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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
I looked back through the threads and didn't find too much on this topic. Each afternoon, I find that my face gets flushed, feels warm and looks almost sunburned. Anyone else experience this?
Here's my mix:
Wellbutrin - 300
Cymbalta - 120
Lamictal - just increased to 75I need to figure what's causing this...
Posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 15:17:24
In reply to Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
> I looked back through the threads and didn't find too much on this topic. Each afternoon, I find that my face gets flushed, feels warm and looks almost sunburned. Anyone else experience this?
>
> Here's my mix:
> Wellbutrin - 300
> Cymbalta - 120
> Lamictal - just increased to 75
>
> I need to figure what's causing this...
Whenever a rash of any sort develops while taking Lamictal, it must be given special attention. There are several presentations that can represent symptoms of a severe reaction for which one must stop taking the Lamictal immediately. I believe it would be best to talk to your doctor about this.When did these flushes begin relative to your increasing the dosage of Lamictal?
- Scott
Posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 15:24:27
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 15:17:24
> Whenever a rash of any sort develops while taking Lamictal, it must be given special attention. There are several presentations that can represent symptoms of a severe reaction for which one must stop taking the Lamictal immediately. I believe it would be best to talk to your doctor about this.
>
> When did these flushes begin relative to your increasing the dosage of Lamictal?They started right when I increased it (along with a nasty afternoon headache). I don't know what to make of this. It's just a color change without any bumps. If it were The Rash, wouldn't I have it all day? I've looked up pictures and they all look like lesions were involved.
I wonder if I went back down to 50 if all of this would go away...
Posted by CareBear04 on March 18, 2005, at 16:32:03
In reply to Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
i do! i get the flushed face! and i don't understand why, either.
what you describe doesn't sound like a rash. 75 of lamictal is still a low dose, i think. i think went as high as 300mg of lamictal, and i'm not very big. one doctor told me that steven johnson's syndrome will manifest itself within a few days of starting lamictal or increasing it. of your mix, i would suspect wellbutrin over anything else because it's stimulant-like. have you noticed your heart beating faster? do you feel hot all over or just in your face? within my mix of meds, i suspect adderall might be causing the flush.
there are other reasons unrelated to meds. could you be dehydrated? is your blood sugar low? are you changing positions quickly? those are some of the reasons my face either goes white or red. hope you figure this out!
Posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 17:11:34
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? » SLS, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 15:24:27
> > Whenever a rash of any sort develops while taking Lamictal, it must be given special attention. There are several presentations that can represent symptoms of a severe reaction for which one must stop taking the Lamictal immediately. I believe it would be best to talk to your doctor about this.
> >
> > When did these flushes begin relative to your increasing the dosage of Lamictal?> They started right when I increased it (along with a nasty afternoon headache). I don't know what to make of this.
I don't either.
> It's just a color change without any bumps.
That's how it starts.
Is the color purplish or bluish?
> If it were The Rash, wouldn't I have it all day?
I don't know. When do you take your dosages of Lamictal?
> I've looked up pictures and they all look like lesions were involved.
Again, it doesn't always start that way. On the contrary, it often starts as a non-blotchy (confluent) discoloration. The rash usually starts above the neck.
Do you feel chills?
It might not be a bad idea to drop back to 50mg for a few days and watch what happens. If the flushing disappears, you could then rechallenge using 62.5mg for awhile before moving up to 75mg.
Lamictal can induce a rash reaction up to 6 months after starting it. The first 8 weeks contain the greatest risk.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2005, at 17:38:11
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? » Wildflower, posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 17:11:34
Just thought I'd throw this in. You're not near peri-menopause, or menapause are you? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Ritch on March 19, 2005, at 11:19:40
In reply to Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
> I looked back through the threads and didn't find too much on this topic. Each afternoon, I find that my face gets flushed, feels warm and looks almost sunburned. Anyone else experience this?
>
> Here's my mix:
> Wellbutrin - 300
> Cymbalta - 120
> Lamictal - just increased to 75
>
> I need to figure what's causing this...
>I got *super intense* facial flushing with Cymbalta...
Posted by Maxime on March 19, 2005, at 12:14:10
In reply to Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
Since you just increased the Lamictal is it probably that. Do be careful.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on March 19, 2005, at 12:15:49
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Maxime on March 19, 2005, at 12:14:10
> Since you just increased the Lamictal is it probably that. Do be careful.
>
> MaximeBTW, I am sorry if I am repeating anything someone else responded to you but I am too tired to read everyone's response.I'm sorry.
Maxime
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 19, 2005, at 13:58:22
In reply to Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 14:55:39
> I looked back through the threads and didn't find too much on this topic. Each afternoon, I find that my face gets flushed, feels warm and looks almost sunburned. Anyone else experience this?
>
> Here's my mix:
> Wellbutrin - 300
> Cymbalta - 120
> Lamictal - just increased to 75Yes. I too get (more) regular "flushing" I think since I got back on an antidepressant. However, I am 47 years old and my skin in general has been sensitive for the last 10 years or so. My dermatologist thinks I might have rosacea. Anyway, I try to keep my face clean with gentle cleansers (like Cetaphil? or Dove for sensitive skin), moisturize with lotions and sunscreens for sensitive skin, wear make-up infrequently, and when I do, hypoallergenic. I also try to drink plenty of water. (I think Cymbalta works like a diuretic on me.) My mix:
Trileptal 75mg am/pm
Cymbalta 40mg
Wellbutrin XL 150mg
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 19, 2005, at 14:05:19
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 15:17:24
> Whenever a rash of any sort develops while taking Lamictal, it must be given special attention. There are several presentations that can represent symptoms of a severe reaction for which one must stop taking the Lamictal immediately. I believe it would be best to talk to your doctor about this.
>
> When did these flushes begin relative to your increasing the dosage of Lamictal?Scott gives good advice here, especially if your flushing did start or increase on the Lamictal. Above the neck rashes -- esp those involving the mucous membranes -- shouldn't be ignored when you're taking Lamictal. Also be watchful for flu-like symptoms. You should probably see a dermatologist.
FWIW: I was on Lamictal for a couple months (and feeling pretty good) when I developed a rash on my lower arms WHILE ON VACATION IN HAWAII. When I got back, my pdoc made me get off the Lamictal, though I am convinced that I had a photo- or chemical-sensitive rash (from lots of beach time and a new sunscreen). My sister, a nurse practitioner, was with me on vacation and she was NOT concerned that it was a deadly rash. That said, you should not ignore rashes when you're taking Lamictal.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 19, 2005, at 14:11:47
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? » SLS, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 15:24:27
> They started right when I increased it (along with a nasty afternoon headache). I don't know what to make of this. It's just a color change without any bumps. If it were The Rash, wouldn't I have it all day? I've looked up pictures and they all look like lesions were involved.
I think a lot of people forget that many medications (including mood stabilizers and antidepressants) can make your skin more photosensitive. In my case, it just seems to be more sensitive generally... to sunlight, extreme temperatures, dry air, lotions and make-up. Do you go out at lunchtime, when the suns rays are strongest? Are you eating or drinking anything at lunchtime that could effect your skin (caffeine, spices, etc)? Are you wearing a good sensitive-skin lotion/sunscreen every day?
Posted by lemon68 on March 19, 2005, at 22:01:35
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 19, 2005, at 14:11:47
I don't know about Lamictal and its rash-causing tendencies, but I will tell you that I have had to discontinue Cymbalta due to exactly that. Facial edema is mentioned in the s.e. profile, and it looks like that's what it is. Blotchy, red spots and almost a gin blossom effect on my nose. I was taking 60 mg for about 4 months.
Posted by jane d on March 20, 2005, at 20:30:00
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? » SLS, posted by Wildflower on March 18, 2005, at 15:24:27
> > Whenever a rash of any sort develops while taking Lamictal, it must be given special attention. There are several presentations that can represent symptoms of a severe reaction for which one must stop taking the Lamictal immediately. I believe it would be best to talk to your doctor about this.
> >
> > When did these flushes begin relative to your increasing the dosage of Lamictal?
>
> They started right when I increased it (along with a nasty afternoon headache). I don't know what to make of this. It's just a color change without any bumps. If it were The Rash, wouldn't I have it all day? I've looked up pictures and they all look like lesions were involved.
>
> I wonder if I went back down to 50 if all of this would go away...
>Wildflower,
I would get flushed - face and upper body for several hours after taking lamictal. This would happen after most dose increases. Each time I'd drop the dose for awhile then go back up and the problem wouldn't reoccur. I also found myself reacting more to sunlight on lamictal. I think mild rashes have turned out to be fairly common on this drug - still it probably is a good idea to be careful.Jane
Posted by Wildflower on March 21, 2005, at 11:57:11
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2005, at 17:38:11
> Just thought I'd throw this in. You're not near peri-menopause, or menapause are you?
It's a good thought but I'm in my very late 20's.
Posted by Wildflower on March 21, 2005, at 12:14:12
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? Yes - with lamictal » Wildflower, posted by jane d on March 20, 2005, at 20:30:00
Thanks everyone. I cut down my dose to 50 on Saturday and it seemed to make a bit of a difference. However, as I sit and type this, my cheeks are once again flushed and warm. I now have a pretty bad cold so who knows where today's flushing is coming from. How frustrating!!!
I am on an extremly high dose of Cymbalta and this may have something to do with the flushing but why would it start now after months of taking it?
I did call my pdoc Friday but she has yet to call my back.
Posted by Ritch on March 21, 2005, at 13:01:13
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face? Update, posted by Wildflower on March 21, 2005, at 12:14:12
> Thanks everyone. I cut down my dose to 50 on Saturday and it seemed to make a bit of a difference. However, as I sit and type this, my cheeks are once again flushed and warm. I now have a pretty bad cold so who knows where today's flushing is coming from. How frustrating!!!
>
> I am on an extremly high dose of Cymbalta and this may have something to do with the flushing but why would it start now after months of taking it?
>
> I did call my pdoc Friday but she has yet to call my back.Hi, do you take your Lamictal and Cymbalta *at the same time* in the morning? You might try taking the Lam first thing and then wait till midday to take the Cymbalta.. maybe then you can figure out which is causing which.. just a thought.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 21, 2005, at 17:17:20
In reply to Re: Anyone get a flushed face?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 19, 2005, at 13:58:22
> Yes. I too get (more) regular "flushing" I think since I got back on an antidepressant...
>
> Trileptal 75mg am/pm
> Cymbalta 40mg
> Wellbutrin XL 150mgOoops. I take Trileptal 150mg am/pm (total 300mg/day).
This is the end of the thread.
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