Posted by yxibow on March 3, 2009, at 23:50:34
In reply to 5 yrs on Lamictal--Rash?, posted by ruby on March 2, 2009, at 16:28:49
> Hi all...
>
> I've read the other posts on this but can't find answers especially for someone who has been on Lamictal for this long. FYI...I had a mild rash after 4 months on L.--went off it for 4 months and reintroduced very slowly and maxed at 100mg, where I've been for 5 years.
>
> So now... I've been sick for over 2 months--laryngitis, tonsillitis, probably strep throat, bronchitis--all upper respiratory. Did amoxicillan--infection returned after I went off it.By evidence based science that -could- say its a complex multi-variable URI disorder.
Went on Levaquin and had an allergic reaction to that--a red pin prick rash on arms and legs.
The Levaquin could have caused a rash -- plenty of antibiotics can.
Did prednisone and decadron. Started with new inhalers. Went on Biaxin.
Prednisone can weaken the body's immune system.
Biaxin can also have side effects -- although for me they were mostly psychiatric.
> Latest symptom--mouth sores on the roof of my mouth, my cheeks, even my tongue--not canker sores but big red blotches that are sore. I've had them for 4 days and a few are developing white heads.
The presence of white blood cells suggests the immune system fighting an infection
I suspected thrush from antibiotics and inhalers--doc looked and said no--probaby a virus but she gave me nyastatin rinse for thrush just in case. And she swabbed one of the sores.
>
> I just keep feeling worse since the sores appeared--current symptoms are fatigue, nausea, headache, generalized yucky-ness. I've seen 4 different doctors (3 at one clinic but I got tired of being passed around so went to someone a friend recommended and have seen her twice...).
>
> Just wondering now if it is at all possible after all these years of being on lamictal if I could be having an allergic reaction to it. Dear Lord, I hope not. L. has been the best for me.
>
> Thanks for any insight you might have!
>However, this is all a complicated set of causality and causation.
I wouldn't completely rule out SJS, even though you have been on it for 5 years. The fact that you had an initial rash and then continued it may bring a clue to things -- there may have been a sensitization although it is puzzling a manifestation after 5 years.
SJS does present with an URI at first and apparently typically occurs more in the early parts of the winter/springtime.
I would try to get in a second opinion though as soon as you can, and meanwhile, discuss whomever has been prescribing lamotrigine a strategy to discontinue it properly. I wouldn't normally suggest something against what a psychiatrist has prescribed in their proper opinion, but I'm not sure on this one.
There really is no way to prove that it is a complex URI condition further exacerbated by antibiotics which you may be sensitive to, without removing what a potential offending item may be.
-- best wishes-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:883395
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090223/msgs/883637.html