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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 3:17:50
Hi Everyone- I am a newbie here.
I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar II, after many years of recurrent depression (less clear hypomania, but on close inspection it's there)- and coming off Effexor (almost done-yay!) whilst on agomelatime (Valdoxan) to help bridge me off (which btw seems to be working pretty well- Effexor's a bitch, and I am down to 1/4 dose in about 2 weeks with -comparatively!- little problem this time).
My question is about Lamictal. My pdoc is thinking it might be good for me, and from what I have read, I am hopeful too.
BUT, I want the option to get pregnant. How is it to taper off? I've read conflicting things. I know (Oh God , I know...:S) that everyone is different when it comes to meds, but any experiences out there would be really helpful. If it's anything like Effexor, I'll probably give it a miss!Thanks in advance:)
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 10:49:56
In reply to Lamictal- Tapering Off?, posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 3:17:50
Welcome to babble. So are you replacing effexor with lamictal for a short period of time as you are planning on getting pregnant? Is your diagnosis depression. Phillipa
Posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 15:35:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal- Tapering Off? » argentboo, posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 10:49:56
Hi Phillipa:)
No- I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II, after it was initially thought I was just recurrently depressed. I am coming off the Effexor because 1. It pooped out on me anyway
2. There are concerns it can cause or increase rapid cycling (which I have anyway:S) in Bipolar
3. It disturbs sleep, even if you don't feel like it is, which for Bipolar in particular is of concern.
The Lamictal is something we are looking at as an option for the Bipolar, possibly trying it just on it's own at first- not sure yet.
But I want the *option* to get pregnant, at a later date, and wondered how it is to taper off ( I'm told I can take it all but the first trimester? Think that's right?) . Can you do it quickly? Are there bad withdrawals? etc
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 20:22:51
In reply to Re: Lamictal- Tapering Off?, posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 15:35:35
Not sure as only got to 50mg and stopped due to a wierd side effect of spitting. Hope someone weighs in on this question for you. Phillipa
Posted by Tony P on September 8, 2011, at 23:22:15
In reply to Lamictal- Tapering Off?, posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 3:17:50
I've been on Lamictal at high doses (up to 400 mg/day), and never had any trouble withdrawing with a relatively short taper (1-3 wk?? I'm not sure any more). Probably should taper off at about the same rate as you titrate up on it. I had more trouble initially getting *up* to dose - had an anxiety peak at 100 mg/day, but that eventually subsided.
Mind you, when withdrawing I would have been overlapping that with titrating up on an SSRI or other A/D.
Tony P
Posted by argentboo on September 9, 2011, at 1:08:17
In reply to Re: Lamictal- Tapering Off? » argentboo, posted by Tony P on September 8, 2011, at 23:22:15
Hi Tony- thanks for that. Useful just to know it was relatively painless, even if when overlapping- not always the case.
I appreciate the info:)
Posted by huxley on September 20, 2011, at 2:50:01
In reply to Lamictal- Tapering Off?, posted by argentboo on September 8, 2011, at 3:17:50
I personally had a horrible time getting off it.
Deperonalisation to the max. Have a look around and you will find more like me.Also left me with some hideous Hives/Eczema/Photosensitiviy issues that are still not resolved (after 8 months).
This is the end of the thread.
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