HELP I'm scared confused taking Lexapro, Lorazapem and Lamotrigine is my brain going to explode

[cflores79]

I'm new to this forum but not mental illness, for me it started out panic attacks, then nervous breakdown, severe anxiety and recently Bipolar. I've been through HECK with meds and was ok with lexapro and lorazepam, but within the last 3 yrs the depression has been out of control, weeping, hopeless, no motivation, it takes an hr to decide to finally shower. Go to doctor and she mentions Bipolar 2 I blow that off 'I'm not crazy" my mom and sister are, then I really start researching bipolar and reading many of your wonderful posts. I don't have the Manic in a way where I stay up with energy, or alot of energy never felt that way maybe when I was younger, but the down side to Bipolar all of it times 100.....I'm scared of Lamotrigine, I've tried so many things for my depression that didn't work. The first night I took it I felt a bit anxious, the next night didn't take it and I was A MESS i felt the need to move my legs as if I had restless leg syndrome I paced my house for 2 hrs in tears all I wanted was the SEVERE ANXIETY to go away and to sleep. It scared me and my sister, I thought not for me called doctor and she said that was weird never heard of that before, maybe coincedence I should try again.......I took one this morning and I feel like doom is lerking and I don't know if it's just me because I always stress or I should be scared, nothing bad so far.

[jt07]

Hi and welcome to CB! Lamotrigine can cause anxiety when you are titrating up, but once you reach your target dosage and stay there for a while, the anxiety goes away and it gets better. Also, lamotrigine generally doesn't do much good until you get to over 100 mg which can take some time if you and your doctor are following the guidelines. But you can get side effects like the anxiety that you have felt. It's really nothing to be afraid of (I take it among many other meds). It sounds to me like you have a good doctor, and I would follow her advice.

[cflores79]

Thankyou for your advice JT it's reassuring.

[cflores79]

Anyone else with advice I'm on my second morning and I'm optimistic and terrified, I hate how I over evaluate everything........

[turtlelvr5]

Well I'm sure that as you know that with psych meds, side effects are quick to come and positive results take awhile. If you are really concerned about how the meds are making you feel then call your doctor and let them know. She'll be able to tell you whether it is a normal side effect or something abnormal. Some of the anxiety could be related to your own uneasiness and the rest could be due to the meds. When I first started Zoloft I was nauseous for 2 weeks straight (it was constant). I have been on Lithium for a few years now (God knows why) and I have constant tremors. But, now that I've been on the meds for awhile my side effects have gone away...my body has adjusted Good luck, keep us posted

[paragon]

Hi. How have you been since your last posting? I have bipolar 2 and I've been on Lamotrigine for over 10 years. I've found it to be the one and only breakthough mood-stabiliser for me, with relatively few side-effects, but everyone is different.

I take it together with Lithium. I've had awful side-effects when upping the dose, i.e. I'm on 200mg x 2 per day and that doesn't seem to have any adverse effects (i.e. it might be the correct dose). Of course when you suddenly stop taking it you're bound to feel awful.

I hope you have been able to persevere and that Lamotrigine will work for you, as it has for me (in conjuction with other drugs, that is). I have lots of hand tremors but I'm on many other drugs so I don't know if Lamotrigine (or Lithium) is the culprit!

I wish you all the best.