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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
Anyone have or had a problem with their scalp on lamictal and/or lithium or any other psychotropic? I have been to the dermotologist 4Xs and she said my scalp problem is either from thyroid or psychotropics. terrics
Posted by ed_uk on November 7, 2004, at 9:57:06
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
Well, Lithium can induce/exacerbate psoriasis- a skin condition which often affects the scalp.
Ed
Posted by prodgirl on November 7, 2004, at 14:35:28
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
Hair loss is a common side effect of Lamictal. I have gotten better since I went to Li, but sounds like I might just have switched one for another.
Try a shampoo/condition with Tea Tree oil, it will help to keep your scalp moisturized. If you can't find any, you can buy a little bottle of tea tree at your local pharmacy or Walmart, and mix it in.
Posted by Smeegle on November 7, 2004, at 22:02:50
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
I already have a nice patch of psoriasis going on my scalp (usually do) and just started on Lamictal this week. I will report whether it appears to get worse as I ramp up my dose over the next couple of weeks.
Smeegs
Posted by xanablu on November 8, 2004, at 18:22:46
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
i already have sporadic psoriasis-tho, i haven't had a bout with it since my dad's death in 2000. it was on the end of my fingertips and thumb and around the nails going under. my skin had lots of little hairline splits in it, which, ir anything thicker than a hair jabbed into ---yeeeeeeeeeeikes!!!!!!!!! i kept them wrapped in cortizone cream and bandaids during the day, took it all off at nite, to let them dry out (only way it eventually heals).Ihave awful itching w/codeine, face and scalp--cannot take it.
Also Lexapro, for first few months caused some itching whicH I was taking with Adderall, then dexedrine. All of these are 'itch culprits' for me.
The Lex and Dex have settled down now and I have no side effects ecxept occassional bad tummy on lex (next day I take my dose in halves, try to remember to that all the time) and some dry mouth from the stims, which is now 'quenchable'. It did not seem to be when I first began them, but that was w/FXR, which may cause dry mouth. too, don't know.When my itchies were really bad, I wd. take 25mgs. Benadryl, s/t's 50 if it was close to nite-nite-time, and it was quite beneficial, altho not exactly a 'cure'. Hope this helps.
xanablu
Posted by Barbaracat on November 9, 2004, at 0:09:25
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
Yes, yes, yes. As I ramped up with Lamictal (I was also on lithium) I started noticing my scalp feeling very prickly. I suspected I had some kind of mites or my 9 cats finally kicked in a latent allergy. It felt like being attacked by thousands of stinging mites that no scratching would alleviate.
I was naturally worried about the lamictal rash but since I didn't have any skin eruptions I never associated lamictal with the incessant itching that began to spread from my scalp to every square inch of my skin. I literally felt like a dog with fleas and spent hours in the bathtub trying to get relief. Mind you, this is weeks after the initial scalp discomfort began.
What finally happened down the line was that I started on a medication, sulfa based, that was meant to chelate high levels of mercury. I developed full-blown Stevens Johnson Syndrome, even though I had stopped taking Lamictal 2 months prior. I'd stopped taking it because I was no longer getting the antidepressant effect, feeling agitated, and I finally associated the intense itching with the lamicatl (when I reduced it, the scalp itching went away).
From this other medication, I developed bleeding blisters in every orifice, a chicken-pox like rash, a fever, was extremely sick and spent 2 nights in the the hospital. Exactly the symptoms to be wary of with lamictal, which was long out of my system. This is a weird case because I've never before in my life been sensitive to sulpha based meds (this was the best reason anyone could give me for my allergic reaction to the DMPS I took for mercury). The only common thread I can come up with was the lamictal and the ultra-sensitive skin reaction. I still don't understand it, but I think lamictal caused a severe inflammatory reaction and it didn't take much to push me over the edge, especially with something so hard on the body as a heavy-metal chelator which has 'skin rash' on it's own long list of side effects. It primed the pump, so to speak, and scalp discomfort was the first signal that something was wrong.
I've since learned that there are mast cells in the skin, or dermis, cells, allergic receptors, and anti-convulsants are notorious for causing them to detach from the skin matrix and shed. Hair follicles are loaded with these receptors, hence scalp discomfort is a good first warning. I believe the itching was my body warning me that I was becoming sensitive to lamictal. I since learned that these severe skin reactions are more common than most doctors are given to understand. Why? Follow the money. My pdoc very nonchalantly said 'oh, maybe it's the lamicatal. Just try reducing the it. As long as you don't have a rash no problem... blah blah'. I now know that he should have said 'cut way back! now! immediately!'
You don't have to have a full-blown rash to suspct that lamictal has become a problem for you. A prickly sensitive scalp is your first warning. It doesn't get any better, as is the case with most allergic reactions, unless you reduce the allergic load. Cut back and see what happens after a week or so. If it subsides, listen to your body. You do not want to go through what I went through. - Barbara
> Anyone have or had a problem with their scalp on lamictal and/or lithium or any other psychotropic? I have been to the dermotologist 4Xs and she said my scalp problem is either from thyroid or psychotropics. terrics
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