[Kristiemarie]

I've been taking lamictal for several months now ( before my official diagnosis so maybe 4-5 months....can't think right now). I started celexa a month ago. I also noticed itching about an hour after taking meds. I assumed it was the celexa so I took only the lamictal and still got itchy. So I can only assume its the lamictal. Also, for the first time last night, I had a rash on my back, upper chest and belly. It is still here a d it's itchy and almost tender. I took Benadryl last night but it didn't help at all.

Has anyone broken out months after starting or is this something else?

I'm not taking either med tonight and will call my doctor Monday morning. I feel fine otherwise, aside from the crazy hurts if I scratch it itch.

I'll be so bummed if it is the meds since I have really started feeling more even keeled.

Hello, Kristiemarie, I can tell you only what my psychiatrist told me about Lamictal.

She said to watch it carefully for the first two weeks or so because that's when the
syndrome is most likely to appear on the back of the neck (itching and rash).

Since you're having a reaction, it's good that you're calling your psychiatrist, in my view. The condition can be dangerous if it is not corrected in a short while after it begins. It's good that you're stopping both meds until you can get in touch with your doctor.

Take care and try not to worry. It is something that can be corrected.

[ItsJustMe:)]

Hi, Kristiemarie
I am not sure about the length of time it has taken for the rash to appear. I can only tell you what my pdoc told me because he put me on lamictal, although I did not stay on it I was getting really bad migraines. He did tell me if I got a rash on my chest or face that was sore to the touch to stop taking it and contact him.

So probably a good idea to contact him.. Try not to worry though it will be okay

[HabitualQuitter]

I have the rash bad. Took 5 day regimen of prednisone and it just started to ease off that last day. That was a couple weeks ago and the rash is back. All over my upper arms, chest, and back in the form of small acne looking bumps and all over my belly and on my thighs, calves and lower arms in eczema looking patches. Crappy thing is since I don't have the Steven Johnson's syndrome (or whatever it's called - the rash that rots your flesh) no one really cares how miserable I am. My rash didn't show up until after I'd been on Lamictal for 3months.

Get it checked out to make sure it's not the killer rash. For what it's worth Benadryl does nothing to ease the rash or symptoms for me

I hope you find relief and answers soon!

Originally Posted by HabitualQuitter

I have the rash bad. Took 5 day regimen of prednisone and it just started to ease off that last day. That was a couple weeks ago and the rash is back. All over my upper arms, chest, and back in the form of small acne looking bumps and all over my belly and on my thighs, calves and lower arms in eczema looking patches. Crappy thing is since I don't have the Steven Johnson's syndrome (or whatever it's called - the rash that rots your flesh) no one really cares how miserable I am. My rash didn't show up until after I'd been on Lamictal for 3months.

Get it checked out to make sure it's not the killer rash. For what it's worth Benadryl does nothing to ease the rash or symptoms for me

I hope you find relief and answers soon!

__________________________________________

I hope it isn't acne; that's what happened to me, and it took visits to
two dermatologists to help solve the problem. Take care of yourself,
please, and know that I sympathize with you strongly.

[Kristiemarie]

Benedryl seems to have eased the itching a bit tonight. Still feel all crawly but not as bad. I also did not take my meds tonight so that might also be a factor. I'll keep you posted! Thanks everyone!!

And hq, did your doc take you off?

[HabitualQuitter]

No, I went to the ER because I have no pdoc and they said,"we can't adjust your meds...even if you're having an allergic reaction to them." I will see a pdoc in like 3 days for the first time since my Dx and my Rx's were written. Hopefully he will care enough to put me on A)meds that I'm NOT allergic to and B)meds that won't make me gain another 45lbs in 2months.

[notALICE]

Originally Posted by HabitualQuitter

No, I went to the ER because I have no pdoc and they said,"we can't adjust your meds...even if you're having an allergic reaction to them." I will see a pdoc in like 3 days for the first time since my Dx and my Rx's were written. Hopefully he will care enough to put me on A)meds that I'm NOT allergic to and B)meds that won't make me gain another 45lbs in 2months.

That sounds like BS on their part because an allergic reaction can be fatal, right?

Grrrrr. Hate the healthcare system. Here.

[notALICE]

Originally Posted by HabitualQuitter

I have the rash bad. Took 5 day regimen of prednisone and it just started to ease off that last day. That was a couple weeks ago and the rash is back. All over my upper arms, chest, and back in the form of small acne looking bumps and all over my belly and on my thighs, calves and lower arms in eczema looking patches. Crappy thing is since I don't have the Steven Johnson's syndrome (or whatever it's called - the rash that rots your flesh) no one really cares how miserable I am. My rash didn't show up until after I'd been on Lamictal for 3months.

Get it checked out to make sure it's not the killer rash. For what it's worth Benadryl does nothing to ease the rash or symptoms for me

I hope you find relief and answers soon!

And ouch. Anything else they can do with the return of the rash? (Sounds like a horror movie "Return of the Rash" or I need more coffee. Probably the latter. I always think I'm funny in the morning, but my brain isn't really working right).

[notALICE]

Originally Posted by Kristiemarie

I've been taking lamictal for several months now ( before my official diagnosis so maybe 4-5 months....can't think right now). I started celexa a month ago. I also noticed itching about an hour after taking meds. I assumed it was the celexa so I took only the lamictal and still got itchy. So I can only assume its the lamictal. Also, for the first time last night, I had a rash on my back, upper chest and belly. It is still here a d it's itchy and almost tender. I took Benadryl last night but it didn't help at all.

Has anyone broken out months after starting or is this something else?

I'm not taking either med tonight and will call my doctor Monday morning. I feel fine otherwise, aside from the crazy hurts if I scratch it itch.

I'll be so bummed if it is the meds since I have really started feeling more even keeled.

I really hope the rash goes away soon & you feel better.

[spoiltmom]

I would definitely check with your Pdoc. A rash from Lamictal is nothing to mess with.

[Kristiemarie]

Thanks guys! I'm calling first thing. I haven't taken my meds in two nights and am still rashy, but not as itchy.

[Kristiemarie]

Waiting to hear back from Pdoc. I AM FREAKING OUT. Im shaking, jumpy, had sick stomach. I am surely withdrawing from this med. Ugh.

[faerie_moon_x]

I was on lamictle for 2 weeks, then upped my dose for the first time and got a rash. It was very small, on my back just above my kidney, but really itchy. I woke up with it. I called my doc that day and he took me off it right then. Regardless of it's the syndrome rash or not, there was no chance I can ever be on that med ever.

It sucks because it's been 2 months for you. Hang in there.

[BlueInanna]

This is my understanding of lamictal rash - it is lethal, no joke, not "don't worry you'll be ok"... it's seriously dangerous. Anyone in ER should know that, how horrible they ignored you HQ, what jerks they need to be sued.

[BlueInanna]

Originally Posted by Kristiemarie

Waiting to hear back from Pdoc. I AM FREAKING OUT. Im shaking, jumpy, had sick stomach. I am surely withdrawing from this med. Ugh.

Have you heard back yet? Do you have some klonopin or valium or something to help you calm? Maybe some hot tea for stomach? Hope you're ok!!

[Kristiemarie]

I just got off the phone with doc. He said I have to wait until the rash is gone and then he is going to try me on Equetrol (carbamazepine). I can't find much about it. Anyone familiar with it??

I have some xanax and may have to take one today. i am literally jumping all over the place. Hard time typing. I feel like I'm getting clean. Ugh.

[BlueInanna]

Yea, sounds like a xanax moment. I tried to get that stuff, but she'll only give me klon.
Sorry I havent heard of the other med. I assume it'll be to replace lamictal? I did a quick look up - it's also called Tegretol - I have heard of that one, have heard of a lot of people here take that one.

[ItsJustMe:)]

Sorry you are feeling so jumpy definitely sounds like a Xanax moment... Hope you get to feeling better

[Kristiemarie]

I've managed to avoid a xanax. The shakes come and go and are becoming more infrequent. I am taking benedryl again tonight to help clear my system so that will calm me. lol

Thanks for the support all!!