Migraine

Has anyone been on Lamictal for migraines, not for bi-polar illness?

LauraHost, I saw in my search results that you had been on it back in 07' Was it successful?

Looking for any comments on experiences with it, both good and bad.

And if you could please state what kind of migraines you have and what other meds you are taking in combo with the Lamictal, that would be helpful.

parisbabe

Lamictal didn't touch my chronic migraines. I tried it with a variety of other preventatives, including calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, Topamax, Zonegran, methergine, and Namenda. But every person is unique and what didn't work for me might be the right pill for you! On the plus side, Lamictal had very few side effects and is weight neutral.

I did not have success with lamictal, but I do suggest you give it a try. I ended up with the dreaded itching/rash when I got up to a high dose, though, so I had to stop taking it.

Parisbabe,

Yep, you saw right, although I just started it recently. I began taking it initially in August but I was also taking some antibiotics and it caused a strange reaction to the meds (I got sores in my mouth) plus I tapered up rather quickly. I waited a few weeks and then tried it again, and I'm in the process of tapering up more slowly. I'm at 100 mgs right now and I started at 25 mgs in September. I'll be increasing my dose again this weekend.

I haven't had any adverse side effects and I'm not sure I'm seeing any major results just yet but it's still to soon to tell. My maximum dose will be at 200 mgs and if I don't see any progress at that point then I will move along to something else. I have noticed that my abortives have been making a dent in some of my Migraines and for me, that's great progress. That's why I'm willing to hang in there and keep increasing the dose. Even those baby steps I count as tiny successes. My hope is that the larger the dose, the bigger the dent will be

Thanks to everyone for your reply. I was hesitant to take it though because of the side effects that I have read about. The itching/rash and even the one serious side effect called Steven Johnson's disease. I always research a drug thoroughly before I take it.

Laura-I have had canker sores on my tongue lately and wondered where they were coming from. Maybe it's from the latest drug I'm taking even though it's not Lamictal. It's hard to say.

I have to take it very slow in upping my meds. I get nauseated easily and really lethargic. That may be why I'm not seeing more success in my migraine deduction. But I don't want to be in bed all the time either, so this way is best for me.

I too am like you in the fact that I count any small success a victory. And I am seeing with each small step of upping a dosage, things are getting better so that pushes me on to the next level.

The idea of adding the Lamictal was to try and reduce the fragrance trigger. So, I may wait and see if when I reach the max levels of the 2 drugs I'm on now, if that was accomplished without adding the Lamictal.

Thanks again to everyone for your swift replies and I wish you all pain free days!!!
Pam

Well, it looks like I'll be trying Lamictal too. I had been trying Neurontin, but was having a tight feeling in my throat that kept getting worse. I was only on it for about 2 1/2 weeks. So my Dr. today prescribed Lamictal. I will be starting at a 25mg dose for a few weeks and then increasing the dose. I sure hope this med helps, as I've been having daily migraines with my abortives not working much at all.

I was wondering if this med will make me sleepy since I'll be taking it at night. I guess its different for everyone, but I hope it does. Does anyone have any experience with that?

Peggy

Fortunately, the SJS rash is a rare side effect (occurs in less than 1% of adults), and the best way to avoid it is to do SLOW tapers and not combine Lamictal with Depakote. It's also good to keep in mind that there are lots of coincidental rashes that can occur that are not SJS. In my first year of Lamictal, I ended up with a suspicious rash. I went to the UC (like I was instructed by my doctor, who I contacted immediately), and it ended up being ring worm from the cat shelter I worked for. Whew