justwannafeelbetter Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I am going to do my best to type this out so that it makes sense. I am suffering severe anxiety & it is clouding my thoughts. I have been on 400mg of Lamotrigine for over a year now. I have recently had to stop taking it abruptly. I can no longer afford it. This is week 2 of my life without it. I made it through the first symptoms, brain zaps, felt rushed up, tired & out of body. I have now moved on to having anxiety. The anxiety started in a mild way, I thought that it would be something I could get through. The past few days though, the anxiety has become extreme. I can not force myself to keep a clear head & I am on the verge of a panic attack. I feel so overwhelmed. I keep thinking how long will this last & can I make it through it. I am new this morning so I am still learning to navigate this forum. Are there any topics on here dealing with just lamictal withdrawals? How long have others taken to get through the worst of it? Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted March 22, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 22, 2014 Hi and welcome to SA. If there is any way at all that you can get hold of some lamotrigine I would do it. You are suffering withdrawal symptoms and the only way to stop those symptoms is reinstating the drug ASAP. Go to an emergency room and get some from there, it can be dangerous to CT. Or get samples from your doctor. If you tell them that you are suffering withdrawal they should be able to help. You could also contact the drug company, Glaxosmithkline for help, I believe some members have received some supplies from the manufacturers. Others may know how to go about it. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get back on it, then once you have stabilised you can do a safe taper. What were you prescribed it for? Lamotrigine is an anti epileptic and should never be stopped cold turkey. I am so sorry that you are in this situation and wish I could offer more help. Here is our forum on withdrawal symptoms and self care. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/ It would be helpful for us if you could put your drugs history in your sig line. Here is how to do it. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
justwannafeelbetter Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thank you & I am sorry I forgot my diagnosis, I am diagnosed as bipolar 2. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 A county mental health clinic is another option for free/low-cost meds. Could you buy two doses to get you through the weekend? I have a diagnosis of bipolar II and I would urge you not to go through a cold-turkey approach. Many people have had a really, really tough time tapering lamotrigine slowly. We are all about getting off psych meds, but these pages are littered with the stories of the poor outcomes from cold-turkey. But we would love for you to journey with us in an approach that actually works. Good luck! 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
justwannafeelbetter Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 I have some doses left. When I found out that I wasnt going to be able to be on the meds any longer I got frustrated & just quit that day. I am so overwhelmed & I truly appreciate the help! I dont know if I should I take a full dose, as its been 2 weeks now without it. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I don't know anything about it. Maybe you can take 1/2 of a dose now until someone with experience weighs in? 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 22, 2014 Administrator Share Posted March 22, 2014 Welcome, justwanna. I would try 1/4 of a dose first -- that would be a quarter of a tablet. Take it at the same time each day. 100mg might be enough to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. Yes, you'll have to get a prescription filled. Generic lamotrigine (regular, not ER) is inexpensive, see http://rxportal.unarxcard.com/search If I were you, I'd get my prescription filled as: 50mg lamotrigine twice a day. Any doctor can write this prescription. I suggest you get it ASAP. Having your prescription filled with 50mg tablets enables you to split the tablets into small doses for tapering. Please start taking the 1/4 tablets of the lamotrigine you have on hand and keep in touch with us. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
justwannafeelbetter Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thank you so much for the help. I have taken a dose of 50mg as of 3 hrs ago & I can feel the difference already. I am feeling much better & thinking clearer. I will be calling a Dr. on Monday & see what I can get worked out for myself. I really appreciate everyones input. This forum is a life saver! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted March 22, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 22, 2014 Glad it's working for you and hope you can get a prescription without too much trouble. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 22, 2014 Administrator Share Posted March 22, 2014 50mg a day might be enough to get you stabilized. Don't count on jumping off it for a long while! This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
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