Posted by AMD on July 23, 2004, at 14:09:51
Some questions regarding Lamictal.
Just upped by dose from 150 mg to 200 mg, and for the first time I'm wondering if I'm seeing signs of more serious side-effects.
Typically when upping the dose I will get some light itching, nothing significant. No sign of rash.
Last night I was on my laptop, elbows on the carpet, and I think I got a bit of a carpet rash. My elbows are extremely red and irritated today.
My tongue today is also a bit sore, as if I'd burnt it on some food.
Q:
1. If one gets a rash this way, will the Lamictal exasperate it? Does Lamictal make you more prone to rashes in general, aside from its allergic side-effects?
2. Is the tongue thing a side-effect?
3. Do any of these things cause neurological damage in the short- or long-run, or are these mainly dermatological problems?
4. Let's say one gets this tingling, maybe a little redness, or this sore tongue (if it's related). Are these symptoms that pass over time as your body adjusts to the medicine?
5. I've read about imflamation of various organs as a result of Stevens-Johnson. If this something to be concerned with?
6. Does tanning increase risk of rash and or other Lamictal side-effects?
7. Finally, how long does it take for these symptoms to appear, in general? Let's say I stay on 200 mg for a month or two with no further side-effects. Can I expect (generally) to be "rash free" for the rest of treatment, even long term? Or is this something that can occur randomly during treatment?
I'm found the 150 mg and now 200 mg exceptionally helpful in stablizing my mood (finally!) so I'm hesitant to quit taking or even dramatically reduce the dosage. Spoke with my doctor, a top doctor in the field, and he says to keep an eye on it but otherwise not to be too concerned (especially as I know how the rash may have appears). He also says when it comes on it comes on very aggressively. Am I being a bit paranoid?
Anyhow, thanks for answering.
a
poster:AMD
thread:369502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040719/msgs/369502.html