[archipelago]

I started up on lamictal again after discontinuing. The next day my mouth had sores inside. Not painful but bothersome. I wasn't sure but I looked it up and sure enough it can be a side effect of lamictal so I discontinued it again.

My shrink is not sure that it is the lamictal. He said that given my stress level it could be a virus.

Anyone have this type of reaction to lamictal or know anything about this sort of thing?

Get some verification that it is in fact a virus, asap. If it is not the Lamictal, it's likely something you can either wait out or treat while on the Lamictal.

If it is the Lamictal, it should be addressed immediately. \
No, that is not an overreaction.
I would recommend calling your GP and getting a same-day appointment to determine what it actually is.

[you don't actually specify whether your pdoc had you start the lamictal again?]

[archipelago]

Thanks, I didn't realize that it was such a big problem. I know there are some rashes and some are serious and even deadly. But mouth sores didn't seem to be so worrisome. May I ask why you say so?

My "pdoc" is also my therapist so I see him twice a week. I discontinued Lamictal because I noticed a minor rash and didn't want to deal with it just in case. I started it up again because my other meds aren't helping enough, but I'm at the low starting dose. I decided to do this on my own. But I did let my shrink know and he approved. Then I told him that I was discontinuing because I didn't want to take a chance again.

Is it really serious? Should I go to urgent care? I couldn't possibly get an appointment with my GP that soon.

The thing is that with SJS, which is "The Rash", often sores show up in mucus membranes- the lining of the mouth is made of such tissue. Granted, I do not know what your sores look like and even if I did, I could not actually make any determination as to the etiology- it could be a virus, it could be the beginning of SJS, maybe you are stressed and biting the inside of your mouth in your sleep without realizing it.

But the timing of restarting the Lamictal is highly suspect. It isn't definite that it is SJS [or anything else in particular] but it would be highly prudent to have it checked out.

If you call your GP's office when they open and say you have been taking an anticonvulsant and coinciding with taking it you have developed sores on the inside of your mouth, have some concerns, and would like to be seen- they will likely see you. They may just give you instructions on what to look for in the following days or ask you more specific questions about what you are experiencing.

However, even though SJS isn't that common, the fact that it isn't that common means that it's more prudent to also get the opinion and guidance of your GP- since having the combined experience of BOTH healthcare professionals will be most to your benefit.

I wouldn't let this go, though.

If it's not SJS, it's probably a more mundane issue that is fairly easily dealt with.
If it is? It developed fairly rapidly.
That is not usual, but given that you started and then stopped quickly [even at the low dose], it makes it more likely to develop.

Sorry if that was way too much info.

I'm not a professional by any means, but trying to provide you with what info I have.
If it were me, I'd be on the phone to my GP in the morning.
Rather be cautious than not?

[archipelago]

Thanks. I may be able to go into a local urgent care clinic to have it looked at. My GP is swamped and the clinic I regularly use has two urgent care clinics, one very close to where I live.