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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 384 to 408 of 458. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dalilah on March 26, 2004, at 13:06:24
In reply to Re: Lamictal And Mind Racing, posted by bruce_w6 on March 26, 2004, at 8:49:51
Hey Bruce,
I am on what I think is close to what you are on - 300mg of Lamictal, 900mg regular Lithium, and 50mg Seroquel to sleep (I started at 12.5mg three years ago.) The sad thing is I'm totally depressed AGAIN. I admit it's not as bad as it has been in the past, but it's pretty bad.My doctor has added 40mg of Geodon which makes me feel like I'm crawling out of my skin and I hate the world. I can't decide what I hate more - this disease or everyone in the world. Yep, that's where I'm at.
Has anyone else experienced the joy of Geodon?
-Dalilah
> Hi,
>
> I am on some vitamins, fish oils & lithium Orotate. I'm not on any other mood stabelizers. I see the pdoc on Monday and I hope he has some ideas. The mind racing drives me crazy. I can't sleep without 12.5 Seroquil.
>
> > Hey Bruce,
> > Don't know that I can help you with the answer about mind racing. But we're on similar meds. I take about 12.5mg of Seroquel for sleep too. I have done off and on, as needed, since July. I am again starting Lamictal. I'm at 12.5mg of Lam. too. just for a few days then to 25mg. I'm also on Trileptal. Are you on anything else? Maybe an add-on mood stabilizer may help.
> > Katia
> > BPII
>
>
Posted by skaterdude on March 29, 2004, at 12:36:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal And Mind Racing, posted by Dalilah on March 26, 2004, at 13:06:24
I am SO GLAD to have discovered this board. I have been diagnosed with mild bi-polar, and depression. I was on Luvox for two years, which did nothing except make me sleepy and gain weight.
I'm now on Lamictal, 100mg, and Lexapro 15mg. The Lamictal is making my mind race, I can't sit still, I've lost weight, and I am manic. The Lexapro is supposed to counter act this.
Anyone on here with this combination? Any solutions on how to stop the anxiousness caused by the Lamictal?
Posted by amy_oz on March 29, 2004, at 21:34:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal And Mind Racing, posted by skaterdude on March 29, 2004, at 12:36:46
Hi,
I don't know where your pdoc is coming from but Lexapro will not and cannot stop your mind racing from Lamictal. Lamictal is a antidepressant/mood stabilizer and lots of people need another mood stabilizer to stop going manic. eg lithium, valproate (depakote/epilim) etc.....Lexapro is a straight out antidepressant. it is not a mood stabilizer.
I suggest you go back to your doctor (or get a new one) and try and go on another moodstabilizer.
Lithium + Lamictal works well for many people with mild bipolar/bipolar 2.
Good luck
Amy
Posted by Geoffrey Ruch on April 19, 2004, at 22:43:46
In reply to Re: BP2, FMS, and seroquel here » BarbaraCat, posted by Sabina on September 29, 2003, at 0:45:44
Hello,
Does anyone here understand the biochemical mode of action for Seroquel (as well as for Zyprexa, Risperdal, etc)?
Geoffrey
Posted by katia on April 20, 2004, at 2:18:03
In reply to Re: mode of action of Seroquel (+ other antipsycs) » Sabina, posted by Geoffrey Ruch on April 19, 2004, at 22:43:46
Bon question Geoffrey mon ami!
anyone with anything better to say than me?
Katia
Posted by Keith Talent on April 22, 2004, at 23:48:22
In reply to Re: mode of action of Seroquel (+ other antipsycs) » Geoffrey Ruch, posted by katia on April 20, 2004, at 2:18:03
The old antipsychotics worked by antagonising dopamine 2 receptors. Haloperidol is much cleaner than things like chlorpromazine, which is very dirty, in that it has anticholinergic and antihistaminergic effects as well (and probably others too) which cause bad side effects. The newer antipsychotics block dopamine 2, but also serotonin 2 receptors, which greatly relieves anxiety. It may also be why the newer drugs don't seem to cause movement disorders (tardive dyskinesia) with long-term use. Aripiprazole (Abilify) is, I understand, unique in that it is a dopamine receptor partial agonist - so if there is hardly any dopamine being released into the synapse, the drug will provide a certain amount of stimulation. If there's a lot of dopamine, trying to stimulate the dopamine receptors, the Abilify will kind of put an upper limit to how much the dopamine can bind to, and agonise, the dopamine receptors. This is important because it is believed that in schizophrenia, there are brain regions with too little dopaminergic activity (associated with negative symptoms) and regions with overactivity (associated with positive symptoms). I don't know anything about Seroquel specifically.
Posted by AMD on May 2, 2004, at 18:27:15
In reply to Lamictal And Mind Racing, posted by bruce_w6 on March 25, 2004, at 21:22:19
I have a feeling that started upon beginning a new medication, but I'm not sure what it's called.
This might sound silly to some, but basically I find myself wanting to put my head down, as if I were looking at the ground. Almost as if I get 'relief' by my brain being turned upside down. It's so weird! I don't think it's vertigo because I don't feel dizzy, per se. But then I do feel a little 'off' when my head level, as if I were looking straight ahead. Along with it I feel a bit tired and 'out of it'.
Anyhow... I've noticed this for a few days when I've been at the computer. It's not just drowsiness though ... what IS this!?
Posted by Rachel Terese on May 4, 2004, at 22:52:46
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects » Dalilah, posted by Flipsactown on January 16, 2004, at 20:33:04
I'm on 100mg of lamictal for bipolar. I've never felt so depressed in my entire life. I can't stop crying and think things will never get better. I am scared of waking up and feeling this way. Has anyone had this side effect with lamitcal? I can't handle it anymore and feel like nothing will ever be the same. Help!!
Posted by Sad Panda on May 5, 2004, at 13:20:22
In reply to Lamictal and depression, posted by Rachel Terese on May 4, 2004, at 22:52:46
> I'm on 100mg of lamictal for bipolar. I've never felt so depressed in my entire life. I can't stop crying and think things will never get better. I am scared of waking up and feeling this way. Has anyone had this side effect with lamitcal? I can't handle it anymore and feel like nothing will ever be the same. Help!!
>
>Hi Rachel,
Before Lamictal was your mood up & down? Is it now stabilised? It might be time to go back to your doctor & get an antidepressant added, I would certainly visit your doc ASAP & let him know how miserable you feel.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by jstrick1 on May 10, 2004, at 0:15:35
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
I've posted regarding this before, but got no response. Both times I've tried Lamictal, I've developed sever neurological distress in my upper GI and stomach. Once it was at the 75 mg point, and not at the beginning stages. Please, is there anyone out there who has had similar responses? If so, what happened?
Thanks
Posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 13:28:26
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by jstrick1 on May 10, 2004, at 0:15:35
>Both times I've tried Lamictal, I've developed a >severe neurological distress in my upper GI and >stomach.
Hi there, I'm not quite sure what you mean by neurological distress in your UGI and stomach. Was it determined that the vagus nerve (or other branches/filaments) was not functioning or not functioning correctly?
I have never heard of any psych med affecting vagus nerve function but I suppose anything is possible since they do act upon our brain/CNS.
If you are simply referring to organ distress I had a bit of an upset stomach when I first began Lamictal but it worked itself out after about a week or two.
Let me know if I'm on the right track here.
Karen
Posted by katia on May 10, 2004, at 13:35:08
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by jstrick1 on May 10, 2004, at 0:15:35
> I've posted regarding this before, but got no response. Both times I've tried Lamictal, I've developed sever neurological distress in my upper GI and stomach. Once it was at the 75 mg point, and not at the beginning stages. Please, is there anyone out there who has had similar responses? If so, what happened?
>
> Thanks
I did have some stomach/GI problems when taking/starting Lam. I had to stop it after 6 or so weeks due to the irritability. But there were so many other influences - like new diet, buying a house, drinking wine too frequently, that I'm not sure what was what.
Katia
Posted by AMD on May 10, 2004, at 13:46:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects » jstrick1, posted by katia on May 10, 2004, at 13:35:08
I have been taking a low dose of Lamictal since January: 25 mg (added to my Celexa 40 mg). It has been working well for my depression -- it pulled me out of the low-grade depression I'd been for a few months prior -- but Wednesday before last I took a single 2.5 mg Zyprexa and it threw me for a loop for several days! The day after popping the Zyprexa I felt very stuporous, tired, and zonked out. My mind just didn't feel right. To self-medicate, I upped the dosage of Lamictal to 50 mg for a few days, but just felt as zonked as ever. This has persisted, but finally seems to be going away. Meanwhile, about 5 days after that night, I began having dizzy spells. Friday I had /several/ dizzy spells. I'd look up and the room would start spinning. Even after I'd dropped Lamictal to 25 mg again, I've had dizzy spells. What is going on? Is this possible from a SINGLE dose of Zyprexa? From /changing/ the Lamictal dose?
As of today, I'm dropping everything but the Celexa for a few weeks to detox. I feel more out of it than ever...
Posted by St. John on May 10, 2004, at 15:27:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 13:28:26
Hey, folks. Thanks so much for the responses. A couple of points of clarification are in order. By gastric distress, I meant a generalized feeling that couldn't be tied to any specific symption with regard to my gut. In both cases, the feeling was one of being in a sensory irritation--burning, flaring, hurting, without a node of pain in particular. I was also flatulent in both orafices and constipated. My MD suggested that sometimes the anti-convulsant/mood stabilizing drugs cause this feeling and that it doesn't go away. He described it as an impact on the neural network of the stomach and intestines. In such cases, he felt that the drug was probably impossible to tolerate. I stopped after getting to 75 mg, but after some subsequent time trapped in atypical depression, I decided to give it a more gradual go. After 6 days of 25 mg, the symptoms returned with a vengence. It's Monday afternoon and I haven't eaten anything since Thursday evening. When I threw up Friday about midnight, it was all that I'd eaten since early Thursday, entirely undigested and in the form it'd entered my stomach. I'd guess this means that peristaltic motion had ceased? I don't know.
With regard to the dizziness, I have to be careful about that because of a wonderful little malady called Meniere's syndrome, which summarizes the deterioration of the vestibular system of the inner ear. Fortunately I'm not nearly as affected as some people who are totally bedridden by vertigo, but it ain't fun. My Otologist suggests the smallest atavan underneath the tongue till it dissolves. It has to be name brand because the others don't dissolve, but it works to cure pretty intense dizziness going to vertigo.
Thanks for your responses.
Posted by T_R_D on May 11, 2004, at 9:22:44
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by St. John on May 10, 2004, at 15:27:16
Gotcha. That's what I figured you meant :)
It may be that the Lamictal is just too hard on your tummy. That is not an unheard of reason for discontinuing a med.
It's hard to remember as I've been on so many meds--I lose track of the specifics--but I think Lamictal's sides hung around a little bit longer than ADs and such...maybe I'm wrong though.
I don't know what to suggest. Vomiting does now sound promising, however. I guess it's a judgement call between the benefit of the drug vs. the toleration of the side effects. Have you tried any other anticonvulsants?
I'm sorry to hear about the Meniere's Disease! My grandmother has it but fares quite well. Does the ativan help?
Karen
Posted by St. John on May 11, 2004, at 15:02:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, posted by T_R_D on May 11, 2004, at 9:22:44
Thanks for the responses and sympathy. I'm not sure what the truth matter is. For now, I'm going to forego the med to see how things come back, and then maybe at another point when I have fewer pressures, try it again. The only thing that makes me think with some certainty that it's the med is that both times the symptoms were similar and unique in my experience. It's as if the outside of my GI track were encased in raw nerve endings--not enough to say, "get me to the hospital," but enough that it's hard to be able to think about anythng else--sort of a pervasive feeling like that spot on your foot you know will become a blister, no matter how you configure your boots, alter your socks, or use moleskin. I do know one thing: short of a medication revolution, I'll never take another straightup AD. I never had any effective results and the negatives, especially weight gain, were overwhelming. The lies we're told are astounding. No one admits that placebos and ssri's are virtually indistinguishable in their results--other than people not getting fat from sugar pills, at least unless they don't take them as candy.
Yes, the ativan does work for the Meniere's if I catch it quickly enough. It doesn't stop it because that's foregone once the vertigo has begun, but it does lessen the effects and shorten the duration of the attack for me. It also acts as a kind of vestibular stablilizer when I'm having generalized dizziness or walking like a drunk even though I'm sober 10 years.
Isn't it facinating that NONE of the literature indicates that Lamictal has the gastrointestinal complications I'm mentioning--nothing that says like other mood stabilizers, some people have the nasuea/distress. Oh well, got to preserve the market.
Thanks again.
Scott
Posted by firenrain on May 13, 2004, at 21:05:01
In reply to dizziness...?, posted by AMD on May 10, 2004, at 13:46:07
I'm no dr. but i think it may be adjusting meds daily. Any time I have ever had my meds adjusted so frequently was in the hosp. and yes I felt dizzy and drugged but, I was in a safe environment being monitored...so be careful. The way these drugs interact are taylored by your dr. to suit specific symptoms. Sometimes it's trial and error which bites. lol
Posted by Nathan23 on May 19, 2004, at 20:52:21
In reply to Lamictal side effects, posted by seamus o'noolan on June 30, 2003, at 17:37:40
I am currently on 300mg of Lamictal. I started treatment with Lamictal this past Fall (2003) and was ramped up to 400mg after the normal additive introduction of the drug.I had already been on 20mg of Lexapro when we introduced the Lamictal. I eventually tapered the Lexapro to 10mg, but couldn't stay comfortably at 5mg when we tried that, so I've stayed at 10mg.
In the begining, the Lamictal was working wonderfully; the side effects were minimal and my mood was good. My therapist even recently told me that she had never seen me so balanced-out as then. But things have changed in the last few months.
The side effects are upsetting me. At night things are really annoying. I get really twitchy and my legs get really restless (Restless Leg Syndrome is already in my family) to the point that I am uncomfortable. I also get that "itchy" (a bit different than itchy, but that's the best way I can explain it)feeling all over. I can feel random places in my body twitch and spasm too.
During the day, I'm always tired and down, I get headaches, and I also have somewhat blurry/out of focused vision at times too and this is odd-feeling because I've always had good eyes.
Recently I went to my doctor and told him about this and he decided to drop my dose from 400mg to 300mg of Lamictal and add Lithium.
Well, I've been on Lithium for a couple of weeks, only just got to the 900mg mark 5 days ago, but I feel completely awful. I'm going in for my blood-level lab on Monday.
Now I have all the same Lamictal side effects plus I'm flat emotionally and I feel very blah and down if anything. I seem out of it too. Like when I am driving my car (not that I'm intoxicated or unsafe) things seem slow, and when I am doing cognitive activites like reading or using the computer or taking notes in a lecture, everything just takes me more time and seems fuzzy. I am also feeling nauseous and sort of "ill."
I cut out all caffiene and alcohol. I'm going to go on a low carbohydrate diet too, because I am a HUGE sugar junkie. My doctor said that people in the Bipolar Spectrum are sensitive to all kinds of changes in their moods and that the peaking and crashing of sugar blood levels can cause lots of unwanted mood fluctuations that just complicate the situation.
I had a negative reaction when my doctor suggested Lithium, but I thought I should try it. I'm still giving it a fair shot, but if I don't feel much better by my next appointment, 2.5 weeks away, I'm going to have him take me off as much of all of this as possible!
I'm glad I found this board. It has been helpful.
Looking forward to dialoging with the group,
-Nathan
Posted by katia on May 19, 2004, at 21:35:25
In reply to New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal, posted by Nathan23 on May 19, 2004, at 20:52:21
HI Nathan and welcome,
I tried Lam and Li together for a bit, but became a shuffling drooling zombie on Lithium. And when I upped the Li one more time, I developed the Lam rash so I stopped the Lam. and then eventually the Li. b/c I needed my brain back.That's been my experience w/ Li lam combo.
Katia
> I am currently on 300mg of Lamictal. I started treatment with Lamictal this past Fall (2003) and was ramped up to 400mg after the normal additive introduction of the drug.
>
> I had already been on 20mg of Lexapro when we introduced the Lamictal. I eventually tapered the Lexapro to 10mg, but couldn't stay comfortably at 5mg when we tried that, so I've stayed at 10mg.
>
> In the begining, the Lamictal was working wonderfully; the side effects were minimal and my mood was good. My therapist even recently told me that she had never seen me so balanced-out as then. But things have changed in the last few months.
>
> The side effects are upsetting me. At night things are really annoying. I get really twitchy and my legs get really restless (Restless Leg Syndrome is already in my family) to the point that I am uncomfortable. I also get that "itchy" (a bit different than itchy, but that's the best way I can explain it)feeling all over. I can feel random places in my body twitch and spasm too.
>
> During the day, I'm always tired and down, I get headaches, and I also have somewhat blurry/out of focused vision at times too and this is odd-feeling because I've always had good eyes.
>
> Recently I went to my doctor and told him about this and he decided to drop my dose from 400mg to 300mg of Lamictal and add Lithium.
>
> Well, I've been on Lithium for a couple of weeks, only just got to the 900mg mark 5 days ago, but I feel completely awful. I'm going in for my blood-level lab on Monday.
>
> Now I have all the same Lamictal side effects plus I'm flat emotionally and I feel very blah and down if anything. I seem out of it too. Like when I am driving my car (not that I'm intoxicated or unsafe) things seem slow, and when I am doing cognitive activites like reading or using the computer or taking notes in a lecture, everything just takes me more time and seems fuzzy. I am also feeling nauseous and sort of "ill."
>
> I cut out all caffiene and alcohol. I'm going to go on a low carbohydrate diet too, because I am a HUGE sugar junkie. My doctor said that people in the Bipolar Spectrum are sensitive to all kinds of changes in their moods and that the peaking and crashing of sugar blood levels can cause lots of unwanted mood fluctuations that just complicate the situation.
>
> I had a negative reaction when my doctor suggested Lithium, but I thought I should try it. I'm still giving it a fair shot, but if I don't feel much better by my next appointment, 2.5 weeks away, I'm going to have him take me off as much of all of this as possible!
>
> I'm glad I found this board. It has been helpful.
>
> Looking forward to dialoging with the group,
> -Nathan
>
>
Posted by Nathan23 on May 20, 2004, at 0:57:55
In reply to Re: New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal » Nathan23, posted by katia on May 19, 2004, at 21:35:25
Thanks for posting Katia...
If you don't mind my asking, what medicines did you go to after stopping lamictal/lithium? Are you on meds now? which ones?-N
> HI Nathan and welcome,
> I tried Lam and Li together for a bit, but became a shuffling drooling zombie on Lithium. And when I upped the Li one more time, I developed the Lam rash so I stopped the Lam. and then eventually the Li. b/c I needed my brain back.
>
> That's been my experience w/ Li lam combo.
> Katia
Posted by flipsactown on May 20, 2004, at 2:04:36
In reply to Re: New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal, posted by Nathan23 on May 20, 2004, at 0:57:55
Hello,I took Prozac, Remeron, Lamictal and Lithium for about 6 months, but ended up stopping all as I was no longer getting the sustained relief from my unipolar depression. It must have been the poop out factor as I have been on Prozac nearly 10 years and my pdoc just kept adding on to the Prozac in the hope that I would get the sustained relief once again. But after 6 months of my depression returning in the late afternoon and evening, I decided to try one of the older tried and true ADs, Nardil. I have been on it 6 weeks and initially was getting excellent relief starting the second week. However by the 4th week, I had to do something about the severe insomnia from the Nardil and recently reduced my Nardil dosage by one half. Although the insominia had become less severe and my taking Seroquel before bedtime had allowed me to sleep continuously for 5 or 6 hours, I noticed that my depression was making a comeback. I will increase my Nardil slowly back up to 60mg and hope that my depression lifts again.
FST
> Thanks for posting Katia...
> If you don't mind my asking, what medicines did you go to after stopping lamictal/lithium? Are you on meds now? which ones?
>
> -N
>
>
>
> > HI Nathan and welcome,
> > I tried Lam and Li together for a bit, but became a shuffling drooling zombie on Lithium. And when I upped the Li one more time, I developed the Lam rash so I stopped the Lam. and then eventually the Li. b/c I needed my brain back.
> >
> > That's been my experience w/ Li lam combo.
> > Katia
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 20, 2004, at 11:41:40
In reply to New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal, posted by Nathan23 on May 19, 2004, at 20:52:21
Hi Nathan,
I was on Lam and lithium for 1-1/2 years doing pretty well at 75mg until mixed state depression started breaking through (many life stresses contributed). Hoping to raise the dose to the 'therapeutic' 200, I started very slowly ramping up. At 125mg I started getting the 'itchies' but figured it was a delayed allergic reaction to our many cats. At 150mg the itching was intense and I started getting the twitchies and my skin felt on the verge of all over irritation. My mood was getting more anxious and irritable as well. Long story short, I eventually stopped lithium and lamictal because they were doing nothing for my increasing depression.A few months later I was on a completely different drug, one whose side effects were the Stevens Johnson rash. I got it and ended up in the hospital and very sick for over 5 weeks. Moral of the story is I very strongly suspect that lamictal sensitized me to this allergic reaction and the 'itchies' were the warning signs that an inflammatory condition was setting up in my body. I'm now sensitive to many drugs I never was before. I feel like wearing a T-shirt with the words 'Got Lamictal itchies? WARNING, WARNING!!!' Good news is that I feel much better off lithium and lamictal but getting off prescription psych meds was no walk in the park. - BarbaraCat
> The side effects are upsetting me. At night things are really annoying. I get really twitchy and my legs get really restless (Restless Leg Syndrome is already in my family) to the point that I am uncomfortable. I also get that "itchy" (a bit different than itchy, but that's the best way I can explain it)feeling all over. I can feel random places in my body twitch and spasm too.
>
> During the day, I'm always tired and down, I get headaches, and I also have somewhat blurry/out of focused vision at times too and this is odd-feeling because I've always had good eyes.
>
> Recently I went to my doctor and told him about this and he decided to drop my dose from 400mg to 300mg of Lamictal and add Lithium.
>
> Well, I've been on Lithium for a couple of weeks, only just got to the 900mg mark 5 days ago, but I feel completely awful. I'm going in for my blood-level lab on Monday.
>
> Now I have all the same Lamictal side effects plus I'm flat emotionally and I feel very blah and down if anything. I seem out of it too. Like when I am driving my car (not that I'm intoxicated or unsafe) things seem slow, and when I am doing cognitive activites like reading or using the computer or taking notes in a lecture, everything just takes me more time and seems fuzzy. I am also feeling nauseous and sort of "ill."
>
> I cut out all caffiene and alcohol. I'm going to go on a low carbohydrate diet too, because I am a HUGE sugar junkie. My doctor said that people in the Bipolar Spectrum are sensitive to all kinds of changes in their moods and that the peaking and crashing of sugar blood levels can cause lots of unwanted mood fluctuations that just complicate the situation.
>
> I had a negative reaction when my doctor suggested Lithium, but I thought I should try it. I'm still giving it a fair shot, but if I don't feel much better by my next appointment, 2.5 weeks away, I'm going to have him take me off as much of all of this as possible!
>
> I'm glad I found this board. It has been helpful.
>
> Looking forward to dialoging with the group,
> -Nathan
>
>
Posted by Dalilah on May 20, 2004, at 12:39:11
In reply to New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal, posted by Nathan23 on May 19, 2004, at 20:52:21
Hi Nathan,
I take 300mg Lamictal and 900mg Lithium (and 50 seroquel to put me to sleep.) I've been doing this for at least one and a half years. It works for me. Maybe the Seroquel could help you sleep, but it sounds like you have a lot of awful side effects. I am happy to say I do not. Of course I had been on about every drug in the book before I found this combo. If the side effects are intolerable, I get off the drug. I hope this helps. I wanted to write cause we have similar doses. I'm afraid all this proves is that this science of psyche meds is completely frustrating and different for every individual.
-Dalilah
Posted by Nathan23 on May 20, 2004, at 12:46:04
In reply to Re: New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal » Nathan23, posted by BarbaraCat on May 20, 2004, at 11:41:40
BarbaraCat, you mention an increasing anxiousness and irritability on the higher dose of lamictal....
I have felt like the lamictal and/or the lithium has been making me feel more anxious and irritable. It's a different anxiety than the anxiety I experienced back when I used to get panic attacks though. This anxiety is more like an underlying anxiety...always in the background but it feels like it's masked over by something that keeps it from feeling like my more traditional anxiety. When I first started feeling this way it was weird because it felt like a "new" kind of anxiety/depression (I get the combo of the two). I think that the old depression/anxiety might be breaking through my meds and that the meds are just making the symptoms of the depression/anxiety a bit different. It's rather upsetting.
I'm tempted to get off this stuff and get on some form of an Antidepressant cocktail. I've only tried Paxil and Lexapro... I'm feeling less convinced that AD's "aren't going to work" for me. I'm thinking that if got totally off the Lamictal/Lithium and I got on something like increasing my Lexapro back to 20mg and adding wellbutrin or effexor that might work. Or maybe I could do Lexapro, Zoloft, and a low dose of wellbutrin.
> Hi Nathan,
> I was on Lam and lithium for 1-1/2 years doing pretty well at 75mg until mixed state depression started breaking through (many life stresses contributed). Hoping to raise the dose to the 'therapeutic' 200, I started very slowly ramping up. At 125mg I started getting the 'itchies' but figured it was a delayed allergic reaction to our many cats. At 150mg the itching was intense and I started getting the twitchies and my skin felt on the verge of all over irritation. My mood was getting more anxious and irritable as well. Long story short, I eventually stopped lithium and lamictal because they were doing nothing for my increasing depression.
>
> A few months later I was on a completely different drug, one whose side effects were the Stevens Johnson rash. I got it and ended up in the hospital and very sick for over 5 weeks. Moral of the story is I very strongly suspect that lamictal sensitized me to this allergic reaction and the 'itchies' were the warning signs that an inflammatory condition was setting up in my body. I'm now sensitive to many drugs I never was before. I feel like wearing a T-shirt with the words 'Got Lamictal itchies? WARNING, WARNING!!!' Good news is that I feel much better off lithium and lamictal but getting off prescription psych meds was no walk in the park. - BarbaraCat
Posted by katia on May 20, 2004, at 14:06:04
In reply to Re: New to Board: Frustrated with Lamictal, posted by Nathan23 on May 20, 2004, at 0:57:55
Hi Nathan,
I only continued on w/ Seroquel for sleep and got a bit hypomanic. It was fun. But it ended, and now I'm on Trileptal 450mg, Seroquel 15mg for sleep, and Paxil 12.5mg.
Katia
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