cj2 Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 has anybody else had a headache with Lamictal that feels like your hair is being pulled out and your scalp scalded? I just increased my dosage to 200 mg and I can't figure out if this hair/head thing is from the Lamictal or perhaps some cold or something? I know there has been many postings on this site about the "Lamictal headache", but I couldn't find a description that sounded like this. perhaps I was using the wrong search terms. I apologize if this is covered elsewhere. if so could you please point me to the link? It has taken me two years to get to the 200 mg, so I really don't want to go down (mood-wise or dosage) because I think it is working with my bipolar problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naeblis Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I did for the first week or so back in April, but since then it has been a blessing. The only concern I have is that I have had to increase my dose every couple of months. Two months at 100mg, five at 200mg and now I have been changed to 300mg. The first change was due to a bit of hypomania....A 14 hour session of Texas Hold 'Em at the local card room. The next day I went into panic attack mode and the pdoc changed my dosage. Now in November, I got pretty down, which is uncharacteristic for me. I became very anxious about most everything. The pdoc had me go to 300mg and it has worked wonderfully. My concern is that I will have to keep increasing, but I'll take it as it comes. Ok, wandered a bit, sorry, but I found the headaches went away fairly quickly. Good luck! Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I went up by 100mg on Thurs and the headache came back. I do think it stabilises after a while - can't say how long I'm afraid - I would love to know myself! My scalp also feels ultra-sensitive and the pain goes right down into my neck, where it changes into horrible body aches. Ugh. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 cj2: the way you described it is about right for the headaches I had. Just horrid. I'm only at 125 mg. now; got the headaches and extreme muscle aches maybe the 2nd or 3rd week after starting, and they finally went away about 3 weeks ago. (My doc has been titrating at only 12.5, so it was actually a pretty long period.) Here's the link to the largest thread I know of on the subject: Lamictal and my aching back, chest, BODY! Lamictal and muscle pain Maybe there are other good threads, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ophelia Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 im on 200mg of Lamictal and I used to (...and, well, still do...) get really bad headaches. talk to your doctor about it. he might be able to augment your it with a diff med, changes the dosage, etc. ... but i know that it is hell top live with and you deserve to get it attended to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj2 Posted November 22, 2005 Author Share Posted November 22, 2005 thank you so much to each of you for your help. I am sorry to hear that y'all have the same pain, but at least I know I am not crazy. Well I guess technically I am crazy, but at least I am not alone. I wonder if there's some connection between the headache problem and the muscle problem, because several of us seem to have both. it seems like they could tweak the Lamictal, or counter the side effects with something. Alas, per your suggestions I brought it up at my appointment... The doctor said yesterday that it is unlikely that my headache will go away since it has been continuous since I went up to 200 mg (four weeks ago). she confirmed that it is definitely the Lamictal. she said there was no other medications that would take away the problem. she said it was up to me to decide whether to go down. after about 30 different medications and combinations thereof over 18 years, I am reluctant to make a change, since the Lamictal seems to be working some with the mood swings. is that rational? I guess for awhile I will try to ignore the headache and continue to use the voice "recognition" software to avoid exacerbating the muscle pain. being Thanksgiving and all, I guess I should focus on things could definitely be much worse. but the focusing on things that could definitely be much worse is kind of the nature of the problem. (oh my God, things could definitely be much worse!!) sorry for whining. thanks for putting up with me and helping me not feel I am so alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 sorry for whining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zomby Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I found that Ibuprofen relieved the head and neck/shoulder pain caused by Lamictal. I had to keep taking it every few hours though and it was scary taking so much. Luckily I got rashes and had to stop taking Lamictal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Luckily I got rashes and had to stop taking Lamictal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 thank you so much to each of you for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 ...paracetamol (not sure what you call it in the US, if that's where you are) have done squat to help.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi, Just checked an online Canadian pharmacy. Paracetamol = acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) for those of us in the states. Skittle, I sure hope you can get some relief soon. I know it's simply horrible. It (both the severe headaches and muscle pain/tightness) does seem to go away with time for most of us. Even though that does not help you now, maybe that thought will help you to get through it. I'd be very interested to know if you get any relief from the migraine meds, or the physiotherapist if you end up going there. I hope you do. I know what you mean...when I was going through it, any smidgen of relief was a blessing! If you haven't already, do check out the link to Lamictal and my aching back, chest, BODY! Lamictal and muscle pain -- it's encouraging to know how many people do get past this completely shitty phase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj2 Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 you are wonderful. it helps to hear both your experiences and concerns. sorry I am slow to respond but the voice software is maddening (please excuse any typos). The last few days have been awful. I get these surges of horrible, "just want to die" over energized paranoia, mixed with can't get of bed sluggishness. I do seem to recall it was worse before I started taking Lamictal, so I should be grateful for the improvement. How do you guys put up with this? and I can't even seem to keep track of when my brain is screwing up basic memory things, like phone numbers. Still, I think it's better than it was before I started taking the Lamictal. Just checked an online Canadian pharmacy. Paracetamol = acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) for those of us in the states.I tried extra strength Tylenol, Alieve but nada. aspirin just made me want to throw up. Skittle: today I'm going to go to the pharmacy and ask for some migraine meds to see if it moves even slightly. Slightly would be good at this stage! any luck with the migraine medication? Revlow: Started taking Frova (all of the migraine meds in this category are supposedly pretty much the same -- think there are 3 of them). It worked great whenever I needed them, and my migraines seemed to subside. I haven't tried migraine meds. Although, don't they give antidepressants to combat migraines? is that what Frova is based on? I did try a muscle relaxant yesterday. It actually made the headache worse, with no effect on the muscle pain, but perhaps I have to take it a little bit longer or a little bit stronger. is anything above making any sense? Any suggestions? ps things could surely be worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 I used to get really horrible headaches on lamictal, especially right after a dose increase. My pdoc suggested ibuprofin cuz it doesn't interact with any of my meds and it really helped. I should add that it was prescription ibuprofin 800 mgs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 I haven't tried migraine meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 P.S. I just looked at the article I listed above. Here's something that may be of interest: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How It Works Triptans narrow (constrict) blood vessels in the brain and relieve swelling, which is believed to be a factor in migraines. Triptans have other properties that may help treat migraine symptoms. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Which may explain why the muscle relaxant made it worse? Just a stab in the dark here, but maybe muscle relaxants affect the blood vessels in the opposite direction, opening them more? I honestly don't know if they do. Anyone out there know this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj2 Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 Triptans narrow (constrict) blood vessels in the brain and relieve swelling, which is believed to be a factor in migraines. Triptans have other properties that may help treat migraine symptoms. Which may explain why the muscle relaxant made it worse? thank you so much for going through all the effort to figure this out for me, a complete stranger. a strange stranger, at that. I bet you are right. perhaps the muscle relaxant, plus the protriptyline (TCA), plus the Lamictal made the blood vessels in my brain revolt in confusion. Yet another reason why I feel revolting and confused. I am going to try increasing the acetaminophen today to see if it makes a difference. No more experimentation with muscle relaxants. Is there any hope that something, some combinations of medication will eventually work? I gave up on the silver bullet idea many years ago, but this is taking me to the end of my rope. I can see my overall progression getting worse. If anything, I hope I am an example of why affective disorders should be treated early and aggressively. Perhaps if the cycling had been caught earlier this kindling would not have happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Oh, sweetie...hang in. I wish I could tell you what would work. But you are certainly not "revolting". I can't remember...is there some reason why you can't use ibuprofen, since that's helped some people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj2 Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 okay, I am trying to hang on (operative word being trying). I can't take ibuprofen or aspirin related substances because of a digestive disease. But I did take a little bit more of Tylenol today and it has given me a bit of relief I think. I can tell when it wears off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revlow Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Glad to hear the Tylenol's doing something, even if it's just a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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