1. < Depression & Anxiety
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~ Side effects from anti-anxiety meds (Lamictal)~

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Nov 5, 2017

I am sitting here both relieved and thankful. Ever since I had my RTKR and then the revision, it doesn't hurt at all, but my balance is way off. I have to be extremely careful or I will fall, and some of them have been real hurtful ones......like on the garage floor which is concrete and I landed on my back, hitting my head, into the coffee table sending everything there flying, including my water and tea, walking up a slight hill on some grass, and many, many, more times. I haven't said anything to you all because I was terrified it was something awful .... a brain tumor, Parkinsons ....
Well .... I got the Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative Medicine and in the section on Stress and Mood Disorders, page 177, it talks about anti-anxiety medications. It says "side effects include unsteadiness, drowsiness, reduced muscle coordination, and problems with balance. These medications can also cause memory problems." I cannot tell you how relieved I was .... these side effects are primarily from the anti-anxiety meds.
I know that taking Lamictal, causes my hands to shake, and for that (they call them essential tremors) I have to take a small dose of propanalol, which is a beta blocker.
Anyhow, if any of you folks are experiencing any of this, as I have been, take heart .... it may not be at all what you think.
abby

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Profile picture for Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Jul 5, 2025
In reply to @kb2014 "Thank you Chris. I take a fiber supplement. I just added a probiotic supplement. I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for kb2014 @kb2014

Thank you Chris. I take a fiber supplement. I just added a probiotic supplement. I have to make sure I drink plenty of water. Green tea and lemon ginger tea help. I also take docusate. My symptoms are better. My appointment with a gastroenteroligist is in November. I continue to work on dietary issues. Something else I noticed is I need to walk at least 3000 steps daily. In NM with the heat recently it has become a challenge.

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My pleasure @kb2014
I'm glad to hear your GI symptoms have improved with those changes! Having GI issues myself, I've been focusing on eating more vegetables, tracking my daily steps, and staying well-hydrated.
I understand the challenge of walking in hot weather. One tip that has helped me is using a damp, well-wrung towel around my neck on those warm days. As I have learned, high temperatures can also be a trigger for seizures.
You mentioned you have had anxiety and depression in the past due to some trauma. If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to know what approaches or strategies have been most helpful for you in managing those challenges?

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kb2014 | @kb2014 | Jul 5, 2025
In reply to @minajo "My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after..." + (show)
Profile picture for minajo @minajo

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

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Well learning not to act or react to everything and everybody. CBT. Cognitive behavior therapy. Becoming and being aware of my agency. My power to make my own decisions choose my thoughts etc. Learning about codependency and narcissism. Since I had a craniotomy to remove abcess left temporal lobe I learned about neuroplasticity and how this surgery changed me. Deep breathing. Living a simpler quieter life. Learning to say no.

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1 reply
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k8tthy67 | @k8tthy67 | Jul 12, 2025
In reply to @minajo "My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after..." + (show)
Profile picture for minajo @minajo

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

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Hi I’ve been on lamotrogine, or as you can call it lamical. It has been a godsend to me ,I stared on 50ml a day. Obviously that didn’t work. Long st, now I take 125, in the morning and 125 in the evening. It’s about timing make sure it’s taken at the same time every day for each dose. Same as our brains work. It’s like a clock.

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Profile picture for Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Jul 16, 2025
In reply to @kb2014 "Well learning not to act or react to everything and everybody. CBT. Cognitive behavior therapy. Becoming..." + (show)
Profile picture for kb2014 @kb2014

Well learning not to act or react to everything and everybody. CBT. Cognitive behavior therapy. Becoming and being aware of my agency. My power to make my own decisions choose my thoughts etc. Learning about codependency and narcissism. Since I had a craniotomy to remove abcess left temporal lobe I learned about neuroplasticity and how this surgery changed me. Deep breathing. Living a simpler quieter life. Learning to say no.

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Hi @kb2014
Thank you so much for sharing your approaches, I have really appreciated them.
You've done some really meaningful work on yourself. Breaking and changing habits is so challenging, and it sounds like you've made real progress. That's truly something to celebrate!
I also faced anxiety and depression at the start of my epilepsy treatment in 2019. I was fortunate to find a wonderful neuropsychologist I've been working with since then. Learning to say no is such a fundamental skill that I'm still working to put into practice more consistently.
When you mentioned "learning not to act or react to everything and everybody," Mel Robbins' book "The Let Them Theory" came to mind. In case you're interested, here's a link to one of her interviews where she explains the "Let Them" and "Let Me" theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch

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1 reply
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kb2014 | @kb2014 | Jul 18, 2025
In reply to @santosha "Hi @kb2014 Thank you so much for sharing your approaches, I have really appreciated them. You've..." + (show)
Profile picture for Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor @santosha

Hi @kb2014
Thank you so much for sharing your approaches, I have really appreciated them.
You've done some really meaningful work on yourself. Breaking and changing habits is so challenging, and it sounds like you've made real progress. That's truly something to celebrate!
I also faced anxiety and depression at the start of my epilepsy treatment in 2019. I was fortunate to find a wonderful neuropsychologist I've been working with since then. Learning to say no is such a fundamental skill that I'm still working to put into practice more consistently.
When you mentioned "learning not to act or react to everything and everybody," Mel Robbins' book "The Let Them Theory" came to mind. In case you're interested, here's a link to one of her interviews where she explains the "Let Them" and "Let Me" theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch

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I have read the book. It is great Hard sometimes though to watch people self destructive have no boundaries etc especially as a retired nurse plus I had a lot of medical care and trauma recovery. I have to work on my codependency still daily

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minajo | @minajo | Jul 23, 2025
In reply to @minajo "My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after..." + (show)
Profile picture for minajo @minajo

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

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My nonverbal, autistic, epileptic daughter has been on Lamictal XR for about year and half
After her GI issues, sigmoidectomy she had very hard time with recovery, had few tonic clonic seizures, possibly from intestinal nerve triggering? But her behavior is hard to manage, from pain, we try not to do ER if possible as last year 4 different admissions, 49 days total is very traumatic so wondering why these blood levels are sent to Texas( from California) and take 7 days minimum
We need to see is she's sub, supra therapeutic and when she's manic needs to be stat..
She just switched from zonisamide and the titration took forever
But this lamictal if for bi polar doesn't seem to be working..
Any suggestions IF we can get Neuro to change?
She's also on Seroquel 175 daily and Buspar .
Really don't want to change med but she's not in good place right now😟
Thank you all!

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masoudmohammad | @masoudmohammad | Jul 29, 2025
In reply to @autumn2025 "I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from..." + (show)
Profile picture for autumn2025 @autumn2025

I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from a deep depression and intense anxiety. Years have gone by... it seems that I feel pretty low at the beginning of the day, and feel even lower by the end of the day. Suicidal thoughts have been present for the past week. I feel useless, replaceable, and very emotional. I have been retrying lamictal and am on the 4th week (50 mg). I see that it can increase suicidal thoughts in some people. How do I know if it's the medication causing them or that my depression has just gotten worse over time?

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I wish you a speedy recovery. I also have suicidal thoughts. I am 32 years old and I take Sertraline before taking medication. I have never thought about suicide. I do not know the reason for this. Is it from the medication or something else? I take Zoloft 150 mg.

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kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Jul 30, 2025
In reply to @autumn2025 "I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from..." + (show)
Profile picture for autumn2025 @autumn2025

I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from a deep depression and intense anxiety. Years have gone by... it seems that I feel pretty low at the beginning of the day, and feel even lower by the end of the day. Suicidal thoughts have been present for the past week. I feel useless, replaceable, and very emotional. I have been retrying lamictal and am on the 4th week (50 mg). I see that it can increase suicidal thoughts in some people. How do I know if it's the medication causing them or that my depression has just gotten worse over time?

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I was started on low dose Zoloft, 12.5 mg......it made me sleepy during the day to the point that I could not keep my eyes open, not tired, sleepy. Then looked at the package insert only to find a high % experience insomnia which is another issue that I have. If I could sleep, I probably would not be needing an antidepressant!

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1 reply
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masoudmohammad | @masoudmohammad | Jul 30, 2025
In reply to @kndaustin71 "I was started on low dose Zoloft, 12.5 mg......it made me sleepy during the day to..." + (show)
Profile picture for kdalda75 @kndaustin71

I was started on low dose Zoloft, 12.5 mg......it made me sleepy during the day to the point that I could not keep my eyes open, not tired, sleepy. Then looked at the package insert only to find a high % experience insomnia which is another issue that I have. If I could sleep, I probably would not be needing an antidepressant!

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This is normal. Your dose is very low. I am taking 150 mg. Perhaps you are just starting out. The insomnia will go away with time. I wish you a speedy recovery.

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Profile picture for kdalda75
kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Jul 30, 2025
In reply to @autumn2025 "I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from..." + (show)
Profile picture for autumn2025 @autumn2025

I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from a deep depression and intense anxiety. Years have gone by... it seems that I feel pretty low at the beginning of the day, and feel even lower by the end of the day. Suicidal thoughts have been present for the past week. I feel useless, replaceable, and very emotional. I have been retrying lamictal and am on the 4th week (50 mg). I see that it can increase suicidal thoughts in some people. How do I know if it's the medication causing them or that my depression has just gotten worse over time?

Jump to this post

Thank you masoudmohammad for your reply re the Zoloft. I have been taking the 12.5 mg of zoloft at nite thinking that it would curtail the sleepiness. Can hardly keep my eyes open but not a bit tired so if I lay down I don't sleep. I'm leary of increase it to the full 25 mg. I know these are very small doses. I do seem to have a phobia of taking new medications as I have experienced terrible side effects. In the 1990's had serotonin syndrome and was up what seemed like days...it was awful. I'm hoping this SSRI will be nicer to me!

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