Lamictal withdrawal from hell
December 20, 2007 by giannakali
I started the second phase of my Lamictal withdrawal three days ago. I was on 400 mg of it for many years. Several months ago I went off 200 mg of it. It was rough, but only in that I was greatly fatigued. Today, three days after cutting 25 mg from my still remaining 200 mg I am going ape-shit. I went to Furious Seasons to look at the threads on Lamictal withdrawal there. I am cutting and pasting pieces of people’s comments that sound like what I’m going through below. First is a comment that Philip put in the body of his post discussing Lamictal withdrawal (all bolded italics are mine throughout this post):
More withdrawal symptoms….as I mentioned above, I am TRYING to come off of Lamictal and have decreased my dosage a little at a time. I have been taking 75mg, down from 150, then 100, for the past two weeks and tried going down to 50mg over the weekend. I became incredibly moody, impatient, and hostile towards my husband and felt completely out of control. Yesterday I popped another 25mg in the afternoon when I felt the rage building and it seemed to calm me down. Should I wait a little while before I try reducing to 50mg again or do you think this will pass in a few days? I got so depressed thinking that I can’t get off this drug without turning into a bitch…we really want a baby and in order to do so, I’ve got to get off this medication. I’m scared and hate to think I’m really this moody without medication!
Philip responded:
You likely aren’t that moody. My own experience coming off Lamictal this summer was that, as you get to lower doses, it does tend to make you really bitchy and snappy. What I also found is that you’ve got to just accept that this is going to happen for a while and deal for a few weeks in order to get off the med. Not fun, I know, but essential.
Later in comments the woman again made comment:
Philip, I am the woman who wrote the post at the beginning of this blog. I just logged on and came to the site to find more info because I feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve been taking 25mg for about three weeks now, I think…it’s all a blur. I didn’t take any Lamictal Saturday and felt okay, and then Sunday came and I was sick as a dog. I had “brain flashes” and nausea, my head felt like it weighed 200 pounds, my mind felt disconnected from the rest of my body, and I was oh so tired. I napped most of the afternoon, after popping a 25mg pill, and felt better by the evening. I took another pill yesterday, but didn’t today, thinking I might be able to skip a dose until I’m finally off this wretched medication. HOWEVER, I am feeling incredibly irritable, sad, angry, worthless, depressed and suicidial…..
……..Right now, I’m in that bad place that I hate. Philip, thank you for this website and for this particular blog. Without it, I would probably not have the courage to get off this drug.
Another piece of a comment that resonates with my experience today:
I’ll second what everyone is saying here: Lamictal has a very harsh withdrawal. I was taking 100mg for about a year for PTSD/Depression, and have since worked through those issues. As there was no reason for me to keep taking it, have been losing too much weight from its side effects, and worry about long term effects, I am (under my doc’s advice) gradually tapering off.
The withdrawal effects have been irritability, loss of focus, lethargy, and headaches. They seem to be strongest from days 3 to 5. I’m on day 8, at 75mg, and I still have symptoms towards the end of the day, about 8 hours after I take it.
The worst part of this drug’s withdrawal is that it seems to make me feel as if the effects were just me and not a drug withdrawal, just as others here have mentioned. I’ve successfully worked through Klonopin withdrawal and Lexapro; neither have had that particular effect.
I have felt like I’m going to lose it all day and I did think it was me until my neurologist alerted me what should have been obvious. It’s the Lamictal withdrawal.
These people seem to be cutting the Lamictal much faster and I’m losing it with just 25 mg in 3 days. I wish I could explain just how bad it is. It’s like nails on a chalkboard on steroids. All day long. Unremitting. I feel like I’m going to have a melt down, yell, scream, cry (well I’ve done that—cried and cried and cried in my husbands lap about an hour ago) It is insane. The only reassurance I take is in what the last commenter said—that Klonopin was easier for him. Maybe it will be for me too, because I’ve always been expecting that to be the worst. Maybe instead this will be. Though the Risperdal has been it’s own special kind of hell too. It’s hard to say which one wins really. When you’re in the midst of hell the nuances of each particular hell get lost.
In any case this shocked the hell out of me. I expected it to be a piece of cake after my Risperdal fiasco three months ago. Since the first 200 mg did nothing but fatigue the hell out of me I didn’t expect this raw, mean, cruel anguish.
I will continue. My husband is now calling this an endurance test. I’ve already proven I have a huge capacity for endurance, but I can’t say I relish the next many months and possibly a couple of years at all—sometimes I fantasize of suicide, but really, I’m just too damned determined to get through this for that to last too long. And the suffering remits long enough between my experiences of hell that I gain a bit of perspective.
I do know, anyway, that occasionally I feel good. I have a couple of weeks here and there between tapers where I regain perspective. But honestly? I truly would not wish this on my worst enemy. Though it would be nice if the doctors that put us on this shit had a clue about what they are doing—but if they did psychiatry as practiced would not exist. What is the answer? So much pain and abuse done in utter criminal ignorance. Shit. The information is available—what do we do to make them all wake up? I am sickened and feel hopeless. And I’m not sure it’s just the Lamictal withdrawal.
Update: Things can change see here.
you husband is right. It is an endurance test. at least it was for me. It took me 5 years to get the worst antipsychotic drugs out of my system. i still take a few as needed, and still experience mood swings, but not half as bad as when i was taking the heavier meds. Hang in there, it will get better.
Gianna,
As we get closer to the Holiday Season, I want to thank you for being such a good friend this year - the emails and support - it was much appreciated - more than you can know.
Thank you for the information this site provides - for each of us who struggle - who wake up and face the challenge every day.
My hope is that you will have a wonderful Holiday Season, and continue to get stronger - and that 2008 will be a wonderful year for you - full of love and hope. If anyone deserves it - YOU DO!
To each member of this site - have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Duane
Hi Gianna,
I posted for the first time last night about my experience tapering off Lamictal and I thank you for your response. Then I woke this morning to read your latest post about your experience and it sounds very similar to what I experienced trying to get off Zyprexa. It was torture and I feared that I’d never recover.
I couldn’t go through that again without having a compounding pharmacist create a solution that would allow me to taper off over many many months. Any chance that Lamitcal can be prepared in a compounded solution and tapered precisely and very slowly? In less than 25 mg tapers?
So far my Lamictal tapering is going well but I also have stopped working and I am totally focused on getting myself healthy and balanced and off the medication. I am lucky to be able to take time to do this for myself. If I had to face a structured schedule with lots of activities I would not be doing nearly as well. Hang in there and thanks again for your wonderful information and for sharing your experiences.
Denise,
I applaud you having had the patience to take five years. I’m so impatient I’m starting to be more reckless and not go as slowly since even when I go super slowly I seem to suffer anyway.
Duane, thanks for all your support….you are a trooper.
Luann,
I think I should learn from you. But like I said to Denise, I’m so sick of this. I’ve been tapering for about 4 years already. I was on 6 drugs at that point. 7 at another. The last year and a half I’ve dedicated my life to withdrawing. Perhaps that is the wrong way to go, but my symptoms have demanded it. I did do a water titration for some of my Risperdal (a drug like Zyprexa)–the water titration is similar to using a compounding pharmacy because you can make a solution and control the amount of ml you get in a syringe. That was still rough—of course at the end I sped it up—so of course that was rough—but even before when I did it slow I suffered. I’m getting to the point where I figure I’m going to suffer while withdrawing no matter what. This may be reckless like I said. I do take 2 - 3 months breaks in between real rough periods until I feel good again—and I always do, assuring me that it’s the drugs and the withdrawals making me sick.
I don’t really know what the answer is.
You wrote about which withdrawal hell was worse–isn’t it awful that we all can relate to that statement? for myself, I say it was Prozac hands down, followed by Seroquel hell. Both were horrific, and Prozac withdrawal symptoms lasted 9 months. Right down to the last tiny bit of that capsule i would break open. Seroquel was rough, but nothing like Prozac. I think the fatigue appears to be a recurring symptom, along with crabbiness for all of these meds.
Anyway, good luck, and I’m grateful you have a supportive person living with you while you endure this. I did not have that, and it might have helped. Maybe not.
Happy Holiday season.
Hey Stephany,
Living with someone, even a loving someone, through this is a mixed bag. It’s extremely stressful on our relationship.
I love him tremendously and he me, and I will be profoundly grateful if we make it through this intact.
Sometimes all I want is to be alone and let my misery touch no one but me.
Hang in there Gianna. It sucks but it will pass. Have as good a Christmas as you can and surely the New Year holds some pleasures in store, you certainly deserve them!
some of these drugs should be outlawed. the Prolixin and Haldol were the absolute worst for me because they caused severe shaking and tardive dyskinesia. I don’t know how any of these psych drugs can still be forced on people against their will. It is outrageous.
Denise,
You’re reading my mind - they should be outlawed - and the idea that they are forced - can’t go there in my mind very often - it’s too tough to even think about it - makes me too outraged……
All I can do is hope - that people will wake up, and that there will be some more exposure on how well alternatives work - before more people get on psych drugs…..
Also, that the US Attn General and state AG’s will go after these mfgrs for criminal charges - enough with the civil settlements - these drug makers clear 200 million a day - just on AD’s - never mind the others……
These withdrawal symptoms - hell, I had flu-like symptoms for almost four months after coming off Geodon - unbelievable - common denominator seems to be chronic fatigue - it’s as if the body and brain were beaten into submission - and the feelings that come back - after they’ve been supressed - the agitation, anger , frustration - only one word can describe it - ‘hell’ - as noted here…..
Lamictal was not too tough on me - it was the neuroleptics - particularly Geodon, but I’m not surprised that Lamictal is tough for many - I remember having double-vision as I started the damned drug - something tells me that we ought to trust our own bodies - if something causes double-vision going in - surely, there will be fallout when it is taken out of the body…..
And yet, the mantra with the medical community - is ignore the side-effects - This ought to be all anyone needs to hear - when someone tells you to ignore your own body - run like hell - because if you ignore your own body, hell is where you will end up……
I hope things change soon - especially for younger people - that they never get on these drugs - that’s all I can say.
Duane
Duane, maybe the doctors can require the parents to take the drugs first before they force them on their children. just an idea. Although i doubt if that will ever happen.
well, to be fair…I’ve heard a lot of stories of parents that are threatened by the system if they refuse to give their children psych drugs. It’s horrific.
Hi Gianna,
Antideppresants have been hell in comparison. because their effects are more subtle and abstract.
I relate so much to your story. Pretty much all of it. I am going through Lamictal withdrawal and it is brutal. But I have faith. Thank you so much for your candidness in sharing what you are going through. It helps to know that others are experiencing the same thing.
Just so you know, I have already gone through Klonopin/ benzo withdrawal. twice. It was excruciating but it was just OVER in like a month . ( The physical part anyway…
Can you please tell me the name of the facility you are considering? or if you (or anyone) know of other inpatient or outpatient facilities that are similar and deal with mental health and/or addiction holistically?
I do believe it can be dangerous to do this without supportive medical supervision. I have been on psych meds for 13 years and have A LOT of experience with all different kinds and their withdrawals.
I am currently part of an outpatient program but they are zero supportive of people going off psych meds. They are actually the ones medicating people and think its great. I can’t believe all the money that we paid them when they are pretty much incapable of understanding where I am coming from on this. As this is a major part of my life right now. so this has been a major disconnect in my support system. Initially I signed up for the program because I didn’t know of any other resources and I figured - I’m crafty and can translate and take what I need from the outpatient program (which is geared for drug addiction) and A.A.too, to the withdrawal and type of addiction that I have. And I have been able to relate. Unfortunately, it has left me still suffering in silence to a degree since my fellows in these programs are not trying to go off their psych meds OR they don’t consider it a big deal compared with other drug withdrawals. I have gone off other drugs and it pales in comparison… for me.. I am well aware this is not the case for others.
As for now, I am in the crossroads. I need to decide once and for all if I am going to go through with this (As there is never a convenient time). I am still on 1/2 the dose of lamictal and over the last 4 months, have gone off the other 7 medications (prescription & non.). Wow… actually, I hadn’t counted that until right now. (I guess I have come farther along than I give myself credit for.) But lamictal is the worst, and lexapro… (Lexapro took me almost 2 years to go off. Bad dizzy spells. but I did it.) I just - we all do- need to keep faith. Even when my own brain is going against me because the neural pathways are sprained and scrambling to find which way is up.
If I live through this I am dedicated to helping others in this process and doing everything I can to raise awareness of the medicating of a society and especially of children. It has become a Brave New World.
I think its great that you want to go to school for a career in holistic health. It could be a truly positive thing to come out of all this. I know for myself, I look forward to the time when I am actually present and healthy enough to give a hand to someone else.
-B.E.
wow. i didn’t realize coming off lamictal was that hard. it took me about year to get up to 250 mg of lamictal. my doctor and i are thinking that in the near future i might start tapering off of lamictal. man, but if side effects of coming off the medicine are so bad i better think abokt when i want to start tapering off the medicine!
B.E. the facility if at clearmindservices.org
I’ve written my reservations about it, but the bottom line in my deciding against it was that I’ve been on extremely high doses of multiple meds for a straight 15 years and an additional 5 years off and on before that. I felt my situation was simply too complex. I do think it’s probably a good place for some people.
Good luck.
bleuemoon,
while lamictal withdrawal can certainly be hell and you should at least be prepared for that possibility not everyone has a difficult time of it. I’ve corresponded with at least two people who found it very easy.
I wish you the best.
bluemoon,
‘ditto’ on gianna’s comment -
lamictal was pretty easy for me (the others were hell)….
we’re all different - don’t let the experiences of others scare you from not tapering off of it - it’s worth it in the end…..
once it’s out of your system, you’ll come back to life - that’s the good news (with all of it) -
duane
Thanks for your response Gianna. I will check it out.
As for having medical supervision while going off, I just meant that one should have a doctor of some sort. Being in a treatment facility does not sound appealing to me at all. At this point I am totally sick of having to concentrate on this and myself. I just want to move on with my life already. But the reality is, I am scared right now and I am committed to finishing this. I am exploring options and setting up a plan so this can go more smoothly. I also went to a homeopathic doctor the other day which seems very hopeful.
She mentioned klonadine as a temporary option too since I am having such a hard time. Has anyone taken this?
I am happy to hear that the withdrawal process is easier for some people and that people have stayed off and actually feel better than before. Gives me a boost in hope.
B.E.
I understand being scared and wanting to move on with my life—I think that is all I talk about on this blog. Although I may not talk about how scary it is often. There is so much that is unknown.
Boils down to having faith in ourselves and our power to heal.
the best to you,
G
Last Friday my doctor had me cut my Lamictal dose in half, I’m slowly going off of it over a two week period, I’ve used it as a mood stabilizer for 12 years, I have to switch to a different one, because of the cost. I’ve been having horrid headaches, and I feel sick to my stomach with chills, eck :/
Hi Lizzy,
I would ask your doctor if you can slow down. It could get much worse, though there are people who don’t find it difficult at all. I’m having a really hard time and have been on it 8 years.
Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.
Thank God I found this site. I thought I was going crazy. Made a big mistake. Decided to half the amount of Lamictal I was taking. 200mgs to 100mgs until I could get my prescription refilled. Big mistake. I felt like running around in circles. I’ve been irritable, moody, on edge, depressed and all I want to do is sleep but find it difficult to do when my brain is thinking or acting illogical (brain flashes? as someone described above) It’s been horrible. I’ve learned my lesson.
Thanks for all the input. Just have to keep telling myself that it’s the Lamictal withdrawal and that I’m not losing it.
I have been taking Lamictal for the last 3 years for mood stabilization and remember feeling evil when I tried to get off of it on my own. I am starting to taper off again and it helps knowing that the intense irritability will pass - if it isn’t just me.
One thing to consider - for the person that started this - really think through everything that you have been through and what you think you can handle for the rest of your life before you decide to have kids. Children are amazing and they can add so much joy to your life, but it is a lifetime committment and it requires all of you most of the time. Is there a possibility that we will pass on our “issues” to our children? Are we going to be able to give a child stability and consistency? Children do not ask to be brought in to chaos, so we have to consider the innocent before we think of ourselves and what we want…
I (we) have started a website to address the issue of doctors subscribing these “mind-altering drugs” to women. It is Girl Talk Page. I wish that all of you would go to the forum, after reading the stories, of course. The stories are about tragedies in our lives, but the jest of our site is to give women, men are welcome too, a place to meet and get support for life and its hardships without the use of these drugs that don’t seem to have any benefit except to those who prescribe them. Please go to girltalkpage.com and comment at (on) the forum. We have been getting a lot of flack about it because of the legal issues it raises, but we are determined, as you all seem to be, to make women aware of the dangers of these drugs. Cindy have written some articles, such as “Women and Depression or Beauty and The Beast” for ezine and you would not believe the hate she received!!
Lamictal, which is just one of many, Lexapro is another, is the devil in disguise. Masquarding as an angel to save but destroying its taker. Please, we are new and need your support to survive. Log on, talk, and educate your sisters!
Thanks,
Cindy, Sadie, Charlie, and Tanya
i am just getting over the lamictal rash. I was fine until they up the dose and then the rash came. Not only that but even while taking it I felt very irritable and bitchy. I wish they would find a drug that helps with bi polar and doesnt have the side effects or make you feel like you are a zombie. I have been bi polar since i was 16 and still at 35 have not found a med that works without causing all kinds of stuff that i really hate dealing with. All i can say is thank goodness there are sites like this one to vent about meds and side effects.
Hello everyone. I just found this website and it has answered alot of questions for me, made me feel better about some things, and helped me make some decisions. I have been on lamictal for about 4 months now. 100 mg daily. I know it doesnt sound like much in compairison to some of you. It was working nicely for the Bipolar all the while up until lately. I was having some joint pain, headaches, and bad dreams all along. I felt it was worth the side effects for the benifits of stabilizing my moods and dulling the depression. That is, until about a week and a half ago, when i broke out with a rash on the upper parts of both of my legs and some on my stomach. It itched like there was no tomorrow, and my skin crawled all over. I stopped taking the medication cold turkey, 3 days ago. Cant get ahold of my doc until tomorrow. I have noticed my skin is not so crawly anymore since i stopped taking it, and the itch is slowly getting less. I am a little worried about what side effects i may have, but i figure, its better than what COULD happen if i keep taking it?? All I can say is, I have decided no matter what, im done with the lamictal. Ive read too many bad things about the side effects. Good luck to all of you, and i wish you all the best in your journey. I hope we all itch our way through it, and get it out of our systems for good.
This is my first post. I have been off of the Lamictal for over a month. My regular dosage was 150mg. I had split that for a couple of weeks. And stopped altogether. So it’s been a month; from 75mg to nothing (cold).
I have fought through tears, and anger, but it wasn’t until tonight that I said to myself, “I NEED A DOSE NOW”. I feel like I’m going to fall to pieces (and I have, just a few times over the month), and I feel like I want to hurt myself or someone; BADLY!
Anyway, I just swallowed one 150mg dose to hopefully ease me through what I’m feeling at this very moment. Then what? What do I do now? I took the first 150mg dose that I’ve had in months, today; after NONE for a month.
Do I continue with none for another month, only to reach the edge, and gulp another 150mg?
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Roman,
It’s not a good idea to take a large dose of Lamictal without titrating up slowly. Stephen Johnson’s Syndrome (the deadly rash) happens most often when not titrating slowly up.
As far as long term care—you probably need additional supports. Diet, exercise, meditation, nutrients, peer support, therapy and time to heal.
A month after a cold turkey withdrawal is not a long time and you may also have underlying issues on top of withdrawal issues if you haven’t addressed issues that got you on the drug in the first place so that is why I talk about additional supports.
I suggest trying to find an orthomolecular psychiatrist and support your body and mind as much as possible.
I’m glad to have stumbled across this website to read about other Lamictal users going through withdrawals and some of their side effects.
I was forced to go on Abilify and Lamictal (court order). I’m slowly titrating down on both (decreasing mg’s one month at a time). I’m at 2mg of Abilify and 50mg of Lamictal currently. So far, during the weaning process, I’ve had no problems of bad withdrawals or flu like symptoms mentioned. I’m afraid that once I am off for good that problems will start up then??? I realize that everyone is different but I’d like to hear stories of successful weaning processes and people being okay.
The regular daily side effects I’ve noticed through this whole journey are: forgetting how to do my job at work, severe depression, just wanting to sleep and even forcing myself to sleep when I’m not tired, bad nightmares/insomnia at times, becoming anti-social (I was very social in the past), lack of motivation to do anything and losing interest in the things I once enjoyed doing and a few other minor things.
Please tell me that there is hope to get off of these meds and get back to the girl that I once was (social, loved scrapbooking and ATVing, in a good mood all the time, etc.)
Thanks in advance,
Jess
MC,
I haven’t done it yet, but many have. Lots of my readers have successfully come off all sorts of drugs and are doing very well and even better than ever.
Some people DON”T have a hard time with Lamictal as well. I’ve communicated with a number of people for whom it was the easiest drug to get off of.
Hang in there.
Are you doing other things to support yourself? Eating well, exercise, meditation, meaningful work?
giannakali,
I should be but haven’t been doing anything good to support myself. I’ve been eating poorly, not exercising, haven’t meditated like I once did or anything. The depression has really gotten the best of me. I can just lay around and cry at the drop of a hat these days.
I am hoping to successfully wean off these meds and be my normal self again (that is my personal goal). My normal self is on the borderline manic side but I’d rather have that than the depression.
The docs think I’m Bipolar II but I do not buy it one bit. I was fine for years until I wound up on these forced meds and it really sucks.
Any tips for trying to stay positive and overcome depression?
MC,
read the last two things I posted:
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/more-on-recovery/
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/neuroplasticity-of-the-brain/
both uplifting and both have good advice…(I”m needing that advice at the moment myself)
I tried to get off Lamictal but had similar experiences - dizziness, increased depression, unable to focus and horrible mood swings. I have a couple of things going on. We are trying to get pregnant. Decided that side-effects from Lamictal (& risperdal) were less than being out of my mind for 8 mos. Now, I realize that over the year I have been on Lamictal & risperdal I have gained 15 lbs. It just seems unfair. Here, we are trying to get healthy and the pounds just come on. Any thoughts?
democrat,
I can only suggest you try altering your lifestyle for the better if there is room for that (there usually is). Radical lifestyle changes including but not necessarily limited to diet, exercise, meditation/yoga etc can help many peoples mental health. If you make those changes you might find you feel more stable and you may be able to cut down on some of the meds which could potentially cause problems in pregnancy. It’s a tough call. I’ve struggled with not having children because of the meds I’ve been on. It’s a very individual and intimate decision. I wish you the best.
Hey everyone.
Firstly, I must say how refreshing it is to have such a wealth of information at hand, especially in such a dark time. It’s terrible that people are going, or have been, through this, but as we all know, misery loves company.
I have been on every damb drug out there, Risperdal, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, and currently Lamictin (Lamictal), just to name a few. None of them have really worked and I usually stay on a drug for a few months and then go cold turkey.
As far as Lamictin is concerned, I am going off the right way. I have been on 150 mg’s a day for a little over 7 months and I feel like it has killed my soul, I have no desire to better myself nor do I wish to aspire to anything. I used to be the most passionate person, although it was somewhat a manic passion. Anyways, I prefer the mania and depression as opposed to feeling nothing.
I have decreased my dosage by 25 mg’s every two weeks and suprisingly, its been fine, up until yesterday. Saturday saw my decreasing to 75 mg’s a day, and its hit me hard. I feel suicidal most of the time, but it has intensified like mad, and as per the usual symptoms, I am angry, lashing out at the people I love and trying desperately to figure out what is going on with me and why I have lost all control. I feel like a wild animal, although it passes somewhat every few hours. Its almost like I am cycling rapidly between depression, anger, fear and absolute helplessness. Anyways, I have faith that it will pass, and hopefully soon, I cant afford to put my life on hold like this, I am a University student and am seriously pissed off at having to continuously reaffirm my faith in everything that makes me want to live.
goodluck Dylan,
I’m hanging in right there with you. I made three decreases of 25 mg once a week about a month ago now. The fallout didn’t start until a couple of weeks later. It’s been hell. I’m just holding for now. I still have 100 mg to go. But I did recover since I first wrote this post…I just resumed and am now back in hell!!
Try not to force it….be gentle and if need be reinstate a little and come off more slowly.
here’s to your health returning quickly (and mine too!)
God, sometimes I really hate being married. My wife and I both have depression and anxiety, as well as other unclassified problems. Reading through all of this it just reminds me of how whenever we’ve needed to come off of something, or change something, we make each other miserable.
Yeah I am mainly thinking in selfish terms, though. I’m tired of feeling her pain as she’s withdrawing off of valluum (and all meds all together; I don’t believe I could function up to my standards that way). But also, reading all of this has sparked these feelings in me as I want to lower my dose of Lamictal, or go off of it all together. It’ll be a nightmare. Not just for her, but her presence will impede my own ability to cope with lowing the dose. I may end up giving up just due to the fights it will undoubtably cause, and the inevitable bitching from her. I know despite it all she’ll really just care and it’ll only be a natural, human emotional reaction that in honesty I can nor wont fault her for, but it doesn’t matter ultimately as the emotion damage it inflicts isn’t softened by fact. It’ll be fight after incessant fight, and bitch after incessant bitch. But how would I blame her? I couldn’t in fairness but part of me will.
I love her to death but some times I wonder if it’s all worth it. With simple girlfriends and boyfriends (who come and go), or close friends, we (like us) can/could go away for a while, come back to them when we’re in a better frame of mind. When you’re married you’re emotionally LOCKED together. Your feelings become hers visa versa. It’s why I’ve stated I’m never having kids, and she shares my sentiments although I think it’s sad deep down.
Perhaps it isn’t so much a selfishness as it is: I don’t want to inflict what I’m going through on others, and I want to have the power and liberty to distance myself from others until I’m better company.
Anyway, if you read through this far then I appreciate it. I just stumbled across this randomly, looking for info on Lamictal withdrawal to prepare myself. Thank you for allowing me to vent.
Best Wishes and Best of Luck,
Jeff
Jeff,
Venting is fine…
Just to give you some hope—there are people who withdraw easily from Lamictal. They probably don’t find this web page or look for it either, but I’ve talked to people who’ve had no problem coming off Lamictal and other drugs as well.
I wish I was a poster child for it being a piece of cake—I would’ve been very happy to be such an example—but this blog has turned into a marathon of waiting things out and taking years to get off of many drugs.
This is to you—that it may not cause you the pain you’re thinking it will, okay? Try not to expect the worst.
Just wanted to say that I’m now off of Abilify for 5 days and have had no withdrawal problems other than being super emotional (crying jags over everything). In another week I will be tapering down the lamictal from 25mg to 12.5mg then to nothing.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress. So far so good (fingers crossed). I’ve had no issues with weaning down from 100mg (I cut down about once every couple of weeks in Mg’s.
Muddychick,
No need to rush. On Feb 10th you were on 2 mg of Abilify and 50 mg Lamictal. Thats moving really fast, especially if you’re not supporting your health in other ways as you’ve indicated.
Please take care of yourself. I imagine something happened if you were forced to take these drugs. Take care of yourself so something like that does not happen again.
I’m worried about you.
So i was prescribed Lamictal in November 2007 by a quack of a Dr. First I took the most ridiculous test and was immediately diagnosed Bi-Polar. I told the Dr. that I was still breast feeding and he prescribed it anyway. My son has been sickly ever since, now it could be the weather or some other outside source (baby gym, etc.) but after talking to my pediatrician he told me about a rating scale (L-1 through L-5) regarding breast-feeding and/or pregnant women. Lamictal is a L-3 which is somewhat unknown wether it is expressed through breast milk and can cause harmful effects to your child. Now, I went into the Dr. (aka the drug pusher) and told him about what my pediatrician had said and he gave me a blank stare and told me he had no idea what this rating scale was and I must have misunderstood and that he’d never heard of it. Well that was scary. He then told me to discontinue the meds….just stop taking them. Now I’m on 200 mg and that didn’t sound right. He wouldn’t write a prescription for coming down from the meds. Luckily I decided with my remaining pills that I would try to decrease on my own (i really had no other choice) and it’s been terrible. I’m tired, uncaring toward my child and husband and have thought that the world would just be better without me. I’m trying to stay positive and push through for the sake of my family. I just wanted to post to tell my story to people who can understand. my husband thinks I’m even crazier and I can’t even bring myself to try to talk to him about it. thanks for listening….. -Jen
Jen,
Maybe you pediatrician can help you cut down slowly. You can get pills as small as 25 mg and cut those if you need too. Your baby needs you—you don’t want to withdraw too quickly if you’re such an emotional wreck.
Also, I don’t know why the pdoc thought you were bipolar but I imagine you described to him something going on. Are you getting support for whatever that was in some other way?
There are many ways you can learn to support your body and soul through natural means. I don’t suggest you do nothing else right now. Withdrawal really drains ours bodies and there is also usually a need to address whatever we were put on the drugs for.
my best to you Jennifer.
Hi,
I just wanted to say that Lamictal has been a godsend for me. For the first time in my life, I am capable of accomplishing things, and I haven’t had a major mood episode in almost 2 years! Since I’ve been taking Lamictal, I have also been able to completely stop taking Lithium (horrible side effects, feeling all creativity sucked out of me, feeling like a zombie, constant thirst and thyroid issues), which had previously been the only medication that worked for any length of time.
However, the process of going on Lamictal was terrible. I was going up very slowly, 25mg at a time, every 2 weeks, but I was exhausted, slurring my speech, having bouts of trembling, and generally feeling “knocked out” for 15 hours after I took it- basically half of every day was a total wash. Under the close supervision of my doctor, I decided to just up the dose by 150 mg up to my target of 300, all at once.
What followed was a hellish 3-4 weeks, but after I had adjusted, wow, the difference was incredible. I have never been so productive. I have gone back to school, and I have a 3.9 GPA!
I am really scared of having to go off it eventually, because I would ideally like to have kids, and I know about the birth defects/deformities that are linked to Lamictal.
Once, my prescription ran out, and my doctor was out of town, and I was without my meds for 2 days. Horrific withdrawal symptoms, and I ended up having a small seizure. Irritability, partially because there was that “nails on a blackboard” feeling someone else described constantly in the background. I felt like something was crawling under my skin, or like there was an itch I could not scratch. I also began to have (unpleasant) manic symptoms. No thanks, I think I’ll stay on it until I absolutely have to stop.
I am so glad that the patent on Lamictal runs out this July, so hopefully I will be able to get a generic version. It is way too expensive, even with my copays.
I wish all of you guys luck!
Thank you so much. I do have mood swings and have for years although now I have a family and need to be in control of myself. I am seeing a psychologist and things are working very well with her. I’ve always been one to do things naturally (i.e.. water-drug free birth, naturopathic doctors, acupuncture etc.) but I really felt I was tearing my family apart with my mood swings but just learning how to deal with my past and my present and future within myself is the best way. I just feel so sorry for what these psychiatrists are prescribing without any knowledge of side effect or withdrawal. thank you again, it means so much for someone just to listen and take the time to do their best to help as you have done.
my best to you,
Jen
Jen,
You’re very welcome and I absolutely believe that much of the work we need to do is, indeed, internal. I’m on that journey with you now.
Peace to you and your family.
Kate,
thanks for sharing. I too thought Lamictal was great but it didn’t stay that way, but I’m glad you’re doing well.
I really hope that you never have to go through what I’m going through.
My best wishes to you.
Boy, am I glad I found you guys…..I have been taking 75
mg-About two weeks ago I decided to cut in half..
Weepy, bad cold and cough symptoms, rapid heart beat, little sleep. I could not figure out what the hell was wrong-THEN I realized I started into withdrawal. I do not have as much vitality on the drug, but at least I corrected the symtoms of withdrawal.
I also felt that manic agiatated behavior returning..So back to 75mg a day!
Better rug than most of the other ones, anyone have weight gain???
Thanks, Carol
Carol,
I’ve had some weight gain. Been eating like crazy (even if I’m not really hungry). I cut down to 12.5mg 2 days ago and so far, so good yet.
Jess
I’m just wondering…I realize some of you have had the rash, so that’s why you’re getting off the Lamictal. To those who aren’t getting off b/c of the rash, why are you trying to get off? I’m new to Lamictal, currently progressing through the 5 wk. pack and experiencing nausea for approximately one day, and that has taken place twice (once 3 days after starting the pack, once 3 days after increase to 50 mg).
CiCi,
People have all sort of reasons to go off psych meds. Everything from various side effects being intolerable to wanting to live without chemical intervention.
In my case I decided the multitude of side effects of all the drugs combined were not worth it. I also realized that I had been inappropriately diagnosed.
Lamictal, in particular, always made me nauseous—it never went away, but it does for many people.
I hated living with the nausea. Now that I’m down to a much lower dose the nausea is finally gone, but I still want to get off the rest because I feel like I’m discovering who I really am.
I don’t suggest everyone do what I do.
You need to decide what is right for you. Information pro-drug and critical of drugs is available if you look for it. Knowing what you are putting in your body and making an informed choice is what is most important.
We all have a right to decide what we put in our bodies.
Yes, I totally understand about each of us having the right to decide what we put into our bodies. I was just curious as to the number people having difficulties dealing with the side effects versus those simply not wanting to be medicated. Please don’t infer that I was trying to judge anyone. I’m just trying to get a feel for others’ point of view relating to the medication.
I know that meds can work differently in different people; we all don’t have the same responses to a particular medication. And, I have been one who definitely does not like the idea of having to take medication, but I have learned (the hard way) that I definitely need something to keep me on an even keel. Without meds, or on the wrong meds, I can be very difficult to deal with, even to the point that I get frustrated with myself for being unable to control my behaviors, thoughts, and attitude.
Like I stated earlier, I’m still on a pretty low dose and working my way up to maintenance level, whatever that might turn out to be. I fully realize that I ultimately have to decide for myself what is working and what isn’t. Fortunately, my side effects with Lamictal have been few; I can only hope that it stays that way!
CiCi,
I did not at all think you were judging at all.
I wish you the best with you health and that you may find the right solution for yourself.
This is my first time to the site. Discovered it when I did a search on weaning times for Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal for about a year now. My husband and I want to have another child and are scared of the birth defects associated with Lamictal, primarily cleft pallete (spelling?). I was on a dose of 150mg twice a day. I am currently on day 5 of quitting cold turkey. So far, I have not seized and I am praying that I will not. I know I should taper, but at this point I am just going to go with it and see what happens. I am taking 4mg of folic acid and a prenatal vitamin. I am also reading The Food-Mood Solution by Jack Challem. I have found that if I keep my blood sugar as even as possible it helps with my mood/anger/irritablity. This is a great site and will be a valuable resource in the days ahead. Any recommendations for reading materials or websites that help to locate doctors that discourage prescription medications?
kpodracky,
for a resource directing you to listings of alternative practitioners go to:
http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com/
Look in the side bar of that blog—there are lots of links to various organizations where you can do searches for health care practitioners of various kinds…
good luck.
First of all, thanks for a wonderful site, with lots of information from personal experiences about Lamictal withdrawal.
I am at the crossroads with Lamictal now, not sure whether to continue giving it a try, or continue tapering off it. I have been prescribed it about 3 weeks ago, and started upping the dosage very slowly, fearing the rash. Started with 12.5mg for the first week, then took 25mg for about two weeks. I was not even sure whether I am bipolar. My primary symtoms were lack of motivation, inability to concentrate, feeling tired and fatigued most of the time, unrefreshing sleep, kind of a dreamy unfocused mental state. I didn’t have any noticeable manic-depressive mood swings, but after reading about the condition called Bipolar Spectrum , I though I may have some bipolar in me. However, judging from response to 25mg Lamictal, I am starting to think I may need more of an anxiety medication. Lamictal helped a little with motivation and dreamy (manic) feeling, but I became very anxious, actually crying a lot, which I would not normally. It kind of started to bring a lot of emotional issues from the past, and made me very tense. I started having tension headaches, and panic attacks, worrying about everything, so I thought I would go off it and give a try to anxiety med instead.
And then it began. Eventhough I was just on 25mg, after skipping it for a couple of days, I suddenly woke extremelly tired, excessivelly anxious to the point I did not understand why I am anxious, not being able to trace a thought that could have started anxiety. I felt as if my head was splitting in half, as if I was be going insane. Very tormenting experience. And thats just from going off 25mg. I am scared even to think what it would feel to go off 200mg, which is a standard dosage. But yet, as I begin to shift into my totally unproductive, oversleeping, dreamy-manic state; I begin to feel bad I didn’t give it a full try. Its interesting, that I didn’t have withdrawal effects going off Prozac, Celexa or Paxil; but this thing totally messes me up.
unproductive, oversleeping, dreamy-manic state;
that doesn’t sound manic. people do not oversleep when manic—they hardly sleep at all.
If you are having an adverse effect to the medication listen to your body. I can’t tell you what you are feeling though.
I can also tell you taking anti-anxiety meds is a very slippery road. There are lots of alternatives to treating anxiety including various therapies and nutritional regimens as well as lots of exercise.
You’re lucky you didn’t have a hard time with the anti-depressants…in coming off them. I actually didn’t either really—not compared to other stuff I’ve been on….but a word of caution—some people experience ease coming off of them the first few times and then it becomes ugly.
All I can say is be careful and do some research. You do have options— something that is rarely shared with us. Inform yourself and then choose from an arsenal of options.
check out my “about” page (top left corner)
The book “Depression Free Naturally” is good for anxiety too.
I wish you the best.
I know, people with manic, or ADHD should have trouble falling asleep, and not with oversleeping. But then there are things like bipolar spectrum, or cyclothymia (mild bipolar); and both of them have oversleeping as their symtoms. I think I have some difficulty falling asleep when I have to, but once I am asleep, I sleep long, usually about 12 hours. And after that I still wake up non refreshed. First, I thought I may be depressed, but anti-depressants did not work and I don’t feel this typical sadness associated with depression. I once had a depressive episode when my condition started, so I kind of know how depression feels. The major benefit of Lamictal or antidepressants I think is that they brought up my anxiety to the top, making me more aware of it, which I didn’t identify as a major problem before.
And thanks so much for your advices. I will look into the book about getting rid of depression naturally, but I am kind of sceptical since I tried yoga, acupuncture, various vitamins and herbs, fish oil, taking long vacations, but they did not do much. Maybe thats because I don’t have typical depression, I don’t know.
5th day off Lamictal, I am actually starting to feel better. No more headache, and everything started to fall into places where they were before Lamictal. I took 12.5mg yesterday, and today, to smoothen the transition, so that may also be the reason.
The major benefit of Lamictal or antidepressants I think is that they brought up my anxiety to the top, making me more aware of it, which I didn’t identify as a major problem before.
those sound like adverse effects of the drugs to me…not underlying problems brought to light.
drug induced symptoms of illness or “iatrogenic illness”
be careful–drugs do sometime send people on a spiral of worse and worse symptoms. they are by no means always helpful.
Proxilin / Fluphenazine or Moditen
Antipsychotic drug withdrawal.
Jenny from the U.K. here:
Hi… any other people withdrawing from any Antipsychotic drugs called Proxilin / Fluphenazine or Moditen
This is the first time for me on this site. I am coming off a drug called Fluphenazine or Moditen in the U.K. and Prolixin and various other names in the U.S.
Fluphenazine has the most horrendous withdrawal effects coming off them, having been on them for 30 years. I was wrongly put on them for post natal depression. The only way to come off for me and others on a similar drug and withdraw safely is by reducing by 1 milligram per month to six weeks in my case, and even this is fraught with difficulties. People over here in the U.K. who have not managed to get enough stock of this pill, as Sanofi Aventis U.K. have run into manufacturing problems so they say, and they are being discontinued in June 2008. People who have stopped abruptly have experienced many side affects like Tardive Dyskinesia (involuntary mouth and body movements and drug induced Parkinsons) when the medication is stopped abruptly.
I have been tapering off now for two years and will take me another year or two to get off it as I can’t risk the horrendous and irreversible side effects discontinuation would cause.
I purchased very accurate laboratory milligram scales which for me have been a life saver, as they are twice the price over here in the U.K. and worth their weight in gold. The scales have enabled me to grind the pills down and reduce the dosage by 1 milligram per month to six weks. Any other way is impossible with a drug of this potency to reduce accurately. I am, down from 75mg to 19 mg (pill weight not drug content) as of the 30th March 2008.
I can not emphasize enough the importance of withdrawing slowly by weight on this particular drug called: Proxilin / Fluphenazine or Moditen in the U.K. Look in Wikipedia for other names.
If you require any help or information please email me at:
phillipathomas49@hotmail.com
Good luck if you decide to withdraw from the medication you are on but be careful and do it very slowly. I know from experience, it has been far from pleasant!
Best wishes to every one going through withdrawal from any prescription drugs.
Please feel free to contact me through this site or email address above if you would like to.
Jenny - from the U.K.
thank you Jenny,
Prolixin is a neuroleptic — it is one of the older kinds, but I’m reducing a neuroleptic too (a newer one) and it sounds about the same. It sounds like you are doing it wisely. I wish you the best of luck.
If you read this blog you will find others who are withdrawing from various neuroleptics both old and new as well as other drugs…
Hi all–
I posted my drug withdrawal story part I somewhere else on this site and can’t figure out how to move it here. It’s so helpful hearing from all of you. Even with all my expertise with drugs at this point, I forget why I’m feeling so nuts. Monday I tapered down another 25mg of Lamictal (started at 400 and am going down 25 mg every two weeks.) Yesterday was hell. I was hanging on minute by minute–someone said nails on a chalkboard. A kind of itchy, jumpy, panicky feeling mixed with inability to focus, headache, insomnia, skincrawling sensations, a feeling of tightness and burning around my head, nightmares and some very odd thoughts–last night when a small plane went over, first it sounded like a giant didgeridoo–a Native Australian instrument with a resonant sort of hum–and then like a large grumbling voice, and then it seemed like it was going to fly into my bedroom—at which point I laughed out loud, got up and turned on the lights and said OK this is lamictal withdrawal, and it’s getting scary, and went and took 25 mg. But thank God that we have these networks so we can tell each other “that’s the drug,” and not think we’re spontaneously combusting!
I’ve just moved my mental “withdrawal done” date from late November to maybe by my late February birthday.
When a doctor addicted me to codeine (which I didn’t realize is actually a form of morphine!) I had to detox inpatient and it was truly terrible, but there was someone monitoring me, and if it got bad they had some medication to get me through. It took five days full time, but I didn’t feel normal for a year. However, my naturopath recommended a tincture of calamus root, which is used in Australia in drug addiction programs. I don’t know if it’s helpful for anything other than opiates–I have a call in to find out. One thing I noticed is that at each step down, I show signs of detoxification–especially my urine has a very strong odor. It’s odd to me that coming down a step makes this happen, but I’m trying to help the process along by doing standard body cleansing thngs–lots of water, cleansing herb teas, and gut cleansers like psyllum husks. My favorite so far is something called Tri-Cleanse that is both fiber and a classic indian herbal formula used to cleanse the gut. Tastes and feels better.
I’m a little discouraged that even 25 every two weeks seems to be more than I can handle well. Because I’m on it for epilepsy,and too fast withdrawal of any drug can trigger seizures, II have to pay close attention to anything that feellike seizure risk–which I can only sometimes identify in time. And with all this fog in my head…!
Anyway, thanks for being here. I feel a lot less alone.
Aurora
Hi Aurora…
I’m actually using pediatric Lamictal now and cutting down by 2.5 - 5 mg every two weeks…for some of us it’s just really hard and 25 mg cuts are too big.
Also even people without seizure disorders can seize if they go off an antiseizure med quickly…(many are used for mood stabilizers)
I’m feeling better now that I’ve slowed down to a seemingly ridiculously slow pace. If you’re suffering too much you might consider it…we’ll get off eventually…I figure I’d rather suffer less.
Thank you. For the suggestion and the encouragement. I hadn’t considered that there must be pediatric doses. I have, however, started using my naturopath’s suggested herbal tinctures. Three times a day, 15 drops each of calamus root and oat seed tinctures, plus ginger tincture to taste because calamus can cause nausea. So far it’s helping a LOT.
How is the calamus root and oat seed tinctures helping? what withdrawal effects do they calm?
I quit taking Lamital 7 days ago after tapering over a few weeks. 150, 75, 37.5 and then nothing. Did under the supervision of a doc and cut my 150 pills into quarters. It has not been horrible, but it has not been great. Headaches. very irritable, exhausted, not sleeping well. I even feel like my eyesite is blurred. It is helping that I keep reminding myself that my brain is in a major state of flux and am just trying to keep my mouth shut as much as possible to protect my loved ones! Though a benefit is that in lieu of my nice ‘let me do it all persona’, everyone is scurrying around the house putting away clothes, toys, papers etc. In retrospect, I could have tapered more slowly (though as I said, this was doc agreed upon plan.)
When I cut from 15 to 75 to 37.5 it seemed like it was about 5 days of YUCK and it would get better. It has been a week since I have taken none. Anyone have any comments on how until the YUCK I am currently experiencing will pass. Will say that I am hoping the extreme irritatbility I am experiencing is due to withdrawal and not me post lamictal!!!
The point of this post is though I have described ill effects, it has not been an insurmountable fight to get off of this. It’s not great, but it has not stopped my life because of it. I am just looking forward to being done.
Marcy, I too had a tough time withdrawing from Lamictal. Wish I could help you with the details. It’s amazing how unique each of our brains is. I stay very busy all the time & that was my best distraction whenever I changed meds. Follow your heart & do what’s best for you till the feeling passes. It definitely will! I suffered from manic depression (correctly diagnosed) but at age 62 I’ve been med-free & symptom-free for 4 years. Click on my website & you can watch a YouTube video of me located the third line from the top, I believe. May your recovery be easy!!!
Ruth,
Your support group is funded by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, makers of Risperdal, a neuroleptic, one of the most dangerous groups of drug in use in medicine today.
You acknowledge that you receive “generous” BigPharma funding, but what exactly does BigPharma get in return?
What does the Janssen cash mean for the editorial freedom of your group’s newsletter, leaflets and other publications?
Is BigPharma influence overt, or is it more subtle?
Are the BigPharma grants conditional?
Might future grants to your group depend on your continued support for Janssen products including Risperdal, and psychotropics in general?
Eileen
Not to interrupt but I would love anyone willing, to answer how long it took them to feel better after Lamictal withdrawals. I have been on son many medications for depression/anxiety, that haven’t worked, only made things worse, that I’m done with the medication route. But Lamictal was my last hope and it actually was seeming to work. The problem was that it made me have such terrible nausea that I couldn’t do anything…couldn’t drive, couldn’t look down when I was walking, couldn’t watch tv even. The only thing I could do was lie flat on my back for the nausea to, for the most part, subside. I took only 25 mg with that bad of an effect. I was on my back most of that time, but mentally felt good. It got to where I knew even THAT wasn’t worth not moving for, so after three weeks on 25 mg, I stopped taking it.
My symptoms were just as I believe Giana’s were, the woman who began this blog. The first day without Lamictal was absolutely astounding. I still mentally felt great, but didn’t have the side effect of feeling morbidly nauseous. I hadn’t felt so good in such a long time. But then, the next day, a Sunday, I started feeling absolutely the same nausea as I had throughout the Lamictal period. And, in addition, these crazy brain zaps would happen and progressively got more and more numerous as the day went on. I couldn’t move around without being nauseous or having several brain zaps in a row, repeating like that every two minutes or so, all day.
Today is Monday, my third day off Lamictal, and its hard to even look at the screen as I type this because of how bad the nausea is. I’m in no way pregnant, and have no other reason to believe my nausea is anything but Lamictal, but didn’t expect it during withdrawals as well. Can anyone please help me to understand how long this may take? Because I’m beginning to question that I may have a serious stomach issue completely having nothing to do with Lamictal, though, as I said before, I have nothing else to attribute it to BUT the Lamictal. Please help,
Sincerely,
Terisa
Terisa,
I’m really sorry but there is no real answer for your question. We are all so different.
I find it odd that you’re having withdrawals at all being on only 25 mg for a couple of weeks…on the other hand it doesn’t surprise me either…it’s a very common phenomena with benzos…the problem is we know so much less about Lamictal because there simply isn’t as many people who have come off of it.
I can only suggest you hang in there—it might be a good idea to go back on half a tablet of Lamictal and taper more slowly too.
Oh, I was also wondering if you’d gone off an SSRI any time recently…the brain zaps are usually associated with SSRI’s, but I’ve now heard it from a couple of Lamictal users…it just makes me wonder if SSRI’s are in the mix…
also withdrawing from SSRI’s can make one extremely nauseated…
good luck…
Gianna,
Yes, I just got off of Zoloft recently, being at 150 mg, of which I was very careful to taper off gradually from. It was naive of me not to mention it in the previous post, but for the fact that it never gave me the dehabilitating nausea, as Lamictal has, and of which is my worst symptom. Its been several days now since writing and I have still combated the nausea with simply not eating…but then, I get it even when I don’t eat too…
So yes, anyways, I think you’re right that the SSRI withdrawals are producing the brain zaps…and I believe you that SSRI’s, during their withdrawal, can make you nauseated, but lamictal from the beginning did this to me, so I keep thinking it’s that. I really will keep in mind that it may still be the Zoloft withdrawals continuing on through. Thank you so much for writing back so promptly!
-Terisa
Hello, I had been taking Lamictal for a year and decided I wanted to feel again. Since taking Lamictal, I haven’t had any desire to do anything and my depression hasn’t lessened. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar and have been my entire life. I have been put on every medication and nothing has helped me in finding that inner happiness. I don’t really take very good care of my body so I just decided to cut my 150mg in half for a week and then just stop taking it. This was a month ago. Well, I got the brain zaps so bad I wanted to bash my head in and I was so incoherent so I had my boyfriend drive me to the pharmacy to refill my prescription. I started to take it immediately and it took a couple of days for the withdrawls to stop. I was determined to stop taking it because I need my life back. I have been so lazy and zombie-like this whole year and I have gained so much weight because I just have no desire to do anything. I am not a lazy person and I have always been cocerned about how I look and my weight but for the last year I haven’t really had the desire to take care of myself. I took 2 weeks off of work and so I cut my dose in half again and then stopped taking it. This time I didn’t get the brain zaps but I don’t feel like I want to live either. I am so extremely depressed, can’t go to work because my brain is so messed up and just recently I have the worst headaches cold sweats and extreme naseau. It has been 3 weeks that I have completely stopped taking the medication and I’m going to work through this but it is extremely hard. I don’t know how to go to work. I have a very physical job and I feel like I’m going to pass out when I go to work. I also started shaking extremely bad and had to go home. I have called in sick for the last week and I have to go back in two days and I just don’t know how I’m going to do it. I can’t believe this drug is making me feel so terrible. How do I go to work and act normal when I feel anything but normal? I just want this to be over. I want my life back. I want my body back. Torie
Torie,
hate to say it, but before you can get your body and life back you have to take care of it….
If I were you I would reinstate the Lamictal and follow a protocol of this nature:
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2007/03/15/psychiatric-drug-withdrawal-for-beginners/
Look at the About page on the blog:
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/about/
there you can learn about nutrition and alternative care and bring the info to your doc so that you can taper responsibly.
I’ve been working on tapering lamictal for two years. Currently I don’t make tapers bigger than 5 mg at a time. (I got some pediatric lamictal)
What you’ve done is potentially dangerous, please take care of yourself.
Hi again! The one thing that I don’t understand is if you do taper off really slowly, you still have the same side effects as you do when you quit. why not just stop taking them and just get it over with because you will feel horrible anyway. I don’t want to start taking it again. What about the people who has to stop taking it because they get the rash. They have to stop it completely because of the horrible side effects. I just am wondering what difference it really makes. Why put myself through this for longer than I have to? I’m just so angry that my doctor just prescribes me all this medication all the time. I really don’t want to call my doctor. I just am so tired of feeling this way. I was tired of feeling the way I did on the medication. Why is it so dangerous?
most people if the taper is done properly from the get go won’t have horrible symptoms…it’s possible to go slow enough to avoid a lot of the horrible symptoms…
most of the people having a horrible time are moving too quickly…
I’m not horribly sick anymore…and I’m cutting down by 5 mg at time no faster than my body tolerates.
I just want to thank you for this website. Reading all these stories help alot and thank you for all the information. I really do appreciate it. You take care too, Torie