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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 16:57:39
Well, going the "low and slow" route, I'm finally up to the minimal therapeutic dose of Lamictal and holding my other meds "constant" (no changes so pdoc and I can see what Lamictal is or isn't doing unto itself), I feel "better" as far as depression goes, but seem more anxious and have lost the assertiveness which I had developed while on Paxil (long term). I think my pdoc plans for me to continue to increase Lamictal (I have an appointment in a few days), but frankly I'm apprehensive about it. Of course, I will mention all this to the doc, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has experienced a rise in anxiety or fearfulness on a therapeutic dose of Lamictal??? Thanks.
-Janelle
Posted by JohnL on August 15, 2001, at 18:21:30
In reply to Help! LAMICTAL and increasing ANXIETY??!??, posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 16:57:39
> Well, going the "low and slow" route, I'm finally up to the minimal therapeutic dose of Lamictal and holding my other meds "constant" (no changes so pdoc and I can see what Lamictal is or isn't doing unto itself), I feel "better" as far as depression goes, but seem more anxious and have lost the assertiveness which I had developed while on Paxil (long term). I think my pdoc plans for me to continue to increase Lamictal (I have an appointment in a few days), but frankly I'm apprehensive about it. Of course, I will mention all this to the doc, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has experienced a rise in anxiety or fearfulness on a therapeutic dose of Lamictal??? Thanks.
> -JanelleLamictal actually has some effect on boosting dopamine, which could be one of the mechanisims by which it is helpful for depression, but also a mechanism of causing unwanted anxiety. I don't have any literature on this, but that's what my psychiatrist told me. Based on your experience so far, it makes sense.
John
Posted by Kingfish on August 15, 2001, at 18:59:48
In reply to Re: Help! LAMICTAL and increasing ANXIETY??!??, posted by JohnL on August 15, 2001, at 18:21:30
> I'm only at 25 mg, so don't know if this helps, but am having some anxiety/irritability. Had to titrate back down from 50 mg because developed flu-like symptoms - felt horrible. Have headaches still.
More info than you needed - sorry.
Posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 19:21:38
In reply to Re: Help! LAMICTAL and increasing ANXIETY??!??, posted by Kingfish on August 15, 2001, at 18:59:48
Glad and relieved to hear I'm NOT the only one at a relatively "low" dose of Lamictal and apparently only able to tolerate that. I've heard and read that the dose of this can range from 50-200!! Wow, that is quite a wide range.
I felt okay at 25 mg, but am having some extra anxiety at 50 mg. I will report this to my pdoc and see if she has me titrate back down from 50 mg. She had even told me that going from 25mg to 50 mg might be too much for me!
Your info was helpful! Thanks.
-Janelle
Posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 19:25:01
In reply to Re: Help! LAMICTAL and increasing ANXIETY??!??, posted by JohnL on August 15, 2001, at 18:21:30
Thanks ever so much for responding to my thread - I had NO IDEA that Lamictal actually has some effect on boosting dopamine, which could be one of the mechanisims by which it is helpful for depression, but also a mechanism of causing unwanted anxiety. You're right that based on my experience thus far, this seems to make sense. I have a feeling I will not be titrating much higher, if at all higher, on the Lamictal. Maybe now pdoc can help me replace EffexorXR (too activating) with a more sedating a-d (for both depression and sleep problems).
The dopamine connection with Lamictal also makes a great deal of sense, since Wellbutrin is another med that boosts dopamine and it has a rep for causing agitation and anxiety; it is the one a-d my pdoc "knew" that I should NOT try. Thanks.
-Janelle
Posted by Kingfish on August 15, 2001, at 20:08:39
In reply to Attn: JOHN L - thanks, helpful, more: » JohnL, posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 19:25:01
Janelle:
Just reading further into the thread - my experience with Wellbutrin was terrible - irritability and anxiety through the roof!! Had to stop it after a few days.
Am on Prozac now - some trouble at first but it's better. Probably need to go down a little bit.
I'm wondering if some people can't handle activating meds, and if I'm one of them. But I need something to counter-act the sedation of another. It's all so difficult, isn't?
Good luck!
- K.
Posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 21:51:01
In reply to Wellbutrin - ug! for me..., posted by Kingfish on August 15, 2001, at 20:08:39
Hi again,
Not surprising, based on what I CONSISTENTLY read or hear - that your my experience with Wellbutrin was terrible - irritability and anxiety through the roof!! Many people have to stop it after a few days. Apparently those side effects kick in immediately and are unbearable and do not necessarily subside. I get the impression that many people who are depressed and/or anxious for some reason do NOT need action on dopamine!
Not surprised that you had some trouble at first with Prozac; I've heard (from people on it and my pdoc) that it can be "activating". Glad to hear you're doing better on it now.
I think you are RIGHT ON THE MARK about how some people (including ME!) just can't handle activating meds. That is why I was asking about a sedating anti-depressant; to counteract what seems to be some unwanted activation from Lamictal. But I will probably just titrate down on it a bit, because neither Serzone nor Remeron sound very promising to me, and I'm "happy" with the results of Zyprexa!
What's funny is that initially I went on Zyprexa while tapering off Paxil waaaaaaay too fast and mistook what was really withdrawal from Paxil as side effects of Zyprexa! I did not want to try Zyprexa again, but figured I'd give it another go round after living through the he!! of Paxil withdrawal. Well, glad I did give Zyprexa another chance because I did not have ANY problems with side effects (well aside from appetite increase, which to me is "preferable" to other side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc.)
Thanks for further responding!
-Janelle
Posted by oceanbreeze on August 19, 2001, at 16:47:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - ug! for me... » Kingfish, posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 21:51:01
Wellbutrin gave me panic attacks....Ughh for me too! I'm now on Zoloft and dealing with bad tremors.
Posted by Lorraine on August 22, 2001, at 14:09:21
In reply to Wellbutrin - ug! for me..., posted by Kingfish on August 15, 2001, at 20:08:39
> Janelle:
>
> Just reading further into the thread - my experience with Wellbutrin was terrible - irritability and anxiety through the roof!! Had to stop it after a few days.I had the same reaction to Wellbutrin and to Lomictal, but can take Adderal--so I'm not sure it's the dopamine causing the reaction.
This is the end of the thread.
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