Posted by Cindylou on May 5, 2002, at 18:35:09
In reply to Tapering off Lamictal, posted by Enike on May 5, 2002, at 15:23:24
Hi Eni,
You and I are in the same boat -- I hope to become pregnant in the late summer or fall, and just tapered off of Lamictal for that reason, and also because I wasn't sure if it was helping me much or not at only 75 mg. (I wasn't able to increase it due to side effects.)I tapered very quickly -- in about 5 days. (I went from 75, to 50 mg for two nights, then 25 mg. for 2 days, then off completely.)
My pdoc said Lamictal has a very short half life and does not stay in your system long at all. (A day or two, maybe?)
I had a very hard time for a couple weeks after I got off of the Lamictal, as far as fatigue and irritablity and agitation goes. I'm not sure if it was due to Lamictal "withdrawal," or simply not being on a mood stabilizer. I'm feeling better today, but it is the first day of my period and I usually find relief for a day or so after horrendous PMS.
Are you planning to be med-free while you try to get pregnant? Let me know how you do. I am still taking Klonapin due to agitation, and may need to go back on Lamictal if I can't find some natural help.
Good luck,
cindy> Hi.
>
> I'm planning on getting pregnant in or around August if all goes well. I'm currently on 100 mg. daily of Lamictal and wanted to know the following:
>
> 1) How do I taper off (I will be doing this under the advice of my psy-doc but I'm curious right now)?
>
> 2) How long before the Lamictal is ENTIRELY out of my system?
>
> 3) Once the Lamictal is out of my system would there still be some residual of the drug in my organs that could affect the fetus?
>
> Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Eni
poster:Cindylou
thread:105182
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105212.html