[jamminpianogirl]

Okay, maybe I'm paranoid... I'm probably just coming down with a cold... but a little over a week ago I upped my dose of Lamictal to 50 mg.

Around that time I got a really bad headache that's gotten better since but still hasn't completely gone away - but keep in mind that I'm prone to weekly headaches that last for days at a time anyways.

Now I've got a range of cold symptoms too - like I said its probably just a cold, but I've heard that you should watch out for flu like symptoms with lamictal - I've got a sore throat, a few days ago i woke up with an extremely achy body (again I'm prone to aches though), I'm congested and tired all the time.

now I have a sore on my tongue - thats what made me really nervous.

Probably just a cold, right? But I'm still worried it might be an adverse reaction to the Lamictal increase, since it happened around the same time. Any thoughts?

[chalmette70043]

You know i had the same effect of feeling a flu like feeling coming on when i was on a low dose of Lamictal. My pdoc gradually upped it over time and im now at 200mg in the morning and at night. If you can make it through and get past the initial side effects, which isnt that bad, really. I think the Lamictal will help you alot. It has worked wonders for me and i never thought after a year or so i'd never find a med to help. I wish you the best of luck with this med. Keep going and hold on, you'll get there.

love ya,
chalmette

Ditto here for Lamictal--300 mg daily. BUT any concerns call your doc to be safe. That is what you "hired" them for, their expert opinion about meds, side effects, benefits, etc.

You do know about the rash associated with Lamictal, right?--Suzy

[jamminpianogirl]

Well, just an update... now my lip is swollen, and I have an irritation underneath my tongue.. my mouth in general is just kind of achy and sensitive. I think I will definitely contact my doctor about this. The only thing is I have an appointment with my psychiatrist Wednesday - I don't know if I am safe to wait til then?

Some sites I have looked at say to get emergency medical attention if there are sores in the mouth and swollen lips like I have.

I would call your doc NOW & get a recommendation as to whether you should go to the ER or not. If it is the reaction that is warned about it is good if you can catch it early, plus if it is nothing it will ease your mind.--Suzy

[HALLIEBETH87]

hmmm allergic reaction? please be safe.

[jamminpianogirl]

Went to the doctor today - she told me to get off lamictal. Its hard to tell if the symptoms will develop into a more serious condition or just pass, so it just isn't worth the risk. With everything that was going on - mouth sores, sore throat, puffy/irritated gums, swollen lips, irritated ears, and little red spots on my arms and chest that were probably developing into a rash - it doesn't seem like a good medication for me.

I'm horribly disappointed, I've been down all day. If there are no allergic reactions like mine, lamictal seems like such a great treatment option, especially for people like me. I keep wondering if I would have been alright if I sat it through a little longer, or started out with a lower dose and increased it more gradually. I guess I won't know. Oh well. I'm going to see my psychiatrist wednesday... hopefully he'll have a good plan in store.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Its not good to try to wait something like that. With lamictal...it can get really bad, even fatal.

Im glad youve got a good dr to take care of you.

[PsyChris]

Medication therapy works like this. You can start developing those symptoms months or even years into treatment. We don't really understand why these things happen, they just do.

The reason most medications are started at a sub-optimal dose is to make sure any adverse or allergic reaction is not severe. Getting off Lamictal seems like a good idea. There are plenty of other medications to try. I hope you find a good one soon.

Glad you went to see the doc. My doc did start me on a very low dose of Lamictal & gradually built it up to 300 mg. daily (150 at night/150 in morning).--Suzy

[john5018]

what were you taking it for if you don't mind me asking? bi polar?was it working?

[jamminpianogirl]

It was for bipolar, and even on a very low dosage of 50 mg I was already feeling effects. It seemed like it would have been helpful for me; I was all around calmer, able to lift myself out of depression easier, and found it easier to be productive and do work. I've heard a lot of good things about this drug and think it can be very helpful if you're lucky enough not to get the rash.

The rash is very rare, but just something to be aware of & be careful of, of course. Lamictal has been helpful to me (bipolar I), especially in lifting & preventing the recurrence of depression...though I have had a couple relapses over the years where an anti-depressant has been added as well (Wellbutrin--off that now) but did have Trazodone--an old time anti-depressant added to my mix because it also has the side effect of drowsiness & I have insomnia.--Suzy

[Wishmouse]

FYI.. the rash can develop in your mouth and throat, it doesn't necessary have to be external.

[jamminpianogirl]

That's true, and I've actually heard of people who were able to continue the medication after getting a mild rash on their skin that went away after awhile. When its a more severe case, and especially when it spreads to the mucus membranes, that's when trouble can occur.