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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alexv on February 20, 2006, at 14:51:45
Hi there-- first time caller long time listener.
I've been on a combination of effexor and lamictal for about 2 years now for bipolar 2. (i'vec only had one, maybe two, episodes of hypomania but definitely have cyclothemic tendencies). recently (say, last 6 months), I've been feeling as though when I talk, and sometimes when I write, I can't find the right words to express myself. I'm highly educated, and this is especially distressing as I've always considered myself to have a broad vocabulary. But I find myself mangling my sentences or just having a tough time getting things out.
Has anyone ever encountered this before? Maybe it's just paranoia, but I thought I'd ask.
-alex
Posted by SLS on February 20, 2006, at 15:15:23
In reply to Losing my words on Lamictal Effexor?, posted by alexv on February 20, 2006, at 14:51:45
> Hi there-- first time caller long time listener.
>
> I've been on a combination of effexor and lamictal for about 2 years now for bipolar 2. (i'vec only had one, maybe two, episodes of hypomania but definitely have cyclothemic tendencies). recently (say, last 6 months), I've been feeling as though when I talk, and sometimes when I write, I can't find the right words to express myself. I'm highly educated, and this is especially distressing as I've always considered myself to have a broad vocabulary. But I find myself mangling my sentences or just having a tough time getting things out.
>
> Has anyone ever encountered this before? Maybe it's just paranoia, but I thought I'd ask.
>
> -alex
Hi Alex.Effexor is notorious for producing word-finding problems as a side effect. Lamictal affects a minority of people in a similar way along with producing memory problems. It is no wonder that your ability to find words to express yourself seems diminished. Dosage reductions might help, but you would probably want to make very small adjustments along the way.
- Scott
Posted by sleepygirl on February 20, 2006, at 17:17:00
In reply to Losing my words on Lamictal Effexor?, posted by alexv on February 20, 2006, at 14:51:45
I swear I've had that problem, but I thought perhaps I was imagining it to be related to the effexorXR 225mgs-weird little problem
Posted by gibber on February 20, 2006, at 19:47:18
In reply to Re: Losing my words on Lamictal Effexor? (nm), posted by alexv on February 20, 2006, at 17:38:17
Word recall and cognitive trouble is something very familar to me. I have always considered it a symptom of depression and not medication and still do. I was on effexor for a few months and never noticed it increasing this problem nor do I think it is the reason for my trouble now. I have never taken lamictal. I am atypical however and not bipolar.
Posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2006, at 20:44:30
In reply to Re: Losing my words on Lamictal Effexor?, posted by gibber on February 20, 2006, at 19:47:18
Don't laugh would depression cause me to be unable to read without my eyeballs feeling that they are connected to the pages of a book? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by JackD on February 23, 2006, at 3:55:03
In reply to Losing my words on Lamictal Effexor?, posted by alexv on February 20, 2006, at 14:51:45
Yes, I've definitely experienced it. It's actually quite common, you should search through the past postings and read people's experiences. Topamax and certain other mood stabilizers are notorious for causing this effect. Many SSRI's and Serzone seem to be common culprits as well.
Here's one I dug up real quick:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4297.html
And don't forget in the tips section:
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Word-finding-difficulties-.html
This is the end of the thread.
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