Fear is one of the biggest inhibitors to coming off psych drugs and anyone doing it has got to realize that the moods one gets as one tapers has nothing to do with who you are as a person and everything to do with how these drugs affect the brain. You're irritable and angry because of the toxic effects and adjustments your brain is having to make to get back to some healthy balance of its own. Give it time, take it slow, and don't blame yourself. Blame the paradigms that made someone recommend this form of treatment in the first place.

So tell me... how rare is it to be on 300 mg of Lamictal? I was on 200 for several months and using a microscope to search for some difference it had made. So my doc asked me to try 300. He's game for 400 if I am. I am still making with the microscope, trying to decide if I am just a little teensy bit calmer. (Note: I have never been manic -- and if I've ever been hypomanic it might take a microscope to detect it.)

It's not the first time I've been asked to exceed the standard adult dose when that failed to work or stopped working. Cymbalta was the worst. If 60 mgs does not do anything good for you, please: don't let anyone talk you into 120.

I ran out of Lamictal for 3 days. By the time I got into the psych last week, I had the most horrific back pain and what I can describe as spasm/charley horse type of pain all over my back. Once back on the Lamictal that stopped.

My daughter took this drug, allegedly for bipolar depression. Catastrophe ensued, as she was acutely suicidal in between her "time of the month", had hot flashes; the works. Tapering off required inpatient hospitalization due to the danger of the suicidality. Others like Phil have had good luck with it, and we told the FDA Medwatch and Glaxo about it. Haven't heard a word. Thinking about bringing suit. Almost lost her.

I have been on Lamictal since May of this year. I started to have a rash, but didn't tell my doctor because I was doing so well. When I finally did call my doctor he advised me to stop taking immediately, but then I started to have several symptoms. So I started taking it over the weekend until I could see him today. Some of my symptoms are swings of fatigue and hyper, unable to concentrate, moody/snappy, lips tingling, thoughts of amd I crazy and am I ever going to be normal.

As far as being hard on Glaxo or suing for unacceptable withdrawals, we must remember that the origin of the disease of bi-polar is unknown, which makes it nearly impossible to cure or treat. I am just happy that in these times there are drugs that we can try to help with this horrible disease. And even though these symptoms are difficult to go through, I consider them far less than when I didn't have medication at all. The reason we are incouraged to keep in close contact with our physicians are because of the side effects.

I tried suicide twice, the last time I was almost successful. It was ten years ago and because of the severity of the slash on my left wrist I was unable to do the right and still have very little feeling in my left hand.

I'm just trying my very best to stay positive while trying to find the best medication for me and not hinder the progress of a medication that is more than likely a miracle worker for others.

I've been on 200 mgs Lamictal now for several years. It has worked pretty well although like Johanna, I had not experienced hypomanic or manic symptoms until just this year. I'm also on 75 mgs of Effexor, which I hate cause of the sweats. I'd like to try a different anti-depressant but in view of the current new hypomanic symptoms, I'm scared to change. These hypomanic symptoms have only been in the last few months and since I keep a mood and journal, my stress levels are no better or no worse than the past. I also have to take synthroid due to thyroid cancer, and hormone replacement therapy due to age, etc. (Sweats are not caused by menopause since I take HRT) Other than that, there have been no changes in medications. It's a bitch getting it all in sync, but these rapidly changing moods is starting to get on my nerves. I think some type of change is in order and will talk to my Pdoc at next appt.

Hi.(sigh). Where do I begin? Well, I'll tell you where I am now. I have decided to come off Lamictal. I've decreased the dosage from 200mgs. to 100mgs. In time, I hope to be off it completely. I used to take it at night, but now I take it in the morning. Something inside me says that Lamictal is very wrong for me and is doing more harm than good. For me, that is. I have to listen to my body an my mind and my spirit.

The funny thing is, is that I didn't really "become" bi-polar until I started taking medication. I used to smoke alot of marijuana. I no longer smoke, by the way. My parents(they do love me, and do want the best for me) took me to a psychiatrist when they noticed that our constant arguments and disagreements became increasingly aggressive on my part. The alternative was to get "kicked out", thus my indoctrination into the world of prescription medication. I was initially treated for depression, and my doctor put me on to Effexor to treat it, even though I told him I smoked. He said I was self-medicating. While taking Effexor,I experienced hours of hyper-ventilation at a time, and an embarrassing side-effect of when I would urinate, the flow would stop, and semen would come out,and then urine. This happened everyday. I figured it was one of the sexual side-effects that the pamphlet wasn't too specific about. I told my doctor about it, an he didn't really say anything. So, I accepted it and continued the treatment. One evening I experienced a weird thing(if that wasn't weird enough) of... I just felt uncontrollable, I was aware what was happening, but could do nothing to prevent it-- shouting, my body felt super-charged, out-of-control, confused feeling, racing thoughts... I screamed, trying to hold myself together and told my Mom to call the doctor. Dad got Haloperidol and Depakote. I calmed down after taking the Haloperidol, and that was my introduction to bi-polar medication.

My doctor said I was bi-polar. So, I was on Depakote for about...eight months? Diarrhea every day. I went to the bathroom between six and fifteen times a day, everyday. Difficulty urinating(the weird thing stopped happening, thank God). My doctor didn't say anything about it, so I accepted it as part of getting better.

Eventually, he put me on to Risperdal. I can't remember all the side effects of that one, but I didn't like it either. I continued with it for a for another four to six months, and now I'm on Lamictal. I've been on it since late last year.

Once, some time this year, I was without my medication for two days. My prescription had run out and I couldn't get in touch with my doctor. He was away at a seminar. I felt like I was "losing it". I knew it was an effect of not having any medication, but there was nothing I could do at the time. My Mom knew the pharmacist, and though it was highly irregular to dispense medication without a prescription, I got some "medication". The effects were immediate. I felt "normal" again.

Last November, I told him that I still felt depressed. He suggested another anti-depressant -- Paxil. I was very wary of taking it because of my prior experience with Effexor. Well, after a few weeks of contemplation, I decided to take it because I couldn't deal with the depression any longer. I took it for three weeks and stopped of my own accord. It helped. On my next visit to him he told me to stop taking it because recent studies indicated that anti-depressants could trigger manic episodes in bi-polar patients. I kinda figure that would have been common sense, and that was partially the reason I stopped taking it before his advice.

This is embarrassing, but I have to say this, since being on these prescription medications, I haven't had an erection. Not that I think it's any measure of being a man, but it's a normal bodily function. I never had this difficulty before. I know it's an indication that's something's terribly wrong, but it's passed off as "just" a side-effect. I've thought of some of the symptoms that indicate the bi-polar disease, and while I don't deny that I'm bi-polar, many of them do not apply in my case. I've never been suicidal, or sexually indiscriminate. I did and do have spells of depression and hypo-mania. I had never experienced hyper-mania until my encounter with Effexor. Since being on these drugs, I have had incidences of extreme aggression, more so than in the past,and still do to some extent, although fleeting, but this was since being on these drugs. My doctor says that chances are I will end up being hospitaliszed or in a psychiatric ward if I discontinue my medication. Needless to say that I am still somewhat depressed.

I'm very artistically inclined. I used to write alot, keep journals, write poems, write songs, paint and the lot. But since being on these drugs, I feel creatively AND emotionally blocked. Very numb. I struggle to keep my band together, and I haven't painted in a while. I do feel I have a strong will-power that helps me to carry on in spite of these drugs, and m depression, and my blunted emotions. Please understand, I'm not knocking all these medications. I think it's a blessing, truly, that they have medications to treat us who are suffering from these types of illnesses, but I don't think that they work for everybody. I also think that most of them are still experimental, especially with words and phrases like "seems to" and "appears to". And from my understanding and reasoning, and after a round about conversation with my doctor, he finally admitted that persons, though not in all cases, who have no prior history of mental illness, were they to take these(ie.Lamictal) medications, and abruptly discontinue them, would exhibit symptoms of a psychotic nature. I don't know what that means, but it kinda says to me that if nothing was wrong with them before, well...

The cost is great -- financially, but far more importantly, to the patient -- to the Human Being who is being treated. I don't think doctors should be too heavily involved in capitalism. I think it conflicts with the "business" of making people better. I think the business is to keep us sick.

I agree with Phillip Dawdy that Lamictal has fewer side effects than the others I've taken, but I don't feel it's all that great for me. I have difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction, some kind of acne, rashes, creative and emotional numbness... And in the two to three years since I've started taking prescription medication, I've never felt so miserable in all my life.

I'm now seeing a different psychiatrist, and spoken with my former doctor about my consideration of discontinuing my medication. He insists that I will end up in a hospital. That's his faith. He says I can discuss this with my current physician. Somehow, I think he's afraid of being sued or something, but to my knowledge, I don't know of any cases where this is true. I don't even think they can be held liable if anything happens to their patients or "clients" as we are now called. I mean, if we "flip-out", they can always say it was bound to happen, and wash their hands of it. Regardless, I just want the Truth. I just want to be well.

Currently, I am seeing another type of doctor in conjunction with taking this medication. He's a doctor with a PhD. in traditional Chinese acupuncture and herbology, and has Master's degree in psychology. He says to keep taking my prescription medication and to keep seeing my psychiatrist, whom, by the way, approves of my being treated with acupuncture. I was a little shocked by that response by my psychiatrist.

This treatment that I'm undergoing, accupuncture, rather than introducing a foreign substance into my body(which is a guessing game anyway when it comes to regulating dosages), will enable my body, over time, to produce what it needs to be healthy. I have been receiving positive results in the one month of being treated. My depression is subsiding. I'm recalling my dreams now(I haven't remembered my dreams since being on these medications). I have an increasing sense of well being. AND my "friend" is starting to wake up now. Not fully, but at least I know something is happening.

I just feel that there's more to this "medication" game that we're not being told. I know how desperate we are to be Well, but right now, psychiatry is still in it's infancy, otherwise they wouldn't have been so many drug re-calls, and that ever so soft voice you hear on the t.v. sugar-coating all the devastating side-effects of the drugs.

I am in no way suggesting that anyone come off of their medications, but I have to do what works for me. I have to do what's right for me.

I'm really glad to have found this web-site, and relieved to know that I'm not the only one going through stuff like this.

Take Care.
Be Well.
And find YOUR Way.

P.S. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Hi. It's me, again. Just wanted to say before I forget. I just visited another site where one person reported not being able to rememb(e)r things. Easy stuff like spelling words that he knew that he knew. I'm experiencing similar symptoms. I have difficulty doing simple mathematical functions, and retention of p(h)one numbers now. I'm sure some other stuff is messing up in my (b)rain, but it's hard to kee(p) track of since, to paraphrase someone, What I comprehend is with the faculty of my mind. And if my brain's not all here, well...

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know. Also, if there are are any typos in m posts, I can (b)lame it on my keyoard. The keys stick.

* "()" inserte(d) (m)issing letters due to sticking keys. The spacebar sticks,too.

Hi. Okay, where do I start. Right now, I'm worried about how I am going to pay for my Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal 150 mg./twice a day for 3 years or so for epilepsy. I recently heard that it was also being used to treat Bi-polar disorder.

I got married this past April and went from my old insurance which I only paid a $15 co-pay to my husbands insurance which has a $3000.00 deductible per person! We have a HSA acct but between my dr. visits and Effexor XR, I've depleted that acct down to about $40. I went to the pharmacy yesterday to get my Lamictal filled and when he came back and told me that it's $252.00, I freaked! Had to tell him that I had to wait until Friday.

I'm so worried about withdrawal symptons. I have 2 pills left, which I'm going to take 1 per day instead of 2 but I'm not even sure I'll have the money come Friday because this was not in our budget. My husband is going to change his insurance plan at the beginning of the year but I'm not sure how we'll manage until then.

I know, I tried to come off of my Effexor last month and.... OH NO!! It was absolute hell. My husband went to the pharmacy on a Sunday morning and was waiting at the door when they opened. I thought I was going crazy!

I'm on Effexor for anger outbursts that I was having when I found out that my ex-husband was having an affair 4 years ago. So, I thought that I could come off of it now that I'm no longer going thru that.

I'd like to know that since Lamictal is being used for Bi-polar disorder, I wonder if I could be on it alone, instead of Lamictal AND Effexor. Effexor has really helped me but coming off of it is worse than anything I've went thru. I didn't make it. I had to stay on it.

I guess I will be going thru Lamictal withdrawals for the next few days and I hope that I don't start seizing as I haven't had a seizure in several years.

Can anyone tell me what I'm in for (withdrawals)?

Thanks!

I have been on Lamictal since December 06 and received all of it free--per Pharma reps leaving samples. Ask your psych if they have samples.

Thanks Stephany! I hadn't even thought of that. Did he give you enough for the whole month? I'll check into that today. Thank a bunch!

I hate Lamictal...
I got the Rx 2 weeks ago, stareted the day I got it, even after almost having a stroke when the Pharmacist told me my script was going to cost $329.00. I took it for 13 days...on the 14th day my skin turned bright red and became hot to me and to the touch. I decided that this was too close to a rash for my taste or comfort. So I stopped taking Lamictal. The day after I stopped, I am exhausted, look gray, was throwing up, had a headache, backpain, bloody noses, disorientation..I told my husband that I felt like a drunk kindergartner. This has been going on for 4 days!! My Dr's only suggestion is "wait it out" you are having withdrawals. Withdrawals?! I olny took it for 13 days. Had I known about the possible nasty withdrawal symptoms....I would have never agreed to take this crap! I have enough problems with my brain lol I don't need to add to the fire.

im taking myself off lamictal at the moment. i was on 200mg a day for bipolar along with topamax and risperdal. for personal reasons that i strongly feel. i am reducing meds to come off as much as i can with out going nuts. i have come off the risperdal ok . am still on the topamax. but coming off the lamictal is proving tough. my skin has broken out completely. i have aches everywhere which feels like i have been beaten up. i feel completely dehydrated. my skin, lips and hair is so dry and my throat. im so thirsty. my body is thirsty if you can understand, its very uncomfortable. and its making me high nearly, manic feeling. in general i feel very strange physically and mentally. but you know what i never felt like it really did anything for me anyway. my doc always kept upping it and it never made me feel any different. ?

I was extremely happy to find this website, because it let me know different things that I didn’t know about Lamictal. I have been on Lamictal for about 2 years now. The doctor currently has me taking 400 mg a day and 300 mg a day of Seroquel (both at night). When I miss a dose of my Lamictal I feel like I am going through withdrawals. I get dizzy, a massive headache and nauseous. These symptoms go away shortly after I take it. Some of my friends are constantly telling me how bad it is for me, but it helps keep my moods semi stable. I still have “flare–ups” of both mania and depression, but they are not as bad as they were on other medications. I have been on just about all the psych drugs out there for my bi-polar, and both my Lamictal and Seroquel are working the best for me so far. I don’t plan on trying to stop taking my Lamictal or Seroquel anytime soon, but if I do decide to try to come off of either one, after reading these posts I will talk to my Dr first. As far as the financial cost I feel extremely lucky having the insurance that I do, because I only pay $20 for a 60 day supply. However I have been to previous psych doctors who have been able to give me samples for free when I couldn't afford my medication. Good luck to everyone who is on this medicine, and you all have made me feel like I’m not alone in taking it.
Nicki

I have been taking 25 mg daily for mood swings, depression and anxiety with hyperactivity. We went up to 50 mgs and although I felt less hyper and more calm, I felt more depression that I ever have before beginning this medication. We went down to 25 mg and I am doing better. We decided to try and taper off of it completely as the decision was made that it may not be doing much. The second day I was Lamictal-free I was very hyped up throughout the day and then extremely depressed in the evening. I started taking again immediately. I am terrified of this horrible feeling of depression and depersonalization I felt upon discontinuing this medication especially since the dose is so very small. I also take 25 mg Seroquel each evening. I take 150 mg of Zoloft each am. Does anyone out there feel that depression and anxiety/mood swings gets any worse with age?

Andrea, I'm not a doctor, but from my daughter's experience with 150mg. a day of Zoloft, that created wild mood swings and severe[suicidal]depression. I also take Lamictal, and could not tolerate Prozac. Just a thought, that it might be better to keep a mood stabilzer on board and reduce [slowly]the Zoloft.Just my opinion, not medical advice.

I am starting to get very frustrated with all of these medications. I am beginning to think that some of these make matters worse especially in a person like myself who has not had a clear diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with OCD and Panic Disorder. I was placed on Zoloft 50 mgs daily in my late teens. I did quite well. I struggled with depression occasionally and had some substance abuse issues, but nothing intolerable.

I did not have severe problems with depression until last year after the birth of my second child. Both the depression and the panic disorder got significantly more serious and intolerable. I was placed on 150 mgs of Zoloft and the panic issues resolved for the most part. But, I became more hyperactive, had racing thoughts, became more intense and irritable. But it was not disabling, just annoying and anxiety-producing. I went to a shrink.

When I was a kid I was diagnosed ADD and placed on Imiprimine which made a great difference in my grades. I thought maybe the hyper-activity and racing thoughts were just resugence of ADD and went on Strattera. I became VERY moody and out of control.

I think I may just go back to just Zoloft and deal with being wild and hyper. Hey, I sure got a lot done. My neighbors say I have the cleanest house on the block!

for those of you who are interested, i created a guide to lamictal since there seem to be lots of questions out there. you can find it by clicking on this link.

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. I was ready to walk out on my job today, which I'm not crazy about, but it's not THAT bad. Luckily, my husband also suffers from major depressive disorder and is a therapist so I can tell him what I feel and he actually gets it. I feel so guilty for feeling this way. He is busting his rear renovating our new home, and I don't have the energy or desire to do anything. After reading other posts, I am hopeful that this too shall pass in a short time. 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.

Sincerely,
Lynne

Hey, the new guide is GREAT. Keep it up. I hope you do more drugs. Maybe Cymbalta next? And put a link to this guide on your home page.

I agree the new guide is excellent, and i pick Seroquel next! Thanks for the hard work and information.

I am going off Prozac and Lamictal for Depression and mood swings. My side affects are disorientation-dizziness-and I'm unbalanced. I've almost been in two major car accidents. I was only on 100 mg/day and slowly went off them. It's been a few weeks and I think I'm going to go crazy. I just want this crap out of my system. Don't go on this stuff if your symptoms are mild-it isn't worth it. Excersise, eat nutritionally balanced food and see a therapist regularly before getting addicted to this crap. Does anyone know how much longer this might take? I pop 75 mg of Lamictal or so when it gets to be too much and the sympoms go away. That's been every 3 days. I'm off the Prozac-I think.

I have been on 200mg of Lamictal for a year now. I ran out a few days ago and have not refilled the scrip. I am having some serious back pain and headaches, also a general feeling of despair, I guess. I am not sure if any, or all, of these are symptoms of withdrawal from Lamictal or not. I made an appointment with the Dr. for later this week, I think I am going to ask him to get me off the Lamictal. (I am also taking 20mg/day of Lexapro, which I have not stopped, yet.)
I would love to be off all of it soon.
What are the most common side effects to withdrawing from Lamictal?

Due to a change in insurance, I am having to involuntalily take myself off of Lamictal and Effoxor XR at the same time. I am 3 days in to going cold turkey, and I feel worse than I did when I went into the psychiatric hospital. Can anyone tell me if the auditory sensations, dizziness, nausea adn vomiting, and pretty harsh paranoia are normal for my situation? Unfortunately, my dr. cannot seem to return calls and i am on the verge of calling 911. help!

Here's a link to the wikipedia entry about brain shivers that I stumbled across while coming off Cymbalta. It specifically mentions Effexor as one of the meds that can cause them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_shivers

In my case, these shivers manifested as dizziness, a feeling of receiving an electric shock, vertigo and a sort of buzzing "sound" which I know wasn't there. I was also more than a little agitated. I don't know if telling you what what you're experiencing is normal is worthwhile, but I also tapered off my meds and followed a plan of approximately 1 1/2 months that my doc and I planned out. You might want to see if you can afford to taper down off the med that you had the highest dosage of.

And regardless, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. They might be able to give you samples to help you taper down at no cost to you.

I agree, this has got to be a slow removal of both of those drugs. Lamictal has a warning to taper down slowly due to possible seizures. I experienced nausea,dizziness,brain shivers,vomiting,diahrea, severe confusion--coming off of Seroquel cold turkey. There is also something called withdrawal psychosis, that could be happening. In any case, call the doc and get some samples and 1/4 it down over weeks if not months to make it easier on yourself. Good luck.

Another useful withdrawal information site for those coming off of [any psych med in my opinion]is Taper Safely,Inc.

Wow I was just looking for a reference point to take with me to a doctors appointment today. I am going in for pain. Back ache head ache dizzy dizzy dizzy, my balance is off and I just cant follow through with anything that is if I even get out of bed. After reading this thread i realize it has been 5 days today since my last lamictal (300mg day). I wass going to bpick up my refill today but now I am really wondering if I should leave it there.

Diana, after 5 days of hell, you're probably through the worst of the withdrawal. I really hope you consider stopping now.

One of the nastiest withdrawal effects is what I used to call vision swim. I'd turn my head and my vision would lag for a few seconds. I was extremely dizzy and fell down frequently. It pretty much burned itself out in a week, though.

My advice (not that you asked!) is to brew a big mug of tea and go back to bed until you feel better. Hope you're feeling well soon.

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. I plan on

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.

So why does it do this?
First, I'm not a doctor, but nonetheless: I think this could have something to do with Lamictal's combined sigma-opioid receptor activity, calcium-channel blocking (which reduces how much neurons fire, hence Lamictal's use as an epilepsy med), and serotonin receptor activity. That means it may be like withdrawing from at least 3 separate meds at once. Don't forget that it has those odd melanin-binding and immune system ("The Rash" and Steven Johnson's Syndrome) effects. Strange stuff indeed.

From the drug pamphlet:
"Although the relevance for human use is unknown, the following data characterize the performance of LAMICTAL in receptor binding assays. Lamotrigine had a weak inhibitory effect on the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor... It had weak effects at sigma opioid receptors..."
(http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_lamictal.pdf) - Pg. 3

So my advice: Work with your doctor, take it slow, slower if you need too, and plan ahead for the effects. Do not stop abruptly, since it can cause seizures. Let friends and family know you may need some support and that you might get a bit irritable. Please be careful about driving, the irritability alone is reason enough to stay off the road for a few days.

I really hope GSK informs doctors and patients about this. Even with all this horror it is a wonder drug for many, but it absolutely needs a proper warning. Again, talk to your doctor, I'm a student and in no way an authority on this stuff.

CRAZYMEDS is now located at a new domain:

http://crazymeds.us/

I highly recommend this peer supported psychiatric medication website. There is a message board forum, links to the drug companies and clinical studies. Extensive information about: What are these types of drugs approved to treat? How will the pills make you feel? How do the medications work? How to correctly start and stop taking psychotropic medications (1st get your doctor's approval). also a good resource: http://bipolar.about.com/od/medications/Medications.htm

I have had wonderful success on Lamictal. I took 200mg for 2 years then late last year I told my doctor that I still felt edgy and agitated. I suggested that we lower the dose to 150mg and it worked. Attention people, increasing medications is not always the answer. I'd seriously consider trying a new drug if your doctor is going above the recommended dosage. I have been medicated for 23 years for Bipolar 1. I have finally found a cocktail that has kept me relatively stable for the past 2 years with no uncomfortable side effects: Lamictal, Lexapro, Trazodone and Ativan as needed.

started lamictal in may gradually up to 150 mg now also on bupropion sr 150 mg twice a day and fl;uoxetine 1/2half 20 mg Eevery other day. depression has returned and the meds never really succesful. my therapist (md) says stay on longer but i question the wisdom since i see no real improvement in six months. becoming more depressed with the failure of all these meds. what do you suggest?

I was on 200mg Lamictal for 8 months and I recently decided to stop taking it to see how I do without it. I have been taking it for depression and I've been very happy with the results it's given me. (I began it when I was with another doc, who I was later told wrongly diagnosed me with bipolar. His intention with this was to treat me for bipolar, but all I had was depression and anxiety. It worked so well, however, that I stayed on it.) The only side effects I really noticed were pretty bad difficulty concentrating and restlessness. Anyway, I'm stopping now because I've had fine periods without meds that can go for almost 2 years, so I think it's healthier for my body.


I had no problems starting up Lamictal, but that's probably because the starter pack went up sooo slowwwllllyy. I should have taken that as a warning that it would be just as hard to go off. I cut back to 150mg for 4 days, and that was going okay except for some pretty bad fatigue. So 2 days ago I cut down to 100mg. Bad idea. I am EXTREMELY tired. I'm also dizzy with a headache, the feeling of a full/heavy/congested head, trouble concentrating, feeling really "out of it." I guess my only choice is to taper off just as slowly as I can on, which is going to suck. This drug is horrible to come off! Why can't docs just warn their patients...it's not like we want to stay on these pills forever, you know.

I was also on 5mg Lexapro. I stopped that cold-turkey without any problem (most likely because it's such a low dose). Let me just say I HATED Lexapro...My doc started me on 10mg and immediately I had insomnia, worsened anxiety, and horrible heart palpitations (which is especially bad for me because I have a pre-existing heart condition). Once I was at 5mg those symptoms went away, but I started taking Klonopin for anxiety instead so I can't say if Lexapro did anything at all. So much for that.

I was also wondering if anyone had any muscle pains while on Lamictal. I don't know if this has anything to do with it (and I suppose there's no way to know), but shortly after upping to 200mg I developed a horrible muscle spasm in my neck that required me to take muscle relaxers. Then a few days ago I've got one in my leg. If this sounds familliar, please let me know!!!

wow I haven't kept up with this thread and I've missed a goldmine. I'm withdrawing from all my drugs one at a time. I did half my lamictal (200 mg) a few months ago and I'm planning on doing the rest (another 200 mg) starting as soon as I know whether I'm going out of town for christmas or not. If I am I'll wait until Jan.

In any case when I went off the first 200 mg at approx 25 mg every week or two it triggered severe chronic fatigue. I've now been dealing with this severe fatigue since May of this year. I don't know if it's withdrawals anymore or if it's just an underlying problem that the trauma of the withdrawal triggered.

Anyone else have long term fatigue associated with your withdrawal? I really want to go ahead and get off the next 200 mg. For now I'm assuming the fatigue is a complication of my whole withdrawal process that has been going on for 2 years as I was on 6 meds---it's just the really severe hit was in synch with the Lamictal taper---unraveling this may not be possible.

For resources and information on withdrawal visit my about page:

http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/about/

Is there any recovery here? Maybe I missed it. If anyone has recovered and is off the lamictal and all psych meds.. can you please contact me? I really want to see some hope... cuz this is f*cking hard.
I am down to 50mg (25 AM & 25 PM) I'm good for a few hours after I take each dose... the rest of the time I experience an intense physical anxiety, morbidity and extreme agitation. And a metallic taste in my mouth and feeling in my chest... (not sure if that's related - does anyone else have this?)
I am intent on ridding myself of all psych meds and other substances. I don't want to be blocked and dumbed down any longer. Also... I would like to have children a few years from now. Lamictal es no bueno for unborn babies.
I have been on meds for 12 years. I have to have hope that my brain will repair this. Because this is painful and uncomfortable and sometimes I feel like I am going to crawl out of my skin.
I just have to believe I can do it. And I can heal the brain damage.
Does anyone out there relate to any of this?
Has anyone persevered over this?
Are there support groups?
There should be.
Would anyone be interested in being part of a support group for psych med withdrawal?
Any comments on this would be really help.

Hey 8%,
It's been awhile so I don't know if you'll see this, but my blog is all about psych withdrawal and you're asking for community.

I just came back here because I just started my second round of coming off Lamictal. I did the first 200 mg a few months ago.

I have 200 mg left. I cut down 25 mg three days ago. Holy shit---I'm in hell right now. I don't know if I'm relieved or not to see these entries again.

However, you ask about recovery after withdrawal and the author of this blog did it. He is fine and he made it through a withdrawal. People do recover. Also I know several people from my site who have gotten off Lamictal successfully and are fully recovered. I hold these people in my sight now, since I know the next couple of months are going to be shit.

Philip I posted this a few hours ago....I'm trying again since you have posted stuff in that time I'm wondering if it went missing...

I'm also in the process of attempting to post on this issue if I can muster the concentration through my Lamictal withdrawal haze.

Hey 8%,
It's been awhile so I don't know if you'll see this, but my blog is all about psych withdrawal and you're asking for community.

I just came back here because I just started my second round of coming off Lamictal. I did the first 200 mg a few months ago.

I have 200 mg left. I cut down 25 mg three days ago. Holy shit---I'm in hell right now. I don't know if I'm relieved or not to see these entries again.

However, you ask about recovery after withdrawal and the author of this blog did it. He is fine and he made it through a withdrawal. People do recover. Also I know several people from my site who have gotten off Lamictal successfully and are fully recovered. I hold these people in my sight now, since I know the next couple of months are going to be shit.

Lamictal is hard to come off of. It is difficult to discern between the returning symptoms of bipolar depression/mania, and the withdrawal symptoms. I have attempted to stop taking it for years but the withdrawals always send me back to the pharmacy. I was up to 300mg a day but I'm trying to go to college and was advised by my psych that the memory lapses I was experiencing were due to the lamictal, he called it cognitive blunting. He was amazed that I was holding a 3.75 GPA on 300mg! So, I dropped to 100mg and am now attempting to ween off it completely. I'm scared. Since taking it I have developed a wonderful relationship with a man I love and I fear sabotaging that.

Thank god I found some other information on what I am experiencing!

I am 16 and was taking 250 mg of lamictal a day. I no longer want to be on medication, but this is the only one of my meds they are considering eliminating. We dropped it to 200 mg last week, and since then I have been very moody, irritable, and anxious. Some paranoia has been in there, too. I have been having a sort of anxiety attack tonight, and it has been very uncomfortable.

I was on lamictal for two years straight (125mg). I decided it wasn't doing much for me so I started tapering off the drug a few months ago. All I have to say is that I've never felt so bad and zoned out like a zombie in my life!! Nasuea, dizziness, weight gain(yes coming off the drug) etc. I slowy tapered off and it's been one month now that I've not taken one pill of lamictal. Why am i still having such sever withdrawal symptoms?? I'm stoooo frustrated, I couldn't function with the drug, now I can't function off the drug!! Has anyone had such severy withdrawal even having not taken the medication for a month or so?

Can someone please give me the positives about getting off of Lamictal? I know its going to be hard, but someone has to be out there that has done it and can reassure the rest of us that we will be fine without it (if we are sure it isn't for us).

I have been up to 175mg Lamictal and hit some bizarre side effects -- severe brain fog, respiratory infection, even my teeth hurt! But I came dowm to 50 pretty fast and without trouble. This time I got to 175 without Trileptal but I just got this: "I don't care about anything" attitude -- like paying bills or answering the phone. So I'm back to 100mg but feel anemic and anorexic.

Did a lot of research and am taking a ton of vitamins, minerals, etc. These anticonvulsants devour B vitamins. Like the old Kris Kristofferson song: "was the going up worth the coming down?" Something like that. Sorry Kris, if I spelled your name wrong.

I have been on cymbalta 90mg and cymbalta 300mg for 4 yrs.
At first it worked liked gold, my deppression and anxiety gone.
The past year and a half it hasn,t ben working.
My doctor was unable to get my cymbalta to me through no fault of my own, they were very buisy, by time i got to doctor i very very sick, vommitting, diahreah,crying, very tempermental towards husband and very irratioal.
This is when i decided with doctoctors help to get off these meds.
I have been tapering off slowly for 2 weeks now and start effexor on monday thankgoodnes!!!!!.
I have been nauseaus, volitile,emotioanal, very big deppressive waves and crying.
I want to be be on effexor for one yesr while i get my self help skills down pact and work on my workbooks
Iv,e come to the conclusion the meds are causing more harm than good.
The withdrawal is terrible which no doctor will tell you about, i am hoping i dont have brain damage as result of these meds.
Cant actually find medical evidence on line to support this.
Im also giving up 3 beer a night habbit and smoing at th same time but i want to be well and it has to come from me.
Any knowledge on this welcome.
Thankyou So much!

i am happy I found this site. i take lamictal for bipolar disorder. i'm stopping my lamictal i was on 300 mg a day for the last six months,i'm down to 75 mgs now and feel like hell. i walked out of my job today and thought that i was going nuts. i feel foggy, i have terrible headaches and thirst and am lethargic. this drug isn't worth it. i've stopped taking paxil in the past and thought that was as bad as it gets but this is worse by far.

I have recently come off lamictal. I was taking 150mgs and took my last 25mg dose last Sunday (1 week ago). I didn't like it, I didn't think it was working for me. It was prescribed mainly for anxiety. Anyway - I am feeling tired, irritable and pretty anxious and this is on top of the lorazapem I am taking. Is this still part of withdrawal??

I've been on Lamictal for two years for epileptic seizures. I started on 200 mg and then went up to 300 mg. I am now coming off it since it hasn't worked. My experience with withdrawal is that it almost always makes sense to go much slower than the docs recommend. I am going down 25 mg every 10-14 days and one week in, my feelings are all over the map, my head is full of all kinds of images and jumbled fragments of ideas and I forget what I'm thinking in the middle of the thought. Some of these are typical head injury symptoms, which I've had for some years, but very suddenly worse since I started withdrawal. I've had seizures from following medical instructions on withdrawal, (Xanax, Keppra, Atavan, Klonipin) and intense physical and emotional symptoms with Remeron, Prozac and Depakote. Withdrawal is always rough but it helps to take charge and decide what level of rough you can handle and adjust the speed accordingly.

Can anyone tell me how long the nausea lasts
Hope at the end of the tunnel

when comming off Lamictal?

Ive been on it for 2 yrs for Bipolar. Befor i compain about it i have to stres how effective it has been for me in stabilising my mood and how i dont think id still be here without it.
I started slowly tappering off in December 2007 from 50mg to 25mg once a day. Then in January i started taking 25 mg once a dayfor 3 weeks and then in Jan 2008 i dropped to 25mg every other day. I stopped taking it completely a month ago and have felt terrible nausea where i feel like its all being held in my throat. Terrible dizziness 3 weeks ago and migrane. also been feeling really out of it and not able to concentrate in class-(i stupidly did a 5 week intensive tefel course as i thought keeping busy would keep my mind off the withdrawl effects) other side effects more mood swings but not the depressive 'i cant live life' feeling.Just been feeling sad and crying a lot. Because i havent been feeling suicidal im keen to stick with this and get off the meds. Actually my main worry has been that i have been getting this bad lip peeling on my lips. The skin is so sore and flakey and it leaves my lips blisterd and raw pink with little skin on them. im really worried about it coz i know people can get a rash and that is potentially fatal. Ever since tappering down and stopping my meds my lips have got better. But the headache, anxiety, slight panicky feeling, hear racing and nasea proved to be too much for me yesterday so i took a full 50mg and today a 25mg and feel much better today. Do you think i shouldpeserveer and stick with this nausea in an attempt to gett off or do you think that it means I need to go down even more slowly? im really very confused and feel a little bit lost and lonely. in the UK lamictal isnt legally prescribed for mood disorders so i alsways end up wasting my time and have to watch the docs as they flip through their drug guide books as they try to advise me of how much to take and what to expect. ps when i drink alcohol its disasterous as the next day i feel hungover 1000x worse& that is with just 1 glass of wine. That never used to happen, even when i was on lamictal. does anyone else have it as a side effect?

It's me again...the woman who wanted to come off Lamictal in order to have a baby. After (finally) getting off Lamictal, I went to a new therapist because the Zoloft just wasn't cutting it for my depression. She sent me to a well-respected psychiatrist who put me on Prozac. Well, guess what! It threw me into what they call a "hypo-manic episode" and declared me to be bi-polar. Fabulous, eh? All this time I was being treated for major depressive disorder. So, said psych cut the Prozac in half and put me on Seroquel and Klonopin. Not working so great. Can't sleep. Puts me on Geodon, LAMICTAL, and gives me Ambien. Guess what. Not working so great. Can't sleep. Anxiety attacks. So I down the bottle of Ambien and as much Seroquel I can lay my hands on before my husband holds me down while he dials 911. After spending a week at the "Medical College of __" being poked, prodded, tested, interviewed, harrassed, and taken off all meds except ONE Klonopin a day, I'm discharged on a Friday with a NON diagnosis (Mood Disorder NOS) and told to see my shrink and therapist the following Monday. As soon as I get home, I freak out and start cleaning the house. I sprayed my husband with bleach because he wouldn't get out of my way. He called my shrink who told him to give me Klonopin 3x day and to start back on LAMICTAL ASAP. I had to resign from my job and now have more sleepless nights than ever. The power surges, or panic attacks, are still ongoing, but hey, at least I don't have to go to work in the morning. My husband took away my credit cards and ATM cards, which is probably a good thing since my hobby had beocme shopping. No job = no money. I'm back on Geodon at 180mg a day and up to 150 on Lamictal and popping Klonopin like candy. I wake up groggy just from the Geodon and can barely walk in the mornings. But hey, the house is clean! By the way, no chance in hell of having a baby now. Thank you so much DRUG LORDS FROM HELL!!!! Phillip, any wise suggestions???

I had a bad couple of days. Ran out of Lamictal for the first time. I take 400mg daily. When I went to fill them they said I was denied. i couldn' afford out of pocket, so I couldn't get it. The main problem was feeling like I was in the prodrome of a seizure. I had a dull headache, racing thoughts, weird dreams, mental lapses, confusion about where I was, basically feeling out of it. Today i called the insurance, and they said I was fine. Apparently the pharmacy was
using the old insurance. I felt more and more out of it and disorganized with racing thoughts over the 2 days. I don't really trust anything I was thinking during that time. I was able to pick it up this morning. Though I feel only a little better so far, I feel quite relieved.

Hello. I've been on 300 mg of Lamictal for a little over a year and I've been trying to go down to 225 mg because of water retention and slow weight gain that has been creeping up, despite going to the gym more than 4 x a week and watching my caloric intake. I'm also on Effexor 300 mg, which I've been on for three years, so I don't know which is the culprit. I've been feeling very upset and also depressed, then agitated and it's a bit frightening. Is it normal to feel this way when coming down and how long does it take for each dose to balance out? Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

I was on lamictal for the duration of my pregnancy with my second son. 300 mg. It was my only med (I'm bipolar). There were no complications at all, he is a completely healthy, normal 2 1/2 year old, talks at a 4 year old's level, knows every color under the sun, has a huge library of songs he has memorized, etc. Just a thought, although I know well enough to know I'll get railed for this comment. Lamictal is actually considered safe for pregnancy. My son is proof of that.

I have been on lamictal for 7 months and have been taking 200mg a day.I just recently noticed my teeth turning grey and discolored, nothing you can bleech out. otherwise i loved the medication. I have heard horror stories about hair loss, so i decides to ween off over a three week period and got down to 50 mg, and that night i went into a siezure like experience, my nerves were freaking out and my arms and legs felt like they were going through shock therapy, it was terrible. So now im not sure what the heck to do. tonight i will take 150mg. until i get to my doctor to confirm if teeth stains can be caused by lamicatl. I might retry many of the other dozen or so antidepressants i already tried. my discolored teeth is not worth it. I might need veners to cover the damage. Has anyone noticed this or red ruff skin on there face. please comment. thank you

Awesome Blog!




Let me start by saying that yesterday I quit taking my 200mg of Lamictal --- cold turkey. This is my second day. So far so good. I have been drinking a lot of water, maybe that is helping. Or maybe tomorrow I will be crawled up in the fetal position wondering what I have done to myself. LOL!




Two years ago because of many stressful life situations I was "asked" to go to a doctor as my mood swings were out of control. This decision was based on the fact that my mother was bi-polar. She went through it all as I was growing up. Electro shock, lithium, going on her medicine, going off her medicine. etc, etc. Very challenging at times.




So because of her past and my need to salvage a 23 year marriage for my kids sake, I agreed to go to the doctor. It was my General practitioner. I explained the situation. She said try Lexapro until things became more stable in my life and then we should be able to come off of the medicine.




I find it interesting that when we find ourselves in very stressful situations in life and our moods tend to swing because of - financial ruin, a failed marriage, job stress, etc., etc. that the common answer in this generation is that we need to be on something.




It is viewed in today's society as "not normal" to express anger and -- unfortunately -- rage to cope with the most extreme difficulties one might encounter. No matter what the severity of the crisis may be.




I will agree that because of my mothers past, I have some of her bi-polar traits in me. I react very similar to situations as she did. Although, for people to say that "it is hereditary" or "it's family genetics" and that you need to be on something is totally false. If there is no test or proper diagnosis for bi-polarism -- then why do we need to solve the issue immediately with drugs????? The counceling sessions become secondary.




I told the General practitioner that put me on Lexapro that I was embarressed to take the medicine as I never wanted to be like my mother. She laughed and said that they should put these drugs in our water supply. She said I would be surprised how many people are taking something for their nerves and some very prominent in the community.




I believe that through my years that I have had a certain level of anxiety and at times didn't deal with stress well, and I wished that I did have something to calm my nerves (in college alcohol seemed to do the trick).




But if solving my issues means taking drugs that make me tired, suck the life and creativity out of me, kill my sex drive, shortness of breathe, IBS bleeding, etc., etc., etc.,




It is even worth taking the medicine?




I now go to a psych. He put me on the 200mg of Lamictal saying it would change everything the Lexipro was causing. Let's see after a year --- I seem to have the same symptoms - shall I quote myself -




"But if solving my issues means taking drugs that make me tired, suck the life and creativity out of me, kill my sex drive, shortness of breathe, IBS bleeding, etc., etc., etc.,"




When I go see him it is a 5 minute appointment. "How are things going" - I say "Great". He tells me that it is the medicine helping me with my mood swings. And that I should never quit taking it. I asked him if the fact that my life has done a complete 360 degree turnaround to the positive -- financially and marital wise -- where does that come into play? He doesn't really know how to answer that but again to say, it is the medicine.... LOL




Doe's a positive change in one's life account for any positive change in personal behavior? Or is it always going to be the medicine, that creates the change?????




I believe that the medical community has found a way to thrive on the "walk up traffic." They are more sales people / order takers trying to make an easy "commission."




It reminds you of Lucy and Charlie Brown - "The doctor is in." They know that people like us are easy targets, easy income, customers for life....

I have come to the conclusion that I will not live in a world that I cannot feel. One that will not allow me to express my basic human emotions in any given situation.




I cherish my life everyday, and the wonderful gift that God has given us... LIFE.




I look at the circumstances of others in this world.... starvation, aids, famine, drought, cancer, homelessness. We all know the list is endless.




Who am I to feel that I have problems? Mine are insignificant to what is happening to others in this world.




Anyway, with all that said... I am choosing to stop the medication. The first 44 years of my life without it, I did extremely well. Because of severe changes in my life circumstances two years ago, (and everyone on the planet that was taking something, was telling me I needed to be on something), I decided to take this magic carpet ride.




But again, I will no longer relegate myself to this "MEDICINAL PRISON"....




I pray that the Lord will grant me my freedom. And provide me the guidance I will need for a medicine free life. I can no longer put my hope in pills, 5 minute doctor visits, and others that have worse (mental) problems than mine, telling me how to live my life.




God Bless you all, thank you for listening!

I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully stopped taking Lamictal. When did you start feeling better? Did your cognitive impairment lessen at all? Did your complexion clear up? Did you sleep better? Did you rediscover your libido?

I stopped taking it for a week and ended up going back on it because it was a fresh hell I could not bear.

I would like to hear the positive side of Lamictal withdrawal and I appreciate any and all input.

Hi Vetta,

Everyone's experiences with these medications are different, and it's impossible to say with certainty, "I feel X because of medication Y."

Virtually everyone who posts comments here has had serious problems with many medications, but that may be a selection effect as much as anything. If they weren't having problems they would be less likely to come across or repeatedly visit Furious Seasons, so take people's opinions here with a grain of salt.

For myself, I've been taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) now for over two years. I stopped once cold turkey after running out and having to wait for the next paycheck. Like many people report on there were virtually no side effects, either starting the medication or stopping abruptly. And it seems to actually help in evening out my mood. How fast did you drop the dose when you stopped taking it? Slow titration down with these medications seems the key to successfully stopping them. Best of luck.

cairn, you are wrong at least in reference to myself. i've actually said nice things about lamictal--to the degree it actually worked as an anti-dep for me--but the withdrawal was nasty. you're lucky.

and don't disparage the readers of this site or minimize them or their experiences.

you speak for the few, not the many.

Vetta,

I took 400mg lamictal for 2 years then went cold turkey. If I knew then what I know now I would have titrated slowly. Next three months were hellish for my family, but I am so glad to now be free of it. There are may good resources for coming off psychiatric drugs. The protocols typically involve metering your doses and supplementing your diet with vitamins and eliminating trigger foods.

It took quite some time to get my sleep back to a normal state. I can directly credit melatonin for my recovery. I've had circadian issues as long as I can remember, but the psychiatrists somehow automatically assume mania for insomnia. I don't take it every day, but I did for a few months and my sleep has never been better.

I suggest you work up a withdrawal plan first and discuss this with whoever is treating you. It's better if they are receptive and amenable, but if not then you still have to make a decision. Be prepare for difficulties and don't try to rush - it's not a race.

Warning - you can't split extended release formulation pills. If you are taking anything of this sort you'll want to switch off before titrating down. Also, lamictal comes in different dosage/pills so that can help. but you'll need help from your prescriber as you switch to lower dosages.

Best of luck and stay positive!

I wanted to give everyone an update.

This is day #5 of not taking my 200mg of Lamictal. I would not recommend this to anyone. You need to be quite strong mentally to struggle with the changes that occur primarily in your brain and head. WOW, is an understatement of how I am feeling, not good at all. Although, as I am this far along, I am going to stay the course.

A real struggle emotionally, it is taking a major conscience effort on my part to control my emotions and get through this. It is working because there have not been any noticeable changes in my behavior. Trust me my wife would flip if she knew I quit taking the "MAGIC LAMICTAL."

Internally though, it takes everything I have to get through. The dizzyness is the main thing, and I try not to make quick movements.

The first two days were very rough. Dizzy, nauseous, my mind raced, could not sleep at all. The past 3 days have been primarily dizzy, although things are better. I am extremely thirsty and drinking a lot of water.

The only thing truly helping is my desire to rid myself of this stuff. It upsets me greatly to know that I have been pulled this far in.

One thing I didn't share in my first post is that my new doctor initially told me that I would be on this a year, and then he would wean me off the Lamictal as things got better emotionally at home. Several visits in, he changed his tune (even though he agreed things seemed to be better at home and in my life). He determined it was that Lamictal and that I would always need to take it.

Trust me, I am not going through this little experiment out of spite to prove a point to my doctor. Let me assure you, that working as an IT professional, the last thing I need is to jeopardize my career by not performing on the job. [Plus the Lamictal only allows for non-performance in the bedroom....LOL.] [Hopefully, there will be a part of this story when that starts working again...LOL.]

I am stopping the medicine because I believe my issues started based on severe emotional changes in my life circumstances. I agreed with two doctors that I needed some help i.e. taking medicine.. [first the Lexipro, now the Lamictal], to help me get through the rough times.

Now that many positive changes have occured in my life, I don't see why a doctor would insist that I need the Lamictal forever???

Thus this little experiment...very harsh experiment I might add.

My determination will win out, it is unfortunate that my mind is taking such a beating during this withdrawal.

One upside I would like to share is that on day #2, my IBS literally went away. That was driving me crazy as I was losing a lot of blood. I then attributed the loss of blood (not the Lamictal)as the cause of my severe shortness of breathe, lack of strength, and lack of energy. Since not taking the Lamictal, I have been working out in the heat putting a brick patio on, cutting the grass in this 90 degree weather, etc., etc. So it definitely was the Lamicatal with it's negative side effects working on my body and causing the problems.

Hopefully, this is good info!

Bill,

Some things to consider:

1. Make sure you take vitamins everyday (I split mine twice a day): a multi, B complex, Omega 3, and C at a minimum. There are many good resources on the net for this.

2. Sleep issues: 50mg benadryl and or 3-5 mg melatonin.

3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and anything that you know activates you. I tried to eat simple foods as often as possible.

4. Get outside and exercise - do this do this do this.

5. Try to get some social interaction outside your home - go to library, coffee shop (ok, a coffe once in a while is ok, just not at night), aquarium, etc...

6. Stay positive. This won't be easy and you might have some setbacks. That's ok.

7. Make a simple weekly schedule for yourself. Too many activities/chores and it becomes a stressor, to few and it won't be as effective as it could.

The physical symptoms you speak of sound familiar. Take it slow and easy and give your brain and body time to adjust.

Warm regards,
Paul

Paul,
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate the support. I will try all your recommendations. I am especially interested in trying the Benedryl and Melatonin. Very strange feeling coming down off of the Lamictal and how it won't let you sleep. It's like your mind is locked up and won't respond to your bodies request to close your eyes and go to sleep. It seems goes in intervals, I am only getting little bits of rest, but not really sleep.
Amazing that Lamictal can alter the brain patterns so dramatically. More amazing is that the medical community knows this, but yet still prescribes all these drugs with their known side effects. That would be part of their customer for life program.
I'll give you an update and let you know how it works.

Melatonin was a Godsend for me. I have had circadian rhythm issues since youth and it gave me natural sleep for the first time ever. It's not sedating like Benadryl, but I wouldn't take it during the day either. Benadryl is an anti-histamine which can really help you get to sleep as you titrate down. So-called mood stabilizers (aka neuroleptics) also have a very strong affinity for histamine which is why they are so sedating.

These two aren't substitutes for each other, more complementary. You may find one is better for you than the other at different times. YMMV...

I know this is kinda of late, but this is one of the main sources of information I've had when I've been dealing with this withdrawal. It helped so much so I thought I'd add to my experience.

Last November I was having a tough time with life situations. In 40 min the doc told me I was bipolar. Which I realize 6 months later I never was bipolar.

In February, I had a major anxiety issue. not exactly an attack but I had to take a whole day off from it. As the dosage got higher the more anxious I was. I couldn't enjoy myself. I realized that I had NEVER felt this way and that its from the Lamictal. As I told my doc this he wanted to up the dosage and give me something else. I realized that I was with the wrong doc. I started to wean myself off.

Apparently I did it wrong. I went from 100mg to 50mg to 25mg. I am still on 25mg and I am slowly coming off of that. But 2 weeks after I went down to 25mg I had been crying, panic attacks, fear of death, fear of everything. Thank God I have the best support system in the world. I went to a therapist who confirmed that I do NOT have bipolar disorder and that a lot of this anxiety is coming from lamictal. Of course while I am at these sessions I'm working on a few things but nothing that would cause this havoc.

It was terrible and I was searching for anyone to tell me that they came off of it okay. I had a week of anxiety and a few days of major depression.

I prayed alot, but when I finally had the energy to try and run I felt like a different human being. So I suggest that when you are able to start feeling well again to exercise. I felt brand new. I still wake up with a little anxiety in the morning but I know I'm getting so much better. Plus I have a little more to get off of.

But as of now... I feel so fantastic and I want people to know that there IS hope and you can get through it.

lamictal has made me severely depressed would rather be dead than to wake up crying everyday in front of my children and feeling hopeless and isolated, oh and my crappy dr. said i have bipolar after one time of meeting this person how rediculous is that? I read that these drs are so quick to blame everything on bipolar instead of doing real work to find out what is wrong with you

4 years ago I switched from Topomax to Lamictal. Clinician suggested that it might be a better option to help congitive function. (That was my only probem with a slight back injury discomfort and arthritis in my feet).

After switching to Lamictal, I right away developed a dyskinsia, uncontrollable tongue thrusting into my teeth, such that at the end of the day, my tongue would bleed. Dentist filed one tooth down flat. If I wasn't doing that, I was clenching my teeth so hard my face hurt. I also developed a habit of sticking my fingernails between my teeth. The arthritis in my feet seemed to get worse and I had them operated on. My back pain, from a previous injury became excrutiating, for which I went to cortizone shots, and pain meds. and also had othopedic body manipulations. I was told that I may soon need a back operation. By now I was walking with a cane and trying not to use a wheelchair. The last manipulation took my breath away and was very painful, such that I quit going and tolerated the pain with more and more pain meds. The fatigue that set in along with the new muscle pain was diagnosed as fibromyalgia. I developed a non-serious rash/acne after having been prescribed lyrica and sulindac (allergy/no one listened to me) which has yet to go away since I refused to take it. The many ulcers in my mouth were so painful, I could hardly brush my teeth, or talk. I developed a yeast infection in my mouth that just would not go away with med. and a UTI that was so bad I had blood in urine. I went for a mouth biopsy which left a portion of my lower lip completely numb. I developed an insomnia for which I was prescribed Trazadone, along with the benedryl I was already taking. I was prescribed famotadine for hearburn, Not one day in three years has suicide not crossed my mind. I am more irritable and cross and impatient with my family. Neck, shoulder and elbow pain sometimes prevented driving, not to mention that I could no longer walk in the mall or on store floors for back, hip, knee and foot pains. 2007/2008 winter was the worst in all my life. Infections, colds, flus and all the aforementioned kept me going to the doctor once or twice a week. I eventually was so sick of doctors I refused to go. In three years I have gaind 50 lbs. I have three times suggested the these symptoms were side effects from the lamictal. But since there was no information listed in the Pharmaceudical info, there was no reason to blame Lamictal. In desperation I again researched on the internet for Lamictal Info. Of course any site that advertises meds. touts the wonders of Lamictal, including Lamictal.com. What helped me most, were all the blogs and forums of Lamictal consumers. My suspicions were validated and I started to wean myself off ever so slowly. Nonetheless, I lost 6 to 7 lbs in the frst week of cutting back to 275 from 300 mgs. Then cutting back to back to 250 megs. Started feeling fewer body pains, mouth ulcers started to fade away. Getting better and better with each cut back, I am now taking 150 mgs per day. I am walking my dog at least 1 or more miles a day with no cane. I can cover 1 mile in 20 minutes. No body pains until about middle of the day for which I take over the counter acetaminophen. (I take the Tramadol, only if necessary, and no more unprescribed percoset.) Took up crossword puzzles and soduko as brain function improved. No more hot flashes (that I thought were menopause). My life has improved at least 75% and I suffer very little muscle pain still and no other diffculties. I am elated, not manic, elated. Thank you all for taking your time to participate in the forums and blogging. You all have helped me more than any doc. and more than I can say. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Can't wait to get off all Lamictal. I know this is a long post but I just wanted to share my lamictal experince. It's been a very long three years.