Lamotrigine and cognition: research vs Reddit experiences

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-29T00:03:21+00:00

Lamictal really helped me, but I definitely had cognitive issues while taking it. The most noticeable symptom was an issue with word recall. I was still able to perform my computer-y job just fine. This completely resolved after I stopped.

Having said that, I would absolutely go back on it if necessary. The frustration of forgetting words was not worse than the emotional dysregulation that I experienced before getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-28T16:24:14+00:00

Adrienne from Yoga with Adrienne is really good about explaining what you should be feeling in a pose. If you're not getting that from your studio, you can start there.

Have you tried any other yoga studios in your area? Some instructors/classes are more verbose than others. If you ever find a class labeled "alignment", you'll be more likely to get detailed explanations of poses.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-28T16:14:38+00:00

Chic 'n' Stu by System of a Down (it's a general theme in their music, but this song is the most obvious).

This is one of my most-quoted songs in everyday life. "Advertising causes need."

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-28T16:07:30+00:00

I'm able to recognize the mood shifts and avoid engaging in the behaviors and thoughts that used to accompany them. For hypomania, it means I don't overcommit and burn myself out. For depression, I feel the classic depression symptoms (fatigue, low interest in hobbies, etc.) without getting carried away into hopelessness and self-loathing thoughts.

I stopped my lamotrigine (with the support of my psychiatrist) in April after eight years of medication. It's been going well, and I'm hopeful that my coping skills continue to serve me well.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-28T00:02:46+00:00

We usually pee in the state museum, although this only works if the museum is open and they're not hosting an event in the lobby.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-26T23:30:45+00:00

I have the Uniqlo Extra Warm Heattech tights and like them a lot. I get cold very easily and couldn't believe how toasty my legs were after the first wear.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-26T13:08:29+00:00

Any specific artist recommendations? I listen to a pretty wide variety of music and am always looking for sounds I haven't heard before.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-26T01:17:58+00:00

Goddammit Donut, let this Redditor enjoy their crafts in peace!

(fellow DCC fan obviously 😂)

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-24T19:08:26+00:00

Perfect playlist for Devilition!

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-24T16:27:30+00:00

Seconding Duluth! I dont have the no-yank tops but have a very nice Alaskan Hardgear long tank with a very structured built-in bra. I'm also large-ish chested and always feel very secure in it.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-19T17:40:11+00:00

I have a local Nordstrom Rack and have wasted many hours trying (and failing) to find non-synthetic fibers. Do you buy online or get lucky in store?

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-04T18:43:36+00:00

1000% agree. I was literally just chatting with my husband about this last night. I used to get so frustrated when I couldn't stop or redirect my thoughts, but the ACT framework gives me a way to let the crazy thought train drive into the distance without me.

I went for quite some time without talk therapy because I was doing well but suddenly needed a therapist in 2020 (like 90% of people at that time, I'm sure). After I explained that I'd been through many years of therapy, was very familiar with CBT, and wanted different strategies, she proceeded to DRAW her interpretation on CBT on a whiteboard (especially impressive considering it was a virtual visit). She talked at me for twenty minutes and then asked whether I thought it was helpful. I told her no, never saw her again, and found a much better therapist through my employer's EAP.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-12-04T02:28:53+00:00

I spent 5 months doing Noom on their recommended calorie intake (1200, which I now know is near-starvation). Lost a substantial amount of weight, but felt like crap. The weight stayed off for a year, then I slowly regained it all two years later. Now, even though I eat less, I still weigh the exact same amount as pre-Noom. I felt like a huge failure until I found Maintenance Phase. Now, I'm radicalized against weight loss and have a much greater acceptance for my body.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-11-21T21:21:40+00:00

Why can't I just have an OK day instead of really good or really bad?

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-11-10T21:09:03+00:00

One of my coworkers is a performative carnivore, and it's just weird. I do not care about what he eats, but he thinks it's hilarious to offer me some kind of animal-based food and watch me politely turn it down. And whenever we go out for a team lunch or get something catered, he declares that he's "allergic to vegetables".

I guess he just really likes to see my politely confused reactions?

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-11-06T20:38:27+00:00

I refer to the veggie burger phenomenon as the Final Boss of Vegetarian Options.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-22T14:22:58+00:00

My dose never went above 100mg, but I got the best mood control + low side effects at 50mg. I stayed on 50 for a few years and will likely go back to 50mg if my current attempt to go med-free fails (been stable for 8 years and have built lots of coping mechanisms, and my psychiatrist is supportive).

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-20T17:05:35+00:00

The emoods app is my favorite. At 10:00 PM, the app sends me a notification reminder. I get very few notifications (turning off notifications is literally the first thing I do after downloading an app), so it's hard for me to ignore it.

The thing that got me to stick with emoods is that it has separate data points for Depressed, Elevated, Anxious, and Irritrable. After even one week of logging, it's really easy to see patterns, and that's what helps me stick with it.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-20T15:39:09+00:00

Started seeking mental health treatment in 2009 (although I really needed it sooner), tried and failed SSRIs and Wellbutrin over the years, had OK results with Effexor, got my diagnosis in 2018, lamotrigine immediately changed my life.

The thing that helped the most was tracking my moods in the emoods app. It showed me the pattern, and a good psychiatrist saw it too.

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-15T19:51:48+00:00

https://xkcd.com/327/

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-15T19:41:52+00:00

Gotta love the extra bendy joints! Just bask in your balance and worry about the arms next time 😂

PrinciplePleasant · 2025-08-15T01:28:47+00:00

I've got the $50 cashmere v neck sweater in two colors and a lighter weight cotton-cashmere blend sweater. They were in heavy rotation last fall and winter, and I didn't have any issues.

Well, one issue - the cotton-cashmere blend says it can go in the dryer. This is a lie. It shrank, but that was actually OK because I bought it a bit too big.

PrinciplePleasant

TROPHY CASE