BellaJ Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 My 15 year old daughter is going to stop Lamictal. My signature shows when it was started. She's not bipolar but is taking it for mood stabilization. She is experiencing memory loss and panic attacks so I want her to stop taking it. Her psychiatrist said to cut the dose in half for 3 days, then again for 3 more days, then stop. But I have read that it should be done much more slowly. I came here for support and advice. 15 year old daughter is tapering off Lamictal. Began 25mg Lamictal Oct 21, 2021. Reached 200mg Feb 18, 2022. Doctor said to go to 100mg March 27, 2022. Also takes 20mg Adderall Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted March 29, 2022 Moderator Share Posted March 29, 2022 @BellaJ Welcome to SA. We are volunteer run site helping members such as you and your daughter to taper off pschychotic medications or have tapered off and are healing. This is your/your daughter's introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that each member only have one introduction page so we can keep all the information in one place. Thank you for creating a signature. Although, we like to talk directly with the person tapering off the medication, I realize she is only 15. But perhaps, with your help she could ask and answer any questions we may have? It just is much easier to have her answer with symptoms and such. Most psychiatrists and dr's have no idea how to taper off these medications, but that is way too fast. We do not suggest more than a reduction of 10% a month, and a lot of members go much slower. Tips for tapering off lamotrigine (Lamictal) Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The slowness of slow tapers Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What is withdrawal syndrome? The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization I've started you out with some links to read on how to taper and wd symptoms. We don't suggest supplements on here except 2. If your daughter would like to try one in a small amount, wait a few days before trying the other. Magnesium Omega-3 Fish Oil Please reach out with any questions you or your daughter may have. I hope your daughter is able to talk with us. PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. Last dose June 24, 2024 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
BellaJ Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 Thank you so much! Yes, I will ask her directly any questions from this group. 15 year old daughter is tapering off Lamictal. Began 25mg Lamictal Oct 21, 2021. Reached 200mg Feb 18, 2022. Doctor said to go to 100mg March 27, 2022. Also takes 20mg Adderall Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted March 30, 2022 Moderator Share Posted March 30, 2022 @BellaJ Great I hope she will give us her input. Please reach out with any questions. PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. Last dose June 24, 2024 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
BellaJ Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 I appreciate everything I have read here so far. I'm still reading! Is it possible that someone won't have any withdrawal from Lamictal? Or very minimal? It never really seemed to help her in the first place. I wonder if it affects her much. 15 year old daughter is tapering off Lamictal. Began 25mg Lamictal Oct 21, 2021. Reached 200mg Feb 18, 2022. Doctor said to go to 100mg March 27, 2022. Also takes 20mg Adderall Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted March 30, 2022 Moderator Share Posted March 30, 2022 @BellaJ It is possible that you can have minimum wd symptoms if you follow a very slow tapering schedule. It is affecting her body, but she just may not feel it. PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. Last dose June 24, 2024 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
BellaJ Posted April 19, 2022 Author Share Posted April 19, 2022 Just an update - she has been doing perfectly fine so far. No negative reactions. 15 year old daughter is tapering off Lamictal. Began 25mg Lamictal Oct 21, 2021. Reached 200mg Feb 18, 2022. Doctor said to go to 100mg March 27, 2022. Also takes 20mg Adderall Link to comment
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