[webwake]

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.]

[Moodmuse]

If rash gets worse go to ER it could get life threatening.

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[~Christina]

The Doctor that prescribed this for you should have started you out slow and low.. You should call your doctor ( there is someone covering ) they will either tell you to D/C med or go to the ER .. This isnt something you want to take lighty.

Good luck.. Hope you are Ok

Keep an eye on it for sure. From what I've read, yes, you are right -- it should be started out right from the beginning dose regardless (in fact that is why it is discouraged to go off -- if you need it again, it's back to the beginning, which we all know takes awhile to get to therapeutic dosage). Starting at higher doses or increasing too rapidly increases the likelihood of problems with side effects. "Increases likelihood", doesn't mean it necessarily will be problematic, just that it's statistically more likely.

I'd really encourage you to look to a psych when it comes to psych meds. GPs are almost invariably out of their depth in that department. It's far too complicated. (I can personally vouch for this, and in fact, the first rx for it for me was through GP. I can't remember exactly where she said to start, but it was positively insane. I never went back. Too many disastrous mistakes had already been made. Didn't need another one(!))

Welcome, btw!

[wotchermuggle]

This isn't something to fool around about. Call a doctor, get to an ER, and get checked out. I'd stop taking the meds - there shouldn't be any side effects. I don't remember having any when I stopped taking it, though obviously that doesn't mean you wouldn't...but still, take this seriously.

[BlueInanna]

With lamictal you are supposed to stop immediately if you have a rash. Allergies can change over the years. Be safe.