crazyethel Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 I take 200 mg. of Lamictal and benzos (xanax and klonopin), but I still have terrible anxiety. We tried a small 5 mg. dose of lexapro and that didn't work. We tried increasing the lamictal and I went into the mixed state from hell. So, what now?? I've had wellbutrin in the past and it just made the anxiety worse. If you take lamictal, what do you do for anxiety? Add another a/c? I'm not willing to take the a/p meds, which I know reduces my options. HELP!! Oh, wait, maybe I should go on Dr. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackCat Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Ethel, I am on Lamictal, too..along with lithium. I use Xanax for anxiety...plus I take Abilify. I may be switching back to Risperdal as Abilify is starting to make me irritable..or maybe it's Lamictal. I didn't know it caused anxiety. Makes sense though according to how I've been feeling. Lexapro made me anxious and I couldn't take it. I know alot of people like Klonopin. I just prefer Xanax as Klonopin made me cry alot. But everyone's different. There's Valium and Librium..also Ativan. I think AP's help me the most Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Why didn't Lex apro work for you? You should have started at 10mg.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon-A-TiK Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Paxil is a very strong drug, and a double-edged sword. It saved my life and put me in the nut house a few times too. If you are brave and willing to risk physical/mental addiction and really want to get that anxiety under control, there is nothing like Paxil (at least for me). I'm considering adding it back to my cocktail for stress reduction. I'm asking the same question about stress reduction in mixed states. The mixed state itself for me is a big anxiety attack! I've taken Lamictal successfully for over a year with no anxiety caused by it. I'm not sure if Wellbutrin causes anxiety. I've always had this much anxiety, so I don't know if there is anything (except my job) heightening it. I'd reconsider ADs. With a mood stabilizer they should be safe for the bipolar and are great at getting rid of anxiety. I should be on one now. The atypicals are very hard drugs to take, at least for my body, and have many more side effects than the ADs wtih fewer benefits. And the ADs are cheaper (in case you're without health insurance like me). loon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallulah Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 my cocktail consists of 275mg lamictal and 225mg topamax. i take xanax for anxiety. 1-3mg when needed. i hated klonopin. i didnt mind ativan - works well, but i much preferred xanax... tal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyethel Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 Late getting back here. I couldn't take the Lexapro because the sexual side effects just weren't acceptable. The pdoc added 100 mg. of Provigil and that seems to be helping. I think it is her intention to try to either increase the lamictal or add a second a/c, but she's waiting to get me good and stable before she changes anything. Right now I'm feeling good. Fingers and toes crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firedancer Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I am taking Lyrica off label for migraines (not working btw) but it has helped tremendously with my anxiety. I barely have to take my Xanax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unipolarbear Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I had the exact same problems: too much anxiety on lamictal alone. I'm also on zyprexa, although I don't thank that helps with the anxiety. We started abilify at 10mg and that worked wonders for my anxiety. I'm now very stable and very thankful to have found the right combination. My pdoc didn't want me to get all hooked on benzos because she says it's only a temporary solution. Although I do have ativans for emergencies, but I haven't needed them in a while.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I'm not sure what kind of anxiety you're dealing with -- whether it's more exactly tied to an event(s) or something that hangs around all the time. In addition to Lamictal, I take Seroquel to help with the 'background' anxiety. My anxiety is more of a constant with periodic peaks related to specific events, and of the intrusive thoughts and 'voices.' Seroquel takes care of them nicely. I think it works well with the Lamictal. I also take Parnate, since I'm unipolar depressed this is really the most important thing for me. Fiona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loon-A-TiK Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I started Lex today. I like SSRIs, even though they're not so great for BP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 For anxiety I take 1mg of clonazepam daily and 1mg ativan as needed. And I've been really anxious lately, is that the lamictal or just a coincidence? Ameth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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