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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angel Girl on June 13, 2004, at 9:01:21
I abruptly stopped taking Lamictal due to side effects. I was taking 150mg/daily. I haven't been able to find anywhere on the net where it mentions if there are any withdrawal symptoms. I took my last dosage 2 days ago now and I'm having excruciating headaches. Could this be a withdrawal symptom and what other things could I possibly look out for?
AG
Posted by Maxime on June 14, 2004, at 8:04:32
In reply to LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by Angel Girl on June 13, 2004, at 9:01:21
Hi. I think no matter what med you are taking that if you stop it abruptly you will get a withdrawal effect. Just stick it out. If the headaches are over the top do take something to control them. I know it's a pain, but at least you aren't experiencing dizziness or vomitting. :)
It should wear off soon.
Hang in there.
Maxime
> I abruptly stopped taking Lamictal due to side effects. I was taking 150mg/daily. I haven't been able to find anywhere on the net where it mentions if there are any withdrawal symptoms. I took my last dosage 2 days ago now and I'm having excruciating headaches. Could this be a withdrawal symptom and what other things could I possibly look out for?
>
> AG
Posted by Phil on June 14, 2004, at 14:33:08
In reply to LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by Angel Girl on June 13, 2004, at 9:01:21
Never a good idea to cold turkey off of meds especially if your doctor was not aware you were dropping it.
There's a reason we pay these people big bucks... to keep us out of trouble.
I wouldn't tough the w/d out, I'd call my doctor and make sure no other surprises were waiting around the bend.
Take care...
Posted by Bobby on June 14, 2004, at 14:41:26
In reply to LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by Angel Girl on June 13, 2004, at 9:01:21
There is a real danger of seizures from suddenly stopping Lamictal or any other anti-seizure medications---especially if you were taking high doses. Please call your doctor.
Posted by starlight on June 14, 2004, at 16:39:29
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by Bobby on June 14, 2004, at 14:41:26
You can't just stop taking Lamictal. Your risk of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome goes up. Call your doctor immediately.
starlight
Posted by Angel Girl on June 15, 2004, at 1:29:23
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by starlight on June 14, 2004, at 16:39:29
> You can't just stop taking Lamictal. Your risk of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome goes up. Call your doctor immediately.
> starlight
I came off Lamictal cold turkey because my pdoc told me to because of a mild case of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome. I would never stop a drug on my own. I know abruptly coming off of anything is leading to greater withdrawal.She gave me a rx for Tylenol #3 with codeine for the pain. It's been 4 days now and still no let-up in pain. In fact, that's why I'm online at this time, I woke up with the pain. I took the Tylenol about 1/2 hr ago and I'm still waiting for it to kick in. :(
Sorry, if I alarmed any of you. Thanks for the concern you all showed. Much appreciated. :)
AG
Posted by jane d on June 15, 2004, at 17:07:05
In reply to Re: LAMICTAL WITHDRAWAL???, posted by starlight on June 14, 2004, at 16:39:29
> You can't just stop taking Lamictal. Your risk of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome goes up. Call your doctor immediately.
> starlightThat's one I haven't heard before. Can you point me to a source on it? I thought in all cases of allergic reaction the response was to stop the drug immediately if possible.
Thanks,
Jane
Posted by starlight on June 16, 2004, at 11:25:12
In reply to Re: Stopping Lamictal and Stevens-Johnson syndrome ? starlight, posted by jane d on June 15, 2004, at 17:07:05
My Pdoc shared that with me at my last visit, and said that it had to be tapered or it increased the risk for it. Maybe in the case of you actually getting it, it's different - but if you're going to get it, it's much more likely that you'll have it within the first few months of starting it, so your doseage may not be as high as when you've been on it for a few years or so.
starlight
Posted by Angel Girl on June 16, 2004, at 18:37:20
In reply to Re: Stopping Lamictal and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, posted by starlight on June 16, 2004, at 11:25:12
> My Pdoc shared that with me at my last visit, and said that it had to be tapered or it increased the risk for it. Maybe in the case of you actually getting it, it's different - but if you're going to get it, it's much more likely that you'll have it within the first few months of starting it, so your doseage may not be as high as when you've been on it for a few years or so.
> starlight
starlightI was on 150mg/daily of the Lamictal. Right now I wish I had never even heard of this dang drug. I'm going out of my mind with all the itchiness. Everything I've tried has done absolutely nothing to relieve it. I'm about to tear all my skin off in a minute if it doesn't subside.
AG
Posted by starlight on June 17, 2004, at 13:09:29
In reply to Re: Stopping Lamictal and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, posted by Angel Girl on June 16, 2004, at 18:37:20
How long have you been on it and is your skin starting to blister? Do they have you antihistamines?
starlight
Posted by Angel Girl on June 18, 2004, at 11:07:28
In reply to Re: Stopping Lamictal and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, posted by starlight on June 17, 2004, at 13:09:29
> How long have you been on it and is your skin starting to blister? Do they have you antihistamines?
> starlight
starlightHow long have I been on what, Lamictal? I don't remember exactly but maybe 9 months! No blisters. Yes, I've now gotten Atarax. I try not to think about it as much as possible or else I'd rip every inch of skin off. In fact, the itch is worse than the actual rashes, go figure.
AG
Posted by bisch on May 10, 2007, at 8:00:30
In reply to Re: Stopping Lamictal and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, posted by Angel Girl on June 18, 2004, at 11:07:28
I have been taking lamictal for over a year and two pdoc later I've been told the exact same thing by both. If you are itching, are you sure you don't have a rash? Generally itching is from some type of skin condition or a rash. Both of my pdocs said if this side effect is even questioned during treatment especially in the beginning they immediately stop the med; however, this SJ synodrome does just occur at the start of the meds and if you miss 5 days or more you absolutely must start over from the beginning at a low dose and build up again as if you have never taken it before. This is another way to get SJ. Mostly SJ happens if you start at to high of a dose thats why they build you up. It also, is most likely to happen to children which is why pdocs try to avoid at all costs to prescribe lamictal to children. You should contact your pdoc or family doc for medical advice. They are not going to frown upon you wanting to stop it and there are other meds to try. Whatever reason you are on this particular med. you should not go without treatment. It could be far more dangerous to walk around living without lamictal than the uncomfortable side effects. I have lots of side effects but suicide is not an option for me and my children and husband need me. So until we find a med that works better I just plug along. The lamictal can also have headaches from taking the lamictal(a side effect). If you really don't want to contact a doc. call or visit a pharmacy. The phramacist(sp) has helped me wean off other meds before. This is 1st rate info. not just guessing or giving info I can't prove. Not to offend anyone..this is why you need to talk to talk to someone about this particular med. and yes all meds have side effects while taking them the goal is to find one that has effects you can live with. and withdrawl is exspected whether you cold turkey or not...slow withdrawl by decreasing eases the simptoms. However there really are meds that you must wean off of if you've been taking them along time. just contact a professional, instead of the computer for advice from amatures(sp) includes ME! hope this is not to late and you've already made a huge mistake that hurt you. KIM
> > How long have you been on it and is your skin starting to blister? Do they have you antihistamines?
> > starlight
>
>
> starlight
>
> How long have I been on what, Lamictal? I don't remember exactly but maybe 9 months! No blisters. Yes, I've now gotten Atarax. I try not to think about it as much as possible or else I'd rip every inch of skin off. In fact, the itch is worse than the actual rashes, go figure.
>
> AG
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