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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 13:19:36
I know this has been mentioned before, but can anyone tell me if a side effect from Lamictal could be back pain, cramping of muscles in upper leg, back, and upper arms plus feeling like I have ants crawling under my skin in the front of my ankles. Can hardly sit still and yet feel so tired. I just went up from 25 mg. to 50 mg., but I have also been super sensitive to all sorts of medications. If you know, please let me know.
Thanks, Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 13:36:37
In reply to Lamictal side-effects, posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 13:19:36
Not sure but I've had back pain worse since the lamictal. And I feel stupid. And itching of my backside. Now you have me thinking as I'm weaning off it fast. And yes tired. Love Phillipa
Posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 17:35:54
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » Karen44, posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 13:36:37
> Not sure but I've had back pain worse since the lamictal. And I feel stupid. And itching of my backside. Now you have me thinking as I'm weaning off it fast. And yes tired. Love Phillipa
I called my psychiatrist. He doesn't think it is the Lamictal but I forgot to tell him that I am really, really tired. He thinks it might be something medical since I also feel like I can't breath. If it gets worse, I will go to the ER in Lake Forest. He thought it was possible it was the Moban, but I am on such a low dose, 5 mg., and I have been taking it for over two weeks. Still, I broke out in a rash from Nortriptilene after three weeks on it. Who knows. He said to stop both the Lamictal and Moban for a couple of days and see how I do. I am on such a low dose of Lamictal, 50 mg., that he says it is okay to just stop it.
Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 20:26:57
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects, posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 17:35:54
Karen I just stopped mine at 50mg too. No problem. Except the first time excess salivation. This time the itching. So I doubt this med is for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 21:13:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » Karen44, posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 20:26:57
> Karen I just stopped mine at 50mg too. No problem. Except the first time excess salivation. This time the itching. So I doubt this med is for me. Love Phillipa
I'm not sure it's for me either or maybe the combo. I was not clear when I talked to my doctor on the phone. I am running a 101 temp. I am dizzy, I have horrible joint and back pain; I have a splitting headace, and I feel like I have ants crawling under my skin like when I take Benydryl which I am allergic to. So, I can't wait for this to pass. I took two aspirin which did not help, and I will take two more in about one hour. I think I will have to sleep sititng up--too afraid to lie down with the sleep apnea. What if I never wake up? Maybe it is not the Lamictal or the Moban or the combo; maybe it is something like pneumonia; but it doesn't hurt to breath. I am going to leave him a message on his voice mail at work. No sense bothering him at home; If I get worse, I will have my husband take me to the ER.
Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 21:15:44
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects, posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 21:13:27
Call him back he will want to know. Love Phillipa
Posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 21:20:41
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » Karen44, posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2006, at 21:15:44
> Call him back he will want to know. Love Phillipa
No; not unless I get worse like I start having trouble breathing or develop a rash. I know he wants to know about that. It may be that I just have the flu; who knows.Karen
Posted by blueberry on August 8, 2006, at 14:59:37
In reply to Lamictal side-effects, posted by Karen44 on August 6, 2006, at 13:19:36
I had severe leg cramping with lamictal at just 12.5mg and 25mg. I also felt wired with very high lamictal-induced anxiety and yet I was sluggish and tired to where it was hard to walk, especially with the leg cramps. For a drug that supposedly has mild side effects, I found it to have rather intense side effects and stopped within a week. I tried it again a second time and got the same reactions all over again.
I did get a marvelous boost of mood the very first day though, which then turned into a suicidal depression 4 days later. Not sure what that was all about. Lamictal frightens me. If I ever try it again, I will give it a lot of caution and respect.
Posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 21:37:08
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » Karen44, posted by blueberry on August 8, 2006, at 14:59:37
> I had severe leg cramping with lamictal at just 12.5mg and 25mg. I also felt wired with very high lamictal-induced anxiety and yet I was sluggish and tired to where it was hard to walk, especially with the leg cramps. For a drug that supposedly has mild side effects, I found it to have rather intense side effects and stopped within a week. I tried it again a second time and got the same reactions all over again.
>
> I did get a marvelous boost of mood the very first day though, which then turned into a suicidal depression 4 days later. Not sure what that was all about. Lamictal frightens me. If I ever try it again, I will give it a lot of caution and respect.Thanks for the response. Given all that has transpired this week, I don't think my symptoms have to do with the medications. I have continued to run a temp between 100 and 102 daily since Sunday. I emailed my pulmonary doctor at the University of Chicago, and he said go locally to get a chest xray and white blood count as I have asthma, bronchitis, and mild emphesema (COPD). I also learned that some of the people at work had contracted bacterial pneumonia. In the mean time my psychiatrist had said to stop the psychotropic meds even though he didn't think it was from them, my symptoms. I have had, however, lots of problems with psychotropic meds. Well to make a long story short, the place I went to locally (I am almost on the Wisconsin state line) is really pretty far north of the University of Chicago, but I was reminded of why I make the trip. The doctor decided not to page Dr. Hall in spite of his request that they do so; she threw gum against the wall so to speak and decided to prescribe an antibiotic anyway without knowing if what is wrong is bacterial; she also asked me if I knew why the chest xray showed an accumulation of fluid in my right lung, lower lobe. I said no but ask Dr. Hall. I just got done emailing him and so he will see it tomorrow. My lungs are in spasm, and it is very scary when some doctors don't seem to know what the H they are doing. So I am now on no psy meds and will get a hold of my psychiatrist tomorrow to see what he thinks I should do with the Lamictal and Moban. I think it was the Moban causing the feeling of ants crawling under my skin. The rest of the symptoms, in my opinion, have to do with physical problems.
Karen
Posted by KayeBaby on August 8, 2006, at 22:16:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » blueberry, posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 21:37:08
oh please don't take the antibiotic until you are sure it is not the meds (did you stop Lamictal?)
If it is a reaction the antibiotic will make it worse!
The skin crawling sensation makes me suspect the drugs.
Your symptoms could very well be a reaction. I got flu like symptoms and strange skin sensations in the early stages of my reaction to lamictal. I did not connect these to the med even though I was aware and informed about this possibility. The symptoms vary widely. I also had swollen glands and a bit of fever.
Please be careful!Kaye
Posted by Phillipa on August 8, 2006, at 22:28:11
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » blueberry, posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 21:37:08
Karen I definitly agree with you. And if pneumonia was around and fluid on your lung . Maybe you should e-mail me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 23:04:13
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects, posted by KayeBaby on August 8, 2006, at 22:16:14
> oh please don't take the antibiotic until you are sure it is not the meds (did you stop Lamictal?)
>
> If it is a reaction the antibiotic will make it worse!
>
> The skin crawling sensation makes me suspect the drugs.
>
> Your symptoms could very well be a reaction. I got flu like symptoms and strange skin sensations in the early stages of my reaction to lamictal. I did not connect these to the med even though I was aware and informed about this possibility. The symptoms vary widely. I also had swollen glands and a bit of fever.
>
>
> Please be careful!
>
> KayeThanks for your concern. I actually stopped the Lamictal and Moban as of Monday, and the symptoms have persisted. I don't think the Lamictal caused the accumulation of fluid in my right lung, lower lobe. I have COPD. My pulmonary doctor at the University of Chicago is the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care there. He is quite good, and I have lots of confidence in him. When I asked him for a referral for a psychiatrist back in March or April of 2005, he referred me to the psychiatrist I see now and who was at the University of Chicago but is not now. He is quite expert in meds and did not think my symptoms were due to the Lamictal or Moban but said to stop them anyway. He thought my symptoms were more medical, and I think he was right. I think the crawling under the skin was the Moban. Otherwise, I had been on 25 mg. of Lamictal, and just went up to 50 mg for two days. I left him a message this p.m. regarding whether or not to go back on the Lamictal etc. So, I will see what he says tomorrow.
Karen
Posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 23:08:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » Karen44, posted by Phillipa on August 8, 2006, at 22:28:11
> Karen I definitly agree with you. And if pneumonia was around and fluid on your lung . Maybe you should e-mail me. Love Phillipa
I need to go to bed and try to get some sleep. I am planning to go to work tomorrow. My biggest gripe is that the doctor at the acute care in Gurnee, IL would not page Dr. Hall, my pulmonary doctor, as he requested. How unprofessional is that. She was asking ME if I was aware of fluid accumulating in my lung. I told her no and contact Dr. Hall. Instead she decided to "throw the gum against the wall to see if it would stick." So there you are; This is why I am willing to travel the 55 miles to the University of Chicago for medical care!! Take care.
Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 8, 2006, at 23:35:24
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects, posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 23:08:23
Karen you need or should stay home until you talk to the medical doc. Love Phillipa ps sleep well
Posted by KayeBaby on August 9, 2006, at 4:04:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects » KayeBaby, posted by Karen44 on August 8, 2006, at 23:04:13
I am relieved.
Souds like you are in good hands.
I hope you will be feeling well soonPeace,
K
Posted by Karen44 on August 9, 2006, at 22:40:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects, posted by KayeBaby on August 9, 2006, at 4:04:50
Posted by Karen44 on August 9, 2006, at 22:42:12
In reply to Re: Lamictal side-effects (nm), posted by Karen44 on August 9, 2006, at 22:40:07
Don't know why but my post did not go through. Just to say thanks for your concern. I won't go to all the details again; not important.
By the way, are you sure your itchy feelings were due to the Lamictal? What did your doctor say about it??
Karen
This is the end of the thread.
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