Viibryd And Lamictal

Today is my first day reducing Viibryd after being on 40mg/day for 9 mths. The therapeutic dose of this anti-anxiety medication has me suffering panic attacks that can be set off by any sudden sound or movement, however normal, like the phone ringing, a car honking, the buzz of a lawn mower, etc. It's as if my mind cannot figure out where the sound is coming from or what it is, and the result of a simple something that doesn't seem to phase anyone else alarms my mind into bracing every muscle to fight for my life, only there's no danger. My 'coming to' and seeing in these situations that I am the only one in a panic ready to defend myself from a physical attack that is not going to take place then reduces me from a warrior braced for battle into a gasping for air heap of nerves, confusion and embarrassment with shaking and sobbing and feeling worse and worse anxiety on this medication that is supposed to be helping me experience less anxiety. So, yesterday, my prescribing doctor told me to drop from 40mg down to 20mg for 7 days, then 10 mg for 7 days, then 10mg every other day, then farewell to Viibryd. I really hope the withdrawal symptoms that I have experienced tapering off some other meds in the past do not complicate matters. About a month ago, I had to taper off Lamictal because of dangerous side effects including unbearable headaches, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, and a drop in my sodium levels that an urgent care doctor told me were a digit away of a blood test from landing me in the ER. Previously, my doctor had me start taking 100mg of Lamictal in addition to 40mg Viibryd, after I was already on Viibryd for a few months and still feeling anxious. Getting on both of these meds wreaked havoc on my system with many problems that only worsened my anxiety, including horrific nightmares, terrible sleeplessness, morning nausea and dizziness, daytime exhaustion that made me feel drugged to the point of being incapable of accomplishing anything. The one thing that was becoming more and more of a problem for me on Viibryd and Lamictal and that I never suspected could have had anything to do with these meds was the joint pain and muscle weakness that got so bad that it was tough to figure which was worse, my emotional or physical pain. I have been hobbling around in pain for months. Everything hurts. My arms and wrists are so weak. I used to work out on free weights, and now getting in and out of bed is difficult! Yesterday, my doctor told me that Viibryd might be causing or at least worsening my joint pain. I feel like a science experiment gone bad and hope that things improve OFF these crazy meds that I hope are helping others through they are not for me :(

REPLY

REPORT

1 Reply

Hello, Taromina! How are you feeling? I am very sorry about what you've been through. That's horrible!

For anxiety, have you ever tried an SSRI, such as Prozac?

It has been around much longer, so its possible side effects are very well known and can include nausea, dizziness, headache and weight loss.

I've been taking it for almost a year for anxiety and irritability from perimenopause and the worst side effect I experienced was a slight worsening of irritability for the first few weeks and some mild headaches for the first month.

Does anyone else have any suggestions to offer?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

my son is having a very hard time sleeping the last two nights ## Hi Chris, How are you? From what I could gather, there...

1 REPLY

I wanted to see if anyone can tell me the known side effects with smoking majiuana and taking lamictal, if any. I have b...

61 REPLIES

I have been using lamictal for about 5 months now and my reflux seems to be getting worse. I have had reflux for years b...

3 REPLIES

I have been on Lamictal for seven years and think it is great except it has caused sleepless nights. I have tried taking...

2 REPLIES

Hi. I have been taking these two drugs for about 8yrs along with lexapro. Can these medications be stopped or weaned off...

1 REPLY

Does anyone take Lamictal and Adderall? and if so, have you had any side effects from taking the two together? Or does a...

1 REPLY

Having trouble sleeping and having crying fits and shakyness - anyone else experiancing this on this medicine? ## i'...

27 REPLIES

I take lamictal for bi polar. disorder. Will visterol cause interactions with these medcations i also. take prozac. and ...

1 REPLY

I am taking both lamictal and topomax for seizures and would like to try lipozene. I have lost about 80 lbs. of weight b...

6 REPLIES

I am on 3 suboxones a day the highest dose. 1 mg of klonopin 3 times a day and 100 mg of lamictal twice a day. Is this s...

1 REPLY