Changing Meds and symptoms

[cbmc]

I am in the process of switching from Dilantin to Lamictal. I take 500 mg Dilantin (200 a.m. and 300 p.m) Started on 50 mg of Lamictal and am now to 150 mg (up 25 mgs per week) - will reach my max of 200 mg in just over a week. Once I am at that max I will start to wean off the Dilantin at 100 mg per week.
When I first started the Lamictal I did okay - some headaches but nothing too difficult to manage. However for the past week I am starting to feel like I am overmedicated - am extremely fatigued, having more difficulty concentrating, more symptoms like I was experiencing when first diagnosed and getting my meds stabilized (just over a year ago)

Is this normal? Do I just have too much in my system and will this start to level off when I get to start coming off the Dilantin. It is so frustrating to be feeling so sick again when I had been doing well.

 

[Nakamova]

I agree -- it sounds like you're experiencing side effects of having both meds in your system. Especially if your target dose will just be 200 mg of Lamictal, then 500 mg of Dilantin is a pretty high amount to have in you at the same time. (When I was on Dilantin I was at only 200mg; now I'm on Lamictal also at 200mg). If you can hang in there, the side effects of over medication should decrease.

Your neuro is probably being conservative during the taper on/taper off period because there's a slight interaction between the two drugs that makes Lamictal a little less strong while the Dilantin is still in your system.

Of course if the side effects persist after the Dilantin is fully out of your system (which should be by about two weeks after your very last dose of it), then definitely let your doc know so you can both evaluate the Lamictal, and make sure it's the right drug for you.