[glowsinthedark]

I've been prescribed lamictal by 4 different doctors and just can't seem to get over my fear of 'the rash.' I know the statistics, I know it's rare, but that helps about as much as the "cars are way more dangerous than flying" argument, i.e., not at all. I'm guessing that most of you also suffer from anxiety in addition to bp, so how on earth did you get over the (slightly irrational but not totally irrational) fear of SJS? I kind of feel like it's my only option, as I've been cut off from ADs and am even more afraid of lithium (did I mention I also have emetophobia? so anything known for causing nausea is not even on my radar).

I feel like I'm trapped between a rock (depression) and a hard place (anxiety). What is a hypochondriac to do???

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm not sure how to help you except to say you need to put your anxiety aside and try it. I know that's not really helpful though because I don't know HOW you would calm your anxiety enough to try it. I just know from personal experience that the only way to alleviate fear for me is to do the thing I'm afraid of. Except going on elevators. I never do that.

I hope you find a solution soon!

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by glowsinthedark

I've been prescribed lamictal by 4 different doctors and just can't seem to get over my fear of 'the rash.' I know the statistics, I know it's rare, but that helps about as much as the "cars are way more dangerous than flying" argument, i.e., not at all. I'm guessing that most of you also suffer from anxiety in addition to bp, so how on earth did you get over the (slightly irrational but not totally irrational) fear of SJS? I kind of feel like it's my only option, as I've been cut off from ADs and am even more afraid of lithium (did I mention I also have emetophobia? so anything known for causing nausea is not even on my radar).

I feel like I'm trapped between a rock (depression) and a hard place (anxiety). What is a hypochondriac to do???

you have to decide if you feel bad enough to need to do something medically ... no drug should be taken unless you really really need it ... the odds are on your side if you start slowly ... I know everyone is different but I have taken it for years at 400mg ... and yes I did have a rash ... BUT ... it was caused by a different drug that did not even list it as a side effect ... every thing we do has a certain amount of risk ... do you need to try this ... 4 pdoc say yes ... but it is your decision what goes into your body ...

[JustJace2u]

I've been taking it for about 2 months now and thankfully haven't had any of the rash issues. From what I've read in my research, the rash isn't as common as alot of people apparently think it, but of course everyone reacts differently to meds.

I was on lamictal and ended up getting the rash. It wasn't a problem all that happened is I had to stop taking it and the rash went away. It's really only a threat if you ignore the rash and keep taking the meds.
But as you know, the rash is extremely rare anyways.
Give lamictal a shot. I've met a lot of people who say it's extremely helpful.

[Icare dixit]

Don't be afraid to die. It's unlikely anything bad happens, but you might want to mentally prepare for the worst. It's liberating. It's a good way to deal with irrational fear.

Welcome, glowsinthedark!

Originally Posted by glowsinthedark

... I'm guessing that most of you also suffer from anxiety in addition to bp, so how on earth did you get over the (slightly irrational but not totally irrational) fear of SJS? ...

Being more afraid of myself. How bad a state I get into.

I agree with wildflowerchild that it's about facing down your fears. Here's something to remember. Titrating slowly reduces even more the already astronmically unlikely chances of having this adverse reaction to it. This is a med that IS titrated slowly.

And like escapeartist points out, it'd be a matter of stopping the med. The problem gets to actually be a problem if it is ignored. Would you ignore it?
Didn't think so.

(And yes, I have plenty of anxiety -- GAD along with some phobias.)

Originally Posted by glowsinthedark

I feel like I'm trapped between a rock (depression) and a hard place (anxiety). What is a hypochondriac to do???

If hypochondria is an issue, I'd have to say -- avoid reading medical stuff online. I'm all for people being well informed. And the internet can provide that. But it's also The Wild West. Anyone can have a website. So there's a ****ton of ridiculous uninformed nonsense out there as well. And fear mongering.

Even sticking to reputable sites can be problematic for hypochondriacs.

Only you can know how much a factor in your fear that is, but I'm willing to bet that it's more than a little. Cut out that which FEEDS your fears. They are already overfed.
Good luck.

[glowsinthedark]

thanks, everyone wiretwister, I think you sort of hit the nail on the head - I constantly question whether I'm in a "bad enough" place to take medication at all. I've survived a long time without it and am "high-functioning." I get low, decide it's time to do something about it, then feel better and do nothing. repeat x 15 years. My depressions tend to be very severe but very short in duration, which makes it even harder to commit. I guess a leap of faith is in order...

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I had the rash. I actually had it pretty badly because when I first had a tiny rash I didn't stop the med immediately and took one last dose without thinking about it. But even then stopping it and a few days of treatment with prescription creams and antihistamines and it cleared up. The only thing to be worried about really is being uninformed and not stopping it when there is a reason to. You know that, you'll be cautious, you'll be fine. I know it is scary but with time it gets a lot less scary.

[xRavenx]

Aside from a doctor's instructions, if you want to feel even safer, talk to a pharmacist about the taper to put your mind at ease. Slowly tapering decreases the likelihood of getting the rash, as I was told. They say you are more at risk of the rash for tapering up or down too soon. It's good to be cautious and aware of the "warning signs," but just try to rest assured knowing that it's much more likely that you will be fine. At least you are aware, so that way you can get urgent help if you do notice any signs of a rash. Personally, I did not have any issues with Lamictal side effects.

I used to be in your shoes where I was like a hypochondriac. I even left my doctor multiple messages over the weekend about my fear of running out of Lamictal, although I probably had enough to cover me for next appointment! The anxiety can ease with time. It did for me, and I hope it will for you. (((hugs)))

[Nammu]

Perhaps hypnotism? Your fears have an irrational bases and probably can not be calmed by logic.

[pirilin]

Five yrs on lamo and not a pimple.

[Musician1980]

I wouldn't worry about it. Since you're aware of the risk which is so slight and you move up so slowly anyway, you'll be able to observe anything going wrong long before it becomes remotely imperiling.

[bioChE]

Give it a shot, you'll likely be fine. For most of us on it, we know the titration schedule, and we also know we feel better on it.

Murphy's law was created for me. I have chronic skin rashes from excema we believe. I had an allergic rash from psych meds and they thought it might be SJS and I panicked. With my skin conditions and allergies to several drugs, I'm not risking it. When my doctor prescribed lamictal he told me "don't look up the rash, it's rare but possible and you need to look out just in case". I took it for a few weeks and then looked up the rash and couldn't get myself to take another pill and don't think that will ever chance.

[along4theride]

I am an anxious mess most of the time, and I remember feeling the same as you feel now when I started lamictal. If your doc is easing you into it, and increasing gradually, you're less likely to experience extreme side effects. I did not get the rash and I believe the lamictal is helping me. Advice to ask questions is excellent.

[MissCathryn]

I am such a hypochondriac!!!!!

I felt the same way. Fortunately, my rational thinking took over and I started the med. You have probably a 95% chance you will be perfectly fine.

Lamictal saved my life. I would be a mess without it. My kids deserve better

[bioChE]

No, you have a greater than 99% chance of being fine.