Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 744556

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?

Posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 7:16:02

My P-Doc started me on Lexapro for what he believes is GAD, and several months later, has added Lamictal to the mix. I'm on my ninth day, at 25 mg per day, and it seems like it is causing the physical symptoms of social phobia again, which I have not experienced in a significant amount of time. Have you noticed the same? Thanks.

 

Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia? » Michael Bell

Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2007, at 11:00:36

In reply to Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 7:16:02

Although I did not experience this on lamictal at the dose range you speak of I already was having social anxiety but it didn't worsen it but I've heard of others who write that it does. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?

Posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 11:54:08

In reply to Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 7:16:02

I was prescribed Lamictal after my dex stopped working. It gave me another year without social anxiety until i had some severe life stressors. I had a couple of days of heightened anxiety after which i was left feeling flat again..
By the way i would love to hear about your trial with d-cycloserine, even if it was negative?
Thanks,
Shaun.

 

Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?

Posted by TheMeanReds on March 27, 2007, at 11:57:50

In reply to Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 7:16:02

Lamictal seemed to do that to me too. Im not on an SSRI. I was trying to use Klonopin to even things out, but I switched to Xanax. Xanax works very well with the Lamictal and panic thing for me. Lessons heart racing, trouble breathing...all of that stuff.

 

Re: Could this be why?

Posted by Joe Bloe on March 27, 2007, at 13:15:09

In reply to Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 11:54:08


I noticed a slight increase in situational phobia at 25 mgs - let's say between days 7-25. I should also note that this period included a Prozac withdraw, which now has been at least 2 weeks totally off of this after a 4 week taper.

I'm at 6 weeks, still at 25 mgs (for now, because I am still doing well) and the phobic reactions seem to have subsided a couple of weeks ago.

My guess is that this increase in phobia could be the interaction between the Lexapro and Lamictal.

Did you feel increased anxiety when you first started Lexapro? I have read about Lexapro paradoxically increasing anxiety of many people when they begin taking it, and (here's the zinger) I found Lamictal to increase the effectiveness of Prozac 2-3 times over. In this sense, the Lamictal might be making the Lexapro feel like it did when you first started it. YOu might even have to lower the dose of the Lexapro, as I did the prozac, which started me on my withdrawal.

 

Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?

Posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 14:28:15

In reply to Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 7:16:02

Don't know if citalopram is the same as lexapro but when i started that after 6 months clean and free from social anxiety (needed it or so i thought for work related anxiety) i had a full return of my social anxiety plus akasthisia! SSRI'S can really mess you up and exaserbate your symptoms especially in the early stages. I had no idea what was happening to me, i just thought the sudden spiral downwards was my illness returning - not an effect of the drug! You don't hear too much about THAT from the manufacturers or the Dr's..

 

Re: Cycloserine » englishman006!

Posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 15:29:15

In reply to Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 11:54:08

Hi, thanks for the response. The Cycloserine seemed to limit the thought process part of social phobia (being judged negatively), but honestly I was only on it for a short period of time, and I don't think that is long enough. Also, I didn't realize that I should have used lower doses, which are apparently more effective for what I was trying to accomplish

> I was prescribed Lamictal after my dex stopped working. It gave me another year without social anxiety until i had some severe life stressors. I had a couple of days of heightened anxiety after which i was left feeling flat again..
> By the way i would love to hear about your trial with d-cycloserine, even if it was negative?
> Thanks,
> Shaun.

 

Re: Cycloserine » Michael Bell

Posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 17:08:49

In reply to Re: Cycloserine » englishman006!, posted by Michael Bell on March 27, 2007, at 15:29:15

I think 50mg d-cycloserine may be enough. Also after exposure therapy has been carried out you may need to wait for up to 4 weeks before attempting more therapy. Used chronically d-cyclo becomes ineffective! Also exposure to antidepressants may alter results, as they themselves can alter nmda recptors.

 

Re: Cycloserine - Google search!

Posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 17:15:02

In reply to Re: Cycloserine » Michael Bell, posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 17:08:49

Mike do a Google search under "Facilitation of fear extinction by d-cycloserine. Theoretical and clinical implications"
Shaun.

 

Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia? » englishman006!

Posted by johnnyj on March 27, 2007, at 20:06:30

In reply to Re: Poll: Does Lamictal Increase Social Phobia?, posted by englishman006! on March 27, 2007, at 14:28:15

Luvox and paxil did the same thing to me. The akathisia was the worst feeling in the world. A living hell. The seroquel at just 50 mg made it worst. My new doc caught it pretty quick. I wanted to kill myself. The strange thing is I was having little anxiety BEFORE I tried meds again. I could never handle that feeling again.


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