Here is a note from a reader: Roselyn
Julie, I’ve been a fan of the blog and your books for years. I really follow what you suggest and it has made a huge difference. I think you will find the following story interesting as it is an example of when I didn’t follow what you suggested- and things didn’t go well!
Like you, I take Lamictal. It works very well for me- but it’s always a balance in terms of dosage. I actually did something really stupid last weekend. I went out of town to speak to a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) group and forgot to take my Lamictal!
I was freaked out about it- but I thought that missing a few days shouldn’t be too much of a problem! I didn’t think of calling my doctor because I convinced myself things would be just fine.
Wrong!
The withdrawal symptoms started on the way home – pain in my legs, then my arms, neck twitching and pretty soon, all over body twitching! These are strong drugs.
When I finally realized what was going on- I truly had no idea what it was as it came on slowly- my mom, who was driving said, “I have some Lamical in my purse.” She takes it for depression and it works well for her. So thank heavens she had some.
It never entered my mind to ask if she had any- or if someone in my audience had a spare! I was at a mental health conference! I am sure someone could have spared a few days of Lamictal. I have extra in my car like you suggest, but we ended up taking my mother’s car- I also usually have extras in my purse and I left the extras at home! ! This was one of those occasions when circumstances all worked against me and I didn’t make sure I was ok.
I was just stupid. It messed up my system and then I managed to miss an evening dose a few days after the trip just from the whole after conference blahs thing! One week later, I’m still having problems. You should just see my head twitching as I write this! (The anxiety is pretty bad as well.)
I’m back on a full dose, so I am sure I will be fine. But you are right. We have to make sure we always have our meds with us – in many locations!
Roselyn.
