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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Faded on January 20, 2001, at 19:59:20
Has anyone had any experience stopping Topamax or Lamictal without tappering off? Would you go into sezuire? If so what would happen? I would like to stop these medications, but have no interest in returning to the doctor. Any input?
Posted by JohnL on January 21, 2001, at 6:12:01
In reply to Stopping Anti-Convulsant Medication, posted by Faded on January 20, 2001, at 19:59:20
> Has anyone had any experience stopping Topamax or Lamictal without tappering off? Would you go into sezuire? If so what would happen? I would like to stop these medications, but have no interest in returning to the doctor. Any input?
Weening off is the only safe thing to do. Stopping abruptly could be OK, but then again it could result in something really bad. You don't know. No way to predict. I remember when I decided to stop Lamictal, I weened down very fast in large steps. I got strange twitches in my eyelids and my cheeks. They went away when I went back up to the previous dose and then discontinued at a slower pace. I also got a small rash on my cheek. I thought that was a risk when increasing dose too fast, but apprently it can happen when decreasing too fast as well. It was no big deal really, but still it just goes to show that you have no idea what to expect, and the only safe prudent thing to do is ween down slowly and in small steps. Though it was no big deal, it certainly could have turned into one, had I not resumed a more appropriate weening schedule.
John
Posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2001, at 15:26:18
In reply to Re: Stopping Anti-Convulsant Medication, posted by JohnL on January 21, 2001, at 6:12:01
I was able to taper off depakote nicely by taking it every second day, then every third day, with no visible side effects (the pills were not scored and were not supposed to be broken, according to some advice I got on this board). The pill bottle was plastered with labels and the drug info I got with the prescription both warned against stopping the depakote (which is an anti-seizure med) suddenly, so I wouldn't try it that way.
-Gracie
Posted by stjames on January 21, 2001, at 18:22:10
In reply to Stopping Anti-Convulsant Medication, posted by Faded on January 20, 2001, at 19:59:20
> Has anyone had any experience stopping Topamax or Lamictal without tappering off? Would you go into sezuire? If so what would happen? I would like to stop these medications, but have no interest in returning to the doctor. Any input?
James here...
If you are BP, expect this to return, as it never goes away without treatment. Perhaps you should try to find another doc you like. I am assuming you are BP, if so it is well established that meds are indicated. Good luck in finding the right meds.
James
This is the end of the thread.
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