epilepsy and which has been shown to have weak antifolate properties in vitro. The effect of LTG on serum folate and red cell folate (RBC) concentrations was assessed in a series of 14 patients on short-term LTG treatment during a placebo-controlled double-blind study. A further 14 patients who had been treated with LTG for up to 5 years were also assessed. In the short-term double-blind study the baseline mean serum folate concentration was 2.7 ng/ml and mean RBC folate concentration was 295 ng/ml. After 12 weeks of LTG therapy mean concentrations were 3.3 ng/ml and 339 ng/ml respectively and corresponding levels after 12 weeks of placebo were 2.4 ng/ml and 288 ng/ml. Patients on chronic LTG therapy showed no significant difference in RBC folate concentrations compared to those prior to LTG therapy (346 compared to 407 ng/ml). Other biochemical and haematological parameters were unaltered by LTG therapy. Thus, neither short-term nor chronic LTG therapy appears to be associated with significant changes in serum or RBC folate concentrations.

PMID:1478201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The reason I am still on it is because my psychiatrist refused to take me off it. I switched doctors and I am seeing her tomorrow. I am not demonizing or dissing it. I am simply stating how it effects me and the things I have learned researching it. No reason to be mean notfred.. I'm going through a hard time.

[dancesintherain]

Are you switching for reasons other than the fact that your doc wont take you off the lamictal? If not, that worries me.

[crtclms]

For me, other than the early word-finding issues for the first month or so, Lamictal has had the fewest side effects of any AC except maybe Neurontin.

I just wonder if you realize that most ACs have mostly the same side effect profile. Cognitive issues can be present with all of them, although there are some that are more infamous than others (e.g. tompamax).

But I agree, I don't see how 4 years later, your side effects are worsening. And the folate argument? Take a supplement. Seriously. So much easier than playing with a new med. At least think about giving a supplement a try *with* the Lamictal.

[Evey]

Are you switching for reasons other than the fact that your doc wont take you off the lamictal? If not, that worries me.

It was actually her choice for me to talk to another doctor there for another opinion. I went today and the new doctor listened to me and she agreed that I need to be taken off it because of how it is effecting me.

Oh and someone said about it not being really possible for it to get worse over time. I have actually been feeling this way the whole time I've been on it. Just in the beginning, I basically gave up on life and did not care about how it was effecting my cognitive functions. I was planning on just giving up on everything, sometimes even on life.. and I was going to just apply for disability But I got a wake-up call from someone and realized I should not let myself feel this way and try to get my mind back. I know all ACs can cause this, so I do not plain on going unto another one. And again, I am not dissing Lamictal or demonizing it. Like I said, I know many people who love it and the have no cognitive impairment. And then I know people who have had the same thing as me. As we all know, every drug works differently on every one. I am just simply stating my experience.

[Blart752]

I'm not pro or anti lamictal here. all i know is that klonopin when taken for awhile caused alot of numbness and stupidity for me. im sure your paxil is doing ok. But for me when i switched to different antidepressants, The one that i took consistently and that seemed to work best, stopped working as well, it was just too darn agitating.

This agitation affected my ability to think clearly as well. Gabapentin for me made me dumb as shit, i was very arrogant and demonstrative in what I did, and I thought i knew it all, but all was lost.

[domovoi]

if you sincerely believe it is lamictal that is causing your problems, there is nothing more logical than to stop taking it and see if that helps.