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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tony P on May 13, 2009, at 0:44:31
I have been on Lamictal for about 3-4 weeks now, at around 200 mg a day. I've developed a coarse tremor, partly intention tremor, partly resting, especially if I'm holding up something like a book. On my pdoc's advice I cut back to 150 mg/day, but it made very little difference so I'm back to 200 mg/day.
I've also withdrawn cold-turkey from Remeron, which I've posted about on the Withdrawal board, so that could be a factor too.
I think I remember the tremor from the last time I was on Lamictal, a few years ago. It seems to me it eventually went away. Has anyone else experienced this?
Tony P
Posted by SLS on May 13, 2009, at 6:23:07
In reply to Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor, posted by Tony P on May 13, 2009, at 0:44:31
I developed a tremor with Lamictal exactly as you described. If it weren't for the new image stabilizing technology used in cameras now, I would not be able to continue with photography as a hobby. Caffeine might make it worse.
- Scott
Posted by Tony P on May 13, 2009, at 8:33:08
In reply to Re: Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor » Tony P, posted by SLS on May 13, 2009, at 6:23:07
Thanks, Scott, that confirms what I remember ... Caffeine certainly doesn't help, but I hate to give up my coffee! (usually no more than 2 cups a day).
It seems I got off really light on the Remeron withdrawal, though, compared to others.
The main thing is, overall I feel better, more active and confident.
TP
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2009, at 12:20:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor » SLS, posted by Tony P on May 13, 2009, at 8:33:08
I didn't have problems stopping remeron after a month either was for sleep. I tried lamictal and had rare side effect ecessive splitting saliva so had to stop at 50mg. Also seemed to be getting angry not like me. I guess trade the tremor for well being. Phillipa
Posted by Jeroen on May 16, 2009, at 14:20:13
In reply to Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor, posted by Tony P on May 13, 2009, at 0:44:31
lamictal is a dangerous drug for me, im not surprised you have tremors on this
Posted by Tony P on May 16, 2009, at 14:50:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor, posted by Jeroen on May 16, 2009, at 14:20:13
> lamictal is a dangerous drug for me, im not surprised you have tremors on this
It seems to me the last time I was on lamotrigine the tremors subsided after a while. I also worked up to a larger dose, 400 mg/day, which may (paradoxically) be a factor.
I'd blame it on my going cold turkey off my Remeron, except the tremors & anxiety started before I went off it altogether -- although I did cut my dose in half (with pdoc's approval) from 30 mg to 15.
I tried cutting my daily dose of lamotrigine from 200 to 150 mg. for a week or so, and noticed a small difference, especially when I went back up to 200 mg, but not really enough to make it worth while.
I'm getting very tired of this medication merry-go-round. There's little evidence that I suffer from major depression *except* in some highly stressful circumstances. Mild endogenous depression, yes; mild bipolar specrum (ultra-rapid cycling, "cyclothymia"); mild OCD; mild GAD and social phobia. So I'm thinking of suggesting to my pdoc that I go off everything for a while, except maybe the lamotrigine.
I was doing OK a couple of years ago on just the lamotrigine; it was just a lack of energy and anhedonia that started the current medication experiments, and I was taking large doses of non-prescribed OTC drugs at the time.
I'm hoping someone will post who's been on lamotrigine succssfully long-term; do the tremors eventually go away?
Tony
Posted by cgd092 on May 24, 2009, at 0:45:53
In reply to Re: Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor, posted by Tony P on May 16, 2009, at 14:50:55
I have been on 200mg Lamictal / lamotrigine for over a month now. (I titrated up the that dose) I don't have any tremor or shakiness. The main side effect for me is ataxia. Which is latin for butterfingers/clumsy/klutz. I drop stuff and have to watch that last step. I kind of have to concentrate on doing some physical things. I laugh at myself becaue I feel like Chevy Chase doing his impression of Gerald Ford. Other than this, it makes me feel a little speedy, and I'm not depressed or anxious. I really like Lamictal so far. I hope-hope-hope it works out and lasts.
Posted by Tony P on May 30, 2009, at 18:32:17
In reply to Re: Lamictal/Lamotrigine tremor, posted by cgd092 on May 24, 2009, at 0:45:53
I was on 400 mg for a couple of years or so. I'm pretty sure the tremors & anxiety went away evntually. In fact, I wound up feeling a bit flat, so my pdoc experimented with adding Effexor (too strong for me) Lexapro (Escitaprolam) (very mild), and finally Cymbalta which is expensive but the best of the lot.
Meanwhile, I'm chewing clonazepam between chewing my nails and hoping the side effects go away soon. Could be partly Remeron withdrawal too -- I wen cold turkey from 15 mg to 0.
This is the end of the thread.
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