dsdmom Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Since I have developed dysautonomia, I have been unable to tolerate SSRIS and SNRI's. I take Wellbutrin now but can only take 200mg - any more and I start developing serious side effects. A new psychopharmocologist has suggested I try Lamictal - she said it is not usually known to cause hypotension and can be helpful in PTSD patients. Does anybody have any experience with Lamictal and dysautonomia? Doctorguest, do you have anything to add? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehl5 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Since I have developed dysautonomia, I have been unable to tolerate SSRIS and SNRI's. I take Wellbutrin now but can only take 200mg - any more and I start developing serious side effects. A new psychopharmocologist has suggested I try Lamictal - she said it is not usually known to cause hypotension and can be helpful in PTSD patients. Does anybody have any experience with Lamictal and dysautonomia? Doctorguest, do you have anything to add?Lamictal is an anticonvulsant. I took it for a brief period of time when I was having intense seizures and it made me unable to concentrate well with horrid mood swings. But then again, I didn't tolerate any anti convulsant I tried very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Burschman Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 I take Lyrica (another anticonvulsant) with no problems. It helps keep my anxiety under control. It's actually approved in Europe for that purpose.Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorguest Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 First, it's important to determine why and for what symptoms Lamictal is considered as an option for you. Second, a psychopharmacologist should not be recommending medications to patients - yes, they know medications as it is their specialty, but they do not know how to use it clinically; this is the job of your treating physician.Having said that, I would not use Lamictal unless clearly indicated - i.e. if you have a seizure disorder or maybe as a mood stabilizing agent if you have bipolar disorder. Any other indications would be questionable at best.Lamictal is a good medication when used for proper reasons, but it is not without side effects, some of which can be serious. Certainly, I would not use Lamictal for dysautonomia symptoms, unless there are superimposed reasons for me to consider this medication. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsdmom Posted January 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Thanks all for replying. I suppose I am nervous trying any new drugs these days.Doctorguest, thanks for your input. However, I believe I mispoke. The woman I saw was a well-respected psychiatrist here in Boston that my own psychiatrist sent me to for a consult. My psychiatrist has been prescribing me antidepressants for years with no problems, but since this dysautonomia hit I have been unable to tolerate any SSRIs or SSNRIs. We are using them for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Wellbutrin has been tolerable, but I can't take enough for it to be a therapeutic dose...which leads me to why we sought out more advice. At this point we have to start trying new things but again, that's what makes me nervous - I just don't know how I'm going to react anymore. Thanks again for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajw4790 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Hi!I just wanted to add that there is a big difference between the anti-epileptics, for example Neurontin/Lyrica is normally tolerated much better than some of the older anti-epileptics. Many of the other ones including Lamictal have A LOT of side effects, and many of them are significant. So, I would try to make sure to read up on it before taking it. I too wonder what symptoms the drs. think this drug will be useful for? I am currently on Neurontin so I know from my personal standpoint how that has affected me, I also am on Primidone (another older anti-epileptic) for the Essential Tremor. I know that for me that one was MUCH worse in terms of side effects and getting acculmated to. It took months of being a zombie etc. I also was on Dilantin as a child for epilepsy. It too has a lot of bad side effects.I would be very cautious starting a drug such as this. Make sure you know why they think this may be good over some of the other drugs used for dysautonomia (non- SSRI/SNRI). Have you tried Florinef, Midodrine, beta blockers, etc.Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allbetter Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Lamictal has saved my life!!! I was having nightly autonomic crisis for a year!! I feel normal now as long as I take it twice a day, 150 mg tabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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