is it me or my meds???

I've been struggling with mood issues on and off for years. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar, but am not yet completely sold. I started lamictal 25mg almost a week ago. I feel really absent minded, as I am making little mistakes in all I do and can not think straight. I am able to hold it together when it counts, but I afraid this will get worse. I'm really emotional and the littlest thing will set me off into tears or anger. I also started feeling light headed about an hour ago. I am just getting lost as to if this whole thing warrants meds or if it is life stressors and now I do not know when I end and the med effects begin.

Any insights, advice, or similar experienced are extremely appreciated.

Is Lamictal the only thing you are taking? To the best of your ability try to discern what seemed to have come about after you started the medication and what was there before. For instance, did the light headedness ever occur before you started taking Lamictal? Mood changes, anxiety and a host of other things can cause lightheadedness, not just side effects of medication.

Whenever I start a new medication I take notes to chart what is happening to me.

Did your doctor go over side effects? Any medication that affects the brain should be monitored closely. Unfortunately from this side, it's hard to tell what is you (so to speak) or what might be the meds.

Whatever the case, if you feel something is not right, get a hold of your doctor.

per http://www.drugs.com/cons/lamictal.html Lamictal may effect memory but it doesn't say if it's working memory or long term memory and that side-effect is rare. It also states that it may make depression worse which might be what you're describing when you say you're really emotional. The incidence of light headedness is unknown, so that may or may not be from the meds.

Considering you've only been on it for a week, it's possible some of those side-effects will go away after a few more weeks. It's always a good idea to let your doctor know about what's going on.

Exiled. wrote:per http://www.drugs.com/cons/lamictal.html Lamictal may effect memory but it doesn't say if it's working memory or long term memory and that side-effect is rare. It also states that it may make depression worse which might be what you're describing when you say you're really emotional. The incidence of light headedness is unknown, so that may or may not be from the meds.

Considering you've only been on it for a week, it's possible some of those side-effects will go away after a few more weeks. It's always a good idea to let your doctor know about what's going on.

I was a nursing student (finished 5 out of 6 quarters, including a psych clinical before I had to drop out due to a depressive episode that landed me in the hospital), and have a pretty good knowledge of meds and their side effects, uses etc. I also take Lamictal myself.

In response to the aforementioned symptom of increased depression: Lamictal is actually the most commonly used mood stabilizer for bipolar during depressive episodes. Any psychoactive drug CAN cause increased depressive symptoms and suicidality, especially in children and young adults...you will see this side effect listed on pretty much all psych meds because all of them should be taken with great caution (they're changing your brain chemistry after all). Lithium is more likely to be used as a mood stabilizer for controlling manic symptoms.

Honestly, memory problems are most likely a symptom of your depression or mania (both can bring this on) rather than a side effect of the med. However, Exiled is right about talking to your doctor. It's also a good idea, as was mentioned, to keep a "mood/symptom journal" of some kind. There are a lot of apps available to help you do this, or you can just do it by making note of these symptoms and mood changes on an old fashioned piece of paper .