lamictal

I've been on lamictal for just under two weeks. One week on 25mg and one on 50. It is really helping my moods, but it is quite a trade-off due to the side effects. I have gotten itchy skin, spotting on my skin, and some eye issues. My right eyelid got a red spot on it, and swelled up a bit. I went to my doctor, who didn't think it was a problem, or even related. They advised warm compresses. Now, the swelling is gone, but I'm getting little eye pains. They are not bad, but I am just worried about possible long term damage. Studies seemed to show that there were no cases of eye damage, but had some really complicated language about the drug binding to melonin. I keep getting checked out, and they keep telling me that it is not a problem or it's unrelated, but I find it really fishy that so many unrelated things could be happening right after taking this stuff.
What are your experiences with lamictal? How were the side effects? Any eye problems? I would like to know what other people experienced.

Lamictal is known to cause, on occasion, a serious skin rash in some people. I never experienced it but know people who did. The majority of the time it wasn't severe causing permanent damage but if these things are happening, especially skin rashes, and you're convinced it's from the Lamictal, perhaps it's worth talking to the doctor and coming off the med. I would agree with you that if the symptoms all started after you started the medication, it's probably from the medication. Good luck with this.

It is pretty likely that it is from the Lamictal. I have been on it for a long time, but I didn't get the rash. My doc was concerned specifically with the skin rash more than anything, so I would get it checked out. I don't know how serious it would be though.

The only side-effect I feel is dizziness once in a while.

I've been on lamictal for a long time. Been off and gone back on it a couple of times. Each time the major concern was rashes. I was told to check in no matter what kind of rash I got. I'd get a second opinion.

Doesn't sound good to me. Is this a psychiatrist who is prescribing for you? He/she should know better than to let you get away with skin spots and a problem on your eye which surfaced around the time you starting taking the Lamictal. I would immediately consult with another physician and possibly stop taking this drug.

I was on lamactal 2x and developed severe problems. One was a rash that covered my chest and flu like symptoms that lead to my liver shutting down and the second time was severe flu like symptoms after taking one 25 mg tablet. The radh can mean a very serious life threatening side affect. So study the side affect list and find another doc and consider going off the lamatcil and try something else.

I also just started Lamictal. So far, no rash, but I did notice the feeling like I was coming down with a flu. It was very mild and has subsided. I am taking 25mg every other night, so I guess that is equal to 12.5mg per day. I am sensitive to meds and have strange reactions if I go too fast. I assume if my p-doc thinks that the fluish feeling is not dangerous that I will continue and go up a little bit. I see her Friday.

She says that Lamictal is one of the best drugs out there as long as people can tolerate it.

I also had the flu feeling when I first started taking lamictal, but it didn't last and the longer I went with lamictal, the fewer side effects I felt. THE rash is very rare. I had a rash at one point. I checked with my pdoc and he wasn't concerned with the particular type of rash I had.

Go off it. If it goes away than go back on Lamictal. If it comes back again than it is definitly because of lamictal.

Update: My eye seems to be better, and there has been a feeling of the side effects leveling off in the last day or two. I'm not getting the spotting on my skin as much. However, I have been getting these feelings of hot flashes in my face since last night. It seems that other people get the same reaction. I'm getting checked out by a new doctor tomorrow morning. I'll let you know what is happening.

Hi, I've been on it 14 days 25 mg each day with no side effects. My psych who prescribed it told me to watch for rashes and other side effects. Good thing you're getting a new doctor. You may have to go off of it. I hope there's other stuff. But it's tough for bipolars. And there's always side effects. Hang in there and keep us informed.

I'm not sure I've been on it... It does stabilzile me to the best it can.
You mentioned eye pain. I have an eye tic. I shake (can't write).
But could be anyone of my meds.

So I saw a new doctor today, and told them all about the effects I'm having. They took me off the Lamictal, and were really mystified that a doc at a hospital was insisting that it was unrelated. It is a great drug if you can tolerate it, but it really seems like most doctors don't really know that much about it. I kept getting told that my effects like spotting on the skin, itchy eyes and ears, and hot flashes were unrelated. However, like I said, it seemed fishy that all these "unrelated" symptoms started right after taking this stuff. Thankfully, I found a doc who knew what the hell she was talking about.
Take my advice. Monitor this drug closely and insist on going off of it if you just don't feel right. There are other drugs out there that can control mania that are not known to occasionally do permanent damage to your body.

I've been on Lamictal for several years, and have had no side effects, maybe due to the fact my pdoc gradually/titrated me to my therapeutic level. It is most usefull for those with Bipolar-II, who experiance very mild mania and deep depression.
Those with Bipolar-I, who experiance more extreme manias and/or rapid cycles, may experiance more intense highs. Medications can effect everyone differently, that's why it's important to report any side effects to the prescribing doctor, cause some side effects can subside as your system adapts to it, and some may be enough to warrant your doc's attention and then he or she can adjust dosages or decide if you should discontinue use of Lamictal, possibly switching you to another med that is more compatible (sp?) to your needs.
Hope this helped.

I had been on 100mg lamictal for 8 months and was preparing to go overseas for a week when suddenly a red itchy rash occurred on my legs and arms. I am not prone to rashes. It was perplexing and it did not occurr to me it was the Lamictal. I got itch cream and tried it and tried other topical things to make it go away but it only spread to my stomach and chest. I was two days away from leaving. I went to the local walk-in medical clinic and the doc there knew right away it was the Lamictal. He said STOP the Lamictal now. The following day, I called the mental health clinic and told them I needed an appt for when I got back in a week.

When I got back, I was hypomanic and needed to get back on Depakote ASAP. They screwed up and didn't make an appt for me and wouldn't let me see anyone so I went to a local ER and checked myself in for 4 days to get back on Depakote. The clinic sent someone over and said that the girls in the reception office at the clinic had reported that I had become "irrate" and left angry. I laughed. I've never gotten "irrate" in my life.

It was not a fun experience but I had forgotten the warnings my nurse practioner had given me especially since it had been 8 months earlier. I didn't expect the reaction to occurr that much later.

I've been on Lamictal about 14 yrs!! Did titrate it very slowly (she gave me samples so I wouldn't have to pay for it during the experiential time) & had no problems. Yet after about 10 yrs. on it (300 mg daily) I got a rash & called my provider right away. It ended up not being due to the Lamictal at all but due to a new brand of body lotion I was using, but my provider took it seriously & found out what the issue was.

I do have bipolar 1 & took Lamictal & Abilify, also. So I am concerned about these meds in the elderly (I am 55) plus gained 50 lbs. on Abilify so working w/meds provider to decrease dosage or get off completely (off Abilify 6 mos.; Lamictal got down to 100 mg then had some difficulties so increased it to 200 mg for awhile & then will try to decrease again).

But also doing major intensive indiv. therapy & DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) which are helping me a lot to re-learn thinking skills & coping techniques.

I've been struggling since I was 15 (1st suicide attempt) so I know it is serious but also want to make informed decisions.

Oh goodness no! Go to your doctor RIGHT AWAY. This is a side effect of the medication that can be very fatal. I'm not trying to scare you, but it could be serious.

I am glad to hear the new doc took you off it. I knew it was side effects. You have to be careful. Hang in there. They will find something for you.

I also had a rare reaction to Lamictal. I had a swelling of my lymph nodes and called my p-doc. She said that it might be a rare hypersensitivity to Lamictal which could be fatal if the drug isn't stopped.

I haven't had any Lamictal since Sunday, but the lymph nodes are still swollen. They're a little better than they were before.

I really encourage anyone having any side effects at all to report them via Medwatch--this is the FDA's reporting tool for side effects. Also, write or call the company. It won't help your symptoms but it will help them re-evaluate the efficacy and side effects of the drug. http://www.fda.gov/safety/MedWatch/default.htm