Lemectol
UpdatedI have just developed epilepsy and am in my 40's. I have been put on lemectol and have been taking a theraputic dose for several months. Originally I had headaches but they seem to have gone away. Right now I am having symptoms that i believe to be side effects. I am experiencing loss of balance or unsteadiness, a sort of dizziness, terrible hot flashes or night sweats sometimes 4-5 times a night. Right now as I right this I am loosing my balance at my computor. I am also having a hot flash at this minute. This has all occurred in the last week despite being on it for months. I also have cloudy urine. My question is has anyone experienced symptoms this dramatic and did they go away. I don't know if I can live with this and quite frankly I am wondering what this stuff is doing to my brain. I have read on the internet that sometimes this is a withdrawal reaction. I have missed a few doses here and there. Now I don't know if I should take the medication anymore or if stopping it will cause more symptoms. If anyone has experience with this please let me know. thank you.
1 Reply
You cannot just stop taking it, or you run the risk of your epilepsy being out of control, and experiencing possibly dangerous seizures. My niece's have been out of control, recently she was walking to a friends house, she was about half way there, and the next thing she knew, she woke up in an ER, with cuts and bruises all over her body, because she had a seizure and fell into the roadway. She was very fortunate that she didn't fall in front of a speeding car.
That said, Lamicatal contains the active ingredient Lamotrigine can cause clumsiness, unsteadiness, memory loss, dizziness, and menstrual pain.
Given the problems you're experiencing on it, and the cloudy urine, you should consult your doctor. You may need a dosage adjustment, or a switch to a different medication.
You also need to stop missing doses, you should use some type of reminder system, such as a phone, or tablet application to make sure you take it regularly. These medications work best, when they are maintained at a constant level in your body.
How are you feeling, now?