natedogg Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I have reached 200mg on Lamictal and am starting to feel my depression lift. I have always been an anxious person, and had quite bad OCD before I had any problems with Bipolar. It's weird, but maybe the depression masked my anxiety, almost like it was the worst of two evils because I am starting to notice it bothering me again or maybe its a side effect? Has anyone else noticed this? I don't want to be on more drugs, but I don't want anxiety to take me over again! If I was to take something for anxiety, what would people recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CER Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I have reached 200mg on Lamictal and am starting to feel my depression lift. I have always been an anxious person, and had quite bad OCD before I had any problems with Bipolar. It's weird, but maybe the depression masked my anxiety, almost like it was the worst of two evils because I am starting to notice it bothering me again or maybe its a side effect? Has anyone else noticed this? I don't want to be on more drugs, but I don't want anxiety to take me over again! If I was to take something for anxiety, what would people recommend? Well, you're not the only one that's gotten anxious on Lamictal. I don't know in your case whether it is a result of the med or not, but many do report feeling more anxious when put on it. As for what's best? Well, there are quite a few choices to consider, and it probably boils down to what type of anxiety you have and what your pdoc thinks is best for you. Panic? Generalized Anxiety? Social phobia? Something else? Some augment their Lamictal treatment with benzos to treat anxiety (Konopin, Ativan), but you could also use an atypical antipsychotic like Seroquel (something that is very effective for me personally). Other anticonvulsants like Neurontin have been known to provide relief for anxiety. It's not usually prescribed for that purpose (sometimes it is), but when I took Neurotin in the past I found that as an added benefit I was less anxious on it. Many antidepressants also have the dual purpose of combating anxiety - Lexapro is considered by many to be one of the best. There are several others too - including Remeron, which I happen to be taking for depression/anxiety. Lots of choices. Different strokes for different folks, and different philosophies as to what class of drugs are most effective for anxious bipolar people on Lamictal that also have OCD. I really don't have clue what would be best for you personally, but you do have several choices out there. It's really up to you and your pdoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHeartAAPs Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I second the Seroquel recommendation. It has helped me so well with generalized anxiety and panic that I intend to discuss tapering off of Klonopin with my doctor at my next visit in two weeks (have taken Klonopin for 7 years). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisinGirl Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I've been going through something similar - I'm up to 400mg of Lamictal and it seems like old anxieties and fears are rising to the surface. My doctor suggested cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I wanted something more immediate at the time. So I tried klonopin, and it didn't really work for me the way I'd hoped. Her next suggestion was antidepressants - I think she mentioned Wellbutrin? I haven't tried that yet. I know it's different for everyone, but it sounds like there are a lot of possibilities out there. Hope you find something that works well for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacea Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 For me, personally, Wellbutrin had me bouncing off the walls. It threw me into a mania I've never experienced before. But a friend of mine is on it and loves it. I think that's the way drugs are. They fit like different shoes, for different folks. But it's great to ask what works for others. If you keep hearing the same story over and over it's a good bet that it may affect you the same way, or at least make you aware of it. I've been on 300mg Lamictal for about 2 years. It's great for my depression, but not my anxiety. I've been developing panic disorder that's getting worse, and pdoc has added Paxil. It works ok except for the fatigue, so I'm going to ask if there might be something better for me. It did virtually eliminate the GAD/panic but not the cycling. Trileptal made my vision so blurry (partially because the Lamictal does too) and even more tired, in addition to headache and numbing on my extrematies. I've heard some good things about Topamax, Lexapro, and Seroquel as it was also mentioned here. Keep me posted! Hugs! I've been going through something similar - I'm up to 400mg of Lamictal and it seems like old anxieties and fears are rising to the surface. My doctor suggested cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I wanted something more immediate at the time. So I tried klonopin, and it didn't really work for me the way I'd hoped. Her next suggestion was antidepressants - I think she mentioned Wellbutrin? I haven't tried that yet. I know it's different for everyone, but it sounds like there are a lot of possibilities out there. Hope you find something that works well for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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