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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KayeBaby on October 2, 2004, at 7:14:52
Hi Good People,
This is my second attempt at my very first post although I have been reading for awhile.Though it might be helpful to someone to post my experience with Lamictal.
I started at 25mg and was only on it for 4 days before I had to quit it.
It made me genuinely hypomanic for those 4 days. Now I truly know what that means-I am diagnosed with ADD and I am moody but my moods change predictably with my awful PMS.
My pdoc has had good results with Lamictal for mild depression and mood stabilizing so we thought we give it a shot.
I developed GI problems right off the bat and blurred vision. I also had insomnia and scratched all night on the second night. I thought I had been attacked by mosquitos. When I saw the spot on my back I decided maybe it was a flea or spider. I had a coupled of dark pink welts with a sore bump in the middle. I also developed a sore area on my....mucus membranes.
The next day I developed a prickly red rash on my arms, which my Dr. had warned me about. It was not very bad at all and he had told me 1 out of 10 gets A rash but only 1 out of 1000 gets THE rash. It was gone completely the next day making me think I had been overreacting so I went ahead and took 1/2 my dose. bad idea.
Started getting cold-like symptoms. Runny nose, scratchy throat, glands under neck swelling as well as ome sores on my lips and tounge...later tongue and facial swelling.
This scared me!
Went to ER. They gave me on 60 mg pregnisone and wanted to do a Benedryl IV-I declined but took it orally. I was to take 50 mg prednisone for 5 days. Symptoms reoccurred and ended up on the prednisone for two weeks, missing over a weeks work. I won't bore you all with the torture of being on what I now call 'pregnant-zone' as the stuff swelled me up just like that!I've been olff the steroids for 2 days and it looks as though I will be fine. My GP said it was the dreaded SJS-Steven-Johnson's Syndrome.
I just wanted to give some detail in case someone else is experiencing this. The quicker you recognize it the better your luck will be with SJS. It is real important that your Dr. known that you could have this so that they won't mistake it for a virus or infection and give the wrong meds which could make the condition much worse. I couldn't even take my normal rx (dexedrine)for 2 weeks as I reacted to it with more throat swelling etc. and apparently this is par for the course so something like antibiotics or even Motrin could really worsen the condition and lessen the chances of a person coming out unscathed.
I have a new respect for medications.
For what it's worth....
Y'all take care.
Kayebabyb
Posted by alesta on October 2, 2004, at 8:21:21
In reply to I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash, posted by KayeBaby on October 2, 2004, at 7:14:52
hi, kaye,:)
thanx much for sharing your experience..sorry you got the infamous rash..:(. you seem like a nice person, so i just wanted to welcome you here..glad you posted. :)
take care!
amy :)
Posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 15:37:56
In reply to I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash, posted by KayeBaby on October 2, 2004, at 7:14:52
> Hi Good People,
> This is my second attempt at my very first post although I have been reading for awhile.
>
> Though it might be helpful to someone to post my experience with Lamictal.
>
> I started at 25mg and was only on it for 4 days before I had to quit it.
>
> It made me genuinely hypomanic for those 4 days. Now I truly know what that means-I am diagnosed with ADD and I am moody but my moods change predictably with my awful PMS.
>
> My pdoc has had good results with Lamictal for mild depression and mood stabilizing so we thought we give it a shot.
>
> I developed GI problems right off the bat and blurred vision. I also had insomnia and scratched all night on the second night. I thought I had been attacked by mosquitos. When I saw the spot on my back I decided maybe it was a flea or spider. I had a coupled of dark pink welts with a sore bump in the middle. I also developed a sore area on my....mucus membranes.
>
> The next day I developed a prickly red rash on my arms, which my Dr. had warned me about. It was not very bad at all and he had told me 1 out of 10 gets A rash but only 1 out of 1000 gets THE rash. It was gone completely the next day making me think I had been overreacting so I went ahead and took 1/2 my dose. bad idea.
>
> Started getting cold-like symptoms. Runny nose, scratchy throat, glands under neck swelling as well as ome sores on my lips and tounge...later tongue and facial swelling.
> This scared me!
> Went to ER. They gave me on 60 mg pregnisone and wanted to do a Benedryl IV-I declined but took it orally. I was to take 50 mg prednisone for 5 days. Symptoms reoccurred and ended up on the prednisone for two weeks, missing over a weeks work. I won't bore you all with the torture of being on what I now call 'pregnant-zone' as the stuff swelled me up just like that!
>
> I've been olff the steroids for 2 days and it looks as though I will be fine. My GP said it was the dreaded SJS-Steven-Johnson's Syndrome.
>
> I just wanted to give some detail in case someone else is experiencing this. The quicker you recognize it the better your luck will be with SJS. It is real important that your Dr. known that you could have this so that they won't mistake it for a virus or infection and give the wrong meds which could make the condition much worse. I couldn't even take my normal rx (dexedrine)for 2 weeks as I reacted to it with more throat swelling etc. and apparently this is par for the course so something like antibiotics or even Motrin could really worsen the condition and lessen the chances of a person coming out unscathed.
>
> I have a new respect for medications.
>
> For what it's worth....
> Y'all take care.
> Kayebabyb
Thanks for the heads-up. My doctor recently mentioned Lamictal to me. I was a bit scared before but now I'm terrified of it. He did say that if I were to try it that I should have a dermatologist on hand so he or she could inspect any rash to judge between "A" rash that would probably go away and "THE" rash that could be quite serious.-K
Posted by theo on October 3, 2004, at 14:59:12
In reply to Re: I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash » KayeBaby, posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 15:37:56
Not to discount how serious and cautious one should be, but I wouldn't base your decision off of a bad post.
I was scared to death to take Lamictal and almost didn't because of reading frightening posts. I'm now on it with no problems and it has been most helpful. Had I based my decision on posts I wouldn't be feeling good on Lamictal now.
I had a mild sore throat and a few red itchy areas on my face. I actually went to my dermatologist in terror and he said if you have SJS, you'll be covered head to toe with a rash.
All this being said, use your best judgement and if you get a sore throat or an itch, don't freak.
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 18:28:41
In reply to Re: I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash » karaS, posted by theo on October 3, 2004, at 14:59:12
Posted by LEST on October 4, 2004, at 7:50:53
In reply to I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash, posted by KayeBaby on October 2, 2004, at 7:14:52
dang. that sux sorry
Posted by tendency on October 5, 2004, at 11:58:27
In reply to I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash, posted by KayeBaby on October 2, 2004, at 7:14:52
Hi,
Starting at 25mg is definitely too high. I went 'nuts' at that starting dose and backed off to 6.5mg (even 12.5mg was too much). Stayed at 6.5 for a week then gradually upped it to 200mg (took me 10 weeks). No side effects at all at this dose. Might want to try again starting at a much lower dose.
Posted by CraigD on October 6, 2004, at 14:13:06
In reply to Re: I was the lucky winner of the Lamictal rash » KayeBaby, posted by tendency on October 5, 2004, at 11:58:27
that sounds like a terrible experience and I'm sorry you had to go through it. It's too bad, because Lamictal so far for me has been a dream come true.
At 150-175 mgs, I am experiencing what could be described as flu-like symptoms (HA behind the eyes, upset stomach, sleepiness), but no rash.
Is this cause for concern?
This is the end of the thread.
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