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What Causes Brain Fog And Poor Cognition While On Celexa And Lamictal?
Question: I got through the following pattern nearly every day and I'm trying to find the culprit:
Wake up, feel Ok. Take my morning meds...about 10 mgs celexa, 100mg Lamictal.
a few hours later, my brain gets foggy/spacey and I might get tired. My temper runs short.
Come early afternoon I'm agitated, irritable, and ruminating on hateful things. Either the fog gets worse and I have trouble reading or doing homework, or in some cases I feel very excitable and I can't slow down and I may even have trouble controlling what I say.
If I'm very racy a small amount of klonopin can help slow me down.
by 4pm I have a pretty bad headache
If I am caught it the obsessive hateful place, usually around 7pm I snap out of it and I feel much more normal. I can read biochemistry and do word problems.
If the depressed angry feeling continues past 7pm, it completely abates when I eat something and I am a different person.
before bed I take .25-.5 mgs klonopin and 50mgs of Lamictal. Occasionally I will take the lamictal earlier to help with social situations or motivation.
Wake up, feel Ok. Take my morning meds...about 10 mgs celexa, 100mg Lamictal.
a few hours later, my brain gets foggy/spacey and I might get tired. My temper runs short.
Come early afternoon I'm agitated, irritable, and ruminating on hateful things. Either the fog gets worse and I have trouble reading or doing homework, or in some cases I feel very excitable and I can't slow down and I may even have trouble controlling what I say.
If I'm very racy a small amount of klonopin can help slow me down.
by 4pm I have a pretty bad headache
If I am caught it the obsessive hateful place, usually around 7pm I snap out of it and I feel much more normal. I can read biochemistry and do word problems.
If the depressed angry feeling continues past 7pm, it completely abates when I eat something and I am a different person.
before bed I take .25-.5 mgs klonopin and 50mgs of Lamictal. Occasionally I will take the lamictal earlier to help with social situations or motivation.
Brief Answer:
Lamotrigine or anxiety could be the possible reason
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
The reason of feelings like brain fog especially in afternoon with poor cognition could occur due to two possible reasons-
One possible reason is Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is known to result in slight cognition problems especially lack of focus and sometimes brain fog like situation. You can try to reduce the dose of Lamotrigine and this should help.
Other possible reason is anxiety itself. Persistent anxiety could cause similar symptoms and in such case one option is to increase dose of Escitalopram. You can take low dose Clonazepam on SOS basis to prevent this.
Other option is to add some other drug like Modafinil to improve brain fog like symptoms.
Please discuss about these changes with your psychiatrist and this would definitely help you.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
Lamotrigine or anxiety could be the possible reason
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
The reason of feelings like brain fog especially in afternoon with poor cognition could occur due to two possible reasons-
One possible reason is Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is known to result in slight cognition problems especially lack of focus and sometimes brain fog like situation. You can try to reduce the dose of Lamotrigine and this should help.
Other possible reason is anxiety itself. Persistent anxiety could cause similar symptoms and in such case one option is to increase dose of Escitalopram. You can take low dose Clonazepam on SOS basis to prevent this.
Other option is to add some other drug like Modafinil to improve brain fog like symptoms.
Please discuss about these changes with your psychiatrist and this would definitely help you.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
what about the fact that the symptoms seem to clear up rapidly near the end of the day and/or with food? Does this indicate that one of the drugs has been sufficiently metabolized and I'm "coming down" from the side effects?
Interestingly, this is tends NOT to happen if I take Just the celexa or just the lamictal. It seems to happen together. For example if I take a dose of lamictal in the evening it tends to not give me these symptoms.
I have a Rx for provigil and it makes me feel EXTREMELY WEIRD/scared/trippy/nervous/confused! This usually happens if I take before my lamictal and klonopin. I'd like to continue taking it but this reaction makes me feel very uncomfortable.
Can you suggest why this is happening please?
Interestingly, this is tends NOT to happen if I take Just the celexa or just the lamictal. It seems to happen together. For example if I take a dose of lamictal in the evening it tends to not give me these symptoms.
I have a Rx for provigil and it makes me feel EXTREMELY WEIRD/scared/trippy/nervous/confused! This usually happens if I take before my lamictal and klonopin. I'd like to continue taking it but this reaction makes me feel very uncomfortable.
Can you suggest why this is happening please?
Brief Answer:
Take Provigil in morning hours preferably.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Escitalopram is known to increase the concentrations of Lamotrigine by some unknown mechanisms and this is probable reason that the symptoms become worse on taking these drugs together. The increased concentration is probably resulting in brain fog like symptoms but with passage of day on metabolism of drug the symptoms start improving. This is one possible explanation for your doubts.
Take Provigil in morning hours and keep at least 2 hours gap between these drugs and you will not have these weird feeling like, confusion etc side effects.
Thanks, still have doubts please ask again.
Take Provigil in morning hours preferably.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Escitalopram is known to increase the concentrations of Lamotrigine by some unknown mechanisms and this is probable reason that the symptoms become worse on taking these drugs together. The increased concentration is probably resulting in brain fog like symptoms but with passage of day on metabolism of drug the symptoms start improving. This is one possible explanation for your doubts.
Take Provigil in morning hours and keep at least 2 hours gap between these drugs and you will not have these weird feeling like, confusion etc side effects.
Thanks, still have doubts please ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm sorry maybe I wasn't clear...the provigil feeling is awful and trippy. I am scared and my skin feels all prickly. It reminds me of when I took yohimbine (that's all I can relate it too)...this feeling SUBSIDES after I take lamictal and klonopin. I only noticed these effects on days that I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO TAKE LAMICTAL/KLONOPIN.
Can you please offer an psychopharm explanation for this?
Can you please offer an psychopharm explanation for this?
Brief Answer:
Modafinil is known to cause intense excitation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi thanks for asking again.
If we consider Provigil then the drug is known to increase the concentration of Dopamin, histamine and a number of other neurotransmitters in brain. The drug thus cause intense excitation and maintain wakefulness.
Lamotrigine in a number of studies is known to cause decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in brain areas. Thus when Provigil is given by the drug blocks the reuptake receptors and thus increase the monoamine transmission intensely. This thus produces side effects like headache, anxiety, numbness like sensation on skin etc. Concomitant intake of Lamotrigine results in reduction of this actions by relatively opposite effects and thus the intensity of side effects decreases. This is the probable reason you feel awful, trippy on taking Provigil alone than taking the drug with Lamotrigine and Clonazepam.
Thanks.
Modafinil is known to cause intense excitation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi thanks for asking again.
If we consider Provigil then the drug is known to increase the concentration of Dopamin, histamine and a number of other neurotransmitters in brain. The drug thus cause intense excitation and maintain wakefulness.
Lamotrigine in a number of studies is known to cause decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in brain areas. Thus when Provigil is given by the drug blocks the reuptake receptors and thus increase the monoamine transmission intensely. This thus produces side effects like headache, anxiety, numbness like sensation on skin etc. Concomitant intake of Lamotrigine results in reduction of this actions by relatively opposite effects and thus the intensity of side effects decreases. This is the probable reason you feel awful, trippy on taking Provigil alone than taking the drug with Lamotrigine and Clonazepam.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you doctor that is just the kind of answer I was looking for. Do you expect that this awful affect would stop at all or maybe there's something in my brain chemistry that doesn't mix well with it?
I am currently take a 50 mg pill and biting it in half. I don't know if it feels less activating at higher doses but this dose is more than I could take if in some sitautions.
It was initially prescribed to helped me combat the sleepiness incurred from viibryd last summer. The only thing I didn't like about that drug was that it made me sooo tired. Do you think it would be safe together?
I am currently take a 50 mg pill and biting it in half. I don't know if it feels less activating at higher doses but this dose is more than I could take if in some sitautions.
It was initially prescribed to helped me combat the sleepiness incurred from viibryd last summer. The only thing I didn't like about that drug was that it made me sooo tired. Do you think it would be safe together?
Brief Answer:
Pharmacological interactions are responsible for that
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking again
No it's not that your brain is different. It's due to pharmacological interactions between the drugs. Due to these interactions you are having the symptoms. Best thing that can be done is to continue to take the drug as you are taking.
Vibryd is Vilazodone and the drug is a SPARI drug. The drug is safe to use and can be taken with Modafinil without any risks. No need to worry.
Thanks
Pharmacological interactions are responsible for that
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking again
No it's not that your brain is different. It's due to pharmacological interactions between the drugs. Due to these interactions you are having the symptoms. Best thing that can be done is to continue to take the drug as you are taking.
Vibryd is Vilazodone and the drug is a SPARI drug. The drug is safe to use and can be taken with Modafinil without any risks. No need to worry.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm sorry again, something isn't clear to me...how can the crappy, trippy, nervous feeling from nuvigil/provigil be a pharmacological interaction if the symptoms go away once I take my other meds?
I was thinking the reaction could be coming from family history of bipolar disorder and/or trauma history
I was thinking the reaction could be coming from family history of bipolar disorder and/or trauma history
Brief Answer:
The symptoms depend upon multiple factors.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
The aetiology and psychopathology of Psychiatric disorders are affected by multiple factors. Family history of Bipolar disorder has a great influence on symptoms, progression of illness, response to treatment, even on response to a particular drug. History of trauma comes under environmental factors. Strong life event results in increased risk. Pharmacological drug interactions are also equally important.
What I mentioned was that intake of Modafinil results in intense excitation which results in foggy feeling. These symptoms reduce when you are taking the Lamotrigine and Clonazepam because Lamotrigine tend to decrease intense dopaminergic transmission and Clonazepam relaxes the anxiety symptoms. But that crappy, trippy, nervous feeling etc are also occurring due to individual variations. That depends upon the trauma history, history of bipolar disorder in your family, history of treatment etc factors.
Thanks, I hope this helps. But if still this is not clear please ask again.
The symptoms depend upon multiple factors.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
The aetiology and psychopathology of Psychiatric disorders are affected by multiple factors. Family history of Bipolar disorder has a great influence on symptoms, progression of illness, response to treatment, even on response to a particular drug. History of trauma comes under environmental factors. Strong life event results in increased risk. Pharmacological drug interactions are also equally important.
What I mentioned was that intake of Modafinil results in intense excitation which results in foggy feeling. These symptoms reduce when you are taking the Lamotrigine and Clonazepam because Lamotrigine tend to decrease intense dopaminergic transmission and Clonazepam relaxes the anxiety symptoms. But that crappy, trippy, nervous feeling etc are also occurring due to individual variations. That depends upon the trauma history, history of bipolar disorder in your family, history of treatment etc factors.
Thanks, I hope this helps. But if still this is not clear please ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So jumping back to the original question...
trying to determine how I feel just taking celexa in the morning. I took 10 mg in the morning and held off on lamictal. felt a little low.
Took the lamictal 100 mg around noon and BAM! I am excited, dancing, kind of felt like I couldn't contain myself. Got to work and I really had to bite my tongue a lot. Then it switched quickly to open anger at everything. And a splitting headache (I get them every day since switching my lamictal manufacturer.)
What does this sound like to you? I would open a separate question but I wanted you to answer. I hope it isn't costing you money!
trying to determine how I feel just taking celexa in the morning. I took 10 mg in the morning and held off on lamictal. felt a little low.
Took the lamictal 100 mg around noon and BAM! I am excited, dancing, kind of felt like I couldn't contain myself. Got to work and I really had to bite my tongue a lot. Then it switched quickly to open anger at everything. And a splitting headache (I get them every day since switching my lamictal manufacturer.)
What does this sound like to you? I would open a separate question but I wanted you to answer. I hope it isn't costing you money!
Brief Answer:
You can ask your doubts without hesitation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
No this is not costing me any money. You can ask me till you get satisfaction. No need to worry. ;)
Lamotrigine is known to result in mood stabilisation and probably this mood stabilisation is the reason you are feeling better on taking the drug. But the drug is known to cause headache as its side effect. This side effects also depends upon the drug brand because of change in timing of release, mechanism of absorption etc factors. If the headache occurred after changing the brand then its better to go back with your old brand.
Thanks, Still have doubts please ask again. Take care
You can ask your doubts without hesitation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
No this is not costing me any money. You can ask me till you get satisfaction. No need to worry. ;)
Lamotrigine is known to result in mood stabilisation and probably this mood stabilisation is the reason you are feeling better on taking the drug. But the drug is known to cause headache as its side effect. This side effects also depends upon the drug brand because of change in timing of release, mechanism of absorption etc factors. If the headache occurred after changing the brand then its better to go back with your old brand.
Thanks, Still have doubts please ask again. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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