[CastlesInTheAir]

I've been taking Lamictal a little over a year now. It's been a lifesaver for me. I'm disappointed because the last 6 months or so it started making me feel sick, lethargic and tired, and sometimes dizzy. I've skipped days to be sure it was the med.

Can one just stop taking it?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[leomama]

No

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SingDanceRunLife]

I did when it gave me a rash and nothing happened. I was on 100mg at the time.

[Travelinglady]

If you've been on it that long, then I think you should taper. What does your doc think?

[CastlesInTheAir]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

If you've been on it that long, then I think you should taper. What does your doc think?

My health insurance ran out, so .

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[YMIHere]

Originally Posted by CastlesInTheAir

I've been taking Lamictal a little over a year now. It's been a lifesaver for me. I'm disappointed because the last 6 months or so it started making me feel sick, lethargic and tired, and sometimes dizzy. I've skipped days to be sure it was the med.

Can one just stop taking it?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I'm no doctor but I stopped taking it once. I used to get so scared because of those warnings, BUT Lamictal is one of those drugs that treats seizures as well so I sort of feel like those warnings are for THEM, but what do I know? I can't remember which med I was on WAY BACK but it was the same thing - anti-convulsant and it came with that warning.

[Stronger]

You body is always trying to maintain a constant state of homeostasis, and is usually good with big chances (that's how we survive). But foreign substances like drugs, especially at high doses can be hard on the body with stopping abruptly after taking it consistently. Granted, this medication is fairly mild, I've always been put on it along with other antidepressants because lamictal by itself just wasn't strong enough.

BUT. Everyone's body is different, and especially because yours seems to be so sensitive to this med, it would be best to taper at least a little bit with the aid of your pdoc. (I mean it's probably a good idea to let your pdoc know. (s)he shouldn't be completely in the dark, right?)

If your insurance ran out but you still have a few pills left, you could try skipping every other day and going to a lower dose on the days you do take it. It may sound silly, but it takes a good few weeks for the drug to fully come out of your system.

Good luck! I hope you are able to find something that works well for you and is not trying to wage war on your body.

[kkrrhh]

I wouldn't. I've personally had agitation and increased anxiety when just lowering the dose, and I've heard of other people having a rough time even when just tapering.

[Nammu]

To stop suddenly can cause seizures and or suicidal thoughts

[Raindropvampire]

I've been on it twice and cold turkeyed it twice. BUT I don't tend to get side effects from quitting or taking meds, EXCEPT very rarely it makes me manic and my temper goes nuclear.

Both times PDOCs freaked out and I got a stern talking to about how psych meds are meant to be tapered and you should never just stop.

[gina_re]

From my understanding, that's a drug you should taper off of.

[CastlesInTheAir]

Tried taking 150mg today instead of 300. Feel like crap. Skipped yesterday and felt ok.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Travelinglady]

That's too quick a taper. Can you cut to make it 250 for, say, a week, then 200 and so on. That might be overly cautious, but it should cause fewer withdrawal effects.