Does upping Lamotrigine increase anxiety?

Hi there,

I just want to say upfront that I don't have panic attacks....I don't think....if I do they are mild...however I have had long term diagnosis of anxiety and depression. Lately the depression better (very dark rainy winters, sunny summer....sun helps me a lot past two years with the depression).

And I realize in this post I'm kind of all over the place so please bare with me.

Anyway....I started lamotrigine I'm guessing 6-8 weeks ago. 25 mg, couple of weeks later 50 mg. The only negative side effect was the mushy brain. I happened to have appt. with psychiatrist....she suggested just stop it if am uncomfortable with the mushy brain. But I chose not to...either I got used to it or it lessened...am unsure.

I want this medication to work because 1. anti-depressants have not worked for me except prozac...the ONE thing it did was when PMSing, it dramatically lessened the sharp anger and that helped a lot with single parenting. 2. I do have irritability, and a short temper. They almost run into each other - like its one symptom.

The bottom line, after perhaps a lot of unnecessary information, is I upped the lamotrigine to 75, (after consulting with psychiatrist ) and then the plan is to go to 100. So I've been on 75 mg for about 6 days.....it took me until yesterday to realize that every afternoon/evening I feel quite anxious and "amped up". Was on the phone with a friend last night and kept cutting him off every 4th sentence....and I don't drink caffeine. I've been too busy/stressed lately which doesn't help....but finally reflected that past few days I am going through the same anxiety every evening.

Its not all bad....I have extra energy - but I already have anxiety and I want this med to REDUCE my anxiety - and irritability...not increase it. Its increasing the anxiety....its not increasing my irritability. I know the no brainer response is to back up to 50 mg. And I do have a call in to the psychiatrist....so will get that feedback. However....I am wondering if anxiety a normal side effect at some point in upping this med...and just brave through it, and it goes away and I get to the good stuff/feelings?

Just an aside, I do exercise, do yoga, sometimes meditate, work on diet....I do a lot of things to manage my health issues and mental issues. They help.

I see just in writing this...and its early in the day, I've been drinking black tea...a big no-no for me....but I am all amped up its like talking....I am saying too much - I just deleted two whole paragraphs...this may be 'manic' I don't know...but this is exactly the way I feel in the evenings.

I mainly just wanted to reach out to others with anxiety issues...(I did post in another forum but did not get much response from people actually taking this drug)...and see if you have experience with taking this and it increasing your anxiety, and what did you do about it. *I don't have anti-anxiety meds to take during the day like many do(I take clonazepam but just at night to sleep, long story).

Thanks for hearing me out.

i would not recommend lamo for your condition, as you describe it. unless you have mania and agitation i would not think this is the med for you. something like lexapro sounds better. for depression / anxiety. i use lamo, it is a foundation med for bi-polar disorders and depressive disorders. it is useless for anxiety. it works in the background, and takes a little longer to kick. it does need constant upping to you find the theraputic blood level. a blood test will determine this. also it works better as a combo, as it is more a background worker and adjunct. all the best.

super20dan said...
20mg a day of steroids isn't helping your mood.

This is true, but have been on them a long time...at same dose. I am used to the steroid anxiety, and actually this last type I took has caused quite less. This anxiety is different. The in the gut anxiety...versus the steroid hyper anxiety.
Its weird...the woman i caregive for (who has super complex medical issues including alzheirmers) gets anxiety in the afternoon regularly. She takes medication for it.

This anxiety just started...shortly after upping that med. When I research other posts, i see this has happened for other people too...but of course thats a very small minority...just shows it can happen. My psychiatrist left a voicemail that it should not be the cause. But I don't think they are always right either.

Scaredy Cat said...
Hi Nourse and welcome to the A/P!

I am really sorry to hear about this current challenge with increased anxiety. I know how miserable that feels!

You posted in the BP and didn't get much of a response, huh? Shoot, I was going to suggest doing just that...

...well, I know that an increase of an A/D definitely can cause a jump in anxiety...so I believe it is not unusual for a mood stabilizer to do the same.

I know when my oldest daughter started on Lamo...she became highly agitated. (she is possible BP 2, and is not using meds at this time)

So, it is probably safe to say that you may have some turbulence until you reach your therapeutic level and your system fully adjusts.

I am glad to see your list of great life style habits that you use to feel your best! Great job, and keep going with those.

In addition, here is the link for our Resources...filled with great self help material. Practicing these coping skills daily will help you through these increase challenges and beyond.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Post with us anytime if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat

Thank you Scaredy Cat, its cool ya'll found a way to work with your daughter med free. Ok, maybe it is a natural consequence, like with A/D (however i don't recall that with them but its been a while and I
frankly was in way life stress overload for pretty much a solid 20 years, so can't say I would have even noticed anyway!!)

I am enlightened to hear, here, that this lamo drug does not even work for anxiety. But at least if this will fade away, that will be good. Then just need to decide whether to go up or not. Anyway, thanks...kind of rambling.

theHTreturns... said...
yes, better with an anti -dep. get a blood test for lamo levels. it takes awhile to kick as i have mentioned. shrink and pharmacist, for me have agreed that my combo is a good fit, u need to find a combo for you. different types of bi-polar, bp1 bp2-more depressive, bi-polar affective, rapid cycling bi-polar, ultraradian, etc. see a bi-polar specialist, it is a very complex disorder in regards to a clear dx. you may have some symptoms or traits but a different dx altogether.

Thank you