Lamictal and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I was really afraid to try Lamictal because of potential side effects. I’m not gonna lie, the first couple of weeks as I was titrating my dosage up, my anxiety went through the roof. I thought everything might be a side effect, but I stuck it out, and when I hit 150 mg, it was immediately clear that something had changed. In the past, I would say my time in a state of normalcy was about 40%? Now it’s about 80%, and even though I still drift towards depressive and hypomanic moods, they only last about 2 days, and I’m very aware of what’s happening. Since I’m more aware, I’m able to avoid doing anything damaging and able to know that the mood is going to end. I’ve also been in therapy for a while now, and the combination of the two has finally allowed me to start having a relatively normal existence!"

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lamictal for 2 months. I take 100 mg twice a day, and it has really changed my life. Over the past 5 years, I have been slowly drowning in a dark hole, so my depression was putting me in a really hard situation. Since I started Lamictal, even at low doses (50 mg a day), I started feeling a really great improvement, with more energy, much less anxiety, and a stabilized mood. It has been a really lifesaver since I have taken more than 3 antidepressants before with little or no improvement. I feel I am getting connected again with myself. It is the best medicine I have taken since I started with anxiety and recurrent depression 15 years ago. Hope this helps other people that are willing to get a way out of depression, unipolar or bipolar ones."

• kcg...
• May 19, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "So, I feel like this did help stabilize me a little bit (with depressive states), but I ended up getting acne and redness all over my face. I also had my eyes feel all weird and twitchy. Overall, it was not super effective for me because I still had horrible anxiety and panic attacks, and I could not titrate high enough to get effective coverage from the medication without weird side effects. I was only on 75 mg maximum, mind you."

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

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."

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

"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

"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."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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

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."

• Meh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm 39-40 now. I lived like a nomad my entire life. Had a lot of dreams, couldn't finish any of my projects, have two master's degrees, no accomplishments. Very long story short, this was the only med that helped me to gather myself. It had extreme side effects and extreme anxiety, almost committed suicide. BUT I have decided to go for it at any cost, even when I have to withdraw from it, which is the most painful experience of my life. Life needs a meaning. This is not the best drug, has extreme side effects on me, but what are my alternatives? A life like a gone meat. At the moment, I had to stop it because of side effects and after withdrawing, more pain, however, I will come back to it after recovery. I am working on almost all of my projects, thrived in a few months more than in all my life—finished projects. Yes, it's painful, but the question is, if you have a goal in life, it doesn't matter, bipolar II or other shitty problems. You lose some, you win some."

• jma...
• April 12, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Miracle. I have been on 6 different medications over a 10-year period since I was 17, and nothing seemed to be working. My family doctor was no longer capable of helping me, and I was referred to a psychiatrist. He immediately recognized my symptoms, put me on Lamictal, and I feel like a new man. The suicidal thoughts, the racing, the lack of sleep... all of it reduced down to almost nothing. I still have anxiety at times, but I take a Xanax every now and then to just help me calm down. But overall, my quality of life has improved by 99%. I do, much to my embarrassment, seem to have erectile dysfunction. It is not that I have a problem getting an erection, but it seems to be a self-confidence issue."

• Nat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "MDD with mixed features... on the BP spectrum. This drug is like a balloon that helps pull you out of your depressive episodes. Once you experience the littlest bit of happiness. These states, it’s like the Lamictal kicks in and floats you out of that hole. Can be energizing for me, especially each time I have titrated up. Overall general bump up. I do seem to get hypermanic and cycle more rapidly. Not that I mind being hyper, as I get so much done! Oh, does nothing for my obsessional thoughts and anxiety!"

• Wow...
• June 30, 2022

"At 19 years old, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I have taken a series of medications for over a decade, and only two of them have worked successfully but have discontinued themselves after 2 years. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago that I was diagnosed with cyclothymia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In terms of the cyclothymia, I explained to my doctor the constant shifting moods that consisted of depression, anxiety, extreme agitation, extreme brain fog, and low energy. The psychiatrist prescribed me atomoxetine and Lamictal, and I must say, though it has been only two weeks, this drug was an absolute miracle. I feel like I'm becoming myself again, and after all else failed, I finally found something that works well for me."

• cri...
• November 5, 2011

"I had been on clonazepam 1 mg twice a day, my new doctor doesn't like this medication and decided to switch me to 100 mg Lamotrigine. I still have anxiety and horrible night sweats. I mean, I SOAK the bed every night (not hormones, they checked my level a week ago because I had to have my uterus and cervix removed 3 years ago, but still have my ovaries). This is the only change in medication, and the sweats are unbearable for myself and my husband. Going back to demand my old medicines back. I am glad this works for most. I don't see this listed as a side effect for anyone else, so I am confused."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I still have minor anxiety and depression, but wow, my life got changed."