I'm 43-yr old male, physically healthy, but have ongoing issues with mood/anxiety and was formerly diagnosed as Bipolar 2. I took Lamotrigine from about 2007-2009, combined it with low dose SSRI and it seemed to help.

I'm recently having anxiety, etc symptoms and have just started similar meds (Lamotrigine + low dose SSRI) that helped me before. I started these just 4 days ago Dec. 20.

* I had NO side-effects the last time I took Lamotrigine (2007-2009) - so thought I would be non-candidate for "the rash".

* HOWEVER this time (after have been taking for 3-4 days) I have skin irritation. Small light-red bumps on my neck. It's the area below chin and around throat... area on front of neck where you shave.

* I was "over-confident" when starting Lamotrigine and started around 50-75 mg. per day. After reading I now realize (that even though I no side effects years ago while on this drug) I still should have started small and titrated slowly. I'm guessing THIS is reason for skin irritation ... your thoughts ?

[I'm traveling and don't have access to my Fam. doc. The irritated area doesn't seems all that bad - just enough to see when up-close ... only time it's irritable is when shaving on area. Also I wouldn't want Fam. doc to discontinue, b/c med does seem to help me.]