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Judecat : Low Dose Lamictal Withdrawal & Update

Judecat
Judecat
in Introductions & Ongoing Recoveries

Featured Replies

Hi! I'm Jude; I've transferred over from Surviving Antidepressants and am grateful for this new forum for support and tapering!

 

My SA Blog

 

Since my last SA post, I've gone off medical leave and back on unemployment, and I just got a job that I'll be starting soon. This is good news but unfortunately, my anxiety has spiked, along with OCD and insomnia. It's been a really rough go. I am hopeful that things will get better once I settle into the job.  I just got a compounded prescription for Lamictal 11 mg (that'll be down from 12.5) for my next taper so I plan to start on that when I'm settled in. I've been dragging my feet on the taper because I've been so stressed with unemployment and everything but I really need to get going on it again or I'll never get to zero and recover!

Meanwhile, I need to keep functioning any way I can. I am in therapy and do a lot of self-therapy through meditation, journaling, reading, CBT etc. Some days are better than others!

Drug history: 

1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

Welcome to the forum, Judecat.

 

I am the Recovery Assistant Bot and I am here to post some information for you whilst we await replies from other members.

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications. If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to them, withdrawal difficulties or are injured by them, we are very sorry to hear this and will do what we can to help you.

 

While we are waiting for human members to reply, there are some things you can do that will help you get the most out of this forum whilst you await further support.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here:

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/misc.php?action=help

 

Please update your signature. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the guides linked above, but here is a direct link:

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/misc.php?action=help&hid=8

 

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default.

 

If you have migrated here from "SurvivingAntidepressants" feel free to post a link to your old thread in this one, or include it in your signature.

 

We hope that you will find this forum helpful.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

 

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

 

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper  to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

Hi Judecat

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thanks for starting your intro topic! 

 

I’ve linked your SA blog above for you. I’m 99% that’s you as you’ve a different user name. Can you check?

 

Great news about your job. I completely understand how hard it must be though. A lot would struggle to work and starting a new is extra stress for sure. Don’t rush your taper it’s better to go slow and easy. Get settled into your job and make sure your symptoms are low before considering the move. Just my thoughts!

 

Great to have you here. 

 

Speak soon

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

 

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

I hope that the job is manageable for you, and that it provides some distraction from the difficult symptoms you've been experiencing.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

 

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

 

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper  to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

  • Author
On 1/13/2026 at 8:55 PM, Chippy said:

Hi Judecat

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thanks for starting your intro topic! 

 

I’ve linked your SA blog above for you. I’m 99% that’s you as you’ve a different user name. Can you check?

 

Great news about your job. I completely understand how hard it must be though. A lot would struggle to work and starting a new is extra stress for sure. Don’t rush your taper it’s better to go slow and easy. Get settled into your job and make sure your symptoms are low before considering the move. Just my thoughts!

 

Great to have you here. 

 

Speak soon

Hi Chippy, yes that's me. Thank you!

Drug history: 

1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

3 hours ago, Judecat said:

Hi Chippy, yes that's me. Thank you!

Great stuff! No problems 😀

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

 

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Author

Update time! I finally reduced my Lamictal dose again, down to 11 mg after getting a compounded script. I started experiencing bad WD symptoms again on February 2nd. Headaches,  bad anxiety,  shakiness,  fatigue.  I'm toughing it out.  Part of what set this off is I goofed and forgot to take my Sertraline Tuesday so took it 2 hours late. Which threw my whole schedule off. Hopefully things will level out again soon. 

Drug history: 

1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

6 hours ago, Judecat said:

Update time! I finally reduced my Lamictal dose again, down to 11 mg after getting a compounded script. I started experiencing bad WD symptoms again on February 2nd. Headaches,  bad anxiety,  shakiness,  fatigue.  I'm toughing it out.  Part of what set this off is I goofed and forgot to take my Sertraline Tuesday so took it 2 hours late. Which threw my whole schedule off. Hopefully things will level out again soon. 

Hey @Judecat


Nice to hear from you. 😀

 

Thanks for the update. Sorry you’ve hit a bump in the road. You gonna stay at 11mg for the minute and wait this out?

 

Have you settled into your job ok?

 

Chippy

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

 

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

  • Author

Hi Chippy,  yes I'm going to wait it out. Nothing more I can do. The job is going OK but it's difficult with this going on of course.  I can't shake the sense of dread and dwelling on a mistake I made last year in my personal life. Ugh.

Drug history: 

1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

Hi @Judecatglad to have you here, and good luck with your new job. Good to see you’re back on your taper, you’ve gone from 12.5 down to 11 currently? Probably best to stabilise at 11 and go down again at a later date when you’re feeling more comfortable. 
 

Hopefully working will give you a bit direction and help shift your focus off your symptoms a little. 

  • March 2017 - ADR to Prochlorperazine (Stemetil) treatment because of vertigo & vestibular dysfunction.

  • December 2017/January 2018 - started Sertraline (Zoloft) @ 25mg, then 50mg after 4 weeks.

  • March/April 2018 - went from 50 milligrams to 100mg, and stabilised. 

  • 2021 - experienced tachyphylaxis (poop out) and went from 100mg to 200 mg. Was neurotoxic for 7 months before going back to 100mg next day. 

  • May 2023 - prescribed Agomelatine & Omeprazole to go alongside Sertraline.

  • October 2023 - cold turkey off Agomelatine and Omeprazole, and cut SSRI from 100-50mg, withdrawal began 4 days later.

  • December 2023 - was cross tapered from Sertraline and onto Venlafaxine XR @ 37.5mg increased to 75mg 4 weeks later.

  • July 2024 - tapered off Venlafaxine XR 75mg over 4 weeks to completely heal from protracted withdrawal, been drug free since this period.

  • December 2024 - had a brutal setback from antibiotic + antiviral use. Took 4-5 months to recover to my "normal" baseline.

11 hours ago, Judecat said:

Hi Chippy,  yes I'm going to wait it out. Nothing more I can do. The job is going OK but it's difficult with this going on of course.  I can't shake the sense of dread and dwelling on a mistake I made last year in my personal life. Ugh.

Good plan. No its hard I know.

 

Glad the job is going ok. The dwelling is a tough thing in normal life but I think many find its made worse by WD.

 

We experience symptoms through the lens of our own mind. Perhaps remind yourself of this if you find it difficult to stop the brain chugging.

It might not be the normal you and could be a symptom at play! Ive seen it alot.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

 

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

  • Author

Thanks for your support,  Chippy

Drug history: 

1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

    • Like 1
    • Author

    I don't know how I can do this anymore.  I'm barely halfway through my lamictal taper and then there's sertraline.  At this rate it'll take years and the waves keep getting worse.  The anxiety and dread are nearly unbearable.  I don't want to live this way.  There must be something better I can do to heal and cope!

    Drug history: 

    1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

    2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

    2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

    November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

    2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

    2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

    11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

    Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

    Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

    10 hours ago, Judecat said:

    I don't know how I can do this anymore.  I'm barely halfway through my lamictal taper and then there's sertraline.  At this rate it'll take years and the waves keep getting worse.  The anxiety and dread are nearly unbearable.  I don't want to live this way.  There must be something better I can do to heal and cope!

    Im sorry @Judecat its a tough job this isnt it. You are not alone. Take your time and take it one day at a time. We are all here for each other. 

    I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

     

    If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

    Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

    For US members details here.

    • 2 weeks later...
    • Author

    Tax time and even though I have an amazing tax preparer my OCD is going bonkers. Ugh. I slept but don't feel like I slept. Got headaches,  body twitches, muscle pain, depression. Still at 11 mg Lamictal-I just ordered a refill.  How long will this go on, idk. Practicing all coping strategies.  

    Drug history: 

    1995 - 2010: On and off various ADs, including Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Paxil, dosages unknown. 

    2014: started taking Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg daily and it helped. 

    2020-2025: The pandemic brought my anxiety back with a vengeance. Tried Trazodone but it didn't help. Took Xanax .25 mg occasionally and sparingly, off and on until June 2025. 

    November 2021: Was on Zoloft 50 mg the past 7 years - upped to 75 mg, then 100 - went back to 75. 

    2022 - 2025: Propranolol 20 mg as needed

    2025: LAMICTAL: 13 June, started at 25 mg. 27 June - increased to 50. 11 July-Tried reducing Sertraline to 50 mg. with Lamictal 75 mg. 13 July - Went back to 75 mg Sertraline with Lamictal 50. 19 July-Reduced Lamictal back to 25. 2 Aug-Increased Lamictal to 37.5 mg. 13 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 25. 27 Aug-Reduced Lamictal to 12.5. 9 Sept. -Discontinued Lamictal, but experiencing bad Lamictal w/d. 11 Sept- reinstating 12.5 Lamictal

    11 mg. 30 Jan. 2026

    Other current Prescriptions: Pantoprazole - 40 mg daily; Famotidine - 40 mg daily, HRT: Estradiol patch .5 mg 2x/week, progesterone - 100 mg daily

    Supplements: Magnesium 400 mg nightly, melatonin 5 mg nightly

    • 4 weeks later...

    Hi there. I'm recovering from a single reduction and reinstatement since October. What have your symptoms been during withdrawal? I tried accessing your thread but it says community not found.

    Citalopram taper: Starting from 40mg on 20+ years. Apr 2025: 30mg| May 2025: 20mg|Jun 2025: 5mg| Jul 2025: 0mg 

    Citalopram reinstatement: Dec 2025: 5mg| Jan 2026: 10mg | Feb 2026: 20mg| Mar 2026: 30mg 

    Lamotrigine taper: Starting from 150mg on 20+ years. Sept 2025: 125mg

    Lamotrigine reinstatement: September 2025: 137.5 | October 2025: 150mg.

    Lithium: Started 600mg Nov 2025| Started 900mg Nov 2025

    Lithium Taper: Feb 2026: 750mg, 600mg | Mar 2026: 450mg

    Gabapentin: started Mar 2026 300mg

    Trazodone: started Feb 2026 50mg

    Propanolol: started Feb 2026 30mg

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