I have been on Lamictal for nearly three months. I was prescribed Lamictal to treat my Bipolar disorder. I upped my dosage of Lamictal to 200 milligrams and have recently stopped taking Lamictal altogether. I stopped taking Lamictal because of the chronic migraines and all day fatigue the drug caused. Unfortunately, the Lamictal withdrawal symptoms I have been experiencing are worse than the side effects.
If you search on the internet for Lamictal withdrawal symptoms then you will be bombarded with a results page of other Lamictal user questions about this drug. There are no major pharmaceutical companies describing Lamictal withdrawal symptoms, just other Lamictal users who are trying to find out what this drug is all about and how they can tell if they are having Lamictal withdrawal symptoms or not.
Evidently, there are not many reported cases of Lamictal withdrawal symptoms. I think that this is due to the fact that doctors suggest that Lamictal users reduce their dosage gradually. I should have decreased my dosage by 10% every two weeks to avoid side effects of coming off of Lamictal. I stopped all at once so my brain has not had a chance to adapt to it’s lack of Lamictal chemicals.
Lamictal withdrawal symptoms that I have experienced have been pure agony and confusion. The first thing I noticed was a feeling of not being in my body. I feel like I am dreaming and outside of myself. I can’t focus on what I am doing very well and my thoughts are dark and self destructive. I have very suicidal thoughts, which is especially scary since I am in a trance like state. Cutting my wrist open would seem like watching a movie to me at this point. I am just so emotionally detached.
I am extremely irritable as well. I am detached, but can start yelling in a rage for no reason at all. Once I have had my tantrum, I feel like I am not in my body anymore, so there is no time for apologizing or feeling guilty about my outburst. All I can do is go back into my shell and brood. Can you picture being in your shell but outside of yourself as well? It’s scary, but it is the best way I can explain this Lamictal withdrawal symptom.
I don’t even know if these are actual Lamictal withdrawal symptoms or if they are my actual emotions. I knew that my personality was not that stable before I took Lamictal, but now that I have decided to stop abruptly I don’t know who I am now, let alone remember who I was a few months ago. This is why it disturbs me to know that there is no thorough information available on Lamictal withdrawal symptoms except the experiences of other former Lamictal users. From what I have read about other Lamictal withdrawal sufferers, the withdrawal symptoms will fade with time.
You may also experience psychotic episodes, hallucinations, dizziness, lack of coordination, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Everyone’s reaction to Lamictal is different so your withdrawal symptoms will be different as well. The important thing is to talk to your doctor before you decide to stop taking Lamictal all at once. Reducing your dosage gradually will reduce your risk of dangerous and unpleasant Lamictal side effects.
I sound like a hypocrite but am showing you what will happen to you if you don’t talk to your doctor first. I will tell you from experience that Lamictal withdrawal symptoms are dangerous and emotionally hazardous. Not only will you suffer, but those around you will suffer as well. Trying to stop taking Lamictal on your own is not safe, so if you are sure that you would like to get off of Lamictal, then talk to your doctor first.
