Anyone experienced coming off Lamotrigine & Sertraline to prepare for another baby?

[Rones]

Hello - I'd like to know about other people's experiences of coming off these meds to make sure their body is medication free before trying for another baby.

I've been taking Lamotrigine for about 3.5 years, a few months after having my DD (now 4). I suffered from very bad PND and was then diagnosed as having Bipolar 2 disorder a few months later. I've suffered from bouts of depression since age 14 (I'm now 33) lasting a month or 2 (at age 14, 18, 21 and then not really again until my daughter was born when I was 29). I've taken various meds in the past (Seroxat, Prozac, citalopram, Sertraline etc.) but have only been on medication for a consistent period for that last 3.5 years. I've also been taking Sertraline for about 9 months (as mood stabilisers tend to work better with SSRI's for those who are Bipolar) and went up to taking 200mg but have now got down to taking 50mg every other day (having been monitored by my GP). So in a couple of weeks I should be off the Sertraline and then will go to see my psychiatrist for advice on coming off the Lamotrigine.

My question really is how people have felt in doing this? I think my mood is bit lower since reducing the Sertraline and I feel very lethargic, dizzy in the mornings etc...I had bad side effects going on the drug (and horribly when I ran out once for about 3 days!)so I know I'm very sensitive to this drug. I'm not sure what it will feel like coming off the Lamotrigine too.

I do actually want to try life without meds (other than just wanting to have another baby) and as my psych said, the best time to try this is when my life situation is as stable as it can be, which I feel it now is (in relation to work, homelife, DD etc.). I feel ready to do this but am also worried that as my mood is already dipping, it might be really tough being off meds for good.

I don't see staying on meds as an option as I want to be off them completely before conceiving, especially as there's a high risk of birth defects with Lamotrigine.

I'd love to know what anyone thinks?

Thanks!

anyone? Getting not very nice symptoms of dizziness, nausea and restlessless....no patience with my DD either at the moment :(

There isn't that high a risk of birth defects with Lamotrigine; I went on it (for epilepsy) when I was trying to get pregnant, in place of the valproates (which do have a serious risk) I was on before.

I was on both lamotrigine and sertraline when I had both DS and DD. Tried cutting down the sertraline (which I have been on for years) latish in pregnancy and just fell apart; consultant OB told me I had to go straight back to original dose. DD may have been slightly jittery as a result of the sertraline (supposed to be the most common side effect) but that was mostly me comparing her to her big brother, nurses/midwives seemed to think she was entirely normal.

So can't really help in terms of coming off, but hoped I could reassure you that if you can't manage it isn't the end of the world.

Hi desertgirl - thanks for your post. It's reassuring to know that you feel there isn't a high risk of birth defects, maybe it's just that there is some risk. I suppose I get very nervous about even there being a slight chance, although logically I know that there's always a risk of something going wrong, even when not on medication.

I used think that the Sertraline wasn't really doing much but now coming off it, I do notice that my mood is lower and that I feel pretty weird - I keep thinking that I must be coming across as a bit strange to others and not as articulate as usual maybe? I think I'm going to start taking 25mg every day rather than 50mg every other day, I think that would less of a shock to my body & brain....

Anyway, I'm pleased all has worked out for your and your DC - I'm definitely going to be very aware of how I feel and see how I get on. Hopefully I can manage without at least for the pregnancy (I was taking Sertraline whilst breastfeeding and that was fine) and then if I need to take them again, I won't hesitate. I'm definitely not someone who feels that being on meds is a failure and do recognise that some of do have to take them long term.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

No problem - would have rather been on nothing but wasn't really an option as a seizure would have been an even worse idea; it was my neurologist who said that the risks with lamotrigine were minimal so can't give any more detail I'm afraid. If I remember right I actually had to increase my dose a little because of the additional blood quantity you acquire in pregnancy (or something - anyway I had to get my blood levels checked every so often so they could adjust when necessary)

Take care of yourself, and if you can, it might be a good idea to make sure that someone around you knows you are cutting down on the medication in case you don't recognise a gradual increase in symptoms from the inside? anyway very best of luck.

Thank you - yes I'll definitely make sure that people know about me cutting down. My husband is great (and a nurse) so that's a huge help. Lots of my friends are in the know and very supportive too. Thanks again. x