Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 83322

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

lamictal rash

Posted by Roo on November 6, 2001, at 9:54:25

I've heard some of you say that occasionally when
upping your dose of lamictal, you'll get a small
rash, or sunburn like thing, and eventually it
goes away, and you continue your lamictal with no
problem. I just upped from 50 mg's to 62.5, and I
got 1 small, and 1 nickel sized sunburn like blisters.
I don't know whether to discontinue or just continue
the med, watch closely and see what happens. This
happened one other time, and it went away. I'm really
opting on the side of not quitting unless it evolves
into something serious b/c this med has been extremely
helpful to me, and i've invested a lot of time in it
by carefully titrating so slowly (after nearly 2 months
I'm still at just over 50 mg's, that's how slow i'm
going)...any opinions?

 

Re: lamictal rash » Roo

Posted by shelliR on November 6, 2001, at 12:37:50

In reply to lamictal rash, posted by Roo on November 6, 2001, at 9:54:25

> I've heard some of you say that occasionally when
> upping your dose of lamictal, you'll get a small
> rash, or sunburn like thing, and eventually it
> goes away, and you continue your lamictal with no
> problem. I just upped from 50 mg's to 62.5, and I
> got 1 small, and 1 nickel sized sunburn like blisters.
> I don't know whether to discontinue or just continue
> the med, watch closely and see what happens. This
> happened one other time, and it went away. I'm really
> opting on the side of not quitting unless it evolves
> into something serious b/c this med has been extremely
> helpful to me, and i've invested a lot of time in it
> by carefully titrating so slowly (after nearly 2 months
> I'm still at just over 50 mg's, that's how slow i'm
> going)...any opinions?


Hi Roo. How long before it went away before? Did it look exactly like this one? I think you ought to at least let a doc look at it (maybe a dermatologist). A rash from lamictal can be really really serious. But they might be able to put together the information about what kind of rash is serious and which is not. Has your pdoc seen it?

You also might want to go down again to 50mg and see if the rash goes away before trying to go up again.

Maybe someone on the board knows exactly what the "bad" rash looks like. If it's getting any worse, at least let a doc see it, and then you can make your decision.

Shelli

 

Re: lamictal rash

Posted by susan C on November 6, 2001, at 19:17:17

In reply to lamictal rash, posted by Roo on November 6, 2001, at 9:54:25

Hi, my pdoc warned me of the rash, that he had a dermatologist available for consultation who was familiar with it, and I should be careful for sore lymph glands... For any change like this, i would really encourage you to call your pdoc. S/he needs to know... As far as my experience: unfortunately, i ended up with swollen lymph glands shortly after starting, so i stopped it
right away.

Lab mouse
susan C

 

Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q.

Posted by JahL on November 6, 2001, at 20:14:14

In reply to Re: lamictal rash, posted by susan C on November 6, 2001, at 19:17:17

> Hi, my pdoc warned me of the rash, that he had a dermatologist available for consultation who was familiar with it, and I should be careful for sore lymph glands... For any change like this, i would really encourage you to call your pdoc. S/he needs to know... As far as my experience: unfortunately, i ended up with swollen lymph glands shortly after starting, so i stopped it
> right away.

That's wierd. I've been on Lamictal for 8 months now and on 2 occasions my lymph glands have swollen-w/in the space of a couple of hours-to the size of tennis balls. In both cases things resolved w/in 24 hrs. I had suspected the Lamictal was implicated somehow but wasn't aware it was something to watch out for.

Anyone know the significance of this (for me)? Hasn't happened in a couple of months.

Roo. I had the 'sunburn rash' briefly and it didn't turn out to be a problem, but I don't like the sound of 'blisters'. Best get it checked out at the earliest opportunity.

Take care,
J.

 

Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » JahL

Posted by susan C on November 6, 2001, at 20:59:55

In reply to Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q., posted by JahL on November 6, 2001, at 20:14:14

Hi,
you have talked to your pdoc about this dramatic tennis match going on? And you haven't swallowed any of the balls with out knowing?

Not to frighten you, but my pdoc was ADMIMANT about watching for swollen glands, and to STOP if it happened. It is the first sign of a serious, fatal disease where your body starts fighting against itself and you can die...I am so sorry I cannot remember the name of the syndrome or condition...But now, you have survived, but since it has happened twice...have you gone to see your doc, while it is happening?

The rash may or may not be a indicator, or something you do or donot want to put up with or manage...

One Pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small...one pill doesnt do anything at all...
white mouse in wonderland
susan C

 

Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » susan C

Posted by JahL on November 6, 2001, at 21:51:57

In reply to Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » JahL, posted by susan C on November 6, 2001, at 20:59:55

> Hi,
> you have talked to your pdoc about this dramatic tennis match going on? And you haven't swallowed any of the balls with out knowing?

Hope not. You're quick on the draw 2nite!

> Not to frighten you, but my pdoc was ADMIMANT about watching for swollen glands, and to STOP if it happened. It is the first sign of a serious, fatal disease where your body starts fighting against itself and you can die...I am so sorry I cannot remember the name of the syndrome or condition...

I have to admit it was pretty disconcerting at the time (it looked pretty dramatic) but each in each instance it had resolved by the morning. I thought it was some kind of auto-immune thing at the time & I suppose I should've been more worried.

However I am loathe to report it because coming off Lamictal is not an option for me. Remember also that I'm in the UK where most people die before they get to their appts (OK, so I'm exaggerating). Being in the UK also means I'm lumbered with ignorant pdocs ("Sorry, what's the drug called again?"). If I reported it they'd either pull me off in a panic (fear of litigation) or...shrug their shoulders. Can you believe that *not one* of my pdocs has asked me whether I've had any side-effects on Lamotrigine (after 8 months)?

I'm with a new team now. I'll bring it up. I *think* they can be trusted not to overreact. Perhaps bloods are in order...

>But now, you have survived, but since it has happened twice...have you gone to see your doc, while it is happening?

> The rash may or may not be a indicator, or something you do or donot want to put up with or manage...

Nah, the rash was a one-off & not related. Thanx 4 yr concern.
J.

> One Pill makes you larger...

Not me, just my lymph glands...

 

Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » JahL

Posted by susan C on November 8, 2001, at 14:56:58

In reply to Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » susan C, posted by JahL on November 6, 2001, at 21:51:57

Interesting, as i have been hunting for info, and trying to read the tea leaves in my pdocs teacup, i get the impression, that as time has gone by (lamictal was 'new' last year here is USA) that the concerns may be diminishing...who Knows?

Have you ever had this tennis ball effect before? I can understand your reticence with telling the uk docs. I had a black tongue experience and wanted to show it to pdoc, he ignored me, but now, he is all excited for me to get a biopsy...though my tongue is fine now...another doc who looked at it said, then, i don't know what it is, now he says there are three things it could be...what????

I suppose these docs are all like car mechanics...can't fix it if it 't'ain't broke...

mouse in a treadmill
susan C

 

Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q.

Posted by Karen Curtis on November 9, 2001, at 9:42:37

In reply to Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q., posted by JahL on November 6, 2001, at 20:14:14

> > Hi, my pdoc warned me of the rash, that he had a dermatologist available for consultation who was familiar with it, and I should be careful for sore lymph glands... For any change like this, i would really encourage you to call your pdoc. S/he needs to know... As far as my experience: unfortunately, i ended up with swollen lymph glands shortly after starting, so i stopped it
> > right away.
>
> That's wierd. I've been on Lamictal for 8 months now and on 2 occasions my lymph glands have swollen-w/in the space of a couple of hours-to the size of tennis balls. In both cases things resolved w/in 24 hrs. I had suspected the Lamictal was implicated somehow but wasn't aware it was something to watch out for.
>
> Anyone know the significance of this (for me)? Hasn't happened in a couple of months.
>
> Roo. I had the 'sunburn rash' briefly and it didn't turn out to be a problem, but I don't like the sound of 'blisters'. Best get it checked out at the earliest opportunity.
>
> Take care,
> J.

It says right in the literature to be aware of and report immediately swollen lymph glands. I would be very cautious. Sorry you don't get great psych care where you are. I feel so fortunate, my sons pdoc is wonderful. Karen Curtis

 

Aside » susan C

Posted by Jane D on November 9, 2001, at 16:54:05

In reply to Re: lamictal rash and swollen lymph glands Q. » JahL, posted by susan C on November 8, 2001, at 14:56:58

> I suppose these docs are all like car mechanics...can't fix it if it 't'ain't broke...
>
> mouse in a treadmill
> susan C

Susan - Sometimes I think it is more like "If we can't fix it, it must not be broke." - Jane


 

Re: Aside » Jane D

Posted by JahL on November 9, 2001, at 20:24:30

In reply to Aside » susan C, posted by Jane D on November 9, 2001, at 16:54:05

> > I suppose these docs are all like car mechanics...can't fix it if it 't'ain't broke...
> >
> > mouse in a treadmill
> > susan C
>
> Susan - Sometimes I think it is more like "If we can't fix it, it must not be broke." - Jane

That's right on the money. Another favourite of theirs is:
"If we can't fix it then you must have a personality disorder" (& therefore everything you say is irrational & you shld be ignored. Or even worse "you must need therapy...") Similar idea.

Karen, Susan, thanx 4 asking. It's been a couple of months since the last flare-up & I'm in pretty good health generally (lungs not withstanding). If it happens again I'll take due action. Besides, I could probably drop the Lamictal by 250mg w/o losing the benefits...

Ta,
J.

 

Re: lamictal rash » Roo

Posted by Cindylou on November 11, 2001, at 14:00:43

In reply to lamictal rash, posted by Roo on November 6, 2001, at 9:54:25

Hi Roo,
I may be responding too late, after you already have the information you need, but i had a similar type rash on my wrist after getting up to a mere 25 mg of Lamictal. I posted about this in another thread, so if you already read it, I apologize for the repeat ...

The rash on my wrist started out as a red patch with what looked like tiny blisters -- it was a half-moon shape about the size of a quarter. I waited a few days and it didn't go away, so I called my pdoc. She wasn't really concerned since it didn't cover my whole body, but still referred me to a dermatologist to be on the safe side.

I saw the dermatologist and he assured me the rash was not drug-related. He said it was dermatitis. (By the time I got to him it had been a week since I got the rash, and it was mostly just a raised red dry patch at this point.) He also said if I got the Lamictal rash I would know it because my whole body would be sunburned looking and swollen.

I am now up to 50 mg with no more rash problems.

My theory is that Lamictal is making my skin more sensitive ... I have never had "dermatitis" in my life. I think I got it from my watch band getting wet and rubbing on my skin -- but that has happened countless times in the past and I have never had a problem.

But as long as the experts aren't worried, I'm not either ... this Lamictal seems to be working ... (fingers crossed!)

Good luck and keep us posted on what happens --
cindy

> I've heard some of you say that occasionally when
> upping your dose of lamictal, you'll get a small
> rash, or sunburn like thing, and eventually it
> goes away, and you continue your lamictal with no
> problem. I just upped from 50 mg's to 62.5, and I
> got 1 small, and 1 nickel sized sunburn like blisters.
> I don't know whether to discontinue or just continue
> the med, watch closely and see what happens. This
> happened one other time, and it went away. I'm really
> opting on the side of not quitting unless it evolves
> into something serious b/c this med has been extremely
> helpful to me, and i've invested a lot of time in it
> by carefully titrating so slowly (after nearly 2 months
> I'm still at just over 50 mg's, that's how slow i'm
> going)...any opinions?

 

Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou

Posted by Roo on November 12, 2001, at 8:33:31

In reply to Re: lamictal rash » Roo, posted by Cindylou on November 11, 2001, at 14:00:43

Thanks Cindy! This was really helpful. (Especially
to know that it has to cover your whole body and
that your whole body would be swollen) I have
continued at my dose of 50 mg's, I just haven't
raised it since I got that blister, and won't until
it goes away. The blister is really no big deal--it
doesn't bother me.
I'm curious about you--what did you start taking
lamictal for? I took it a little bit for a mood
stabilizer (I have cycling depression) and mostly
for it's ad effect. I have been really impressed
with it's ad effect and I swear I felt that effect
at only 25 mg's. Now at 50, I feel even better, and
I'm not really even sure I should go up on my dose
b/c I feel fine. What about you? Are you feeling
an ad effect at 50? How slowly are you titrating?
What things have you noticed about lamictal?

 

Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Roo

Posted by Cindylou on November 12, 2001, at 12:33:41

In reply to Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou, posted by Roo on November 12, 2001, at 8:33:31

Hi Roo,
After trying almost every AD out there, in addition to Wellbutrin, stimulants, even antipsychotics -- and nothing worked (or made me worse, or worked for a short time and then stopped), my pdoc suggested Lamictal, initially for depression.

But recently my pdoc said she does think I have some kind of "bipolar spectrum" --I am either totally exhausted and fatigued and weary, or very stressed out and agitated. Sometimes I feel both those extremes at the same time, if you can imagine that. I never feel "normal." We hadn't considred bipolar to be an issue at first since I don't really have "manic" episodes.

Anyway, I started the Lamictal really low -- a half tablet (12.5 mg. I think that would be). Then I only went up another quarter tablet for a week or so, because my skin really itched. When I finally went up to 25 mg (this took about 2 or 3 weeks), I developed that rash on my wrist.

I actually felt a little worse in the beginning, but my pdoc says I really can't blame the Lamictal for that since I was on such a low dose. And I did start out adding things like Provigil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft to it (not all at the same time though!) so I think it was the combination of things that was causing the problems.

I started noticing a difference when I went up to 50 mg a week and a half ago. I've been so much more stable lately. I do take a small amount of Klonapin to help with sleep and agitation, and that seems to be working well with the Lamictal at this point.

I think I will keep titrating up, at least to 100 mg -- my pdoc wants to see me get to that level since it is the lowest therapuetic dose (in her opinion). But if I feel great at 75 mg, I will talk to her about leaving it there ... I don't want to ruin a good thing by taking too much.

Sorry for the long response! I am glad you're feeling better too ... I'd say if you feel you're where you want to be on the 50 mg you'd be okay keeping it there if your doctor agrees. Everyone reacts differently to different doses, no matter what they say the "therapuetic dose" is -- I've learned that from experience.

For me, I can tell that I still have a ways to go, even though I do feel some relief, so I'll keep inching my way up!

Keep me posted on how you're doing ...
take care,
cindy

> Thanks Cindy! This was really helpful. (Especially
> to know that it has to cover your whole body and
> that your whole body would be swollen) I have
> continued at my dose of 50 mg's, I just haven't
> raised it since I got that blister, and won't until
> it goes away. The blister is really no big deal--it
> doesn't bother me.
> I'm curious about you--what did you start taking
> lamictal for? I took it a little bit for a mood
> stabilizer (I have cycling depression) and mostly
> for it's ad effect. I have been really impressed
> with it's ad effect and I swear I felt that effect
> at only 25 mg's. Now at 50, I feel even better, and
> I'm not really even sure I should go up on my dose
> b/c I feel fine. What about you? Are you feeling
> an ad effect at 50? How slowly are you titrating?
> What things have you noticed about lamictal?

 

Re: Cindy Lou--Thanks! :-) (NM)

Posted by Roo on November 12, 2001, at 13:30:35

In reply to Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Roo, posted by Cindylou on November 12, 2001, at 12:33:41

> Hi Roo,
> After trying almost every AD out there, in addition to Wellbutrin, stimulants, even antipsychotics -- and nothing worked (or made me worse, or worked for a short time and then stopped), my pdoc suggested Lamictal, initially for depression.
>
> But recently my pdoc said she does think I have some kind of "bipolar spectrum" --I am either totally exhausted and fatigued and weary, or very stressed out and agitated. Sometimes I feel both those extremes at the same time, if you can imagine that. I never feel "normal." We hadn't considred bipolar to be an issue at first since I don't really have "manic" episodes.
>
> Anyway, I started the Lamictal really low -- a half tablet (12.5 mg. I think that would be). Then I only went up another quarter tablet for a week or so, because my skin really itched. When I finally went up to 25 mg (this took about 2 or 3 weeks), I developed that rash on my wrist.
>
> I actually felt a little worse in the beginning, but my pdoc says I really can't blame the Lamictal for that since I was on such a low dose. And I did start out adding things like Provigil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft to it (not all at the same time though!) so I think it was the combination of things that was causing the problems.
>
> I started noticing a difference when I went up to 50 mg a week and a half ago. I've been so much more stable lately. I do take a small amount of Klonapin to help with sleep and agitation, and that seems to be working well with the Lamictal at this point.
>
> I think I will keep titrating up, at least to 100 mg -- my pdoc wants to see me get to that level since it is the lowest therapuetic dose (in her opinion). But if I feel great at 75 mg, I will talk to her about leaving it there ... I don't want to ruin a good thing by taking too much.
>
> Sorry for the long response! I am glad you're feeling better too ... I'd say if you feel you're where you want to be on the 50 mg you'd be okay keeping it there if your doctor agrees. Everyone reacts differently to different doses, no matter what they say the "therapuetic dose" is -- I've learned that from experience.
>
> For me, I can tell that I still have a ways to go, even though I do feel some relief, so I'll keep inching my way up!
>
> Keep me posted on how you're doing ...
> take care,
> cindy
>
>
>
> > Thanks Cindy! This was really helpful. (Especially
> > to know that it has to cover your whole body and
> > that your whole body would be swollen) I have
> > continued at my dose of 50 mg's, I just haven't
> > raised it since I got that blister, and won't until
> > it goes away. The blister is really no big deal--it
> > doesn't bother me.
> > I'm curious about you--what did you start taking
> > lamictal for? I took it a little bit for a mood
> > stabilizer (I have cycling depression) and mostly
> > for it's ad effect. I have been really impressed
> > with it's ad effect and I swear I felt that effect
> > at only 25 mg's. Now at 50, I feel even better, and
> > I'm not really even sure I should go up on my dose
> > b/c I feel fine. What about you? Are you feeling
> > an ad effect at 50? How slowly are you titrating?
> > What things have you noticed about lamictal?

 

Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Cindylou

Posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 18:11:06

In reply to Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Roo, posted by Cindylou on November 12, 2001, at 12:33:41


Not supposed to fall in love with a particular med,
but I love these lamictal success stories. Saved
my own life.

Regards,
john

> Hi Roo,
> After trying almost every AD out there, in addition to Wellbutrin, stimulants, even antipsychotics -- and nothing worked (or made me worse, or worked for a short time and then stopped), my pdoc suggested Lamictal, initially for depression.
>
> But recently my pdoc said she does think I have some kind of "bipolar spectrum" --I am either totally exhausted and fatigued and weary, or very stressed out and agitated. Sometimes I feel both those extremes at the same time, if you can imagine that. I never feel "normal." We hadn't considred bipolar to be an issue at first since I don't really have "manic" episodes.
>
> Anyway, I started the Lamictal really low -- a half tablet (12.5 mg. I think that would be). Then I only went up another quarter tablet for a week or so, because my skin really itched. When I finally went up to 25 mg (this took about 2 or 3 weeks), I developed that rash on my wrist.
>
> I actually felt a little worse in the beginning, but my pdoc says I really can't blame the Lamictal for that since I was on such a low dose. And I did start out adding things like Provigil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft to it (not all at the same time though!) so I think it was the combination of things that was causing the problems.
>
> I started noticing a difference when I went up to 50 mg a week and a half ago. I've been so much more stable lately. I do take a small amount of Klonapin to help with sleep and agitation, and that seems to be working well with the Lamictal at this point.
>
> I think I will keep titrating up, at least to 100 mg -- my pdoc wants to see me get to that level since it is the lowest therapuetic dose (in her opinion). But if I feel great at 75 mg, I will talk to her about leaving it there ... I don't want to ruin a good thing by taking too much.
>
> Sorry for the long response! I am glad you're feeling better too ... I'd say if you feel you're where you want to be on the 50 mg you'd be okay keeping it there if your doctor agrees. Everyone reacts differently to different doses, no matter what they say the "therapuetic dose" is -- I've learned that from experience.
>
> For me, I can tell that I still have a ways to go, even though I do feel some relief, so I'll keep inching my way up!
>
> Keep me posted on how you're doing ...
> take care,
> cindy
>
>
>
> > Thanks Cindy! This was really helpful. (Especially
> > to know that it has to cover your whole body and
> > that your whole body would be swollen) I have
> > continued at my dose of 50 mg's, I just haven't
> > raised it since I got that blister, and won't until
> > it goes away. The blister is really no big deal--it
> > doesn't bother me.
> > I'm curious about you--what did you start taking
> > lamictal for? I took it a little bit for a mood
> > stabilizer (I have cycling depression) and mostly
> > for it's ad effect. I have been really impressed
> > with it's ad effect and I swear I felt that effect
> > at only 25 mg's. Now at 50, I feel even better, and
> > I'm not really even sure I should go up on my dose
> > b/c I feel fine. What about you? Are you feeling
> > an ad effect at 50? How slowly are you titrating?
> > What things have you noticed about lamictal?

 

Re: lamictal rash-- » JohnX2

Posted by Cindylou on November 13, 2001, at 19:38:23

In reply to Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Cindylou, posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 18:11:06

Hi John,
It is always so good to hear when someone gets the help they need. Thanks for the post ...

Just wondering, are you still on the Lamictal? If so, how long have you been on it, and at what dose? The only thing I worry about is having it "poop out" on me ... I think I heard one or two people mention that that happened to them with Lamictal.

Thanks again for the encouraging post,
cindy

> Not supposed to fall in love with a particular med,
> but I love these lamictal success stories. Saved
> my own life.
>
> Regards,
> john
>

 

Re: lamictal rash-- » Cindylou

Posted by JohnX2 on November 14, 2001, at 3:11:56

In reply to Re: lamictal rash-- » JohnX2, posted by Cindylou on November 13, 2001, at 19:38:23


1 yr on lamictal 150-225 mg.
Not one relapse into major depression since.
Struggled seriously for almost 2 yrs prior to
this.
Hasn't done wonders for the dysthymia, but
if you saw the list of meds I took prior you
would be horrified. Seems lamictal has a unique
quality treating these difficult fringe cases.
I am bipolar II with cyclothymia. Still tinkering
with add/ons to address the residual dysthymia.
I do have an occasional hypomanic episode. But
sometimes they are fun, until I dump back
into dysthymia. But seems many of these events
are triggered by life events so maybe that
is "normal" ;)

Good luck,
John

> Hi John,
> It is always so good to hear when someone gets the help they need. Thanks for the post ...
>
> Just wondering, are you still on the Lamictal? If so, how long have you been on it, and at what dose? The only thing I worry about is having it "poop out" on me ... I think I heard one or two people mention that that happened to them with Lamictal.
>
> Thanks again for the encouraging post,
> cindy
>
> > Not supposed to fall in love with a particular med,
> > but I love these lamictal success stories. Saved
> > my own life.
> >
> > Regards,
> > john
> >

 

Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » JohnX2

Posted by svevo1922 on November 19, 2001, at 16:22:25

In reply to Re: lamictal rash--Cindy Lou » Cindylou, posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 18:11:06

I would caution anyone who develops a rash from Lamictal to consult his or her doctor asap.

Last Spring, my doctor had me try Lamictal. I have
a very treatment-refractory combination of depression, OCD, etc., and have tried many medications without great success. My doctor, a psychopharmacologist, told me to contact him if I developed any kind of a rash. I took the lowest dosage tablet, which I believe was 25 mill., once a day for two weeks. After the end of the second week I noticed a mild, red rash on the top of my hands, but it appeared already to be subsiding. Being uncharacteristically stoic, I did not contact my doctor. Then two days later, the rash hit my face and my abdomen. I had to go in to see my doctor, who called the emergency room of the hospital at which he had previously taught to see if I might be on my way to developing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis -- two conditions that were so scary I couldn't bring myself to read their descriptions in the drug monographs on the Web. (Normally, I always read about the potential side effects of these drugs.) The SSRI and other drugs I was taking at the time did not appear to be the culprits.

I was instructed to stop taking the Lamictal immediately, which I did, but it had a delayed effect: Two days after going off it, I developed a 103-degree fever that lasted two or three days and suffered flu-like symptoms that kept me in bed for a week. I was extremely weak for a little while after that, and still have a small discoloration on the side of my face from the blister.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Not supposed to fall in love with a particular med,
> but I love these lamictal success stories. Saved
> my own life.
>
> Regards,
> john
>
>
>
> > Hi Roo,
> > After trying almost every AD out there, in addition to Wellbutrin, stimulants, even antipsychotics -- and nothing worked (or made me worse, or worked for a short time and then stopped), my pdoc suggested Lamictal, initially for depression.
> >
> > But recently my pdoc said she does think I have some kind of "bipolar spectrum" --I am either totally exhausted and fatigued and weary, or very stressed out and agitated. Sometimes I feel both those extremes at the same time, if you can imagine that. I never feel "normal." We hadn't considred bipolar to be an issue at first since I don't really have "manic" episodes.
> >
> > Anyway, I started the Lamictal really low -- a half tablet (12.5 mg. I think that would be). Then I only went up another quarter tablet for a week or so, because my skin really itched. When I finally went up to 25 mg (this took about 2 or 3 weeks), I developed that rash on my wrist.
> >
> > I actually felt a little worse in the beginning, but my pdoc says I really can't blame the Lamictal for that since I was on such a low dose. And I did start out adding things like Provigil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft to it (not all at the same time though!) so I think it was the combination of things that was causing the problems.
> >
> > I started noticing a difference when I went up to 50 mg a week and a half ago. I've been so much more stable lately. I do take a small amount of Klonapin to help with sleep and agitation, and that seems to be working well with the Lamictal at this point.
> >
> > I think I will keep titrating up, at least to 100 mg -- my pdoc wants to see me get to that level since it is the lowest therapuetic dose (in her opinion). But if I feel great at 75 mg, I will talk to her about leaving it there ... I don't want to ruin a good thing by taking too much.
> >
> > Sorry for the long response! I am glad you're feeling better too ... I'd say if you feel you're where you want to be on the 50 mg you'd be okay keeping it there if your doctor agrees. Everyone reacts differently to different doses, no matter what they say the "therapuetic dose" is -- I've learned that from experience.
> >
> > For me, I can tell that I still have a ways to go, even though I do feel some relief, so I'll keep inching my way up!
> >
> > Keep me posted on how you're doing ...
> > take care,
> > cindy
> >
> >
> >
> > > Thanks Cindy! This was really helpful. (Especially
> > > to know that it has to cover your whole body and
> > > that your whole body would be swollen) I have
> > > continued at my dose of 50 mg's, I just haven't
> > > raised it since I got that blister, and won't until
> > > it goes away. The blister is really no big deal--it
> > > doesn't bother me.
> > > I'm curious about you--what did you start taking
> > > lamictal for? I took it a little bit for a mood
> > > stabilizer (I have cycling depression) and mostly
> > > for it's ad effect. I have been really impressed
> > > with it's ad effect and I swear I felt that effect
> > > at only 25 mg's. Now at 50, I feel even better, and
> > > I'm not really even sure I should go up on my dose
> > > b/c I feel fine. What about you? Are you feeling
> > > an ad effect at 50? How slowly are you titrating?
> > > What things have you noticed about lamictal?


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[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

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