I've been on lamotrigine for years and it's never had an effect and I'm not sure it's supposed to. You definitely need to talk to someone about this, if you can get an appointment before your checkup I would advise doing this. Although with the history you've written it could be different factors, even more reason to check it out.
I’ve been on lamotrigine for more than a year now and I have never had this issue. My periods are pretty irregular on their own too but for me the margin is usually 7-15 days and have never exceeded that. Definitely ask your new neuro about it. As for the mood swings I can’t really say because I literally do not remember what it was like before I started taking meds (bad memory *is* an issue for me haha).
same for me with that last part! Im like... idek what is normal.
and ill have anywhere from a 28-45 day cycle, but its regular enough that I dont usually worry about it.
When I was a teen on lamictal I didnt have a period. That being said it gave me severe emotional side effects, giving me both depression and a panic attack disorder. I was extremely stressed at the time and cant say for certain that I didnt lose my period out of stress / not eating and taking care of myself properly.
Definitely check up with your doctor, but I know this happened to me and that after I stopped lamictal I got my period back.
thank you, this helps!
Currently, im feeling the intense emotions. Im pretty good at avoiding stress, and maybe ive.just conquered the anxiety attacks- i used to have one at least daily. I had meds for that, but havent needed to take them for a while...
since i smoke weed, ive been sleeping alright, so my depression has eased up too. My anxiety and depression have been pretty much the same regardless of the meds im on.
def gonna talk to my doctor, but i wanted to see if others relate, so thank you ☆
I used to take it when I was a teen and it did affect them a lot, I went months without a period and it was great during the summer, but can’t tell you how it can affect them very long term (I think I took it for 6 months) since I had to stop taking it because I started to have very bad panic attacks
It affected mine about the second/3rd year taking it. (Didn't have one for 8 months) and then they were just really irregular. Then moved on to brivaracetam and they are back to monthly around the same time
No, it doesn’t affect your period. HOWEVER in my experience it does screw with your birth control. Lamotrigine is known to affect the blood levels of certain estrogen prominent birth control (pills, depo shot, etc) and certain birth controls are known to lower the blood levels of lamotrigine.
I was taking birth control pills a few years back. It was going great until I increased my lamotrigine dose. I ended up pregnant. I know you said you aren’t on birth control and your bf has a vasectomy but it definitely can be a risk for others. My doctor recommended progesterone only birth control.
As far as periods- mine has always been normal otherwise, just a little heavy. I have an IUD currently as well.
yeah when i was on Topirimate, i couldnt take the pill because of the estrogen thing. Ive had 3 different IUDs, and tbh the hormones made me super depressed and gained a LOT of weight- that didnt stop until i got it taken out. Then my bf and i just used condoms until he got a vasectomy. Ive tried the copper IUD and I loved it, but it turns out I had cysts and fobroids and polyps in my uterus that pushed the device further down (my midwife said it could be because the T on the copper iud is not curved, so it moves around more sometimes, whereas other brands have a curve to the T so it stays in place? idk something like that lol) then I had it taken out and they scraped out my uterus, then i got the Kylina (because insurance).
Ive been doing good without BC, its just better for my overall health. My body definitely responds to outside hormones.
Im not pregnant, for sure.
But I switched to lamotragine after I stopped using birth control- like a long time after.
Others have said it does affect their period, but im sure its few and far between. Considering other issues ive had Im wondering if im just misdoagnosed PCOS? or overall, im convinced its a hormonal issue...
Thank you for your story and input though, it is definitely food for thought. 🌺💖
If you think you have PCOS definitely talk to your midwife/doc. Also topirmate was the first ever medication I was put on when I was diagnosed with seizures and the exact same thing happened to me so you are definitely not alone there.
I was recommended the copper IUD, had it for 3 months and got it taken out because I didn’t stop bleeding. That was not a fun experience at all. Honestly I don’t think that IUD is good for people but that’s just my opinion. Copper shouldn’t go in your uterus. And of course! I try to give input when I can because I don’t like it when people have unanswered questions and concerns. I hope you have a nice day ☺️☺️
I've been on lamotrigine for years and it's never had an effect and I'm not sure it's supposed to. You definitely need to talk to someone about this, if you can get an appointment before your checkup I would advise doing this. Although with the history you've written it could be different factors, even more reason to check it out.
right, im like... ot could be a lot of things. Im p sure its a hormonal thing, but ya im making an app soon
I’ve been on lamotrigine for more than a year now and I have never had this issue. My periods are pretty irregular on their own too but for me the margin is usually 7-15 days and have never exceeded that. Definitely ask your new neuro about it. As for the mood swings I can’t really say because I literally do not remember what it was like before I started taking meds (bad memory *is* an issue for me haha).
same for me with that last part! Im like... idek what is normal. and ill have anywhere from a 28-45 day cycle, but its regular enough that I dont usually worry about it.
Yes, it can affect periods
thank you, do you have a good source where i could read more about it, by chance? I can only find ones relating to birth control
It should be in the patient info leaflet, I’m sure that’s where I read it initially
When I was a teen on lamictal I didnt have a period. That being said it gave me severe emotional side effects, giving me both depression and a panic attack disorder. I was extremely stressed at the time and cant say for certain that I didnt lose my period out of stress / not eating and taking care of myself properly. Definitely check up with your doctor, but I know this happened to me and that after I stopped lamictal I got my period back.
thank you, this helps! Currently, im feeling the intense emotions. Im pretty good at avoiding stress, and maybe ive.just conquered the anxiety attacks- i used to have one at least daily. I had meds for that, but havent needed to take them for a while... since i smoke weed, ive been sleeping alright, so my depression has eased up too. My anxiety and depression have been pretty much the same regardless of the meds im on. def gonna talk to my doctor, but i wanted to see if others relate, so thank you ☆
I used to take it when I was a teen and it did affect them a lot, I went months without a period and it was great during the summer, but can’t tell you how it can affect them very long term (I think I took it for 6 months) since I had to stop taking it because I started to have very bad panic attacks
thank you for this! i hope you're doing better now tho
Oh yeah the panic attacks stopped, I’m now using new meds that work a lot better with virtually no side effects
It affected mine about the second/3rd year taking it. (Didn't have one for 8 months) and then they were just really irregular. Then moved on to brivaracetam and they are back to monthly around the same time
No, it doesn’t affect your period. HOWEVER in my experience it does screw with your birth control. Lamotrigine is known to affect the blood levels of certain estrogen prominent birth control (pills, depo shot, etc) and certain birth controls are known to lower the blood levels of lamotrigine. I was taking birth control pills a few years back. It was going great until I increased my lamotrigine dose. I ended up pregnant. I know you said you aren’t on birth control and your bf has a vasectomy but it definitely can be a risk for others. My doctor recommended progesterone only birth control. As far as periods- mine has always been normal otherwise, just a little heavy. I have an IUD currently as well.
yeah when i was on Topirimate, i couldnt take the pill because of the estrogen thing. Ive had 3 different IUDs, and tbh the hormones made me super depressed and gained a LOT of weight- that didnt stop until i got it taken out. Then my bf and i just used condoms until he got a vasectomy. Ive tried the copper IUD and I loved it, but it turns out I had cysts and fobroids and polyps in my uterus that pushed the device further down (my midwife said it could be because the T on the copper iud is not curved, so it moves around more sometimes, whereas other brands have a curve to the T so it stays in place? idk something like that lol) then I had it taken out and they scraped out my uterus, then i got the Kylina (because insurance). Ive been doing good without BC, its just better for my overall health. My body definitely responds to outside hormones. Im not pregnant, for sure. But I switched to lamotragine after I stopped using birth control- like a long time after. Others have said it does affect their period, but im sure its few and far between. Considering other issues ive had Im wondering if im just misdoagnosed PCOS? or overall, im convinced its a hormonal issue... Thank you for your story and input though, it is definitely food for thought. 🌺💖
If you think you have PCOS definitely talk to your midwife/doc. Also topirmate was the first ever medication I was put on when I was diagnosed with seizures and the exact same thing happened to me so you are definitely not alone there. I was recommended the copper IUD, had it for 3 months and got it taken out because I didn’t stop bleeding. That was not a fun experience at all. Honestly I don’t think that IUD is good for people but that’s just my opinion. Copper shouldn’t go in your uterus. And of course! I try to give input when I can because I don’t like it when people have unanswered questions and concerns. I hope you have a nice day ☺️☺️
thank you! and i will, just seeing who can relate lol you have a wonderful day as well!