I have bn diagnosed as hypo manic,also generalized anxiety disorder w depression and ocd ,and have, panic attacks as well as sleeping trouble,I have bn on Lexapro 20 mg,,, 1/2at am 1/2 at pm and lorezepam 1 mg.1 to 1 and 1/2 2 times a day,but after being on these meds for a yr still having anxiety ,mood swings and panic attacks,I just took my first dose of lamictal last night but also had a flu shot yesterday as well,im feeling bad,headache,chills,fever,trouble sleeping,anxious,restless,naseous,im wondering if this is normal and if it could be from the lamictal or the flu shot or both? could someone please give me some answers???
I just started on Lamictal,feeling weird,is this normal?
Question posted by greeneyez30 on 26 Sep 2009
Last updated on 8 February 2012 by pickles503
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
7 Answers
Well, greeneyez30, I've been taking Lamictal for 5 years and have noticed that if I take all 400 mg at once, I get dizzy(not that I'm not already) and light-headed. I sandwich Lamictal in between bites. Like a half banana and one lamictal, then the other half banana and another Lamictal. Yeah, I wonder if it was the flu shot. Hmm! Your symptoms don't sound like Lamictal. But, you know how it is, what works for me, may not work for you. Keep in touch with your Dr. He'll want to know about the effect Lamictal is having on you, as well as the other meds your taking. Who knows? Maybe the combination isn't right. Anyway, Darlin, God bless you and may He find the meds that work for you. I understand what your going through. I'm 62.
I stopped getting flu shots because every time I would get one, I would feel exactly as you described... When I was prescribed Lamictal(5 years ago), there were some side effects, but they didn't last more then a week or two if I remember correctly. I would bet it was the flu shot. You don't get the flu from a flu shot, but you can get a virus that is very similar to influenza. Everything you described basically is how I would feel whenever I would get a flu vaccine. I haven't had the flu in years now. (knock on wood)
I take Lamictal aka Lamotragine (generic) and have been for years. I take it for a mood stabilizer. When I started I was given a starter pack. For the first week I took 50mgs each week I was to raise my dose by 50mgs untill I reached 400mgs. I don't know what mgs you started at but the starter pack was to slowly increase. My psyc said I had to go on it slowly to avoid strong side effects. It took a few weeks but no problems. It did make me feel drunk for a couple of weeks when I was increasing my dose. I didn't have any other symptoms. It works awesome for me. It changed my life extremly to the better. This is not true for all. Each of us are very different. What works for me might not work for you. I also take Klonipin for anxiety, severe panic attacks and sleep. I take Tofrinol aka Imiprimine for depression. It is a very old anti~depressant but works for me better than the new stuff. I take Adderall for ADHD. You might discuss Lamictal with your psyc.
How to progressivly go on it. And other side effects it might have that might go away. This is only my opinion ! I wish you well. God Bless you. Stacey
Hi greeneyez30,
I've been on Lamictal for a long time. I'm no doctor, but I've been on meds for depression, panic disorder, and ocd long enough to know any kind of meds of this type can typically make you feel "funny." Gosh, inability to concentrate, inability to understand things people say that should be clear to me, feeling dizzy, "whoozy" headed, sleepy, so many side effects to the meds. Don't know if that helps or not hun. Hope it does. Sometimes the meds used to treat your symptoms cause the very thing you're being treated for. Catch 22.
i was on this medication for over a year. it never helped me with my depression but i did not have any of your symptoms
I have been on many different medications in the past 13 years for panic attacks, anxiety, OCD, PTSS, depression, and after all that time it wasn't until this past January that I started taking Celexa and in combination with therapy I have never felt better emotionally. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about trying something else, especially if it's been a year since you started Lexpro. I have taken Lexapro, Paxil, Abilify, Ativan, Kolonapin, and Prozac all at some point in the last 13 years and Celexa has worked wonders. Obviously everyone is different but it may be a possibility. And the therapy part is crucial, even if you think you don't need it you usually find out something about yourself that truely was adding to the anxiety even if you had no idea it was there. Good Luck, let me know how things turn out :)
Sounds to me that you are having anxiety attacks. I would take some tea like sleepytime and this will calm you down. You might check in with a health food store.
Best WIshes.
I do not think the flu shot has anything to do with your problems
Related topics
lamictal, depression, mania, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Lamictal uses and safety info
- Lamictal prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lamictal (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.