[darkeyes]

Cam, I know if an epileptic stopped suddenly their meds they would most likely seizure, but if it is being used for Bipolar disorder and they quit it abruptly after a year on it , would they risk a seizure, especially if they do not have epilepsy, the med I am interested is Lamictal (Lamotrigine) which I am still taking.
I never had a seizure and just was wondering if myself stopped the Lamictal could I go into an epileptic seizure??
The medication is good but someday I'd like to go solo, it is my environment causing me to need meds, I feel change the environment and then see if I still need meds.
Again, another apology for my constant questions mixed with rantings

Sincerely,

DE

PS Thanks ahead of time for your reply, hope you are well

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[darkeyes]

??

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[darkeyes]

??

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[CamW]

Darkeyes - Sorry, I have not had access to a computer for over a week, and I'm not doing very well at the moment ..... thinking hurts.

No, there should be no risk of seizures with abruptly discontinuing Lamictalª (lamotrigine), unless you have a history of them. There can be a problem with the abrupt discontinuation of anticonvulsants when used in bipolar disorders.

Sometimes stopping an anticonvulsant being used for mood stabilization results in a manic/depressive episode. I have not heard of (or can't remember) this happening with Lamictal. This may be because I have not seen that many cases of abrupt discontinuation of the drug when it has been taken long term (ie. more than six months).

Of course, Lamictal is often stopped abruptly during the dose titration phase (especially if a rash appears), but the drug is more often than not being used as an adjunctive agent (ie. add-on medication). Usually the newer mood stabilizers, including Lamictal, are only used to augment the effects of lithium, divalproex/valproic acid, or carbamazepine when these medications do not completely control the bipolar disorder. Lamictal is often added to one of these medications to help deal with the residual depression associated with the Bipolar II-type of mood disorder. The use of the newer anticonvulsants (eg. gabapentin [Neurontinª], topiramate [Topamaxª], et al) as first line therapies is being seen more and more. I believe that this is due to the pdocs becoming more comfortable with using these medications.

Sorry that this took so long, I may not be around much in the next little while, but I will try to drag myself to this screen a little more often. I hope that this is of so help. - Cam

To fully understand a concept is to be unable to convey it's intricacies verbally; only when one can sense it emotionally, does one understand.

[darkeyes]

Hi there
So what I understand then is being that I do not and never had a seizure disorder/epilepsy, and pdoc has been having me use the Lamictal for my Bipolar-II little over a year now, if I were to wean off I shouldn't have a convulsion/seiezure, right?
Pardon, my spelling or "mis" spelling, ha!ha!
I really would like to see if I myself have gotten over "the past" and discontinue the meds, but my pdoc seems concerned that with other things going on in my life (being mom's caregiver, she lives with me since Sept) it may not be a good idea, but I do not know, it boggles my mind, I have no opposition to meds, but if I really can do without them and save my hair from falling out, I'd like to take the chance
Sorry, this is long winded, I am just at a loss right now and keep wondering, if I should go with my gut instinct.
I have been on 200mgs per day of Lamictal (Lamotrogine) and started Klonopin (clonozapam?) when needed when I started having anxiety attacks this year, never had them before Oh yes, he also gave me script for Ativan (lorazepam?) if needed to relax for sleep. Other than that I am taking only Lamictal, was weaned off Lithium (great and best drug for mania) at the time we both realized that was a short lived thing, I am more depressed than anything and AD's had stopped working.
I better stop yacking your ears off, and go before you "boot"e off, ha!ha! The main thing was I wanted to know if I stopped after almost 2 years would I go into seizures like an epilieptic would? Oh, I just was titrated up 50mgs more per day of the Lamictal but that was of my decision, if it didn't help me the pdoc said then drop back to the 200mgs per day, I had asked him if it would of helped during this crappy time (again) in my life
I guess it is all about timing.
Take care, and I hope all will be well for you and your family.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON