What happens with abrupt stop of Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?
Question posted by Blackey101 on 21 Jan 2013
Last updated on 15 August 2022
19 Answers Page 2
I stopped taking Lamotrigine for a week now and I am having spasms, loss of appetite because my food smells weird. I am so tired of taking so many pills. I have seizures so I also take Gabepetin and Topamax. I have another illness that requires me to take an additional 2 pill in the morning and 1 at night. My docs also had me on Citolapram. I quit taking that too, last week. My muscles hurt, maybe from spasms at night, I also am a little confused about things. It is about dates and stuff like that. I am 50 years old. But you know what, I can conquer this! I didn't have to take all of this medicine before, it is too much! I want my body and brain back!! I'll let you all know what happens. I haven't told my doctors yet what I am doing. I am keeping a journal. I am also eating heathier to see if this helps. Thank you for your time.
I to quite taking the med I am having so much joint pain and every muscle in my body draws up like Charlie horse 50 times more intense. I have not told my doctor either I stopped another med as well and by doing so my doctor took me off a third med. I have yet to tell him.. I don't know if it's because of stopping it or not sick of taking pills
May I ask why you stopped taking it? Let me guess... you feel fine you don’t need that medicine anymore? OR your tired of having to take it everyday?? Well I’m here to tell you what the more you accept the facts the better you will be. Plus you can’t just stop a medication you have to wing down because it could make you loose your mind literally. Hang in there!
It’s difficult to take you seriously when you tell people to “wing “ it down.
After decreasing my sons dosage only 25 mg, he was frantic, having nightmares and started cutting. I would definitely never stop or even taper off this drug without a doctor advising and helping you through. it. I hope it works for you, but having nearly lost my son just last week, I'd beware.
I recently ran out. I'm unemployed and get tired of asking my family for help. My brother is worth more than a million but keeps a ledger of how much I owe him and reminds me frequently.
I got it today but was off it for a week. Don't ever do that!! I'm having spasms, phantom smells, fatigue and disturbing dreams.
I have no desire to do anything. It is a wonderful med but only if you follow the prescribed dosage.
Hope this helps:)
Hi..I recently stopped taking 100mg of lamictal, today is my 5th day. I had called my pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist, he suggested taking half the dosage and skipping days in between. However I just stopped..and the only issue I'm really having is zero appetite and upset stomach, and I couldn't sleep last night. However I'm remaining positive that I'll feel better in a few days. How did you feel when you started taking it again? Did you slowly introduce it back into your system?
I do not use my rx benefits for Lamical. Genetic for 150 mg once a day for 30 days is $9.00 usd.
Out of curiosity, as a human nature and relationship thing, when your brother reminds you how much you owe him, what is his point? Does he expect you to pay him back? Does he simply want you to be fully aware as purely a matter of responsibility? Does he want to rub your nose in the fact of his immense "generosity" for his own smugness / ego gratification? Is he trying to make you feel guilty, or create a sense of obligation? Is he trying to deter you from asking for more? Does he use it as a means to denigrate you? In other words, is he doing it in a fair and reasonable manner or is he playing mind games on you? Is this part of the emotional baggage from your family upbringing and sibling relationship? I have never borrowed from people in my life except for once from my father, I live more or less in the poverty line, yet I have loaned money with the various and usual problems.
But bear in mind, that we bipolar people have trouble with our interpretations of the external world and the people in it, especially our friends and relations, so neither you nor he may be seeing this for what it is.
Hi Blackey.
I'm going to give you a very looooong version of the info I found. Sorry this is so long, but in this case I had to.
Lamotrigine is a medication that works in the brain to treat bipolar disorder. It is also approved for the treatment of seizure disorders. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.
A depressive episode, or depression, occurs when a person experiences several of the following symptoms at the same time: “low” or depressed mood (e.g., sad, empty, tearful), decreased interest in most or all activities, changes in appetite (usually decreased), changes in sleep (usually poor sleep), loss of energy, feeling worthless/guilty/ hopeless/ helpless, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death (suicidal thinking).
A manic episode, or mania, is when a person experiences several of the following symptoms at the same time: “high” or irritable mood, very high self esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, and frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences (for example, excessive buying sprees).
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder (mental illness) that exposes people to these mood changes over the course of time. Bipolar disorder affects more than two million Americans each year, but individuals with this disorder can lead fulfilling lives when they receive proper treatment. Unfortunately, many people with this illness do not receive treatment.
What is the most important information I should know about lamotrigine?
Do not stop taking lamotrigine or change your dose without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Lamotrigine is used for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.
Do not stop taking lamotrigine even when you feel better. Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of lamotrigine treatment that is right for you.
Missing doses of lamotrigine may increase your risk for a relapse in your mood symptoms.
In order for lamotrigine to work properly, it should be taken every day as ordered by your healthcare provider.
Lamotrigine is rarely associated with serious skin rashes. If you experience a new rash while taking lamotrigine, call your doctor immediately.
I take Lamotrigine and it works wonders. Another med I take that REALLY helps me sleep is Gabapentin.
I pray this helps. Ya just never know. Our friends will give you answers that are more knowledgeable. We just do what we can, huh?
God bless you and I pray you get some sleep.
Love,
Anna
Your answer covers it all. I have been taking it for 2 years or so at 400mg for Bipolar. Decreased it on my own from 400 to 250 (HUGE mistake, was in middle of slight manic phase and conversion disorder). We are back at 300 and I'm going to ask psych to increase again. It is very dangerous to stop or decrease without doc input. It only stays in system for 24 hours so before it begins to wear off over the course of the day. Looking to going back to 200 twice a day, 300 at night is not working with mood stabilization during the evening. We had added Respiradal .5mg which was great at first but after 2 weeks caused a huge amount of anxiety. Went off it. Will not go off or decrease Lamictal again, mainstay of medication regime.
Hi once.
It's great that you recognized the side effects of withdrawing from Lamictal. Some people refuse to respect their body enough to believe it. I stopped taking lamotrigine when I went into mania, and I had hallucinations, and other symptoms that you already know about. I take 400 mg per day. I usually take it all at once. Lamotrogines makes me nauseous
so I eat it in between food. Like, a sandwich divided in 4, and 100 mg of Lamictal after each quarter of a sandwich. You probably already know that, but I thought I'd just throw it out there. I want to take it in late morning or afternoon, however, that's not always the case. I get lazy or I'm busy, or whatever. I feel the difference when I don't take it till night time. I don't have the energy, and I think it affects my mood(or I'm a b--- h.) It's a toss up. I also noticed that when Lamotrgine kicks in, I have 3-4 hrs of great energy. I could kick an entire football teams butt.
God bless you, Sweetheart.
Love,
Anna
I'm with Anna. Prayer is the most powerful prescription. I would like to add to that if you don't mind. My Nanny used to remind me to not ask God for anything, just let him work his magic on you. You don't have to be in a special place, or kneel at the side of your bed at night. I "talk" to him in my mind all the time, and my only prayer is that he give me the strength to accept his decision for my life. He is so magnanimous and too complex for our tiny brains to understand why he allows bad things to happen, especially since we have always been taught that he is a loving God. I try to remind myself that God would never expose me to experiences he thinks I cannot handle, so with all the never ending struggles I have been through in my life, I take it as a great compliment from something so huge I can't grasp or fathoms his ways. That is why it has to be faith.
SLEEP is also a great healer, and when you are really tired that is your body telling you that it needs attention. One last comment, be very careful with Lamictal... I came home very tired from work one night, and I was having a complex partial seizure. To make a long story short, I took too many of my Lamictal pills, I still don't know how many. I woke up at 3am crazy sick, and I ran door to door in my apt. building yelling for someone to call 911. I woke up in the ICU two days later. Please talk to you doc. before you make any changes with Lamital so he can titration your prescribed dose. Remember that there is only one you, so see yourself as that one of a kind that no one can replace... Anna, good for you. You sound like a very kind and loving person. Kira
Kira, thank you so much for the compliments. I'm learning to appreciate and value your answers. Their always helpful. We care about you, my dear. Love, your friend, Anna
Hi Blackey. How are you feeling today?
I agree with Kira, never, never take too many Klonopin. I did. I fell between tables and chairs, living room furniture, and I fell backwards into the bath tub and the shower bar fell on my head with my body laying in the tub. My son got out of bed and sat me on his couch and said "Don't go anywhere. Stay right here." I thought he was right and I still do, but I had to use the bathroom and I was suppose to stay on the couch. I held it as long as I could and started crawling to the bathroom and I peed my pants. Too much information? I had to tell you cuz I wanted to give you some kinda idea how we can overdose on Lamictal.
Can you tell me a little bit more about whats going on?
Your friend,
Love, Anna
Hi Blackey. I'm baaaaaak! Here's a little info I found. Isn't this fun?
If on a higher dose eg 200mg or more. There is an increased risk of seizure. My patient who feel it is helping report that they feel acutely anxious and depressed if they miss a dose. If it isn't helping you might not notice. I would only stop suddenly if there is an allergic rn. There is no need to suddenly stop. Talk with your prescriber
Ok, blah blah blah. It's interesting to me. I know, who cares what I think?
Enjoy.
Your friend,
Anna
Hi Anna, I could write a very long comment based on your "very loooooong" response to Blacky... ( I take Lamictal (200mg 3xday) "cocktailed" with two other Meds, also considered high mg for a day, but I take them for epilepsy). However, all I am going to tell you is... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! The few people who know that i am debilitated without them have told me that if they took my daily Rx regiment, they would be "comatosed" (of course, they are using that word between friends with a light humor), they do not have to take anything except an occasional Tylenol. I spend hours researching after all my clinic visits and as many times as they have had to tweak my Meds around to help me feel good. You saved me even more hours wasted trying to figure out why I still feel bad... If that makes any sense at all. Anyway, Thank you soooooo much! Kira
Thank you for your comments Anna and the rest. They have been helpful. I had no choice when it came to suddenly stopping Lamictal and about 6 other meds. The doctor I was seeing was not only treating me for addiction but she thought she could treat the mental health as well. She apparently (I later found out) that she cut off my services suddenly because someone from her office thought they seen me riding my mountain bike (only transportation) in an intoxicated manner. However, never investigated to even see if this was so. Today I am well and on far less meds. It did take a hospital stay to withdraw from the meds and to level out with less meds. Again thank you for the posts.
Hey Anna
How are you, i have just registered today i was just reading your comments do you take your Lamtrogine in the moring aswell.
Arrie
Hi there Arnie.
I take 400 mg of Lamictal, one four times per day. I set my phone alarm lately, and I've found that I continuously take my meds at 8:30, 12:30, 4:30 and 8:30. It's been a life saver for me. Be sure to eat something before you take the med.
I pray you have faith, hope and joy,
Anna
I'm on 100 mg of Lamotrigine. I'm getting real dizzy, excessive tiredness, and I seem to be getting more depressed. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder. Do yall have any suggestions for me? Thanks
I was given lamotrigine 200mg as an added med for pain. I have severe anxiety due to the pain I suffer from my TMJ. I had no idea how much the lamotrigine was working until I decided to stop it. The racing of my heart, or tachycardia has been so bad that it is hard to breath. I am on my 7th week without the medicine and it is no better. I know I had a seizure because I felt I was floating out of my body. I thought it was a heart attack. I wasn't even in my own state when I went off the medicine and couldn't get to my Dr. I was all alone in going thru this withdrawal. Please, I recommend that no one ever do this. I thought I would be fine. I was so horrible that I went back on the drug just because I couldn't take the withdrawal anymore. If you want to stop this med, I recommend replacing it with another and having Xanax to help with the symptoms. I haven't even been able to get that.
I have been epileptic for nearly 30 years I started taking lamotrigine on top of my eplim which controlled seizures perfectly after a bad spell I recently forgot to order lamotrigine and went 4 days without thinking all would be fine how wrong was I almost everything u list hits a nerve within me anyone reading this please take note do not stop taking lamotrigine.
I JUST tried to decrease from 150 a night to 75 a night. In just two days, I'm already talking like I make no sense. Words are coming out all backwards. Very anxious. And the racing thoughts are driving me up the wall. I hate being bi polar. Taking my regular 150 tonight!!!
Hello Blackey101,
Do not stop taking Lamictal / lamotrigine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using lamotrigine suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Read more at https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lamotrigine.html
Related topics
lamictal, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, restless legs syndrome, lamotrigine
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