[espresso-shots]

I started taking lamotrigine on November 24th. I did 2 weeks at 25mg, then 50mg until December 19th. On december 19th my does was increased to 100mg.

Shortly after starting this med my face broke out bad, and now its getting even worse. To the point where i don't want to leave my house because makeup can't even cover it all up.

I havent noticed any changes in my mood since starting this medication. I've actually been more irritable (but that would also be due to starting wellbutrin again)

I think I am going to stop lamotrigine cold turkey. Ive only been on it just over a month. The side effects are getting worse.

Has anyone stopped taking this medication cold turkey? How did you react?

ps, this being said i am seeing my psychiatrist mid Jan, and i can't get in sooner because he is on vacation.

Im so embarrassed by this acne.

[AstridLovelight]

I'm so sorry you're having problems with the lamotrigine. Acne and other skin problems are a common side effect with this med, which doesn't make them any less distressing, of course.

Even though I know you're eager for the acne to go away, tapering would be a wiser choice than quitting cold turkey, IMO. Quitting an AED abruptly can cause seizures, even if you've never had one before. Other withdrawal symptoms are also possible. I know tapering is a pain, but it would only be for a few weeks and then you could move on.

Hope this is of some small help. Good luck and take care of yourself!

[~Christina]

Its common when you first start taking this med .. I hit about week 8 or 9 weeks and I no longer had the breakouts they just went away.

I did all along use a retinal cream, which helped tone them down some. Speak to your Pdoc about the side effects.

[Travelinglady]

Please don't stop it cold turkey! I know the acne is tough to deal with, but it is best to talk to your psychiatrist about it and then decide what to do.

I tapered down too fast once and OMG...I'll never do it again. Pounding headaches, massive anxiety, panic attacks, delusions, scared, mind racing, crying, curled up in a ball. I quickly started back on it and it subsided. I felt like I was in a wreck. I don't know what that was but it was freaky. The second time I took longer to taper off and it wasn't bad. I started cycling bad so I just went back on it. I've been on it solid since then.

[Lauliza]

I stopped it also for similar reasons. It was more rash like than acne - I had sores on my torso that really hurt. I was at 200 mg and tapered so I was off in about 2 weeks (my pdoc didn't know - I did it between visits). Cold turkey can be dangerous and since you can taper off fairly quickly I don't think you need to be drastic. Lowerig the dosage is enough to reduce these side effects.

I don't think I tapered down when my ECT pdoc told me to stop it so I could seize as part of the ECT. By the looks of what other posters are saying though, I wouldn't advise this. I didn't have any bad reactions when I stopped it. I could be misremembering at what rate I stopped it too, as the ECT has affected my memory.

Originally Posted by newgal2

I don't think I tapered down when my ECT pdoc told me to stop it so I could seize as part of the ECT. By the looks of what other posters are saying though, I wouldn't advise this. I didn't have any bad reactions when I stopped it. I could be misremembering at what rate I stopped it too, as the ECT has affected my memory.

How much were you taking? I was coming off of 400

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

How much were you taking? I was coming off of 400

I think I was taking 200 mg

Originally Posted by newgal2

I don't think I tapered down when my ECT pdoc told me to stop it so I could seize as part of the ECT. By the looks of what other posters are saying though, I wouldn't advise this. I didn't have any bad reactions when I stopped it. I could be misremembering at what rate I stopped it too, as the ECT has affected my memory.

Lamictal is an anti-convulsant, so it is one of the meds they have you stop for ECT. My T only had me skip it the nights before ECT, so it wasn't a full stoppage.

Funny you mention memory. My husband had FAR worse memory problems from lamictal than he ever did from ECT.

[metamorphosis12]

You should taper IMHO. It's always a good idea unless you are having severe side effects and it doesn't sound like S.J syndrome for sure. That will put you in the E.R within 24 hrs..I take lamotrigine at 300 mg. Unfortunately it can cause breakouts. I had a breakout on my back and I have never had epidermic issues before but like an earlier person mentioned. Mine did go away. Not to say that it isn't a long term, reoccurring, and/ or chronic issue for some people.
Make sure you talk to your pdoc, doc, or health care provider about this. If you haven't already.