Teta: Trying to taper off Lamotrigine and Vortioxetine

[Teta]

I am a 32-year old female and have been on anti-depressants since I was 14. I have had diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar 2, Depression and Cyclothymia. I have been on Venlor, Wellbutrin, Citalopram, Prozac and a few others over the years. The only thing that seemed to improve my depression and mood swings was to introduce Lamotrigine (a mood stabiliser). I am currently on Lamotrigine (200mg) & Vortioxetine (10mg). I am eating healthily, exercising regularly and sleeping well. I would like to come off my medication to have a child but I am concerned of the effects, due to having been on medication for so many years and being in a very demanding job (will I even be able to?). I have been stable for a few months and had a depressive episode earlier this year after the death of a family member. 

I have done a lot of research and understand that it may work to taper off the antidepressant before the mood stabiliser but has anyone had experience with tapering off these 2 drugs Lamotrigine (200mg) & Vortioxetine (10mg)? My psychiatrist says that tapering can be done in a month but this sounds crazy given the time I’ve been on them, I was thinking micro-tapering would be better. 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Teta and welcome to SA,

 

I am really pleased that you found SA before you started following your doctor's suggested taper rate.

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Post #1 of this topic explains how to get non standard doses:

 

Tips for tapering off vortioxetine (Trintellix, previously called Brintellix)

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

 

Please create your drug signature.  Whenever you make a change, please update it so it remains current. Please follow these instructions:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

There are many existing topics on SA.  You can use the site search function, but I prefer to use an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.  If you cannot find what you are look for, then try to think of a different search term.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Teta,

 

I removed your name from your signature.  SA recommends that members remain anonymous.