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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
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. Went on Levaquin and had an allergic reaction to that--a red pin prick rash on arms and legs. Did prednisone and decadron. Started with new inhalers. Went on Biaxin.
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. 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!
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2009, at 18:08:43
In reply to 5 yrs on Lamictal--Rash?, posted by ruby on March 2, 2009, at 16:28:49
Ruby wow you've had a slew of things wrong. Anything is possible. On any antibiotics now? Sores just in mouth and now now more rash? Did you see a dermatologist? Is the doc who's prescibing for you a GP Or pdoc. And are you taking to augment depression or for bipolar? Phillipa
Posted by obsidian on March 2, 2009, at 22:09:54
In reply to 5 yrs on Lamictal--Rash?, posted by ruby on March 2, 2009, at 16:28:49
I don't know, but I hope you find the answers you need soon.
I looked up stevens-johnson syndrome associated sometimes with lamictal..see if any of it makes sense to you
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stevens-johnson-syndrome/DS00940/DSECTION=symptoms
good luck
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2009, at 22:49:43
In reply to Re: 5 yrs on Lamictal--Rash? » ruby, posted by obsidian on March 2, 2009, at 22:09:54
Sound like it could be doesn't it? Love Phillipa better get that doc ruby tomorrow.
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
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on March 4, 2009, at 22:52:03
In reply to 5 yrs on Lamictal--Rash?, posted by ruby on March 2, 2009, at 16:28:49
Not to make you worry, but when I was on Lamictal, my doctor told me if I got any sort of rash at all to seek medical help ASAP (as in go to the ER).
Apparently Stevens-Johnson syndrome (sp?) is a potentially fatal rash that can be caused by Lamictal.
This is the end of the thread.
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