lamictal & heart racing

[kellylevicky]

I have been having episodes of sinus tach which usually occurs when I am walking or standing up (determined this by doing orthostatics). I have a history of heart block & have a pacemaker that was put in in '05 for complete heart block. I often feel lightheaded, dizzy, have chest pain, L arm pain & a headache. I also get palpitations a lot.I have been in the hospital several times for this. EKG shows a 100% paced rhythm (normal for me), blood work, chest x rays are normal. I've had 2 echos & 1 stress echo in the last year which showed a EF in the mid 40s. I was always in the 70s so this is a large drop for me. My EP is considering doing an ablation to treat my rapid heart rate b/c I am not responding to Cardizem. I was on Nadolol & Toprol XL before being switched to Cardizem. I had my device checked in Aug 2011 & everything is working perfectly.

I started taking Lamictal in April of 2011. I take it for depression & it works great but I am just wondering if it could be causing the dizziness, chest pain, L arm pain,  headaches, rapid HR, & palpitations.

Current medications: Cardizem CD 240 mg, 1x/day
                               Protonix 80 mg, 1x/day
                               Lamictal 100 mg 1x/day
                               Klonopin, .5 mg prn (can take up to 2x/day)

                              31 year old female

[kellylevicky]

hmmm. i've been on lamictal since the april 2011 & it has worked wonders for me. i am on the lowest dosage (100 mg/day). maybe i could discuss going down to 75 mg/day w/ my dr. at this pt i do not want come off it. but possibly in the future. i don't take klopin a lot. i've had the same bottle w/ 30 pills the april. i know how to manage my anxiety fairly well & only take klon if  really needed

[BobRBob]

Well, hard to say, but if it were me I'd ditch the Lamictal and Klonopin. Over time, both create physical dependency and can be very difficult to withdraw from, especially the Klon. You may be in tolerance withdrawal because all of your symptoms are signature benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Do not quit these drugs cold turkey. They must be tapered.