Bipolar Type II Support Group

I have been on Lamotrigine for BP2 for about 6 weeks. At first I was titrating too fast, and had to slow way down after several unpleasant side effects (swollen lymph glands in throat, cysts behind my ears, severe panic attacks, rash on my foot). Now I am back at 50mg, and need to go up to 75mg this week. I have noticed that I am waking up with the nausea of panic, and have no appetite, I am teary all the time. I have at least one full on panic attack a day now, whereas this used to be something that happened very rarely for me. I am having darker feelings thanis normal for me too. Is it possible that this medication is creating a panic disorder?

I couldn't even sit through my husband's birthday dinner last night, was great one second, then boom, out of nowhere,upset stomach, fear, shaking, cold, crying. I just want to feel normal again, and am thinking I should stop the Lamotrigine altogether. I have read that the panic usually goes away after 100mg or so, has anyone else had this problem, and did it go away without stopping the medication?

I am taking Clonazepam as needed, but it messes with my work - breaks my concentration, all I want to do is sleep, and I still feel butterflies in my stomach and throat.

I have never had anxiety of panic from taking Lamotragine.

I suppose it is possible, I got pretty hyper from Lamictal when I started it. I was also on Xanax so maybe did not get the anxiety.

I don't get any side effects from lamictal.

I was like Rick in that I didn't experience it, but I was on anti-anxiety meds as well. I was a little hypomanic. It went away.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Apaprently there is a very small percentage of people who can have increased panic, but with those it apparently passes after the 100mg point.

I am on my second day at 75mg, and I have switched to taking it in the morning rather than at night - for the last 2 days I woke up without the the 'terror', dare I say I feel like myself again? Feel awesome actually - though trying not to feel too awesome - don't wanna crash...