[blueluckyfrog]

Hi All -
As you can see, I'm new to the forum and really not sure how all of this works.......So, Here goes ! I have currently been on lamictal for
approx. 2 yrs and let me tell ya - IT'S BEEN A LIFE SAVER!
Although I did have a bit of the rash at the begining of taking the meds but it didn't last very long (kinda looked like water blisters- tiny tiny ones)
I also have noticed a bit of memory loss and some 'cloudiness' - almost
like, I know I'm talking to you and hear you, but it doesn't quite register in my brain for a bit. I've also had some dizzy spells if I stand up or move to quickly. Every once in awhile I will be sitting quietly and my arm or leg
will jump, similiar to a spaz attack(lol)............But all of these little things
couldn't come close to the changes I've had in my life with the lamictal !
I almost lost my family to my depression and mood swings!! I'm back on
track now and I would say I'm about 90% back to being 'normal'
Reason I'm here is I've just noticed a lump under in my arm pit - I've read
everything under the sun about this and it all leads to cancer! I'm terrified, to say the least! With this being a long weekend due to the holiday, I haven't had a chance to contact my DR. So I'm wondering if
there is anyone else out there that has had the lymphnodes swelling???
It's not an abcess, believe me, I've ruled that one out!
ANY INPUT ON THIS WOULD EASE MY MIND !!

[MyBestKids2]

Hi blueluckyfrog

Welcome to PC :welcome_sign: I myself have been on Lamictal for a while, and have found it to work wonders. I haven't had any adverse side effects, if thats what you are describing. I think that contacting your doctor would be a great decison.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Dee

[RelientK]

Seeing a doctor is a wise decision. Don't self evaluate. The internet is great but if you click a few levels deeper on some sites you'll find that they just want to sell you herbal supplements.

Good Luck

[Schatje]

Welcome. I know what you are talking about when it comes to Lamictal. I'm pretty much in love with the stuff myself even though I've had plenty of side effects.

I have or have had the following...

-Joint pain. I had a lot of trouble with this one not long after I started taking it. The worst were going up and down stairs and opening and closing my hands and mornings were the worst. It felt like I had arthritis. This has diminished to the point I hardly notice it anymore.

-Memory retrieval problems. This was improved by tinkering slightly with the dosage and adding in an additional med to pick up where the Lamictal left off.

-Recurrent annoying rashes. I went to a dermatologist and now I have a great little cream that clears them up pretty quick, but benadryl and cortisone cream have been my friends for awhile. They did a biopsy on the bumps, but were unable to determine what it is.

-One little rash (2 bumps) that was the water blister type that lasted less than 24 hours. It looked too much like Steven Johnson's, aka the Lamictal rash, for my taste and freaked me out.

-I have what you call "spaz attacks," but I never really attributed that to the med. I just figured I just had occasional twitches. Doesn't everybody?

-Marathon menstrual periods. Apparently this isn't very common, but boy does it make being a woman on Lamictal a drag. The longest was 19 days.

-Occasionally dizziness. I try and ignore it, but it makes me nauseas.

I have never had a problem with lymph nodes though and haven't heard anything that relates to that and Lamictal. Definitely get in to see your doctor to have it checked out.

I would also suggest talking to your pdoc about maybe tweaking your meds just a tiny bit to help alleviate the side effects. I hated the memory problems I was having and had to do something. I'm now on 150 mg Lamictal and 150 mg Effexor a day. Dropping the Lamictal from the dosage of 200 mg to 150mg and adding in an additional drug has not diminished what the Lamictal does for me and has helped improve my memory. Good luck!

[sweetsassafrass]

I take 300 mg a day and it has meant bringing back some functionality in my life. No lumps tho!

I do seem to:
Gain weight [90 lbs]
Had a rash, but it went away
Get a rash easy/dry skin
Nausea
Stomach Cramps

But I get out of bed most days, and I'm manageable instead of out-of-control. My husband and I have called off the divorce and he's learning I wasn't being moody on purpose! LOL

Put your mind to rest by seeing your doctor. Anxiety is always waiting at our door. Nothing like knowing to shoo it away!

{{hugs}}