Feel worse since doc made changes :(

I was ok when I went to my doctor's appointment last week. I wasn't great but I had a decent energy level and wasn't depressed. My doctor made two changes and since then I've been a mess.

I've always had bouts of depression, including one severe depression, and occasional irritability which I guess is my hypomania. But after I increased my Remeron dose from 15 to 30 mg and added Lamictal to my meds, I've been on a roller coaster. I was really angry and irritable over the weekend but by Sunday afternoon I crashed into a severe state of fatigue. I couldn't function and was bed ridden. I've been fatigued since then and Monday I was both fatigued and angry.. but since increasing my Adderall (which I was trying to get off of) I am functioning while still being exhausted.

Has anyone else experienced severe shifts in your mood in a matter of days? Is this what is called rapid cycling? This all happened when I increased the doses of my meds. Now I feel horrible and wish I never walked into the doctor's office last week. I left a message for my doctor and hope she calls back soon.

I may have had periods of rapid cycling, but I always thought it was normal. I know that an increase in my current meds didn't help much in the medium term. Obviously everyone will say go to your pdoc (and that's completely right), but I would go in with a game plan. Obviously your meds need to change, but the options are go back to where you were or try a less extreme change. maybe your doc had a reason for putting you on two new drugs right away, but it has introduced too many variables. If it were me I would look at quitting both new ones, then once you're back to baseline introduce one of the new ones. You can always switch to the other one if the first doesn't work, or you're curious, and maybe eventually try adding the second in a more controlled manner.

I would think the Remeron may be playing a fairly big role in your feeling so wiped out. That drug used to just put me in a freaking coma. It was awful. Hungover doesn't even begin to describe it. Half-dead is more like it.

I never had energy issues with Lamictal, but some people report it. It is a drug that seems to do almost anything in almost anyone. So. it's hard to say on that one, in my opinion.

This is why making two med moves at once is tricky and generally not advised. No way to know for sure which is doing what.

I hope it gets better soon. The only thing I could share from my Remeron days is to maybe think about taking it earlier and, of course, therefore, going to bed earlier. It's not ideal, but it might help with the next day. Sending you positive vibes and support!!

Okay, so we all know that everyone is different and how important it is to respect that. With that in mind, I will tell you that Remeron was a bad med for me. It aggravated the dysphoric mania (anxiety/agitation/anger/rage) I was desperately trying to get rid of. I hung with it for a few months and I regretted even that short amount of time on it.

It is absolutely impossible for me to really know what's happening with your mood states, but what you're describing sounds like a med reaction and, if I were to place a bet, I'd bet on the problem being Remeron.

Let us know what your doctor says. And good luck

I don't know why your doc would make two changes at the same time. I would think that would make it more difficult to know what is causing what. You may want to contact your doctor to update them on how you are feeling.

I know how Lamictal has affected me. I have never taken Remeron so can't share any experiences with that medication.

can you get a new psychiatrist? here where i live...psychiatric nurse practitioners are a viable option...

Amy, how are you?

Sorry to hear about your struggles. Meds can do awful things to your system, especially when more than one change is made. I'm surprised your doctor did that. I have had rapid cycling; sometimes when new meds are given. Maybe you should ask your doctor to put you back on the medicinal regime you were on before he changed things and you can get back to where you were. Best of luck to you!

My med changes have really messed with me. I had a rash with Lamictal so I was taken off it immediately. I was put in Rexulti a week before being taken off Lamictal. I am also on prozac, seroquel, and hydroxyzine. A sleep specialist sucribed Modafinil for my extreme drowsiness during the day. It has given me tons of energy. Maybe even hypomania? However it's nice to have energy and I am able to accomplish many goals. Before I went to work, got home, laid on the couch, then went to bed. Now I am doing lots of positive things. Should I be concerned or welcome the new changes?

I've been on madofinil for the same basic reason for about 5 years. It probably saved my life, no joke. I was on Adderall before and it did help, but I am a recovering addict (11 yrs. now) and we always worried a bit about the amphetamine euphoria thing. When I had some heart issues with the Adderall, we moved to Provigil (modafinil). It actually works much better for me and there is, in me at least, no euphoria.

Ironically enough, I am as I write this today a bit hypomanic, but in me, we believe this is sleep-related (I have slept about 6 hours in the last 48). My bipolar causes all kinds of sleep issues. That said, hypomania has been reported with modafinil, so you will want to watch closely. Remember though, the extreme wide-awakeness of modafinil, that state, does sort of feel like one part of hypomania feels, at least, in me it does. So, maybe think about that. Being awake and not exhausted and getting tons done does sound a little hypomanic, but it is also just kind of what happens when modafinil works.

So, I guess I would say , don't be too freaked out. Pay attention to what is happening. Are you sleeping? Grandiosity? Pressured speech? Racing thoughts? Distracted? Agitated? Risky behavior? So on.

If it sounds like it's more than just being really awake and getting stuff done and it's sort of on that list, then make a not of it and call the pdoc, I would say. But if you are just being productive, then be productive. God knows, you deserve it.

Thanks for that info. It really helps. I am experiencing racing thoughts and fast speech, but no grandiosity. I am sleeping less but my normal was a lot. I am getting positive things done but my bank account isn't happy. I definitely have the agitation with some things. I am more impulsive than normal so I'm hoping those positive accomplishments are actually for the better...

Thank you! (Sorry for the late reply!)

Hi,
Thanks for asking. I went back to my old Remeron dose but think the Lamictal is making me sick. Every other week I have a sore throat, achiness, congestion and overall yucky feeling. I've never been sick like this before in my life. I read it can suppress your immune system. Also, I had a severe allergic reaction to hair dye last week which I've never had in the 25 years of dying my hair (not sure if it's related to the new mediaction or not). Lamictal can cause flu-like symptoms and all of the symptoms I'm having. When I'm feeling better physically I can tell it's helping my mood. But now I'm starting to feel depressed about feeling sick all the time. I guess I'll be going off of it.

Thank you!

wow. allergic reaction to hair dye? are...you OK? is your scalp OK? there are some products that use lower levels of the allergens...nature tint (I think that's the name...vitamin shops have it), henna, that madison reed stuff (a female friend swears by them...she claims its easy on the scalp...). hope things get better :-)

i'm beginning to think lamictal is a lot more potentially harmful than the shrinks have led people to believe.