HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Lamictal rash?

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic locked
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/20/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Did anyone get a rash from this drug?

My ankles are all itchy, could be from working in the garden and maybe I got bitten up, but my nice paranoid mind immediately thinks of the Lamictal rash.

If anyone got this, what did it look like? Spread out dots or overlapping close together dots?
Posted 7/20/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
You would have gotten it soon after you started taking it. To be safe, run it by your doctor.
Posted 7/20/2008 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I don't allow myself to look up information about drugs because my weird mind convinces myself that I have side effects that I don't. Thanks for the info, didn't know it came on soon.
Posted 7/20/2008 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Actually I've heard it can come on any time you are on lamictal, but it is more likely when you first start it or after an increase. I know this because I was feared to have the dreaded lamictal rash. Lucky for me it wasn't it though. My pdoc told me that it kind of looks like a burn. You can also google it...go to google.com, click on images, than type in "lamictal rash". Pics should come up. They're scary though! My pdoc said he's never seen one patient so far have the actual lamictal rash because it's so rare, but it is best to get it checked out. Thinking of you!
Posted 7/20/2008 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Whew, it looks nothing like that.
Posted 7/20/2008 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
glad to hear you're relieved. just keep an eye on it just in case and you should probably still call you doc...I know mine is pretty strict about me calling if I get any kind of rash on the lamictal...while it's rare they just like to make sure. you can just tell them you've looked it up and you're pretty sure it's not the lamictal rash, but you just thought they should know. *hugs*
Posted 7/20/2008 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks closure! I think looking at it, it had to be something in the garden that bit me up. Now to worry about something else...

I'm slightly high these past few days and I always seem to get weird non stop worry until I level out again.
Posted 7/20/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
I take this stuff. No rash. My doctor tryed someone else on it, and they got the rash but were o.k - It is stated as well, that although most rashes appear in the initial treatment phase it is still possible to get a rash or even the evil rash that might kill you. Any rash and you have to stop.
Posted 7/20/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
A rash can develop even after some time on the drug, so at the first sign of a rash it's very important to see your physican right away. My son didn't develop a rash until 2 months into treatement, and that's not uncommon. Even though SJS rash is rare, you need a professional to declare whether the rash you have rash is drug induced or from something else. Do not try to self-diagonse! If the drag is a result of the Lamictal, they will give you the proper actions to take afterward. It's very important to let your doctor know if you're on this type of medication.
Posted 7/20/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I really don't want it to be the rash, I like this drug so much. I keep telling myself it's bug bites, I broke down and read about it, it didn't say anything people getting it on their ankles. I'll still check with the doctor. I'm thinking it's poison ivy now.

I'll call her tomorrow...
Posted 7/20/2008 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
keep us updated! *hugs*
Posted 7/20/2008 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mrs_sleeve,

Welcome to HealingWell and to our forum. I hope you find the support you're looking for here. Why not take a moment to start a new thread and introduce yourself briefly. We'd love to know a little bit more about you.

Thanks,
serafena
Posted 8/9/2008 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
My rash showed up 4 days ago, as 30-40 small red dots, similar to small insect bites on my upper torso and arms. The next day hundreds more appeared on my arms, legs and trunk, with larger red patches up to a half inch in diameter on my upper arms and inner thighs. I called my Psychiatrist, described the rash, and he prescribed a 5 day cortisone pack. I stopped Lamictal immediately (just finished my second week at 50 mg.)

The rash continued to progress however, and yesterday, my lips started feeling lumpy and burning, the patches on my arms and legs turned quarter sized, red and fiery, and a whole new crop of areas/spots started showing up on my lower legs, hands, feet and palms. I called the dermatologist for an emergency appointment and she confirmed the beginnings of SJS. She gave me a stronger, longer (3 week) prednisone prescription and told me I had caught it in time.

Several days prior to the rash, I began experiencing itching eyes with puffy lids and some mattery discharge but didn't link it to the rash/SJS response until I later read about conjunctivitis and eye involvement. My lids are still slightly puffy but other than my lips, and a spot in my mouth that showed up today, my head, face and back are the only two areas that have remained relatively clear.

I'm thankful for the forums, and online information that helped me sort this out. While this response progressed slow enough for me to get medical attention, I am still surprised by how rapidly and relentlessly it developed and continued to spread. I may be one of 5 in a 1000 or whatever the odds are that end up with something like this, but for me this turned out to be scarier and a lot more involved than I thought it could be when it started. I'm still not sure I'm out of the woods yet, but am starting to notice less heat and less color in the larger areas.
Posted 8/9/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MamaM,

Welcome to HealingWell and to the Bipolar forum.

How scary that you actually contracted the SJS rash. You are the first person on this forum I've heard from who has actually contracted it. I'm so glad you're doing better. Why not create a New Topic and tell us a little bit about yourself. I look forward to seeing your input in the forums.

serafena
Posted 8/11/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
The rash is not that common, less than 1% of people get it. But is does happen, especially when one starts taking lamictal. I thought I had the rash a few years back, but it turned out to be nothing. One thing that I noticed is that Lamictal makes you especially sensetive to the sun. I was out in the sun a lot when I had my rash. I guess I got nervous because it spread all over my body.

Mama M, I am sorry that you contracted the SJS rash.
Posted 7/19/2011 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was put on Lamictal, 25 mg a day for two weeks, and then I was to double that after two weeks.
Today is the 12th day of the 25 mg a day and this morning I discovered a rash on my right upper arm and later on the lower part of both my legs.

I called my psychiatrist and she told me to stop taking Lamictal immediately and that we would discuss it at my next appointment.

I've worried myself sick about this rash and really hope it subsides and goes away! It's hard not to immediately think that it's THE rash! Any others experience something similar?

(I am also taking Zoloft and Vistaril.)
Posted 7/19/2011 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
M73,

I was wondering how long you have been taking Lamictal? I've been wanting to try it but my doctor is worried about the rash thing. I know I've read that their rashes can be dangerous, so pleez don't wait long to see your doctor.

Thinking of you and hope you get it taken care of. Keep us posted.

Your Healingwell Friend,

Serenitee

 

Posted 7/20/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
I actually was one to get the rash, but most of the meds the doc to put me on I have a bad side effect. Sometimes I wonder if the side of effect I have on some of the meds is just in my head since I don't want to take the med. But I was taken off Lamictal a few days after going on it.
Posted 7/16/2017 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
I got the Lamictal rash on Day 4 of taking the med.

I sent photos to my P-doc who is calling in an RX for Prednisone.

If anybody who posted here is still around, how was your rash treated and how long did it take to go away?
Posted 7/17/2017 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Locking this thread as it is an old post, and I saw you started a new thread smile

UA
✚ New Topic locked