[A Hobbit]

My PNP took me off Lamictal and started Lexapro and this sucks.

I was on 50 mg Seroquel plus 50mg Lamictal.

Now I’m on 100 mg Seroquel and 10 mg Lexapro, plus 25 mg Lamictal as I wean (ween?)off it.

Last night was the 1st time taking this cocktail. I feel horrible! I often have terrible, vivid nightmares, but last night was bad. I woke up at 4am feeling like electricity was surging though my body. Went out for a cigarette and went back to bed hoping that a few more hours would help.

Nope. More horrible dreams; paranoid dreams. Woke up agitated, with the same surging electricity in my body, figity, and full of crazy thoughts. I can’t really describe exactly what I’m feeling and thinking.

Should I give it a couple days before I call the doc? Perhaps it’s just a big switch in medication and I need to get used to it.

What do you think?

Ultimately it's up to you, and it's best to decide on medication changes with your psychiatrist. But if want opinions from other bipolar patients, my opinion is that one day only is way too short of a trial to warrant stopping a new combo, unless it lands you in the hospital or is disturbing to a very very great level. What you describe sounds quite disconcerting, but it sounds like the dream may be the only cause. Nothing says that your new combo will permanently cause disturbing dream issues. There certainly are "one-offs" or even "three or more-offs" that don't mean the situation is permanent. Again, it's up to you.

As bipolar patients go, I'm a very tolerant one. Sometimes I've been too tolerant, but other times my patience and tolerance served me well.

I have no experience with taking Lexapro with Seroquel. I did take Lexapro maybe 15 years back, and didn't have dream issues. All I remember is that it gave me night sweats and eventually caused manic symptoms. I wasn't on a moodstabilizer or antipsychotic at that time.

Seroquel is sedating and I imagine could effect sleep in various ways. Though 100 mg wouldn't be a large dose for me (I take 550 mg), it is still sedating, especially if you are not manic at the time. Even if manic, it might affect REM sleep, but likely not permanently for most.

I had a scary dream last night. But I usually don't.

[enickols]

Originally Posted by A Hobbit

My PNP took me off Lamictal and started Lexapro and this sucks.

I was on 50 mg Seroquel plus 50mg Lamictal.

Now I’m on 100 mg Seroquel and 10 mg Lexapro, plus 25 mg Lamictal as I wean (ween?)off it.

Last night was the 1st time taking this cocktail. I feel horrible! I often have terrible, vivid nightmares, but last night was bad. I woke up at 4am feeling like electricity was surging though my body. Went out for a cigarette and went back to bed hoping that a few more hours would help.

Nope. More horrible dreams; paranoid dreams. Woke up agitated, with the same surging electricity in my body, figity, and full of crazy thoughts. I can’t really describe exactly what I’m feeling and thinking.

Should I give it a couple days before I call the doc? Perhaps it’s just a big switch in medication and I need to get used to it.

What do you think?

The increase is Seroquel is the culprit here. Give it some time and the dose will settle in. The same thing happened to me when my Seroquel dose was increased from 150mg to 200mg. You'll be ok.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, A Hobbit I agree with all the others. I'd suggest to try to give it a couple of days before deciding. If you feel like you can't handle it, definitely contact your Pdoc. It may take time to adjust to these new meds. But of course, your health must be the priority. Give it a try and see how it goes. If it's too overwhelming, definitely ask for a change of meds. I hope you'll be able to find the right meds combination for you. I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. Changing meds can be really stressful. Is there anything we can do to help you? Please let us know. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[AspiringAuthor]

I would call the prescriber now and not wait. There are side effects that usually go away as your body adapts to a new medication or a higher dosage of the same medication; GI side effects are typically of that type and often drowsiness and dizziness are transient. Electricity surging through your body is not that type of side effect and it is best to report it and err on the side of caution.

[A Hobbit]

Thanks everyone.

I think I’m fine. The second morning wasn’t as bad. Hoping tomorrow morning is even better.

Y’all are wonderful.

[A Hobbit]

All right. I’m resurrecting this thread instead of starting a new one. Let me know if this is preferable to starting a new thread.

It’s been a couple weeks since beginning this med combo. I was sick with a cold most of the past week, so I wasn’t sure how I felt.

But the last couple days -as I was on the mend- I have felt WIRED. Everything is brighter and sharper to look at; I feel like I can shoot lighting from my finger tips. I just feel like a live wire. Can’t sit still. Irritable. Etc. etc...

I’m wondering if the Lexapro is making me hypomanic. The Seroquel definitely knocks me on my rear, though. So I’ve been sleeping pretty well all things considered.

What’s your experience?

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, A Hobbit I hope you'll be able to find the right meds combination for you. You deserve to get better and to feel good. You deserve to live a good life just like everyone else. Keep fighting! You're awesome! You're strong! You're a warrior! I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. Please don't give up. I hope things will get better soon for you. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this :sadhug.

As an antidepressant, Lexapro could be causing you mood/energy elevation, since you have bipolar disorder. You may want to give your doctor a call and let him/her know how your experience is playing out. 100 mg Seroquel may not be enough to curb mood elevation from an antidepressant. The small dose of Lamictal may be doing little if anything as a moodstabilizer at this point. Your psychiatrist will know best how to proceed specifically for your case.

[yellow_fleurs]

I agree with BirdDancer. Also, Lexapro gave me some super weird vivid dreams where I felt like I was living another life in my dreams. One such dream involved escaping zombies. My psychiatrist told me vivid dreams are a thing that can occur with Lexapro, it was the other side effects that made me have to stop it as I was taking it without a mood stabilizer.

[franz kafka]

Lexapro made me manic, just saying. I'd report the side effects just in case.