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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by speakez on April 26, 2006, at 22:44:51
i have been recently diagnosed with bi-polar spectrum disorder. in addition to effexor, klonopin and pregabalin, my pdoc recently prescribed me lamictal starting at 25mg. i am noticing some serious increased anxiety. is this a side effect that will fade over time and should i just tough it out or is this a bad reaction? can someone please advise.. thank you...
Posted by curtm on April 27, 2006, at 9:27:53
In reply to lamictal and anxiety, posted by speakez on April 26, 2006, at 22:44:51
I am also bipolar. I don't have a really definite response to your question, but I can tell you about my experience, though. I started on Lamictal alone. As my dosage of Lamictal tapered up (I'm at 400mg, the max.) my mood swings became less intense, shorter, and farther between. Then after adding an anti-depressant, I tripped into a significant manic episode. I IMMEDIATELY stopped the Wellbutrin, which doc said is the least likely AD to cause that. You need to be careful taking anything else that is supposed to treat one OR the other mood (mania OR depression). Perhaps you need to drop the AD.
Can anyone else here help us out with this, please.
Posted by speakez on April 27, 2006, at 11:17:31
In reply to Re: lamictal and anxiety » speakez, posted by curtm on April 27, 2006, at 9:27:53
thank you Curt. when i went on Wellbrutin I started to have serious problems with it and discontinued it asap. however i do have a depression problem so i need the effexor for now. can anyone else help shed some light here?
thanks again
Posted by fairywings on April 27, 2006, at 13:06:56
In reply to Re: lamictal and anxiety » curtm, posted by speakez on April 27, 2006, at 11:17:31
hi speakez,
I'm on lamictal, but I'm less anxious on it - it doesn't activate me, like it does some people. I think it makes me a little tired, but I also have less anxiety on Adderall too. I'm on 100 mg. of lamictal, and I'm really med sensitive, so I guess it just affects diff. ppl differently. I think lamictal is supposed to be activating - so you might do better on something else. Wellbutrin made me VERY anxious, even at a very small dose.
Have you called your pdoc? Maybe you need to be switched?
fw
Posted by speakez on April 27, 2006, at 13:47:53
In reply to Re: lamictal and anxiety » speakez, posted by fairywings on April 27, 2006, at 13:06:56
thanks again and you are right, everyone is different. i called my pdoc and he says try to stick it out as the increased anxiety may only be temporary and my body may adjust. he is afraid that if I call it quits too soon than we will never know. the unfortunate thing is that besides lamictal, i am not aware of any other bi-polar meds that don't come with serious side effects..ie. lithium, depakote, etc... any suggestions if this does not work out, however I am praying that it will.
Posted by fairywings on April 27, 2006, at 15:16:32
In reply to Re: lamictal and anxiety » fairywings, posted by speakez on April 27, 2006, at 13:47:53
lamictal can have serious side effects, but hopefully they're not as prevalent. What about Topamax if this doesn't work out for you. I was on that, but it didn't work out.
Hope you can stick with the lamictal!
fw
Posted by speakez on April 27, 2006, at 17:21:49
In reply to Re: lamictal and anxiety » speakez, posted by fairywings on April 27, 2006, at 15:16:32
thanks again and yes i have tried topamax but didnt give it a good run. i understand that lamictal has serious side effects too..i guess that is part of this whole package we live in. my pdoc says that i don't give things a long enough try to really know so i am committed to giving lamictal a try for as long as i can. thanks again for all of your advice and i will keep you both posted. your support is very appreciated.
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