Day 4 Lamictal rash

Last night I noticed a tightness and itchiness on my shoulder but did not "see" anything. Today, after sleeping all day, the rash is noticeable. Right now, it is a patch - pink, small bumps.

Has anybody experienced this rash? I will not take today's dosage but sadly, this drug immediately helped my ANXIETY. We are not sure if I am Bipolar II but it helped my anxiety almost immediately.

I posted on the Depression Forum that I am going through my deepest and longest depression. I am in an area where there isn't much support available to me. I'm isolated and the idea of living like this along with my other problems is scary. What kind of life is this?

Thank you. It's spreading. Itchy raised bumps like hives. Getting redder in the older spots, white and pink in the new spots. I will sleep on it. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Saturday (weekend). I don't know what I will do if it keeps spreading and god forbid it is the Stevens Johnsons Syndrome. My anxiety is high but I'm trying to be patient. I haven't been taking it very long so I stopped it.

Hi Kelly,

I was on Lamictal years back for my epilepsy and i broke out in a rash that slowly progressed and in the end took over my face, it starts like a small hives rash and they progress to itching lumps, at first my neuro refused to take them off me but when he saw how badly they progressed i was slowly pulled off them by reducing one tablet monthly as i was taking 5 a day.

I know what your going through and it's a side affect of the drug.

I have manic depression and it takes me over more than i'm out of it plus having bipolar that's where the depression comes from plus your anxiety attacks but refering the Lamictal it's if you want off the drug and if so then speak with your speciaist, otherwise it will get alot worse sorry to say.

Terry

UPDATE: I called my P-doc cell phone after calling the Nurse Advice Line and discovering that my plan does not provide me with "local" urgent care. I took photos of the rash. Doctor is calling in Prednisone prescription and told me to STOP taking the Lamictal. Sadly, while I am not convinced I am Bipolar (maybe II), this med helped with my anxiety (racing thoughts, impending doom).

Hi Kelly,

I do hope your feeling a bit better mate.

I looked up for you on the best things on helping the rash lamictal causes and apparently these help the best...
Benadryl or topical Caladryl but you should also be refered to a dermo.

I know you've stated it helped your bipolar but the drug causing bad issues isn't worth it, i've had bipolar for years they never stated what stage i have, i also asked for help and the answer i got was i'd gone to far and they could'nt help me because i've took a right cocktail of meds for depression etc over the years and nothing as helped, the lot drives you crazy.

I deeply understand how you feeling and anxiety is one bad feeling.

((large hug from me Terry))

should have stayed. but not listen to the turtle. mayo clinic for the yanks says fluid replacement is important, and to use, recommended, vaseline. the dead skin can regrow and your recovery can be months down the road. other meds need to be looked into, as well. you will require antibiotics. it can effect your eyes so be careful there. but, not listen to me. i am useless.

kellyinCali said...
Terry, I went to the hospital tonight because today the rash blistered into tiny bumps like pimples. The area is tight and feels like a burn. Benedryl helped the itching but the rash is painful. Woke up just from covers brushing against it. I did not stay past Triage. After hours, one woman had been there for 4 hours. I picked up a pill RX of Prednisone. Did they put you on that? I desperately need a shower but even luke warm is going to hurt like hell. Anything you can share with me about your experience with the rash will be appreciated. If it spreads or is worse tomorrow, I will be going back to the ER. I have terrible medical insurance. I'm terribly depressed. Lamictal immediately calmed my nerves/anxiety but I stopped it immediately. I started taking it on July 9th and got the rash on day 4.

Thank you for the hug.

Hi Kelly, if you don't mind me asking and it's important do you have Lupus or any autoimmune disease which affects your skin regarding taking things to help the rash that could trigger your skin.

Prednisone is a good drug but i refused it in the day unit up the hospital when my kidneys was bad being a steriod drug, as i've had steriods in the past and my body can't handle them...this is the drugs usage.

(It also suppresses the immune system. Prednisone is used as an anti-inflammatory or an immunosuppressant medication. Prednisone treats many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders)


You see the rash is like an allergy reaction which as happened to you and myself, the neuro never gave me nothing to help it and it took weeks to slowly go because of me coming off the drug slowly but if this was me now i would phone or contact the specialist who gave you the drug as they should be able to help you, as i do know steriod creams are good for skin reactions also.

My neuro tried me on Lyrica for my anxiety as it makes me stress badly but they caused nausea and sickness to the stomach so i left well alone.

Terry

Terry, Thank you. The rash has gone from little blisters to larger blisters. Thankfully, it is not spreading. My P-doc called in the Prednisone. I outgrew asthma in my twenties but I had a terrible time with the med. I am taking it but quite nervous about it's side effects now.

I had hoped more people who got the rash would respond. I am avoiding showering because it is on my shoulder too and I know it is going to hurt very bad. It hurts just to have the blanket touch it. I don't know how to care for it. When the blisters burst and my skin peels it is going to be ooey gooey and raw (crying now). I've been through so much. I don't understand why. I'm very depressed. I read in former threads that Lamictal was a lifesaver for them. I do believe it helped immediately with my anxiety and eventually could have pulled me out of the depression. I will see P-doc next Monday.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=19&m=3881196


EDIT TO ADD: Terry, I did not see your first first post. I did not realize that you got the rash. How did you treat it from start to finish? It doesn't help that I literally cannot wear a bra right now. I guess, fortunately, I can stay home and let it heal more than most people could.

I will ask my doctor if there are creams to put on it. It's very much like a burn. It will get scabby and peely and then be raw underneath. Clothing and showering are going to be painful.

Post Edited (kellyinCali) : 7/17/2017 8:02:41 PM (GMT-6)

UserANONYMOUS said...
Hey kellyinCali,

I hope the meds helps. It can really be irritating and annoying, and make you feel emotional.
Keep us updated on how you are doing.

UA

UA: Are you referring to the Prednisone?

Thank you for your support.

Hello Kelly,

So sorry i'm late replying back but I've had to rest my legs for a couple of days with swelling.

Hows the prednisone working?..plus I've read more about it and you must keep yourself hydrated and for washing cool water plus I looked on a dermo site and Calamine lotion helps sooth the rash plus any itching.

I could have added info on what you've stated but didn't in case you started panicking but it sounds like yours is not at the burnt state, yours sounds like how mine was.

For your anxiety mention to your GP or specialist Diazepam as I took a right cocktail over the years for depression besides anxiety and they've had me on 5mg daily for years as they help and close down the cell ceptors of the brain working over time by making you sleepy.

I hope your ok and sorry again for being late Terry X

Diamond, thank you for the feedback and advice.

My Mom says that it looks like a burn but this is its progression:

raised bumps like hives
to pink pinpoint blisters that look like pimples
to purple pinpoint blisters
to just very red and scabby

I truly think it is on its way out. It looks horrible but I have showered gently and the skin didn't completely come off so I'm happy about that. The blisters protect the skin underneath. I feel strongly that if it were dangerous, it would have spread to my lips and mucous membranes.

Regarding the Prednisone. I took 3 small does and then stopped. My Mom even remembers when I took it. She said "it messed with your mind. Since I can bear the pain and itching, I am doing just fine now.

I hope your leg swelling is better.

Off topic, I noticed that you have Hypothyroidism. My T4 was tested and its LOW! Ironically, my P-Doc ordered it. I will see him on Monday. The "general" screening they do for TSH always falls into normal but I have read countless articles about how "under diagnosed" this is. How did you get DX?

Thank you, again. I will look at the links. I'm in such a depression right now, I slept 15 hours. I wake up to go to the bathroom but then hit the pillow and back to sleep I am. I also have ZERO energy. Is this what Bi-Polar depression is like? It's been a long time since I've felt like myself. I moved to a new County far inland and I feel like a stranger to myself. Depression is not logical. I feel like a whiner but without energy, I can't seem to move forward. Everything is going to take effort and I have no energy. I'm sad and depressed. Sleep...sad and depressed. I could work through the depression if I only had "energy." I don't know what is going on exactly but thankfully, the rash is all purple pinpoint scabs. I'm not worried about complications with it at this point. Unfortunately, I've had to go without the Lamotrogine but will see P-Doc on Monday.

I sincerely hope you have a better day and I appreciate your input and opportunity to talk to someone who actually got "the Lamictal rash" too.

Take care. Kelly

I've been going through my lab results on the Patient Portal. I have even purchased additional history to 2010.

July 2014 I had an ALT result HIGH = 45. The range is 6-29. I was never alerted of any concerns by the doctor. I am trying to get control and take charge of my health in order to quell anxiety since ovarian cancer (survived 4 years). I read that a positive ALT can be an indication of thyroid disease, among other things.