I have been struggling with extreme (mainly) anxiety and anxiety-related depression. I started taking Lamictal last night and woke up this morning feeling less tired but more anxious.
My heart has been pounding really hard today and I haven’t even had any caffeine. Has this happened before to any of you when starting this medication? I just hope things get better.
Lamotrigine - when will extreme panic and anxiety get better?
Question posted by Its me Jay B on 27 Aug 2022
Last updated on 28 August 2022 by WildcatVet
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3 Answers
Hi, Jay!
Because you start at a low dose and gradually increase it to the dose that's most effective for you it can take up to 4-6 weeks to feel the full benefits of the medication.
New or increased anxiety is a common side effect that generally resolves within just a few days to a week or two... usually lessening day by day. You should tell your doctor about this and especially the pounding heart rate as soon as possible..
You might be interested in these User Reviews:
https://www.drugs.com/comments/lamotrigine/for-anxiety.html
I have bipolar disorder, severe depression and anxiety, I've had suicidal thoughts in the past and have been on more medications than the average person. But as far as knowing anything about Lamictal , I'm sorry I do not know. I haven't been on any medications except for 2 kinds for 6 years and I had more problems than the average bear. I started having seizures 6 years ago and they were ruled out to be stress related seizures brought on by stress or anything that would make me upset. I got to the point where I was taking 6 different pills sometimes each one 3 times a day that were prescribed to me at the time... that's too many pills to be taking if you ask me... and i never felt relief or felt like I was improving or getting where I needed to be. But back to stress seizures like I was saying, anyways that's what the doctor diagnosed me with along with the other diagnoses like stress related seizures.
My doctor said that there wasnt really a magic pill that would help and since they stem from stress or being upset that they weren't epileptic seizures so there wasn't medication that would work for me for that particular illness. So the neurologist I was seeing 2 times a month decided to prescribe a pill called gabapentin aka Neurontin. My doctor started me on 400 MG at 2 times a day at first, and after 6 months he raised the mg to 800 and had me take them 3 times a day. It was almost immediate or seemed like I felt alike I was able to sleep and wake up normal for the first time that I could remember. Finally I felt normal for the first time ever I felt like I was normal or at least to me and my family we agreed things seemed to be getting better. I noticed a huge change I wasn't crying for no reason anymore, I wasn't feeling depressed anymore, I got out of my room and was able to socialize like everyone else in the world. As everything got better for me... I was able to talk to people without feeling strange. My mind felt more clear and I wasn't having angry outburst or any of the highs and lows that comes with bipolar disorder. I was able to rest better and get a job. I'm being for real ... I went from a medicine cabinet full of prescribed meds to 2 bottles and they finally worked and it was way less than what I had been taking basically my entire life. A few days went by and one day I woke up and felt this calm
something I had never felt. it was always something I hoped for. So please if you suffer from any of these problems like I have for so long... go discuss to your doctor what you feel like and how the meds you take don't seem to be working like they should. Mention briefly about gabapentin/Neurontin and maybe they will give you a trial on them to find out if they are something that you may need. It's worth asking... and it may not work for everyone but sure is worth asking and trying out. I know it helped me and Ive spoken to people who have similar things going on. They have tried these medications and it seems to be working for others too. I'm sorry if you feel there is no options or no way to feel like you are supposed to feel but , if you at least stress to your doctor how you feel and that nothing seems to be working your physician may feel like it is worth trying so that so many other people with problems like these don't have to feel like nothing isn't working and never will.
hello,
i am in the same situation as you with anxiety and have had the same experience, pounding heart, hyperventilating, etc. I have been through the laundry list of meds and have found im hyper sensitive to most and allergic to some.
but so far this seems to be working pretty well. i have been on it for several months now and have seen a decrease in anxiety for sure, i am struggling with some side effects though blurry vision, shaking in hands/arms and occasional headaches and pounding heart, hyperventilating still though not a bad and only sparactically
id say stick with it as works well for most people
good luck!
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lamictal, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, lamotrigine
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