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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 15:55:24
I've been on Lamictal a little over 3 months. When I first started it I got what I thought was pink eye....now I'm wondering. Yesterday I started getting a cold sore - I don't get cold sores. Today I have a few sores in my mouth.
I didn't relate this to the Lamictal, but over the past week or so I've had really sore muscles w/o doing anything much, a lot of fatige, and I'm irritable as heck.
Could any or all of this be related to Lamictal? I'm really drug sensitive, and am always surprised when a drug doesn't cause me a reaction. I'd appreciate any thoughts.
fw
Posted by heaven help me on June 18, 2006, at 19:02:27
In reply to Need help...Lamictal mouth sores, posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 15:55:24
I am wondering if your sores are yeast related? Some meds can wreak havoc on your intestinal track and wear down the good bacteria in there, leading to tiredness, yeast infections, cold sores, etc. LOTS of plain yogurt with NO SUGAR in it, and WITH LIVE cultures will do wonders. 1 cup, everyday. Or, you can buy the Acidophilus Plus cultures live at a health food store in the fridge (keep em there) and take everyday as directed, or do both. I do.
maybe this will help
blessings
mary
Posted by SLS on June 18, 2006, at 19:45:37
In reply to Need help...Lamictal mouth sores, posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 15:55:24
> I've been on Lamictal a little over 3 months. When I first started it I got what I thought was pink eye....now I'm wondering. Yesterday I started getting a cold sore - I don't get cold sores. Today I have a few sores in my mouth.
Gosh. I think you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is the most serious of the rash reactions to Lamictal, and commonly presents with lesions in the mouth. You might have to discontinue the Lamictal immediately.
- Scott
Posted by blueberry on June 18, 2006, at 20:26:03
In reply to Need help...Lamictal mouth sores, posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 15:55:24
I agree with SLS. A benign rash might be a minor concern, but actual sores are worrisome, especially anywhere from the neck up.
I wasn't on lamictal long enough or at a therapeutic dose to comment really, but I can say it gave me incredible muscle aches especially in my calves and biceps for no apparent reason. The leg cramps were so bad I could almost not walk. One leg even felt partially paralysed. I can tolerate 6mg once every two days and that's it.
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2006, at 21:32:05
In reply to Re: Need help...Lamictal mouth sores, posted by blueberry on June 18, 2006, at 20:26:03
I am on week three of lamictal now 50mg nowhere does it say to watch for mouth sores. Is there an articles or something as even the insert doesn't mention this as a side effect. It does mention the rash and headaches. Love Phillipa
Posted by KayeBaby on June 18, 2006, at 22:14:49
In reply to Need help...Lamictal mouth sores, posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 15:55:24
I had this reaction and it is very dangerous.
Sores/ulcers and the other symptoms you mentioned are symptoms of SJ syndrome.
I would not take any more Lamictal and seek care asap.
Be sure to make sure the Dr.s know you are on this drug and the possibility of SJ because a common and tragic problem is Docs not diagnosing this disease properly and prescibing meds for a viral illness or such which can make this condition worse.Better safe than sorry.
My quick response and prompt, proper care probably saved me from developing full blown SJ.
Take Care,
Kaye
Posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 23:50:42
In reply to Stevens-Johnson, posted by KayeBaby on June 18, 2006, at 22:14:49
Thanks, I will call him. He's off tomorrow, hope he calls back! I won't take any more of it. Any chance I'll have problems discontinuing from 100 mg. after 3 months?
Thanks!
fw
Posted by Sobriquet Style on June 19, 2006, at 15:36:46
In reply to Re: Stevens-Johnson » KayeBaby, posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 23:50:42
I had some mouth sores at 12.5mg - 25mg. As I remember I just rode them through as they seemed pretty mild. I did discontinue after a while though because the antidepressant effect did a reverse turn on me...causing mild depression. I still have it on hand though if I need that "lift" that will last anywhere between 2 - 4weeks.
Let us know what your doctor says. If you google "Stevens-Johnson Syndrome" via the *images* search feature it gives an idea what the illness looks like. (Trigger - not for the sqimish!)
~
Posted by Jost on June 19, 2006, at 23:34:19
In reply to Re: Stevens-Johnson, posted by Sobriquet Style on June 19, 2006, at 15:36:46
To clarify the likelihood that anyone is suffering SJS, I'd like to add a few facts I picked up just now.
First, SJS is extremely rare. There are minor and severe variants, of which SJS and something called TEN are the more severe. They can be quite severe.
However, ulcers, or pain in one's mouth is a rather common, and often not very serious (medically, at least) condition, even if it is extremely uncomfortable or distressing.
SJS and TEN, on the other hand, have an incidence rate of about 4.6 per 1,000,000 person years. That seems to mean (I couldn't find a really good definition, so I'm somewhat guessing) that there are 4.6 cases per 1 million people per year (between the ages of 20 and 60--somewhat more before twenty and after 60).
Moreover, most cases, while drug-related, are related to
1. antibiotics and sulfonamides
2. certain seizure medications
3. diureticssMoreover, these serious forms have manifestations outside the mouth.
So I'd say that while I can't absolutely 100% rule out lamictal as causing whatever this problem is, when doing a differential diagnosis, one would start with more common things and get to SJS way way way down the line. And that's even if you're taking one of those medications- Since lamictal wasn't one of the anit-seizure medications mentioned, you odds decrease significantly.
There's a thing called "heuristic bias"--which means if you hear about a horrible disease, you may suddenly find that something makes you think you could have it. However, you knowing about it, makes it no more likely that you have it. It just brings it into your radar.
Which in the case of rare, horrible diseases is not justified. At all. So don't google this disease. We've probably got things to worry about, and this isn't one of them.
Jost
Posted by Phillipa on June 20, 2006, at 0:13:05
In reply to Re: Stevens-Johnson, posted by Jost on June 19, 2006, at 23:34:19
thanks Jost. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sobriquet Style on June 20, 2006, at 5:48:12
In reply to Re: Stevens-Johnson, posted by Jost on June 19, 2006, at 23:34:19
>So don't google this disease.
When I had a mooth sore and decided to google images, I felt quite relieved. I only had to look at the images on google to realize that my mouth sore - was a mouth sore and not SJS. When dealing with medications that can cause side effects, whether mild, moderate or severe, its very likely people will continue to find out about disease related to medications they are taking.
>We've probably got things to worry about, and this isn't one of them.
Different people worry about different things. Some people are curious to learn, what other people worry about for example or choose not to learn.
I think in general, the sexual side effects of prozac are very common, with Lamictal any skin issue is very common too, think I remember 1 in 10 will have something skin related, itching etc (may even be more than 1 in 10) but basically it isn't seriously life threatening but it if does bother someone enough eg you already have sensitive skin and are prone to eczema anyway, then dis-continuing is an option to rid the problem.
>SJS and TEN, on the other hand, have an incidence rate of about 4.6 per 1,000,000 person years. That seems to mean (I couldn't find a really good definition, so I'm somewhat guessing) that there are 4.6 cases per 1 million people per year (between the ages of 20 and 60--somewhat more before twenty and after 60).
The overall incidence of lamotrigine-induced serious rash is approximately 0.3 percent in adult patients with epilepsy receiving adjunctive therapy, and this risk seems to be largely confined to the first months of treatment.
Exact rates of Stevens-Johnson syndrome with lamotrigine are not known, but are reported as 0.02 percent in adults
http://dermatology.cdlib.org/111/correspondence/lamotrigine/famularo.html
~
Posted by fairywings on June 22, 2006, at 19:03:15
In reply to Re: Need help...Lamictal mouth sores » fairywings, posted by SLS on June 18, 2006, at 19:45:37
Thanks Scott and everyone else who posted, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns.
Called my pdoc and he told me to stop the meds immed. All the sores are gone now. I can always count on you to be so kind and thoughtful....thank you....
fw
Posted by SLS on June 23, 2006, at 7:13:03
In reply to Re: Need help...Lamictal mouth sores » SLS, posted by fairywings on June 22, 2006, at 19:03:15
> Thanks Scott and everyone else who posted, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns.
> Called my pdoc and he told me to stop the meds immed. All the sores are gone now. I can always count on you to be so kind and thoughtful....thank you....
Unfortunately, you didn't have the immediate opportunity to see a dermatologist to evaluate the lesions. Because of this, I don't think you had any better choice but to discontinue the medication. It is difficult to guess whether or not this was necessary.Do you plan on restarting Lamictal? Was it at all helpful?
- Scott
Posted by fairywings on June 23, 2006, at 14:04:01
In reply to Re: Need help...Lamictal mouth sores » fairywings, posted by SLS on June 23, 2006, at 7:13:03
Hi Scott,
No, I won't restart it. It was really helpful. One of the few meds I've tried where I felt there was benefit and not adverse cognitive or memory problems. I'm sorry I couldn't stay on it.
I didn't tell my pdoc, but I had r upper quadrant pain too - which makes me really nervous. I'm afraid he'll yank me off of everything, and will be reluctant to try anything bec. I'm so sensitive to meds.
Thanks,
fw
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