Anyone had a bad experience coming off Lamictal? Want to suggest Depakote.

Hi.. I went off Lamictal recently.  I took my time (it worked for me) but was forced off of it due to financial issues.  Right now I am taking neurontin for an anti-seizure instead.  (Also lithium and just started Wellbutrin.) 

My old doc made sure I was stable on any alternate meds prior to removing one.  This worked for me.  Now I have new doc (money again) and I had to force him into a similar scenerio just last week when I went on Wellbutrin while he wanted to reduce lithium. We did both.

We are trying to find inexpensive meds so most of the good stuff isn't available to me. 

Well, me, me, me.... what I really want to say is go off of it slowly (you already know this) and of course look for a substitute. 

If you are shaking before the Lamictal, maybe it is actually helping to calm that.  Maybe.  I don't think taking only Lamictal will be a cure-all for any bipolar.  Need more stuff!!

Coming off any med is the worst.  I have a few horror stories of my own, which is why I reduced my Lamictal dose over a period of a month.  I go slow when increasing or decreasing a med.  My old doc was a stickler about this.

I don't know if I helped you or not.  I think I probably stated what you already know.  Just my two cents.  Good luck.  Maryann

Hi again... I agree more drugs are not the answer, just the right ones.  All of the more expensive drugs I used to be on were time release and I was able to take them all at night (lithium, lamictal, and seroquel.... great combination for me).  Now I take neurontin three time a day.  Wha a hassle. 

I used to have terrible terrible pms depression, missed one to two days a month at work.  I was only on lithium then but when I added Wellbutrin (only 200 mg. not 300) I was okay.  I used to throw my boyfriend out of the house every month, at least every other, but we had terrible arguments during that time.  Now, I'm close to menopause, and I am hoping these psychiatric drugs will inhinbit me from having to take hormones for some of these symptoms. 

My mother was raised a Christian Scientist, they don't believe in medical care.  She said in very simplistic terms that they would pray to make themselves well and it was God's will that determined the outcome.  It like it, until something happens, like bipolar, then I'm glad to seek medical attention! 

Keep the faith, Maryann