Hi, I'm currently on 600mg of Tegretol with 50mg of Lamotrigine on top (also known as Lactimal) for Type 1 TN. I've been on the Lamotrigine for two weeks, and when I bumped up from 25mg to 50mg I started having savage sick headaches which have just got worse and worse. Headaches are not part of my illness.
They come along with light sensitivity (and loud noises aren't too great either) and although the nausea was originally on walking, it is now all the time, even when absolutely still, for hours.
The headaches are lasting all day, every day, and I am very limited with painkillers.
I can't take NSAIDS (such as aspirin or Ibuprofen) or Codeine. I can take Paracetamol but I am a bit worried about doing so on a regular basis as it might damage my liver when used with the Tegretol. My doctor said it was fine, but that was for an occasional dose, not use 24/7.
My real problem is the Lamotrigine seems to be working otherwise. I have finally had a bit of a breakthrough with my tooth sensitivity problem, in that it has got noticeably less sensitive and feels almost normal.
Today I felt like I couldn't take it any more and thought 'I want to stop taking these', so I was going to drop a dose, but I've been reading about Lamotrigine online tonight and apparently these headaches are very common and often they go away with time. I am loath to part with the drug if I don't have to, but this pain and nausea is killing me (it's like a low-grade migraine).
My questions are this:
1. Has anyone else used Lamotrigine and had headaches?
2. Did they resolve themselves?
3. How long did they take to go away?
4. Was there a magic dose of Lamotrigine when the headaches suddenly stopped?
5. What painkiller did you use while you had pain?
6. Anybody else use Paracetamol safely with Tegretol and liver was not harmed?!
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I don't want to lose the drug, but I don't want to go on taking it if it is going to crucify me like this indefinitely.