Jessie23 Does lamictal count for withdrawal

[Altostrata]

That is not as bad as it could be. How has your sleep pattern changed in the last 4 months?

 

Did you do any of this? Have you tried a little melatonin, to get sleep started?

 

On 9/7/2023 at 10:58 AM, Altostrata said:

See these tips to strengthen sleep. Keeping the bedroom cool and very dark with blackout curtainsl is important. You may find melatonin helpful to get sleep started.

 

 

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

Waking with panic or anxiety -- managing the morning cortisol spike

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

White noise devices for sleep

 

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

 

[Jessie23]

1 minute ago, Altostrata said:

That is not as bad as it could be. How has your sleep pattern changed in the last 4 months?

 

Did you do any of this? Have you tried a little melatonin, to get sleep started?

 

 

Yes I’ve taken melatonin for years it used to help but doesn’t now. I’m less concerned about the insomnia and more concerned about the dpdr dissociation and panic 

[Altostrata]

How has your sleep pattern changed in the last 4 months?

 

17 hours ago, Jessie23 said:

I’m less concerned about the insomnia and more concerned about the dpdr dissociation and panic 

 

You will need to let the dpdr etc. fade naturally. When does the panic occur?

[Jessie23]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

How has your sleep pattern changed in the last 4 months?

 

 

You will need to let the dpdr etc. fade naturally. When does the panic occur?

I think in the last four months my insomnia seems to have gotten worse. The panic is random. Sometimes I look at certain things and get a rush of panic or some days I wake up more anxious and panicky than normal

[Altostrata]

How about blackout shades and curtains in your bedroom?

 

Have you tried fish oil and magnesium? What do you do for exercise?

[Jessie23]

17 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

How about blackout shades and curtains in your bedroom?

 

Have you tried fish oil and magnesium? What do you do for exercise?

I have black out curtains it doesn’t seem to make a difference. I haven’t tried fish oil but small doses of magnesium make my panic worse. I am on my feet all day at work and do a lot of walking at work for 10 hours 

[checco]

I also suffered from severe insomnia for weeks, it has now passed but I have noticed that if I stay light with what I eat at night I can sleep well, on the contrary if I eat more Challenging for digestion can not sleep through the night.

[Altostrata]

21 hours ago, Jessie23 said:

Sometimes I look at certain things and get a rush of panic or some days I wake up more anxious and panicky than normal

 

What kinds of things do you look at and feel panic? Does this happen at work?

 

How much coffee do you drink every day?

 

Was this anxiety and panic why you took Lamictal in June?

[Jessie23]

35 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

What kinds of things do you look at and feel panic? Does this happen at work?

 

How much coffee do you drink every day?

 

Was this anxiety and panic why you took Lamictal in June?

I don’t drink any caffeine anymore and if I look at large objects or the ocean or things like that I get a rush of panic. Kind of random  objects or thoughts.  No I never had panic before lamictal. I got anxious in traffic so my dr gave me lamictal to level the anxiety out. I experienced my first panic attack while on 75mg on lamictal. 

[Altostrata]

As explained before, your symptoms are not such that we would recommend reinstatement of any drug. We are not in a position to recommend other drugs. We do not have any magic remedies for life stress.

 

Strongly recommend you take courses or get counseling in managing stress and anxiety, as well as psychotherapy to explore what about your current situation is frightening to you. It sounds like you work hard. Do you have a community with whom you can relax?

 

Your sleep needs strengthening. It could be you sleep poorly because you need to quiet you worries down before bedtime.

 

See 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

[Jessie23]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

As explained before, your symptoms are not such that we would recommend reinstatement of any drug. We are not in a position to recommend other drugs. We do not have any magic remedies for life stress.

 

Strongly recommend you take courses or get counseling in managing stress and anxiety, as well as psychotherapy to explore what about your current situation is frightening to you. It sounds like you work hard. Do you have a community with whom you can relax?

 

Your sleep needs strengthening. It could be you sleep poorly because you need to quiet you worries down before bedtime.

 

See 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

Thank you. I strongly believe these issues all started with the lamictal and were made worse by busprione. My anxiety before was mild and didn’t stay all day and night like it does now. Should I count on these lingering symptoms to resolve even though I am close to 1 year off meds? My biggest worry is I now have some sort of brain issue that these meds activated 

[Altostrata]

40 minutes ago, Jessie23 said:

Should I count on these lingering symptoms to resolve even though I am close to 1 year off meds?

 

Yes, but you might find the coping skills I described to help you get through this.

[Jessie23]

On 9/10/2023 at 3:18 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Yes, but you might find the coping skills I described to help you get through this.

Was doing well for months with tolerable dpdr and dissociation at times then last night had a panic attack. Is this normal? Surely after this long it should be better? No new drugs supplements or changes. Am I stuck like this?

[Jessie23]

On 9/10/2023 at 3:18 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Yes, but you might find the coping skills I described to help you get through this.

Still having bouts  of panic and dissociation. Can’t sleep insomnia so bad. Am I ruined?

[Altostrata]

Do you have health anxiety?

 

Please review 

 

[Jessie23]

On 10/31/2023 at 3:19 PM, Altostrata said:

Do you have health anxiety?

 

Please review 

 

No my health is fine I arm wondering why over a year off these meds I was on for a short time I am still having panic and dpdr. I am worried the meds didn’t cause this issue or the meds did but it’s irreversible now. My exposure was short to have this for this long. 

[Jessie23]

On 10/31/2023 at 3:19 PM, Altostrata said:

Do you have health anxiety?

 

Please review 

 

I wake up from a nap just now in a total panic. This hasn’t happened in a long time. Maybe this is just how I am now?

[Altostrata]

You might still have occasional spells of symptoms for quite a while, in The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

 

[Jessie23]

On 11/7/2023 at 6:02 PM, Altostrata said:

You might still have occasional spells of symptoms for quite a while, in 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

 

This topic is mainly people saying they are still suffering after several years. I wake up last night with worse panic attack I’ve had in awhile. I am over a year off meds and still anxiety panic dpdr I never had until lamictal. I’m trying to wait it out and be patient but these cycles or waves this far out for this long is making me wonder what could be wrong with me

[Altostrata]

When we say slow, gradual, and can take a long time, we mean take a long time. How has your general symptom pattern changed in the last month?

[Jessie23]

On 12/6/2023 at 12:49 PM, Altostrata said:

When we say slow, gradual, and can take a long time, we mean take a long time. How has your general symptom pattern changed in the last month?

Hello maam. I was feeling pretty darn normal then the random panic attack now I have dpdr everyday again and don’t want to leave my house. I haven’t done anything different to trigger the attack it came on randomly 

[Greatful]

@Jessie23  Hi, welcome to SA.   I hear a lot of panic and fear.  I know how scary and crazy this whole experience can be.  You will heal from this.   A big part of it will have to come in time and patience.   Letting the panic and fear take control will only make you feel less in control of your situation.  What kind of coping skill have you tried? Guided meditation might be helpful in learning not to get caught up in your thoughts.  I though you might like this story from Bambam who also had a adverse reaction to Lamictal and Buspar...She has recovered and written her success story.  

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/28248-☼-bambam-is-this-withdrawal/

 

 

Reach out to others and see if you can find so reassurance and encouragement.  We are here to support and listen🌞

You can do this Jessie23

 

 

[Altostrata]

@Jessie23 many things can revive withdrawal symptoms, such as missing doses, taking a dose off schedule, drinking alcohol, taking antibiotics or other drugs, overdoing strenuous exercise, etc. Did any of these things happen in the last few months?

 

How much caffeine were you drinking and when did you stop? Did you taper off?

[Jessie23]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

@Jessie23 many things can revive withdrawal symptoms, such as missing doses, taking a dose off schedule, drinking alcohol, taking antibiotics or other drugs, overdoing strenuous exercise, etc. Did any of these things happen in the last few months?

 

How much caffeine were you drinking and when did you stop? Did you taper off?

I haven’t done any of those things. I haven’t had caffeine since last August 2022

[Altostrata]

What does this random attack feel like?

[Jessie23]

3 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

What does this random attack feel like?

Racing heart hot flashes feeling of doom intense out of body feeling overwhelming panic body and mind feeling like I need to run away and wanting to cry and beg 

[Altostrata]

How often do these spells occur? Do they occur at any particular times of day? How long do they last?

[Jessie23]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

How often do these spells occur? Do they occur at any particular times of day? How long do they last?

They come on randomly. I hadn’t had one since October then it woke me up randomly. I haven’t done anything differently 

[Altostrata]

On 12/6/2023 at 11:49 AM, Altostrata said:

When we say slow, gradual, and can take a long time, we mean take a long time.

 

See The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

 

[Jessie23]

On 12/7/2023 at 3:40 PM, Greatful said:

@Jessie23  Hi, welcome to SA.   I hear a lot of panic and fear.  I know how scary and crazy this whole experience can be.  You will heal from this.   A big part of it will have to come in time and patience.   Letting the panic and fear take control will only make you feel less in control of your situation.  What kind of coping skill have you tried? Guided meditation might be helpful in learning not to get caught up in your thoughts.  I though you might like this story from Bambam who also had a adverse reaction to Lamictal and Buspar...She has recovered and written her success story.  

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/28248-☼-bambam-is-this-withdrawal/

 

 

Reach out to others and see if you can find so reassurance and encouragement.  We are here to support and listen🌞

You can do this Jessie23

 

 

Sorry I did not see this comment. Meditation doesn’t work because the anxiety feels very chemical so once it hits it doesn’t go away: I will message this person for advice thank you. 

 

On 12/10/2023 at 6:59 PM, Altostrata said:

 

See 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

 

Does the ability to take supplements return with healing? Vitamin d makes me anxious but labs show I am very deficient. Is there an average time it takes to heal from this adverse reaction? It is hard not to be believed that a short exposure to this medication could still be effecting me. I am starting to doubt myself now. 

[Altostrata]

See 

 

 

For information about other supplements, look in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.

 

[Doctorsrcrap]

Hiya. 

I think its still normal for you to be experiencing symptoms this far our. People who only take one small pill for one day and have an adverse reaction can experience symptoms for a few years. 

This is a painfully slow process but can be done. 

One thing you can try is taking cold showers. I find that whilst being blasted with cold water I can't much think about my other bodily sensations. Also doing this teaches you just to be with uncomfortable sensations. The more you do it the more you get used to it. Give it a go if you feel able. 

I don't always think a wave needs a reason to start or if it does it isn't always apparently obvious. Could be as small as eating the wrong thing or slightly more elevated stress than normal. 

Our bodies are so sensitised that nothing is off the table. 

If you have experienced moments of normal or just better then this shows there is no reason you can't stay like that. It just takes time. 

Good luck 

[Jessie23]

On 12/16/2023 at 6:19 PM, Altostrata said:

See 

 

 

For information about other supplements, look in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.

 

Thank you is general anesthesia safe during withdrawal? I have to have surgery in February and i am afraid of a relapse. In my windows I feel almost back to normal so i am worried the surgery will trigger a relapse of panic and dpdr

[Jessie23]

On 12/18/2023 at 12:54 AM, Doctorsrcrap said:

Hiya. 

I think its still normal for you to be experiencing symptoms this far our. People who only take one small pill for one day and have an adverse reaction can experience symptoms for a few years. 

This is a painfully slow process but can be done. 

One thing you can try is taking cold showers. I find that whilst being blasted with cold water I can't much think about my other bodily sensations. Also doing this teaches you just to be with uncomfortable sensations. The more you do it the more you get used to it. Give it a go if you feel able. 

I don't always think a wave needs a reason to start or if it does it isn't always apparently obvious. Could be as small as eating the wrong thing or slightly more elevated stress than normal. 

Our bodies are so sensitised that nothing is off the table. 

If you have experienced moments of normal or just better then this shows there is no reason you can't stay like that. It just takes time. 

Good luck 

Thank you. It is crazy that these symptoms can last so long from such short exposure but it seems to be very real. I pray for your healing and recovery.

[Jessie23]

On 12/16/2023 at 6:19 PM, Altostrata said:

See 

 

 

For information about other supplements, look in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.

 

Woke again with another panic attacks that’s two in the month of December. I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I haven’t made any changes. 

[getofflex]

Sometimes, these things can happen even when there is no trigger.  Or, it could be the common stress of the holiday season.  Many/most of us have extra stress during this time.  Claire Weekes is really good for panic attacks - check out her resources on YouTube and amazon.  

 

video: Claire Weekes: Managing Anxiety

 

 

video: Claire Weekes on Anxiety and Panic