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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 48. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 25, 2012, at 7:32:38
I dropped from 200mgs to 150mgs 6 days ago.
Well, my anxiety has been a bit intense. My thoughts are annoying, too many of them, one leads to another, which leads to another, etc. I'm feeling dizzy too, didn't sleep well, my head hurts... feel like maybe I'm getting some type of cold/flu, but I don't have significant congestion.This sucks! I don't know if this is some withdrawal effect, or just me. It's just a 50mg drop. I took 200mgs last night just in case that's what this is.
Anyone notice any lamictal withdrawal effects when tapering down?
Posted by phillipa on September 25, 2012, at 9:53:37
In reply to Lamictal withdrawal??, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 25, 2012, at 7:32:38
No but I only got to 50mg and was short term. How are you feeling now. Sorry you are going through this. Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 25, 2012, at 10:05:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phillipa on September 25, 2012, at 9:53:37
Well, I took .5 klonopin, took advil, ate, I'm drinking water.
The klonopin is quieting my brain, easing the anxiety. I'm avoiding stress as much as possible today. I've been so tense.
Posted by phidippus on September 26, 2012, at 14:22:54
In reply to Lamictal withdrawal??, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 25, 2012, at 7:32:38
I quit cold turkey. Just had some anxiety for a couple of days.
Eric
Posted by SLS on September 26, 2012, at 16:55:21
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 26, 2012, at 14:22:54
> I quit cold turkey. Just had some anxiety for a couple of days.
>
> Eric
What about the risk of seizure?Do you think that the abrupt discontinuation of Lamictal represents any less of a risk than with other AEDs?
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 15:36:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by SLS on September 26, 2012, at 16:55:21
The risk of seizure was a concern of mine, however, I've read enough literature to know the risk was low. I think that warning is intended for people who have a seizure disorder.
Eric
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 27, 2012, at 17:20:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » SLS, posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 15:36:18
For some reason, I think I'd be prone to seizures with an abrupt withdrawal.
I think the dizzy feeling was because of the reduction... The other stuff, probably just my anxious self.
Better now :-)
Posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 17:55:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal??, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 27, 2012, at 17:20:50
Did you go off it or just reduce it?
Eric
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 27, 2012, at 21:12:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 27, 2012, at 17:55:50
I just went from 200 to 150mgs. I need to go slowly.
Posted by phidippus on September 28, 2012, at 16:09:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 27, 2012, at 21:12:29
Why are you lowering it?
Eric
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 28, 2012, at 16:35:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 28, 2012, at 16:09:16
I want my body to be a safe place for pregnancy, not sure when, but too far from now.
And, maybe I don't need it.
Posted by phidippus on September 28, 2012, at 17:07:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 28, 2012, at 16:35:43
Have you talked to your ob/gyn about this? have you talked to your pdoc? Are they talking?
Eric
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 28, 2012, at 20:18:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 28, 2012, at 17:07:30
My Pdoc does not believe lamictal would be safe, or klonopin.
I'm not clear on his view on seroquel and Effexor. I don't like what I've read about either.
I'll be getting more info after I get off lamictal.
I'll ask my Pdoc if he knows an ob gyn with experience with pregnancy and psych meds. I don't really have an ob gyn.
Posted by phillipa on September 28, 2012, at 21:37:47
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 28, 2012, at 20:18:30
Seriously you need one. All the females I've talked to that are pregnant or were wanting to become so had to go off all psych meds. Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 14:39:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 28, 2012, at 20:18:30
There are few, well-controlled studies of venlafaxine in pregnant women. A study released in May 2010 by the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests use of venlafaxine doubles the risk of miscarriage
Quetiapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Seroquel. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Seroquel, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Klonopin was given a pregnancy Category D rating due to the problems it caused in animal studies. These studies suggested that Klonopin may increase the risk of various birth defects, including cleft palate and limb defects. However, this is a controversial issue, since some human studies have shown that the risk of birth defects may be very small. Benzodiazepines (such as Klonopin) may also cause other problems, such as withdrawal symptoms after an infant is born.
Recently, the North American AED Pregnancy Registry, located at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found that infants who are exposed to lamotrigine as monotherapy during pregnancy (lamotrigine was used as the only AED by the mother) have a much higher risk of having an oral cleft problem, than infants born to women in a comparison group and who were not exposed to lamotrigine during pregnancy. Oral cleft problems are birth defects that may involve the lip (cleft lip), the palate (cleft palate), or both. During pregnancy, the normal openings between the upper lip and the nose (seen with cleft lip) or between the roof or back of the mouth and the nose (seen in cleft palate) may not close properly. These problems can often be seen with ultrasound testing and can usually be corrected after birth with surgery.
In this study, of 564 women who received lamotrigine alone, 5 instances of isolated cleft lip or palate (not seen as part of any specific syndrome) were seen in the babies. This data gives a prevalence rate of 8.9 per 1000, which means that oral cleft problems may occur in 8.9 of 1000 women treated with lamotrigine monotherapy. This number is 24 times higher than the risk of oral cleft problems seen in babies from the comparison group used in the study.
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 18:28:31
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 14:39:43
Thanks for the info.
I must admit, this will be a challenge.
Posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 19:16:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 18:28:31
Most women go off their meds when they become pregnant. Are you bipolar?
Eric
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 20:27:24
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 19:16:16
No, just anxious, mostly.
Posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 21:09:34
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 20:27:24
Then you probably don't need the Lamictal. What other meds are you on?
Eric
Posted by phillipa on September 29, 2012, at 21:18:36
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 21:09:34
My third was born before they worried or knew there could be problems with meds and newborns. When pregnant was taking valium, was prescribed placydil 2 pills at bedtime, or and 2 glasses of a very strong red wine. I guess this explains why for l8 months after birth the daughter didn't sleep at all, couldn't even tolerate breast milk. Used to projectile vomit each feeding and have to be refed. The best part is went into false labor was in hospital for night and the obgyn gave me two sequenols for sleep. She's fine today. Cried 24 hours a day for months and ended up in ICU nursery about every 2 weeks where they drugged her. Was not a fun time at all. Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 21:31:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 29, 2012, at 21:09:34
Effexor 150, klonopin .5, seroquel 50
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 21:33:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal??, posted by phillipa on September 29, 2012, at 21:18:36
That sounds awful :-(
Posted by phidippus on September 30, 2012, at 15:19:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phidippus, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 21:31:49
You're on relatively low doses of your medications. Do you think you could do without them for 8-9 months?
Eric
Posted by phillipa on September 30, 2012, at 18:55:33
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » phillipa, posted by sleepygirl2 on September 29, 2012, at 21:33:28
It was horrible. B2Chica did well without meds with pregnancy. Maybe you can write her and talk with her? Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl2 on September 30, 2012, at 20:33:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal withdrawal?? » sleepygirl2, posted by phidippus on September 30, 2012, at 15:19:23
Probably, but I'd like something there for anxiety, if only prn.
I'm glad I'm only on .5 of klonopin. Less medication to withdraw from. It used to be 1.5.
The Effexor used to be higher too, went down after lamictal was added.
I suppose I'll only find out through the process. Effexor can be rough to get off Of, but I've dropped Effexor before, 300 to 225, and 225 to 150. I recall feeling depressed while trying to go lower than 150, so I stayed on it.
I knew someone who stayed on Prozac through her pregnancy. I wonder about Prozac. Maybe the least difficult to withdraw from?
Seroquel, again, thankfully low dose. Insomnia, agitation and the itchies when going down in that, but still not impossible.It's going to be rough. I'm anxious right now. Do I know why? No. I feel buzzy.
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