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just diagnosed - taking Lamictal, need some help

Thu, 06/22/2006 - 07:28
Hi, I'm a 26F with TLE and simple partial seizures. Also a military wife whose husband is currently deployed and mom of 3 youngins 6, 4, and 1. I was officially diagnosed 2 days ago and put on Lamictal starting at 25mg, eventually going up to 200mg. I have had 4 simple partial seizures in the last 7 months lost consciousness for 1, so I am starting to learn what my body feels like before they come on. I think this is called an aura? Yesterday I noticed this feeling once in the afternoon. I swayed a bit and the ends of my hands got cold. It was quick and nothing big happened. I almost told my dad I didn't feel right, but stopped myself because it went away. Today is day 2 on lamictal. I've been taking it at night and both yesterday morning and this morning I notice I feel so strange. Almost drunk. When I move my head I get dizzy, headache, and its like the rest of the world has to catch up. I'm not hungry, but my stomach feels empty and gurgly. I have heartburn, and feel very foggy in general. Its a feeling I can live with, but I can't drive this way and I'm worried about how it will make me feel at 200mg. My questions are: - if 25mg of Lamictal makes me feel odd, will it get worse as I gradually increase the dosage? - if I'm having an aura at 25mg, will those get better as I'm on the dosage longer? How long do the meds typically take to help you? - is the heartburn a lamictal side effect? I haven't read about it anywhere, but I suppose you never know. Thank you very much for the help, Jamie

Comments

Re: just diagnosed - taking Lamictal, need some help

Submitted by sandy4917 on Thu, 2006-06-22 - 16:22
Jamie, First off I would like to say how grateful my family and I are for your husbands service in the military. I can't imagine what a sacrafice it is but please know how much it means to so many. There, now re: Lamictal...I recently started a transition from Dilantin to Lamictal. I was so exhausted at the 25 mg dose that i was very concerned what i would feel like at the 200 dose. I'm now at 200 and I still feel tired but nothing like i did when i first started taking it. Maybe my body is adjusting to it now. I'm not sure on your other questions. Good Luck and God Bless, Sandy

Re: Re: just diagnosed - taking Lamictal, need some help

Submitted by jamieb5210 on Fri, 2006-06-23 - 14:04
Sandy, Thank you for your kind words, it is always appreciated. Someone else mentioned the side effects went away with time too. That is VERY encouraging! I can handle feeling this way as long as it goes away eventually. Thanks again, Jamie

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