Lamotrigine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• She...
• May 25, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This pill saved my life, business, relationship. I am 24 years old and about 3 months ago I was diagnosed with bipolar. I started at 25 mg a day, it got raised to 50 and now 200 mg. I take clonazepam for my anxiety. I see things so clearly and with a positive outlook. My doctor saved me."

• Rla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamotrigine has been pretty good along with lithium (bipolar). Have been on 200 mg for 3 years and lithium for 15. I decided to ramp up lamotrigine to 400 mg, and I had more energy and zest and best moods, but also had more anxiety, math/memory issues, and a touch of hypomania. However, I did have incredible orgasms! Back down to 300 mg, and I am experiencing a bit more depression but seem to be pretty level. Lamotrigine seems to lessen the severity of my depressive episodes but does not eliminate them. It helps me enough to stay on it."

• Eth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Anxiety "After almost 2 weeks of taking 100 mg of lamotrigine (while on my 6th month of Prozac 20 mg), I've had headaches that became migraines and worse anxiety that became nightly panic attacks. I've had to call off work, leave my friends, and frequently drop whatever I'm doing to deal with these debilitating side effects."

• Dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2023

Lamotrigine "I thought my life was over. None of the drugs the psychiatrist prescribed helped the narcolepsy and made me even more tired. The first time I tried 25 mg, it was too strong, and I slept all weekend. I said I'd never take it again and threw away the prescription. A month later, my doctor had me take 12.5 mg, and it worked the second day. It was like it made me normal. I can do yard work and work out, go places, do things, talk to people, and look forward to life again. In one day, my sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and jitteriness went away. It has been about a week now. I am going up to 25 mg tonight."

• Dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2023

Lamotrigine "I thought my life was over. None of the drugs the psychiatrist prescribed helped the narcolepsy and made me even more tired. The first time I tried 25 mg, it was too strong, and I slept all weekend. I said I'd never take it again and threw away the prescription. A month later, my doctor had me take 12.5 mg, and it worked the second day. It was like it made me normal. I can do yard work and work out, go places, do things, talk to people, and look forward to life again. In one day, my sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and jitteriness went away. It has been about a week now. I am going up to 25 mg tonight."

• Jes...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 21, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I was diagnosed with BPD years ago. I find Lamictal stabilizes my impulsive behaviors and tones down my anxiety. My doctor says Lamictal is good for depression, which I agree. It has an antidepressant property. I went off it for a while just to see if it was still working, and I found myself getting progressively more impulsive... I take Abilify and Brintellix as well. Take good care, everyone."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been prone to depression since my teens, but at 28 it really got out of hand. The depths of despair I was plunged into during my depression episodes completely floored me for months. Zoloft no longer did the trick. At 34, I have started using Lamictal, and after the first day, I felt more stable. I am now at 75 mg, and I don't remember when I felt this calm before. I have a normal release of energy throughout the day and can think without racing brain or sudden bouts of hopelessness. Except for some bad side effects during the first 2 weeks (mostly anxiety and headaches), it is impossible to complain. This medication is a godsend."

• Str...
• February 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have started on 50 mg of Lamotrigine from 25 mg. I feel alert, motivated, and wake up earlier than I did (8 am instead of 10 am). I feel a little jittery since the increase, but my ruminating thoughts and depression are lower. Waiting to see how the increase to 100 mg goes. This has worked great for me in the past, let's hope it helps again! Hope this is helpful."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2023

For Anxiety "This medicine was a miracle drug for my daughter who suffers from anxiety, lack of sleep, auditory and visual hallucinations, and a triad of other things. It has 'normalized' her and made her stable. Sadly, for my nephew who took his own life within days of being on this medicine, it has become a very traumatic event for our family. It looks like it does more harm than good for many people and should not be used unless the person is being wholly monitored in a restricted setting for the first several weeks. My nephew was an adult living on his own. He had no monitoring, and because of the laws of medical confidentiality, the family was unaware of the meds and the risks. It was the coroner who advised the family that this medicine was probably the reason he committed suicide."

• Rom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 23, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has been an extremely effective medication for my bipolar. I took 150 mg for 5 years but recently increased to 200 mg and found that I benefited from the increase. My moods are even more balanced. Wish I had discovered the need for a slightly higher dose sooner. In addition to Lamictal, I take 150 mg of Wellbutrin daily with an occasional break to prevent a hypomanic episode. Also take Seroquel for sleep and for some other bipolar symptoms. Lastly, Klonopin for general/social anxiety."

• Aba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2020

For Anxiety "I was on Lamictal for mood swings a couple of years ago, and it was not bad. Then got back onto it this year, started 25 mg, then increased to 200 mg. It gave me anxiety, my heart won’t stop beating day and night, had a panic attack once, thankfully."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Took this medication for 2 months. Lamictal did help with depression, but it also gave me bad anxiety and anger. When I would get angry, usually for little to no reason at all. It also worsened my vision. As soon as I stopped this med, my vision came back to normal (as close to normal as it was before Lamictal). It also made me really itchy, but that went away once I stopped it too. All of the side effects were very gradual, so I had no idea that they were because of the Lamictal and didn’t realize that until after I stopped it and they went away."

• Mat...
• December 26, 2016

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Great. I have been on it for ten years. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 at 25 years old, and it took me about 1.5 years before a psychiatrist recommended this. They also had me on Depakote, which can cause liver damage. Later, I removed the Depakote. When life continued, became more stressful (getting my master's and starting a family), I had anxiety start and began Paxil. I am now trying to stop Paxil."

• the...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2021

For Depression "Began with 25 mg, felt fabulous in 2-3 days because both depression and anxiety fell away as if they had never existed (and I at 62 years old and have had depression since age 8); but by the end of the 2nd week, I had more anxiety than ever. I felt I was about to jump out of my skin. Because of this level of anxiety, I even made unwise decisions that I link to lamotrigine -- ended up having to sell my car, move to a place I couldn't afford, and in a real financial bind. My doctor took me off of it. I tried again 6 months later with similar results, only I knew what to look out for. Again, initial euphoria like hypomania, then falling through a trapdoor of depression and anxiety. Never again! I traded my car for this nightmare!!!"

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication was worth it for me. Took quite a bit of time slowly upping dosages and waiting (started mid-spring semester at college and really kicked in and stabilized by May. Now on 150 mg once a day). There were a few times it worked-ish, but once it really stuck with me, it was great. Only side effects were being very tired and having very deep sleep with vivid dreams and sleep paralysis, but this ended after about a week or 2 max. My mood is significantly more stable and generally positive most of the time. If I miss a dose or 2 too frequently, I typically have hypomanic episodes, depressive swings, and anxiety. Took a few days to fully stabilize again, but afterwards, I was feeling back to normal. I highly suggest it for BPD/bipolar."

• Amy...
• June 26, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lamotrigine for over a year now for bipolar and am currently taking 100 mg. Although it has seemed to somewhat level me out in a sense, I kind of feel flat and lifeless. It suppresses my appetite quite a bit as well. Even if my stomach is rumbling, food sounds kind of gross, and when I do eat it, it's not as enjoyable. Keeps my weight down. Hair isn't as thick anymore. But for the love of all things good, do NOT forget to take your daily dose. I forgot one day and all of a sudden when I was driving, I felt dead. I don't know how to describe it, but I felt like I wasn't existing in my body. My heart started beating faster, severe anxiety, couldn't function in society. Helpful tip: if you wear glasses, place your weekly med pack tipped up on top of your glasses when you take them off at night, on your nightstand with a glass of water. That way you won't forget to take them in the morning when you put your glasses back on. Or, of course, set an alarm on your phone. Best of luck!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Horrendous. Only started on 25 mg. Half an hour after taking, felt snappy, teary, so low. Day to move up dose couldn’t. Have very bad anxiety, not really depression. This made me suicidal. Rang crisis team. Wanted to be sectioned. Stopped taking it, felt different person the day after. This is RARE. I was on it two weeks in total. I wish it had worked for me. So many success stories. Don’t be deterred, we are all different. Diazepam is the only thing that works for me, and doctors will not prescribe! So frustrating, only taking in emergencies too."

• Jay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 15, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been taking Lamotrigine for 10 years, 100 morning and 100 evening. My anxiety seemed to reduce over time... but recently the anxiety has increased. I am tempted to increase by 100 at lunchtime, or I may be able to buy 50's where I am. I also take Duloxetine at a dose of 30 three times per day, ie 90 in all. My big problem is that I now live in a third-world country, so I cannot speak to my GP, and I know medical advice cannot be given over the telephone. Phew."

• kek...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 29, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Does anyone experience changes with different manufacturers? I started off with 25 mg for 4 weeks, then my doctor upped my dosage to 50 mg a day, which seemed to be doing okay, but I was on the 'Alembic' brand. I took 50 mg for 2 years, and it was awesome. Then my pharmacy switched me to Unichem, which was okay, but now they've switched me to Aurobindo, and I'm feeling nervous."

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "For ten years, I've tried most antidepressants out there. So, my new doctor changed the approach and put me on mood stabilizers. First was Depakote, but it was no good. Then we tried Lamotrigine. At 50 mg, it made me very anxious and even angry, but weeks after we bumped it to 100 mg, my goodness, I felt much better. I feel like a normal person is supposed to feel: sometimes happy, other times sad, some days anxious. But all within a normal manageable range. It changed my life and my relationship with people. It's been five years now. At the beginning, there were some side effects such as headaches and anxiety. Now the only thing is that I feel my skin is a little more sensitive to the sun. If you are starting now, please give it a little time."

• mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine was a lifesaver! When it was prescribed for me, my life turned around completely. It helped me control my irrational emotional reactions to things, temper, helped to bring my mood up from below while not causing hypomania, lost a little bit of weight on it. The only thing negative about it is when I first started it, it did make me quite anxious, but that attenuated over time. It also makes me tremor quite severely."

• Me_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking 25 mg of lamotrigine in early November 2019. After about 2 weeks, I started feeling better, less tense and hypomanic. I have been continuing to increase my dosage (I just upped to 400 mg) last week. From my experience, the first 2 weeks after upping your dosage (or starting the medicine), my symptoms got much worse: high anxiety, feeling more tense and hypomanic; however, I felt much better after those 2 weeks. I have been upping my dosage since I haven’t yet reached my optimal point but still doing well."

• Ell...
• December 13, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I am diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I am also on Wellbutrin (after failed attempts with Prozac and Lexapro), Buspar, and Seroquel. I was started on lamotrigine 25 mg and was gradually increasing. One week into being on 50 mg, I developed a rash in the back of the roof of my mouth and a very sore throat. After freaking out, I found out this could have been from Lamictal? I stopped the Lamictal, and within two days, my throat was totally cleared up, however, it was still a bit sore. Throughout my time on Lamictal, I have felt increasingly worse. My body hurts and is tired, I feel flat and emotionless, and I am in a weird and constant state of pain. I get exhausted just taking a shower. Lamictal has increased my anxiety, I have episodes where I can’t breathe, my heart is pounding, and I feel like it is the end (like a panic attack but more intense). These episodes happen frequently, almost every day. They are getting worse and more frequent."

• 123...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2024

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "Lamictal changed my life. After realizing I was experiencing focal aware seizures, this was the first AED I tried, and I never intend to change it unless it stops working. I have had ONE focal aware seizure since titrating up to 200mg Lamictal 8 months ago, and it was a day I forgot to take my morning dose. Split dose (AM/PM) works best for me. Pros: cured my focal aware seizures, reduced sensory overwhelm I've experienced MY WHOLE LIFE, eliminated my PMS and made my periods much less painful and more regular (this drug lowers estrogen), stabilized my moods, and CURED MY 3X/WEEK CHRONIC MIGRAINES AND FACIAL NERVE PAIN. WOW!!! Cons: itchy skin after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased anxiety after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased alcohol tolerance, my short-term memory and creativity have taken a slight hit, some word dropping, slight hair loss."

• new...
• September 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "After years of just dealing with what my ever-fleeting groups of friends called 'moody behavior' (I never seemed to keep friends more than a year), I decided to get therapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy. My therapist kept hinting for me to see a psych and get medicines, at least for the depression. After months of pressure, I relented and decided to just see my GP and ask for anti-depressants. Needless to say, they didn't work and made me feel distant yet anxious, constantly anxious and at the ready. I waited to see if my body would adjust, it didn't. I quit. I reached out to a recommended psych and was given a script for Lamotrigine. As I went up in dosage (to 200 mg), I started to notice that life made sense. It was/is a NEW DAY."