Steven-Johnson Syndrome and Lamictal

I know this is very very rare.  But I figure I would let you guys know what to look for.  I have been having a really rough time with psychiatrists so I actually had to ask a question to "doctor phelps" on bipolarworld.net.  My question and answer have not been posted yet, but I did get an email from them with his answer, telling me everything will be posted in about a month.  So if you are worried about rash I would definately look at that site maybe the end of april begining of may. 

But I'm about 90 % sure what I had was the begining of Steven  Johnson syndrome.  I have been on and off lamictal due to a lot reason.  Mainly denial, and trying to get pregnant, and so on and so forth.  But this last time during the tapering when I went from 50 mg to 100 mg.  I started having what I initially thought was acne.  But it wasn't behaving like acne.  It did not produce puss, the "whiteness" of the lesions where dead skin.  And I also had what appeared to be a cold sore, but not usually where I get cold sores and I had several "canker" like sore bordering my teeth and gums.  This is when I started becomming concerned. 

Lamictal is a GREAT drug for me.  It is the only thing I know that helps my depression.  So I swore that it wasn't it and was going to continue at a lower dose.  However the next day my mouth and my face felt like they were on fire.  I was applying peroxide to the lesions to both cool and prevent infection.  This is when I knew I had to stop the drug.  And this is how a "stevens johnson" rash would present.  I don't know  100% that that is what it is because when I called my new psychiatrist to let them know what I was experiencing and they never called me back.  And no doctor ever saw the lesions.  ( I since then fired her and really have not found a new one, and not sure I want to ). 

But this is very very rare.  Dr. Phelps said this was the worst case he's come accross (as opposed to those in the literature that end up in burn units).  And would be "petrified" to try a restart of lamictal in me.  Which is very frustrating because I know it works. 

I know I haven't been around in awhile.  But for those of you who know me I really love you guys.  Just been really busy. 

And please don't let this scare you away from lamictal, because if I could take it I most certainly would.  I also have lupus which steven johnson syndrome may have a greater chance of presenting in people with autoimmune diseases.  And to tell you the truth the "rash" didn't happen until after I was diagnosed with lupus. 

---Dana

Thanks for the info Dana! I am now on day 19 of Lamictal and it has helped me tremedously! I have been keeping a careful watch for skin changes and there hasn't been any so far. I was told that if a person does develop the rash it normally happens in the first two weeks, now that it took a while for you to develop it...I will continue to keep a close watch. I hate to hear that it was working and you developed the rash, I hope that you find the right medicine that will help you just as well! Good decision on finding a new p doc!

Lamictal defnitely will cause acne in some folks; I've had it and been
on Vitamin A cream called retin-A for months to help cure it. It's getting better gradually. No more Lamictal for me, though it was a terrific medication for mood stabilizing.

I took such a small dosage of Lamictal (25 mgs.) and did notice hair thinning in front; that's improving now. Depakote will definitely cause one's hair to fall out.

All these meds carry some side effects, I guess. We have to balance
the chemical brain improvement with the weight of the side effects.
Of course, you all know that probably better than I.

Take care.

I.G.