[SingDanceRunLife]

I've been on Lamictal for almost a month and a half, and I recently got to 100mg. After a couple of days I noticed increased itchiness, and then a rash. It started on the back of my legs, and has spread some -- up my legs, to my back, on my face (looks like acne but isn't) etc.

I've been in to see a GP at my regular doctor's office (at my pdoc's request since I'm at home, an hour and a half away from him), and he said that he didn't think it was any big deal and it should go away in a couple of days. Well, that night is when it started spreading, and I was getting itchier and itchier.

Once again, I called my pdoc, and he told me to see a dermatologist. The problem with that is that no one in my county or the next county over is currently taking new patients. I had to call yet another nearby county to find someone who is taking new patients, and they aren't seeing them until June 17th!

The spots themselves wax and wane, and sometimes you can see them better than others, but they're there. So today since I was itchy as all get out and new spots had appeared, I went back to my GP's office and saw one of the other doctors. Instead of immediately dismissing me, this one actually took the time to check me out, and she said that it didn't look at all like SJS, but she wanted to talk with my pdoc about it to see what he had to say. She also prescribed me some antihistamine that's supposed to be really strong and help the itching. I hope it does.

The other problem is that my skin hurts. Yes, hurts. I don't really know how to explain it other than that...kinda like it's burning, but not quite...but definitely painful. It's mostly my legs, but it's awful. I'm hoping that that goes away as well. And to help irritate my skin less, I cut and filed my nails down short...all the way down to my fingertips when I generally have them at least a good couple of centimeters beyond that. It helps...not so much scratching when I scratch.

I should hear from either the GP I saw and/or my pdoc tomorrow. The GP left a message for my pdoc and said that she would call me once she had talked to him.

As much as I hate to say it, I'm about ready to give up on Lamictal. 100mg isn't enough of a dose to keep me stable, but I can't go on living like this. My skin is becoming raw, I'm itching like crazy and worried about stupid rashes. Ugh.

[SingDanceRunLife]

My doctor didn't call me today (neither the GP nor my pdoc), so I'm going to call tomorrow.

The antihistamine has helped although I'm still quite itchy, especially on my face, and the rash is getting much better (although not on my face). However, my tongue hurts now (not sure when I noticed it)...is that cause for concern?

[insightunseen]

IMPORTANT
my daughter's neurologist said lamictal rashes, especially those above the neck, can become fatal. my daughter was on lamictal, raised very slowly, and she never got a rash, but her neurologist said if she got a rash she had to go off lamictal immediately. please call a doctor or pharmacist right away and get medical advice.

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

I've been on Lamictal for almost a month and a half, and I recently got to 100mg. After a couple of days I noticed increased itchiness, and then a rash. It started on the back of my legs, and has spread some -- up my legs, to my back, on my face (looks like acne but isn't) etc.

I've been in to see a GP at my regular doctor's office (at my pdoc's request since I'm at home, an hour and a half away from him), and he said that he didn't think it was any big deal and it should go away in a couple of days. Well, that night is when it started spreading, and I was getting itchier and itchier.

Once again, I called my pdoc, and he told me to see a dermatologist. The problem with that is that no one in my county or the next county over is currently taking new patients. I had to call yet another nearby county to find someone who is taking new patients, and they aren't seeing them until June 17th!

The spots themselves wax and wane, and sometimes you can see them better than others, but they're there. So today since I was itchy as all get out and new spots had appeared, I went back to my GP's office and saw one of the other doctors. Instead of immediately dismissing me, this one actually took the time to check me out, and she said that it didn't look at all like SJS, but she wanted to talk with my pdoc about it to see what he had to say. She also prescribed me some antihistamine that's supposed to be really strong and help the itching. I hope it does.

The other problem is that my skin hurts. Yes, hurts. I don't really know how to explain it other than that...kinda like it's burning, but not quite...but definitely painful. It's mostly my legs, but it's awful. I'm hoping that that goes away as well. And to help irritate my skin less, I cut and filed my nails down short...all the way down to my fingertips when I generally have them at least a good couple of centimeters beyond that. It helps...not so much scratching when I scratch.

I should hear from either the GP I saw and/or my pdoc tomorrow. The GP left a message for my pdoc and said that she would call me once she had talked to him.

As much as I hate to say it, I'm about ready to give up on Lamictal. 100mg isn't enough of a dose to keep me stable, but I can't go on living like this. My skin is becoming raw, I'm itching like crazy and worried about stupid rashes. Ugh.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I've been in and have seen TWO doctors. One pretty much dismissed it, and the other didn't and took some concern (but said it wasn't THE rash) and called my pdoc.