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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by B2chica on May 30, 2006, at 14:41:55
In reply to Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 14:30:02
>> I don't know what is going on with my CNS but my nerves feel like they are on fire sometimes (like right now.) I feel like I am hooked up to a battery charger. My spine tingles, my temples twitch, my arm hair tingles. My brain is being overloaded with electrical activity I think. Am I going to have a seizure? It almost feels like a sugar-low, but I am not diabetic, that I know of. My lips tingle, my neck muscles feel tight but they aren't.
curtm
Posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 14:55:44
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP! » curtm, posted by B2chica on May 30, 2006, at 14:41:55
Well, I don't have the shakes and it doesn't feel like anxiety. I feels like I'm on a major dose of NyQuil or something, but I have no meds in me at all. you know when you hear a touching song and your hair stands? It feels like that but my hair is not standing. I haven't OD'd on caffiene and I ate just over an hour ago. This has been going on almost every day for a couple weeks. Please don't tell me this is a withdrawal from Lamictal.
Posted by B2chica on May 30, 2006, at 15:57:36
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 14:55:44
COUPLE OF WEEKS!
and your just Now mentioning this?
if you were my little brother i'd be smakin you on the back of the head.
call your doc.
Posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 17:00:43
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by B2chica on May 30, 2006, at 15:57:36
I just came back fro the doc (GP.) Odd. All my vitals are perfect. I will wait for bloodwork, but that will be OK too I'm sure. We set an appt. up with my pdoc tomorrow. They think it has to do with stopping the Lamictal. My mood has been better without it surprisingly. Maybe I am just consciously controlling my moods better? I feel like I could shoot electricity out of my fingertips right now at something. And such a headrush, too. It comes in waves. The impulses are exhausting my muscles. My lips feel like I'm starving for oxygen, but my blood level was 96! My senses are so overloaded I can hardly concentrate. How long does it take to recover from Lamictal withdrawal? ..if that is what it is?
Posted by llrrrpp on May 30, 2006, at 18:37:28
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 17:00:43
Hi Curt,
I'm so glad you went to the doctor. You sound pretty healthy. (Congratulations?)I've never experienced anything you're describing. Can you tell us a little bit more about what you've been putting into your system and what you've been leaving out? If you don't mind, like what date you stopped your different medications, what your dosage was, and what your alcohol consumption is? Any changes in OTC, or herbals? The more information we have the more we can help you figure this out.
In the meanwhile, make sure someone keeps an eye on you, and keeps you out of trouble and provides a voice of reason if yours should falter momentarily.
How does this feeling compare to mania? I've never experienced a state of mania-- is it anything like this?
This is kind of surprising, since you sounded like you were doing really well over the weekend. I hope this feeling passes soon. It sounds really unpleasant. Keep talking to us, please-
yours,
-L
Posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 20:41:28
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by llrrrpp on May 30, 2006, at 18:37:28
I would not class this as a manic episode, but perhaps as some sort of pharmacologic/neurologic reaction to stopping Lamictal, otherwise known as a "short-circuit."
I think I was doing well over the weekend because I was active. My body was being stimulated physically, so these sensations are not as noticeable. When I am idle, my nerves continue being stimulated by my brain I guess. Remember when I was lying in bed I got the tiger sensation.
I have not changed the amount of alcohol, nicotine, or caffiene I intake daily.
I do not take vitamins, minerals, herbals, or cold remedies, even when I am sick.
...taking Lamictal 400mg about 1 yr, feels like it is not having effect anymore, moods aggravating. Lets start from about 45 days ago....
T-45 (approx.) Added Wellbutrin to help flatten moods more. It brought on manic/mixed episodes within two weeks.
T-30 (approx.) Stopped Wellbutrin, visited with pdoc about that reaction. Continue W/ Lamictal by itself.
T-15 (approx.) Visited pdoc again and discussed continued feelings of anxiety. She prescribes Zyprexa (add to Lamictal) First dose knocks me out for 16+ hours. Stop Zyprexa immediately.
T-14 (approx.) Stop Lamictal. Want to remember where I was without any meds. ADs cause mania, APs cause complete sedation. Lamictal is ineffective.
Doesn't feel like where I was without any meds. Am I changed by the drugs or am I in a withdrawal?
Posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2006, at 22:26:51
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP! » llrrrpp, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 20:41:28
You might want to try the withdrawal board. Love Phillipa
Posted by Daisym on May 31, 2006, at 1:20:38
In reply to Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 14:30:02
Sounds like caffeine overload or a physical response to fear. Or both...
When things get reved up sometimes the whole body joins in. Anxiety skyrockets and all the symptoms get mixed up. This is why so many people present in emergency rooms thinking they are having a heart attack and it is really a panic attack. Notice I didn't type "only" a panic attack -- those are real and scary and physically painful.
I would suggest deep breathing in a slow focused way. If you haven't eaten, try some pb toast, any protein/carb mix will work My personal fav is cream of wheat. Swaddling yourself helps too, allows sensory input to the body while calming the nerves. I know some people walk it off. That doesn't work for me.
I hope you feel better soon.
Oh yeah -- any new mediation or other changes? It is always appropriate to call for MD help in these situations. Better safe than sorry.
Posted by Dinah on May 31, 2006, at 1:20:42
In reply to Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 14:30:02
It happens to me sometimes. My pdoc says it's related to anxiety. But if you haven't discussed these issues with your doctor, you really should call him/her.
Posted by susan47 on May 31, 2006, at 1:20:43
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by Daisym on May 30, 2006, at 14:44:59
Swaddling is awesome. I wrap myself in the duvet, really wrapped, head under a pillow sometimes, sometimes with a heating pad if I'm hurting physically too. Or maybe it's just cold and damp and I want that extra comfort.
Posted by Racer on May 31, 2006, at 1:20:44
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP! » Daisym, posted by susan47 on May 30, 2006, at 15:49:41
It's probably worth getting checked by a doctor, but it might be low CO2... Try breathing slowly and deeply, and see if that helps.
It's scary, but it's probably not a sign of impending seizure.
Call your doctor, and just say you're having a problem, want to rule out anything serious, and then figure out how to deal with it.
Good luck.
Posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 1:20:44
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by Racer on May 30, 2006, at 16:50:31
Sounds really scary curt - hope you've been able to get a hold of your doc!
fw
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 31, 2006, at 10:11:20
In reply to Re: Firestorm- HELP!, posted by curtm on May 30, 2006, at 17:00:43
> How long does it take to recover from Lamictal withdrawal? ..if that is what it is?
I am absolutely 100% certain this is a withdrawal effect of the Lamictal, confounded by your use of alcohol.
Chronic alcohol use can lead to a total failure in your brain's capacity to synthesize taurine. Lamictal operates in such a way as to accentuate the function of taurine in the brain. Your brain was a tired horse, and the Lamictal flogged it. You just don't have the taurine you need to settle the whole thing down again.
Seriously, I am convinced, taking taurine will abolish this symptom.
http://www.easycart.net/BeyondACenturyInc./Amino_Acids_Single_M-Z.html
Half a teaspoon, every half hour, until you feel better. It dissolves in warm water, and has a mild sweet taste. There are no known side effects, other than dyspepsia in some people. A little upset tummy.
I almost can't believe you didn't mention this sooner. Curt, you deserve to feel okay. We don't read minds, dude.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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