From the "Other" Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
From the "Other" Amanda
7
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 12:39am
Hi All--I haven't been on here in a while, but I needed you tonight. I've been on 200 mg of Lamictal for 18 months and I broke out in a rash today...of course my doc yanked me off of it (via the phone a few minutes ago)--Lovely thing is I'm 1800 miles from home at my sister's house because I had to go to my grandma's funeral yesterday. I came out here one day after I returned home from evacuating because of Rita, I haven't seen my husband in two weeks because he couldn't leave with us (me and kids) for the storm because of work and then I left for NY. I'm ridiculously behind with school and work right now (yes, full time school and full time work for me plus 2 kids and a hubby that works nights and weekends!!!) because of the storm and funeral and all that good stuff. Anyway, I get to sit here for another 3 days with no meds and then I get to fly home and deal with school, work and starting new meds. Oh yeah....and it's my birthday. Today is SOOOO much fun!!! :( Anyhow, I needed to vent so thanks for being there. I hope everyone is doing ok. I see lots of new names up on the board and some familiar ones. Thanks.
Amanda
Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 5:36am
i KNOW how you feel...i'm in the same position.
i actually feared that psychotic would be be my new diagnosis.
btw..happy birthday sweetie.
i had the l rash too & unfortunately you have to clean out your system from all medsb/f starting a new one anyway.
i'm glad for you that they aren't pumping you full of prednisone.
it'll pass.
i'm thinking of you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 7:13am
I may have to find my old doctor while I'm hear. When I talked to my doc on the phone last night he said to see someone (or the ER) if it spread. It's on my feet and part of my legs now....fun, fun. I won't mess around with it though, so I'll get seen today after I pop 50 mgs of Benadryl. :) Thanks.
Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 7:30am
ok....i didn't realize that you hadn't gotten advice on the rash.
when i got mine i was i/p & they took me off the lamectal b/f i even noticed the rash(another patient had noticed it...anyway they stopped all my meds but the rash still spread like chickenpox b/f it went away.i really felt they were overreacting to it i/p cuz every 5 minutes a dr would check oh so carefully.
i was prescribed benedryl & a proper greaduation of prednisone.
you must see the dr.
it's just thAT my experience w/ the rash is that itll get worse b/f it gets better & needs medical attention.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 7:49am
I talked to him last night and he told me not to take it (I only take it at bedtime). I won't be able to see him until at least Wednesday. I'm online now finding out if my old doc takes my new insurance.....he does so I'm going to call him in a few minutes.
Thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 3:39pm

Amanda,

I am also taking 200 mgs. of Lamictal (thank goodness, I haven't had the rash) but there IS some information you should know and ask both your Pdoc and the Doc at the Emergency Room (or your GP) about:

From www.crazymeds.org (Lamictal)

"Like any anticonvulsant, if you've been taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) for more than a couple months and you're up to or above 100mg a day (give or take, depending on other meds you might be taking) you just can't stop cold turkey if you're not at the therapeutic dosage for another anticonvulsant that you know works for you, otherwise you risk partial-complex, absence seizures or even tonic-clonic grand mals, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A SEIZURE DISORDER BEFORE! The risk is worse if you're taking a lithium variant, and/or any antidepressant, especially Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride). Even if you are taking something else, Lamictal (lamotrigine) has its own set of issues with sudden discontinuation, namely intense headaches and sudden, intense and sometimes suicidal depression. That's right, Lamictal (lamotrigine) will give you headaches when you start taking it and it will give you headaches if you suddenly stop taking it.

If you've worked your way up to a particular dosage, it's usually best to spend this many days at the next lowest dosage before going down the next lowest dosage before that and so forth. This can avoid problems when stopping any psychiatric medication. Presuming you have the option of slowly tapering off them."

Catherine

Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Thu, 10-06-2005 - 6:09pm

Wow, I've missed you!


I'm sorry you had to deal with the funeral and storm and meds. Lamictal will be the next one for me, but it reacts with the one I am coming off of so I can't start it yet.


Happy belated birthday.


Hugs,


Amanda


co-cl of the Self-Injury

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
Thu, 10-06-2005 - 9:51pm

Hi!! The last couple of weeks have been pretty nasty. This morning was by far the worst my moods have been in the past 3 years. I dropped the kids off at school and stood on my doctor's office doorstep pacing, shaking and crying for an hour until it opened. Then I waited another hour for an appointment (I showed up without one so he KNEW I was in bad shape). Anyhow, he's starting me back up on Geodon now. I took it before for about 10 months. I lost 87 pounds while I was on it and wound up a little (15 pounds) underweight. He freaked out and took me off of it. Anyhow, he gave me the option of trying Seroquel which I've never had before and can cause weight gain or going back on Geodon and being very careful with it (I have gained those 15 pounds back--up to 130). My husband is a little freaked out about me being on it again, but I'll be more careful this time. Tomorrow should be better. Thanks Guys!!!

Amanda