Dealing with anxiety

[ChristmasCarol1]

Hi, I am new here. Struggling with anxiety, have tried numerous meds - the latest is lamictal which has now caused a rash all over my body, Any one ever had this problem and what did you do about it? I also have sleep issues and have found that Fair Winds - deep sleep - cannabis oil helpful. If any one has other sleep ideas I would love to hear about them. Another resource is Jon Kabat-Zinn who has an 8 weeks Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program..on line for free - it is an 8 week course. I am into week 2 and am working on learning to sit quietly and focus on my breath. Blessings on us all who are dealing with anxiety and depression. This is not for wimps! Carol

[BonnieSue]

You are soooo right! Anxiety and depression is not for wimps! I would not continue the lamictal because a rash is easily possibly an allergic reaction. Your next dose could mean breathing problems so DON'T take any more lamictal, please. Play it safe!! Your sinus passages and throat passages could swell in an allergic reaction! It's not worth the risk!

The mindfulness sounds like a good course and I would continue. You also need to contact the prescriber of the lamictal and see what he/she wants to prescribe instead. I need to leave now but if you write me I'll come back tonight.

[ChristmasCarol1 in reply to BonnieSue]

Yes, I will be off the lamictal soon. Did not work for me. My experience of dealing with anxiety and depression is that it is one day at time - you never know how you are really going to feel from one day to the next. So I have decided I am going to stay in this race and not give up. It sucks and it is a struggle...I am thankful I found this forum...we need each other. People who do not know what we are going through...do not always get it! Take care my new friends...hang in there you are precious!

[Meggspeggs]

You can get a rash from starting on too big of a dose. You are supposed to up it gradually. I would not take anymore until you speak to your dr. It can be very dangerous.

[BonnieSue]

Regarding sleep ideas: often people are prescribed low doses of amitriptyline or seroquel because they have very drowsy side effects and put people to sleep.

[kisdobos in reply to BonnieSue]

Hi, Yes, I am on Seroquel for sleep. It does work. I only need 0.25mg and sleep well.

[JustLikeMellie]

Do you have a link for this program?

[BonnieSue in reply to JustLikeMellie]

No, it's not a program, just knowledge from knowing so many people's drug routines.

[JustLikeMellie in reply to BonnieSue]

ooooh ok

[BonnieSue in reply to JustLikeMellie]

Your prescribing doctor for the lamictal may prescribe one of the drugs I mentioned if you ask for help to sleep at night. I was simply preparing you with the knowledge of some commonly used drugs so you wouldn't be surprised if he/she prescribed them for you.

[ChristmasCarol1 in reply to BonnieSue]

Bonnie Sue, Thanks for your support Yes....lamictal is on the way out in my life! Thank God!

[BonnieSue in reply to JustLikeMellie]

I found these references for amitriptyline and quetiapine/Seroquel at drugs.com for insomnia/sleep that show their effectiveness:

drugs.com/answers/effective...

drugs.com/comments/quetiapi...

[mjlitl13]

Hi Christmas,

Getting a rash means you are allergic to the medication. Call your your Dr right away and tell him/her! Your Dr will probably take you off the medicine immediately, but depending on the dosage you may have to wean off it.

Have you tried Klonopin? I have been taking that for my anxiety for years with no side effects. Of course, everyone is different but I just thought I would mention it.

First thing, call your Dr about your rash!!!

Keep in touch and let us know how things go for you.

Hugs,

MJ

[ChristmasCarol1 in reply to mjlitl13]

Thanks for your support. Yes I will be off the Lamictal soon! Thanks for the other ideas on medications as well. It is so good to be able to touch base with others who are dealings with anxiety and depression.. Take Care..Carol

[Ddorne]

Hi Carol, I have heard about this rash because my friend was on Lamictal and she said its one of the things to watch out for. So call your Dr. And tell him right away. I take Prozac 80 mg. and an older antidepressant called Nortryptline, which actually helps me sleep.i also have OCD, which I have had for years. I take klonapin for anxiety but I am trying to cut down because I have been taking it for many years. Where can you find the Jon Kabat Zinn course on line? I have a lot of mindfulness books, and I wanted to take a class but it was so expensive. You sound very bright. Good luck to you with your treatment.LD

[ChristmasCarol1]

thanks for the post. Yes I am going to be off the lamictal soon. Look up Palouse Mindfulness and you should be able to access the Kabat-Zinn course. Hope this helps. Hang in there!

[BonnieSue in reply to ChristmasCarol1]

I take Klonopin/clonazepam for anxiety and it serves me very well. Jic you don't already know, it's a benzodiazepine with all the inherent risks. That includes addictive properties and memory gaps after long usage. Those are possibilities, not absolute probabilities.

[kisdobos]

Yes, all the benzo type meds cause memory loss.