Migraine

Thanks to all for previous comments about Lamictal.
I am now in my 3rd week of taking 25mg. For the first 2 weeks I did not feel much different ie no real change either way, although I did seem to be sleeping better. However, over the last week I have begun to feel very woolly and heavy headed during the day with some nausea and my sleeping is very disrupted. I am not sure if this is just another manifestation of migraine-vertigo or possible onset of side effects. From what I have read, side effects can wear off after a certain period of time and I am prepared to give this a go. My question is: do side effects kick in up to 2 weeks after beginning meds? I assumed (wrongly probably) that side effects would be pretty much instant (they were with topiramate).

Side effects can show up any time. For example, I started retaining water from Nardil after I'd been taking it for TWO YEARS. I'm guessing it's the same kind of mechanism that makes it take time for a preventive to start working.

I had been taking Flexeril for a year or two before it started giving me severe dizzy spells, so bad that I couldn't stand up. Going off it got rid of the dizziness.

And side effects can lessen as your body gets used to a new med.

Gretchen in Mississippi

When I started on imipramine, side effect kicked in about two to three weeks after I started taking it.

It seems like side effects can set in any time, most commonly when you start/stop a med or change dosage, but not *necessary* only then. I was taking verapamil for 8 weeks, and had been on a higher doseage for about 3 weeks (I think?) when all of a sudden I had a severe reaction to it (pounding heartbeat, left sided weakness, nausea) and had to come off it fairly quickly.

This is completely an *opinion* from a long time Lamictal user (4 years) of various maintanence doses (25-300mg daily). This is a med that has a low side effect profile compared to other anticonvulsants (although it does have its side effects). I tend not to have any side effects from Lamictal at 25mg, but they do seem to kick in around 50mg. Usually the side effects are immediately noticeable to me (within a day or so of a dose INCREASE, decrease side effects seem to catch up with me a bit slower). The side effects that I notice are usually disruptions in concentration, memory difficulties, and aphasia. It's never noticeably disrupted my sleep, made me feel woolly or heavy headed, or caused nausea. I know dizziness, nausea, and insomnia are possible side effects though (listed in PI sheet). The best person to talk to would be your doctor or pharmacist (pharmacists are great!).

Is it possible you could be getting sick (cold, flu)? Just wondering since it 'tis the season and the symptoms would be similar.