[kkrrhh]

I've been on Lamictal for about 3 years and it's been fine other than a few side effects. A few times, usually around the time I'm raising the dose, I've noticed a few red bumps appearing on my right lower arm for a few days, but they never develop into anything worse or symptoms of the rash.

I've taken as high as 250 mg, but for a few months now I'd been at 200 mg. Recently I've started upping this to 225 mg most days. Weirdly enough, different times when I've tried this, that 25 mg actually makes a big difference and tends to make the difference of the med really starting to reach full effectiveness and unfortunately seems to also be around the amount the bumps tend to pop up.

Around 5 or 6 days ago, I noticed some sort of small raised blotch on my face, and two larger (maybe 2 inches across) red blotches on my left arm. They started to itch occasionally and raised a little more, and now the large spots have become bumpy and a few similar smaller spots have appeared on my hand and arms. Then it's all stayed the same for a few days. Now, today, the normal red bumps from lamictal have appeared on my lower right arm.

I've been trying to think of what has changed that I could be having an allergy to, and I can't think of any certain cause. I did also start Nardil a few months ago (which I've been on multiple times before), but for some reason I just feel like this rash is more likely related to the Lamictal. For one thing, the "normal" red bumps are a little different and on the worse side compared to usual, and it's weird that they're popping up now.

So I guess the possibilities are A. I actually had an allergic reaction to something else that isn't a med and the lamictal bumps have just popped up unrelated, B. The rash is related to lamictal and now the usual bumps are happening along with it, or C. Maybe it's actually the Nardil that's caused a sudden allergy and the lamictal bumps are happening but unrelated.

Again though, I'm really wondering now if it's the lamictal that's caused this. As far as other allergy symptoms, I've sworn my tongue felt a little numb a few times the past few days, but I'm not totally sure. I'm trying to decide whether I should be really worried, with the whole lamictal rash SJS thing, but I don't want to jump to conclusions when I'm not even sure it's the lamictal. As much as I have a love/hate relationship with it, it's one of the few meds that's helped me much and I don't want to have to keep the dose lower than what really works or even get off of it right now.

Has anyone had a rash or reaction to lamictal that wasn't the rash? Has anyone developed an allergy to a med after you'd been fine taking it for some time?
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if it's possible there's any sort of weird correlation between the dose where a med becomes effective and the med causing a reaction?

[*Laurie*]

Yes, I have had a rash from Lamictal that broke out on my forehead. In general, Lamictal seems to cause my skin to be hyperactive...redness and bumpy-rashy. That said, if your rash becomes worse, persists, OR if you're having any other odd symptoms, you need to consult with a doctor.

[Skeezyks]

I developed Lamictal rash about 6 weeks after starting to take it (which is, as I understand it about when it typically occurs.) I went to see my GP because I was unaware of the possibility of Lamictal rash & I thought it was probably just some odd occurance. He correctly identified it though & sent me upstairs immediately to see a dermatologist. She was on her way out when my GP called her. But she stayed to see me. They called my psychiatrist & took me off of the Lamictal immediately.

Now I'm no expert with regard to this. And hopefully what you have going on is no big deal. But my understanding is that Lamictal rash can develop into a life-threatening condition called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. It's nothing to mess around with! Please see your GP, or perhaps preferably a dermatologist, right away.

[TicTacGo]

Yes, one can develop a reaction to Lamictal. Sometimes doctors even mention it before prescribing it to you so that you know. My doctor that I was seeing at that time even told me to specifically stop using it immediately if a rash occurs. This is because of a specific syndrome that can occur on Lamictal. (which can be life threatening)