Posted by sweetmarie on March 31, 2001, at 6:53:13
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression » phillybob, posted by sweetmarie on March 10, 2001, at 6:22:05
> > Okay, sweetmarie, I did not want to alarm you but I thought you were in a hospital setting. Please read the following quote from Dr. Ivan Goldberg's depression central ( http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html ):
> >
> > "14. Which side-effects are severe enough to force people to discontinue lamotrigine?
> >
> > The side-effect of lamotrigine that most often causes the drug to be discontinued is a rash. Rashes can be mild, similar to a slight sunburn, or can be quite severe resembling a severe case of poison-ivy. The more severe the rash the less likely it is that the individual will be able to continue the medication. ALL rashes should be reported to the physicians prescribing the lamotrigine.
> >
> > A rash is more likely to develop when the initial doses of lamotrigine are high or when lamotrigine is too rapidly started when someone is taking valproate.
> >
> > It is important that people taking lamotrigine who develop a rash immediately contact their physician as there have been a few deaths in people who have developed lamotrigine-induced rashes."
> >
> > I think the name of the deadly rash problem is Steven-Johnson's Syndrome. It does not seem that your prescribing doc is aware of this? How much of an increase in dosage has he/she prescribed for you?
> >
> > Again, best wishes.
>
> The rash is similar to a `dry skin rash`, of the kind I have always had on my upper arms, except now it`s got worse and is more noticeable. It`s interesting that you make the Vaproate connection, as I am also taking this. However, I am coming off this - slowly decreasing the dosage until I come off altogether. Possibly this will help. I will certainly point the rash out to the psych doctors when I go into hospital (if it`s still there).
>
> sweetmariePhillybob,
Re. my rash. It`s not (as you quoted) anything like sunburn or poison ivy reaction. I have since found out that it is `folliculitis`, which is an infection of the hair follicles - each follicle develops a tiny spot type thing. I`ve always had this on my legs, but only very mildly. I`m wondering therefore, whether it IS anything to do with the Lamictal; maybe it`s the result of one of the other drugs, or even the result of the combination. It could have absoutely nothing to do with my meds, although it`s a bit wierd that it`s developed since going onto this combination. I`m almost 100% sure that it is not dangerous, but I still really hate it (although I suppose that this ought to be secondary to my health, but nonetheless ...)
Have you heard of this condition? Has anyone? Any clue as to whether it could be medication related? Maybe someone else has developed the same thing?
Any ideas appreciated.
Anna.
poster:sweetmarie
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58192.html