Lamotrigine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2018

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "My PTSD was triggered almost 15 years after my loss. My moods went from positive, happy, and able to cope with life to the extreme opposite. I didn’t like who I'd become or know what to do. After getting into the doctor, he immediately confirmed what my primary care physician suspected - I had PTSD. He discussed using Lamotrigine and steadily increasing the dose over the next year to reduce the anger, anxiety, and hopelessness that had come over me. It's been almost 2 years, and while I've struggled at times, taking Lamotrigine made living possible. I no longer am so quick to anger, anxious, or worn down. My sleep patterns have also improved."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Horrific drug. Six months later, I am still dealing with the consequences this drug put me through. I tapered up to 100 mg, all fine and dandy. I was then admitted to the hospital for extreme heart palpitations and chest pain, and then came the worst lingering anxiety I’ve ever had, panic attacks landing me in and out of the hospital, and being unable to function for the next two months after. I now have PTSD from this medication, and I’m scared to try anything, even vitamins, because of how horrific my experience was. And I deal with intense anxiety every day, even six months later. I hope it works for you, but I would like to share my story."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2018

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Lamictal has been a life changer. I suffered every single symptom of borderline and, after reaching my therapeutic dose of 200 mg, it completely changed my life. Now, it wasn't really effective for my anxiety, but it abolished my depression, severe mood changes, feelings of emptiness, fear of abandonment, etc. Now, those still break through, and that's where therapy comes in, but Lamictal is a necessity. The only thing that will make me come off of it is if I'm in danger of glaucoma."

• Jfb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2019

For Anxiety "Lamictal made my anxiety worse. With each increase in dosage, I became more agitated. I stopped at 100 mg and stayed on it for one month; during that month, I experienced more panic attacks than I'd ever had in such a short time. My doctor weaned me off, and my anxiety got better. We are now trying a different medication."

• kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This was the first medication I tried after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At first, I started at 25 mg, and it worked for a few weeks after the initial week of pure headaches and drowsiness. Soon after, though, it became ineffective, and my anxiety levels progressed. It seemed like because my body relied on the drug, I didn't know how to deal with my swings without them, so I felt like my swings were worse. Then we kept getting higher, and it worked but kept stopping until I got to 200 mg, one in the morning, one a little later. We did this so when the half-life wore off, I could take it again, and so far this has been amazing. My swings are calm, and I feel genuine happiness aside from my anxiety (which I am trying different meds for). I'm great."

• van...
• August 5, 2021

For Anxiety "After a series of bad events (long-haul COVID, bad experience with Lexapro, trauma, and bad experiences with weed), Lamotrigine has been my saving grace. I was suffering from panic attacks and mental breakdowns. I could not find pleasure in anything or even go to work, I was completely nonfunctional. Lexapro just escalated this feeling and made me suicidal, it is a 'fit-all' drug that just made me so much worse. It is now my third week on Lamotrigine, and the panic has calmed. I still get anxiety, but these thoughts are not all-consuming. Almost no days stuck in bed with dark thoughts. I am able to face daily challenges now without absolutely crumbling. I am now on 50 mg and considering going up only because the improvement has been great. In my opinion, this drug is much more effective than SSRIs, it simply cuts out the extra brain activity and lets your mind rest enough to start enjoying life again :)) It does get better, and give Lamotrigine a try!!"

• Man...
• June 10, 2011

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Before I started taking this medicine, my moods were up and down: anger, anxiety, not sleeping at night, back pain, fear of leaving the house, etc. This medicine has changed my life completely. I don't feel like the same person. I never enjoyed living the way that I do now. I'm up early in the mornings, doing things and being productive, which is so different from what I used to be. Thanks to this medicine, I'm actually living. I've tried so many things, and nothing else works. Miracle by far. No anxiety, no sleep problems, energy, and relationships are improving so well."

• Giv...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2016

For Depression "I was started on this med for depression from having no life from getting moderate-severe chronic fatigue syndrome. I can't say this has given my life back or anything, but it's the only thing that helps with my energy without causing flares like stimulants do. Caffeine is like taking out a loan I have to pay back with interest, if it helps at all. This is the only thing I've found that helps my baseline. I take 150 mg a day in the morning. Many people find this sedating, but to me, it's the opposite. In fact, I can't consistently take any more than 150 because it ups my anxiety at 200 mg and above. I'm still disabled, but this is the only thing I've found that bumps my baseline up (and I've tried every supplement and med imaginable)."

• Awa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2016

For Depression "I am currently being treated for depression after a series of unfortunate events happened in my life. I've tried a couple of other medications, but this is the only one that has continuously worked. There are a few side effects: dry mouth and heightened anxiety, but compared to what I was going through, I will take the side effects any day. My advice: give it a try. You can always change the dose and medication."

• jba...
• October 30, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been on this for years. I am a stroke survivor and thought my very bad hand tremors were due to a stroke. No, they were made much worse by lamotrigine. I thought so, though one doctor said not. I have cut down very gradually to 25 mgs from 200 mg (taken about a year), and the withdrawal has been horrible. Once at about 50 to 75 - exhaustion, anxiety, bad gut aches, and obsessive thoughts. Almost as bad as SSRI withdrawal. So I am eventually stopping altogether. I have now tried virtually every mood disorder/anxiety/depression med, so will just have to use much more cognitive techniques. I also take Inderal and clonazepam (.5 once a day). I know I am addicted to clonazepam, but I feel I have little choice given that my anxiety was very severe, leading to an inability to work at all. I'm sure that lamotrigine helps many people. I caution people if you discontinue, then go slow. Hopefully now I will be able to eat with one hand as the shaking will lessen."

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "This med took about 2 years to take full effect. I have been taking 200 mg for 12 years. I have to take it in the morning; the night dose makes it wear off too soon. (Increasing chance of migraines) Pros: I went from weekly migraines (hemiplegic, cortical depression, pain) to 2-6 per year, now only brought on by extreme stress and/or extreme wind. I unexpectedly became more easygoing; I no longer sweat the small stuff. Cons: Lamictal has extreme and terrifying withdrawals. I can tell when I've missed a dose by vibrations in my teeth and face, and if longer than 48 hours, I get extreme fear, headache, double vision, debilitating sadness, and super hypersensitive to sound. Less severe is hair loss, but so worth the life without severe migraines."

• Dif...
• October 15, 2019

For Depression "Took about 6-8 weeks on lamotrigine, but the depression went away. Side effects seem to be much worse: nervousness, fear, anxiety, extreme weight loss, and starvation (metabolism revved up). Dramatic increase in migraines, which may be due to hunger and stress."

• Dif...
• October 15, 2019

For Depression "Took about 6-8 weeks on lamotrigine, but the depression went away. Side effects seem to be much worse: nervousness, fear, anxiety, extreme weight loss, and starvation (metabolism revved up). Dramatic increase in migraines, which may be due to hunger and stress."

• Dif...
• October 15, 2019

For Depression "Took about 6-8 weeks on lamotrigine, but the depression went away. Side effects seem to be much worse: nervousness, fear, anxiety, extreme weight loss, and starvation (metabolism revved up). Dramatic increase in migraines, which may be due to hunger and stress."

• BAA...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 30, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal is a great medication for the depressive side of my bipolar 1 disorder, but try as I may, it is not a good mono-therapy, meaning I can't take it alone. I need another mood-stabilizing medication with it or it causes anxiety and irritability to worsen. I'm giving it 7 out of 10 stars because it doesn't work for bipolar 1 as a mono-therapy and has affected my memory and ability to recall words and to read quickly. Side effects for me are reading difficulty, memory issues, and breakthrough anxiety and irritability."

• HMD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this drug for 4 weeks. I notice very subtle changes. I've titrated up 25 mg a week every week, and I'm currently taking 125 mg. I still am probably 3 weeks away for full effects, but I am noticing some good things. I no longer think about killing myself all day, and I have less anxiety than I did four weeks ago. I feel optimistic that better days are ahead. I also take Ativan for anxiety but will likely discontinue once I'm at the key mg amount, which I believe is 200."

• Mik...
• August 7, 2019

For Depression "My depression got worse. With medication so far, the more the dose increased, the worse I felt. 25 mg and 50 mg, then, the 3rd or 4th week, I went up to 75 mg. The second day, I broke out in acne all over my face, which made me feel worse: anxiety, self-esteem, and isolating myself. I got worse, so I tapered to 50 mg, and the inside of my mouth has a rash and canker sores. It’s really irritating and painful. My doctor hasn’t answered me for over a week. I see him Thursday, I’m going to get off it as soon as possible."

• n81...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This is a very good medication, IMO. When you titrate up to the dose intended, you will notice subtle differences. Many times I have thought that this had flattened me out, but when I backed off the dose, symptoms came roaring back. No noticeable side effects for me. Helps stability very well, maybe the cause of some anxiety, not much though."

• bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2015

For Anxiety "75 mg is the dose I've been steady on. Worked up at 25 mg every 2 weeks, with a day or 2 of itchiness on each increase. I tried 100 mg for a few days and felt more anxious and depressed. Went back down to 75 mg and feel pretty good. Considering insomnia has been a very serious issue for me, Lamictal is the first med I've been on that isn't an AD and doesn't hurt my sleep (I take it in the AM). When I was trying ADs, the Klonopin barely seemed to work for sleep. I still take Klonopin for sleep, but at least I can sleep through the night now. Nice being off the ADs. Hope this one works long-term and I can get off the Klonopin eventually, which I think is causing my moderate brain fog. Eh, life is much better than it was. I recommend it!"

• Mam...
• September 3, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was given Rx for Lamictal when we finally discovered I had cyclothymic disorder vs. generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. I felt great on Effexor XR for a while, then was having severe anxiety (I thought), which turned out to be a bipolar episode. We added Lamictal and decreased my Effexor from 300 mg to 150 mg. Now I am able to recognize my cycles and take 150 mg of Effexor from October to March, then 75 mg Effexor from March to October. I take 150 mg Lamictal all year and 1 mg Klonopin at bedtime every night to sleep. I am also allowed 1 Klonopin daily as needed but rarely need to use that. Lamictal is my wonder drug!!! After suffering for 20 years trying to figure out the right combination of meds to feel good, I am on track!"

• Inn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 18, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I started this medication for possible bipolar/PTSD. I suffered a nerve injury that was very painful and treated with steroids. The combined pain and steroids obliterated my ability to sleep, even with meds. This went on for months - refractory to Ativan, Vistaril, Lunesta, Seroquel, Lexapro. I was becoming severely anxious and depressed, and still trying to hold my job on 2 hours of sleep. Eventually, I began to break down. I got another psych opinion, and the suggestion was Lamictal. I escalated gradually, starting with pediatric doses, all the way to 200 mg. I was using 15 mg of Ambien to sleep in the beginning. That dropped to 10 mg pretty quickly, then 7.5 mg, 5 mg, and then 2.5 mg in divided doses through the night. By 8 weeks, I had my first drug-free night of sleep in 8 months. That was about a year and a half ago. I've tapered to 150 mg, and I'm shooting for 100 mg. I'm not sure if what I have is really bipolar or PTSD, but Lamictal gave me my life back."

• Mah...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "So I have been in a really severe depressive state for the past 8 months. Feeling hopeless, anxious, and destroyed. I was agitated and anxious the whole time. I was blaming myself for everything happening in my life. 6 weeks ago, I decided to go see a psychiatrist because my social anxiety was worse than ever before. He diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and put me on Lamictal and Abilify. I am now taking 125 mg Lamictal and 15 mg Abilify. I honestly think that Lamictal has calmed me down a bit. I am no longer agitated but still anxious. My social anxiety is still there, and it’s getting worse. But I am slightly at peace with myself and no more blaming. The thing that concerns me the most is the social anxiety. I hope it fades away as I up my dosage."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Depression "Started a few weeks ago. Lamotrigine 50 mg dose and now working my way up to 150 mg. It's a nice medication overall. A few side effects for me including restlessness, anxiety, concentration issues, and vivid dreams. I also take Risperidone, which counteracts those negative effects for the most part. It's had a positive effect so far on evening out my mood."

• Aku...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

For Depression "It helped some with my depression, but side effects after three months of being on it are crazy: back pain, leg pain, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, memory problems, low libido, tremor, weakness, no concentration, nightmares, dry mouth, weight loss, muscle spasms, and some more. Wouldn't take it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This was the absolute wrong drug for me. Not sure why my doc put me on this, as I don't have a mood disorder, I have depression and anxiety. But I got weird side effects like breathlessness, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of not being able to clear my throat - super phlegmy, and I can't get it out, which actually increased my anxiety. Once I put two and two together, I immediately stopped taking those pills. Not the right med for depression and anxiety."