Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 369502

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Several questions on Lamictal side-effects

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

 

Re: Several questions on Lamictal side-effects

Posted by karen m. on July 23, 2004, at 15:04:29

In reply to Several questions on Lamictal side-effects, posted by AMD on July 23, 2004, at 14:09:51

> Typically when upping the dose I will get some light itching, nothing significant. No sign of rash.

>i'm just at 300 mg this week. Whenever i've upped my dose i feel like throwing up for a couple days, which i never do but yuck. i get itchy when i walk the dog outside on our lovely phoenix summer nites at 100 degrees and sweat. i think it has something to do with the sweat on the skin. i'm just going to comment on the questions that i have any knowledge of (doesn't mean i'm right!)

> 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?

>i haven't noticed any rash or any exaserbating of rash from lamictal. just the sweat based itching.

> 2. Is the tongue thing a side-effect?

>i haven't had any tongue issues either.

> 3. Do any of these things cause neurological damage in the short- or long-run, or are these mainly dermatological problems?

>that is a good question as i have felt some reduced brain function at times. forgetting words, etc. i'm noticing less of that now so maybe they go away with time.

> 6. Does tanning increase risk of rash and or other Lamictal side-effects?

>i have noticed a sensitivity to the sun in terms of my eyes having a hard time adjusting to going outside without sunglasses. don't know how this relates to tanning but i have read of a sensitivity...could be tanning too?

> 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?

>from what i've read it seems you at least have time to visit a doctor and find out if your rash is truly the one to be nervous about.

> good luck! it's an interesting drug and since it takes so dang long to get to the appropriate dosage i'd be hesitant to come off it until you were positive you were having problems.


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