but I'm scared of taking Valium daily, even though my doctor assures me it's okay.

Your doctor is a moron. If you take valium every day you will become addicted.

You have a lot of google research to do.

1. Research lamictal teeth clenching since your doctor lacks the integrity and knowledge to have heard about this side effect (possibly it could be one of the rare side effects). Also, read the lamictal manual which I assume there is one in the package you bought.

2. Research daily benzo usage and make a well thought out plan on how often to use valium if you decide to go along with this.

3. Suggest baclofen to your doctor as it is less dangerous than valium.

4. You can also try magnesium citrate which can do good for muscle tension.

 

I had the same side effect with the SSRI Citalopram, I was constantly clenching my teeth, gurning and grinding like I had taken uppers. I had to switch medication due to this, which I'm surprised your doctor hasnt suggested to be honest. If it were me I'd maybe go back and ask if there are any alternative medications that you can switch to, as if this is an on going problem you could end up damaging your teeth in the long run, which could then result in costly dental work.

Agreed also with the poster above, I wouldn't advise taking valium daily, as tolerance can quickly build up, it can be addictive and hard to come off. Okay to take once in a while as needed, but it's not something I would take personally on a daily basis.

 

I've been on Lamictal for several months and I am at 100mg. From 25mg, I have been experiencing painful teeth clenching 24 hours a day. My jaw hurts very badly and I feel like I have headaches all the time.

My doctor said he has not heard of this side effect, but prescribed Valium for me to take for the teeth clenching once a day. I've tried it for a week, but I'm scared of taking Valium daily, even though my doctor assures me it's okay. I'm afraid of building up a tolerance and it no longer working when my anxiety gets really bad and I need it.

Those who have/are taking Lamictal, does the teeth clenching ever go away? Maybe after a certain time or dose? Anyone experienced it and then had it go away?

Teeth clenching and chattering had a medical term called bruxism. I used to take anti-psychotics and I had to come off the because of bruxism. Despite being off anti-psychotics, I still experienced the symptoms well over a year after discontinuation of the drug.

Your doctor is a fcking moron. If you take valium every day you will become addicted.

Her doctor is not a moron. She has a bad side effect that is impeding her life so it makes sense to take a benzo. I'm suck of all this ****ing benzophobia that perpetuates on this board.

 

I'm not a benzophobe, i use it myself lol

 

@rockyraccoon +1

OP do a serch for bruxism here, i made a post about it in thread called TMJ or something... Might give you some more info.

Edit: link to thread
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f30/do-ssris-cause-tmj-dysfunction-2011849/#post1089789921

 

Be careful and monitor it closely. I got permanent bruxism from lamictal. If you have extrapyramidal symptoms you are also at higher risk to get tardive dyskinesia. Another condition your doc probably will pretend doesn't exists or are very rare (google statistics if you want).

 

Bruxism is definitely a side-effect. I have had it for years with my Paxil, an SSRI. Weight gain is another possible one. That one alone is a mess - people gaining 25-70 pounds. I gained about 40 and fight to keep the Paxil fat off.