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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by schleprock on August 16, 2012, at 12:05:27
I had my first anxiety attack from coffee, then my 2nd from Dr. Pepper (not to be confused with the pdoc.) Both esperiences left me off with concurrent generalized anxiety and insomnia for two weeks. I've tried to stay away from large amounts of caffeine ever since. Since I've seen Lamictal and Abilify referred to as "stimulants" and "activating", should I be worried about any associated anxiety? Maybe there may be to high a dopamine surge, or something?
Posted by herpills on August 16, 2012, at 12:32:23
In reply to Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds., posted by schleprock on August 16, 2012, at 12:05:27
> I had my first anxiety attack from coffee, then my 2nd from Dr. Pepper (not to be confused with the pdoc.) Both esperiences left me off with concurrent generalized anxiety and insomnia for two weeks. I've tried to stay away from large amounts of caffeine ever since. Since I've seen Lamictal and Abilify referred to as "stimulants" and "activating", should I be worried about any associated anxiety? Maybe there may be to high a dopamine surge, or something?
I would avoid all caffeine until you see how you feel on the medications. Abilify was very activating for me in an uncomfortable way. I didn't have any problems with Lamictal making me feel too wired. If anything it is a more calming med for me. herpills
Posted by emily elizabeth on August 16, 2012, at 15:16:34
In reply to Re: Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds., posted by herpills on August 16, 2012, at 12:32:23
I did not find that Abilify increased my anxiety. I took it for severe depression related to BP II. I also have a GAD diagnosis and I think Abilify actually improved my anxiety. For me, managing depression helps me manage anxiety.
I recently started on Lamictal as a monotherapy. I don't think that is contributing to my level of anxiety, however it is hard to tell because I recently had a very upsetting situation occur which would result in increased anxiety. I also think Lamictal resulted in the start-up side effect of disturbed sleep with vivid dreaming. One pdoc I talked to didn't think that would be the case. The other did and patient chat boards seem to confirm that can happen.
Hope this info helps in some way!
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2012, at 17:01:14
In reply to Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds., posted by schleprock on August 16, 2012, at 12:05:27
Interesting as had been panic free for years. I loved iced coffee and on a day road trip I stopped and bought a Starbuck's iced coffee for the first time. It did result in a prolonged panic attack. Seems now I have had store bought ice coffee in bottle and doesn't bother me. I took lamictal 50mg and noticed nothing but I did get it seemed increased anger. I noticed over the years that at some times could drink lots of coffee and with a .5mg of xanax slept well. Body chemistry changes??? Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on August 16, 2012, at 17:24:55
In reply to Re: Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds. » schleprock, posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2012, at 17:01:14
If your diagnosis is panic disorder, lamotrigine and abilify are not likely medications you would try (at least not first line).
There are many medications used for anxiety, but, depending on the nature of the anxiety, some medications can be more or less effective.
For panic disorder with insomnia, a low dose benzo plus, say citalopram or mirtazapine, might be a good start.
Linkadge
Posted by schleprock on August 16, 2012, at 17:33:25
In reply to Re: Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds., posted by linkadge on August 16, 2012, at 17:24:55
Sorry for the confusion, but I seem to be suffering primarily from depression right now. (I'm on 150mg nortriptyline and 1.5 mg clonazepam.) I'd usually suffer from both at the same time, but at the moment it seems to be limited to severe depression\anhedonia. Very strange.
I drank coffee for a short period during my late teens and ended up destabilizing my brain chemistry somehow to result in chronic anxiety. (Yes, this began immediately following a specefic cup of coffee.)
Posted by linkadge on August 16, 2012, at 17:46:51
In reply to Re: Coffee, anxiety and stimulating meds., posted by schleprock on August 16, 2012, at 17:33:25
It sounds like you are very sensitive to caffiene. I have 2-3 cups a day without problem.
However, there are genetic differences in the metabolism of caffeine, which may explain why some people react to it so strongly.
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