[sadface]

I am beginning to wonder about one of the meds I take. It is lamotrigine. I have been taking 100 mg for two years and recently went up to 150 mg along with regular seroquel 150 mg. I have had a history of bronchial infections and pneumonia which has caused some scarring in my lungs. I had cat scan which showed bronchiactasis(damage to bronchioles). I had bronchoscopy and lung doctor said probably wouldn't have any more problems. Wrong. I continue to get infections. I have had several allergy tests which show no allergies. I at one time did have allergies which caused problems in the past however. Anyway, I have had increasing problems with infections to the point I have had to be on antibiotics every six weeks. I happen to read side effects of lamotrigine was frequent infections and now am wondering if this may be reason I am having so much problems. Since I have been on antibiotics I have all kinds of gastrointestinal problems. I am thinking of asking my psychiatrist to switch me to something else. What are your thoughts and any suggestions on what to substitute for lamictal?

[salukigirl]

http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/...ubstitute.html

try this website out. It lists comparable medications for people who do not do well on lamictal. My thinking is that, since all these medications work essentially in the same way and are for the same thing.......they might cause the same issues?

I am on 150 mg of Lamictal for temporal lobe epilepsy and haven't had problems yet but have only been on it for about 6 months.

One thing....did you start taking vitamins once you got on lamictal? My neurologist made sure to tell me to take Ca, B vitamins and some other stuff. I ended up just getting a prenatal to have all of it in one. But the meds might be messing with your immune system causing these infections. I might ask about taking a multi-vitamin to boost up your system. It is a big pain to gradually reduce your meds and switch and might do more harm than good depending on what you're taking them for. Sometimes a simple multi-vitamin can do wonders for an immunity boost.

Hope everything goes well and good luck!

[Skully]

Hmmm....I have never had any such illnesses while on Lamictal. I do not know of anyone who has (from my previous patients). But, each person will react differently to medications. You may have side effects that other would not and vise versa. It is hard to prove a link, but there might be one.

[sadface]

Thanks, I'll check out the website. I had my adrenal gland checked out and it showed a decrease in function during the morning. I am on supplements for that. I think it may be causing a decrease in my immune system. My lungs just happen to be my weak spot due to previous damage. No one has ever told me to take vitamins although I do from time to time take them. I need to get back on them. I really appreciate your posting your thoughts.