Lamictal Causing Tinnitus?

[IvyJoy]

My story in short-- I was taking Lamictal and Effexor for many, many years because of Anxiety and Bipolar 2.

They worked well, and my major side effects were weight gain, fatigue and horribly vivid dreams at night that I had trouble forgetting.

The vivid dreams part was so bad that after doing research online and finding that it was a side effect of the Effexor, I stopped taking both medications cold turkey this past summer. Yes, I know that is stupid and you should not stop taking meds like that. Anyhow, I was "fine" for several months.

About two months ago, I had two panic attacks while I was teaching classes. Bad enough that I ran from the room and ended both classes abruptly. Very bad for my career for sure!!! I took two months off from teaching, went to the doctor, had lots of blood tests done which came back fine, and was told that I needed to go back on both medications that were working before. Now, I am on both meds at the dosage that I took before.

After a few weeks they started working and emotionally I feel "normal" again and haven't had any panic attacks since. (Still not teaching) However, now I have three new symptoms that I never had before that I think are due to the meds.

I have tremors of my hands, a feeling of shakiness in my body, it feels like my heart is beating louder and faster when I am in bed laying on my side, and CONSTANT RINGING IN MY EARS. (I capitalized that you could find why I posted here.) I did some research yesterday online and found out that many people on Lamictal have this ringing sound in their ears.

It is depressing what I read as many people said that even after they stopped taking the Lamictal, the ringing continued on a "permanent" basis. Oh my!!!

I also read that my "tremors" can be a side effect of Effexor!!! I am so frustrated and confused right now!!! It is bad enough that we take drugs that cause weight gain, but to have these side effects also. So, that it who I am and where I am right now.

I will make an appointment with my primary care doctor, but I doubt that he will know more about it than I already found out. Anyone out there relate??? I'd love to hear from you!!!

 

[JasonP]

What dosages of each drug do you take each day and at what time of the day do you take them? Also, do you take them all at once, divide them throughout the day, etc.?

 

[IvyJoy]

Thanks for replying Jason! I take 75mg. of Lamictal, and 300 mg. of Effexor all at once in the morning with breakfast. (I take them together.) I recently increased my dose of Effexor from 150mg to 300mg, but I think now I should have stayed at the 150mg level. The pressure of wanting to return to my teaching job at the beginning of January is weighing on me so hard! That was where I had my two panic attacks. This is so very frustrating and confusing!!!

 

[JasonP]

I would suggest asking your doctor asap what you should do. I am pretty sure I have bipolar II and its very interesting because the doctor told me never to take Effexor. I took it previously and it made me feel terrible and numb. Awful feeling. He recommended me to take Depakote and Lamictal together. He said the Depakote would help calm me down and prevent me from becoming hypomanic and the Lamictal would extend the time between episodes. I never took the Depakote but I have taken the Lamictal and for me it kind of works like an anti-depressant but lately its been too stimulating. Anyways, it is very interesting how different doctors have different thinking and drugs they prescribe. My first suggestion would be to get your hearing checked for free asap and find out if you have hearing loss. If so, see what happens if they correct your hearing with an aide and if the ringing goes away. Secondly, you could ask a pharmacist if it is okay to take a small melatonin supplement right before bed and see if that does anything. I don't know if you should take it long term or if it would work but just wonder if it would help. I hope you feel better asap.

 

[JasonP]

Is your tinnitus lower in the morning, night or is it the same throughout the day?

 

[IvyJoy]

Thanks Jason.