u/Aware_Force5384

Is it really necessary to take it down little by little? any experiences in stopping it cold turkey, or knowledge as to why that isn’t recommended? I half consciousilt took a week and a haof break off of lamotrigine which I’ve been taking 300mg for four years for bipolar II. initially the first year I was taking it nobody told me to take them at night because they make you tired, switched to that and upped my dose from 200-300 after depressive episode. that whole spring after this I was having these half sleep half conscious anxiety attack dreams, but I just thought it was stress and the fact I started therapy and things were bubbling to the surface.Been wondering whether I need it anymore, recognized the root beliefs behind depressive episodes and links to specific childhood memories, starting autism diagnosis process probably in a month, have adhd diagnosis already. anyway so I accidentally skipped two days, after the brain fog lifted I liked the way it felt, been wanting to try living without it for years but have been cautious. started taking it again the past week to be “responsible” and I’ve had the worst sleep. wake up like five times a night, I’ve had three sleep paralysis dreams which has happened only a few times during my 27years and never had multiple in a row. this makes me want to stop again. I usually sleep pretty good. I’m scared to go to sleep now. i feel like it’s feeding my overall fear, fucking up my sleep because I’m scared to go back to sleep when I wake up screaming or to my heart rate racing. What’s the risk in stopping it? My dose isn’t that high and I did not feel any negative or lasting effects of quitting except a day or two of fogginess but I wasn’t worried or anxious about it and just waited and it faded quickly. I’ll talk to a doctor but wondering about people’s experience. thnx