am i sick or is this a side effect

[gr33nr0se]

so i'm on lamictal and we are keeping an eye on incase i get a rash. i don't have a rash but this morning i was having a weird feeling. like i couldn't take a deep breath and once i yawned it was fine, but i was having trouble yawning. i have had so many simple partials today i don't think i could count. around 4pm, my back started hurting like i pulled a muscle. and withing an hour, i went from being awake and joking around to compeletly exhausted with a pounding headache. i'm home now and my neck, back and head hurt. i took advil but it doesn't seem to be doing much. my whole body is aching. i took advil before i took my temp so i'm not sure if i had a fever. but i feel feverish. how do i know if i have a bug, or if this is a side effect. does the fact that i had a lot of seizures today make it a side effect. im not even on the thereputic dose yet.

 

[Nakamova]

It sounds like a bug to me, but only because I didn't have side effects like that when I started on Lamictal. Can you take your temp to see if you do have a fever? Any chance it's the flu? If so, start hydrating now and take some zinc tablets (or your treatment of choice). When you have an infection it lowers your seizure threshold so you're more likely to have seizures.

I hope you can curl up on the sofa with some chicken soup, and feel better soon, whatever the cause.

 

[gr33nr0se]

thanks nakamova, and yeah i had a fever last night but advil brought it down

 

[Endless]

Please call your neuro NOW. And by now, I mean right after you read this message. Not in an hour, not tonight, not tomorrow.

The start of Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be flu-like symptoms. SJ syndrome is extremely serious - so much so that it can't wait until tomorrow to get checked out.

I had a drug reaction rash while on Lamictal, but it wasn't THE rash - SJS. My dermatologist treated me through it, but both her and my neuro watched me like a hawk until it was gone, to make sure it didn't progress into SJS. I"m hoping Robin can chime in here. Her daughter had a similar reaction as yours (If yours is a reaction). Look in moist places like inside your mouth, near armpits, etc. for a rash or leisons. Sometimes it hides there in the beginning. It doesn't always itch or hurt. Mine burned a little, like a razor burn.

If you say that you are on lamictal and have flu-like symptoms and that you are having breathing-related problems, you will be seen by the doctor (ER) immediately.

SJS Foundation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens–Johnson_syndrome

It's probably just the flu. It's going around. But you seriously need to get this checked out. Only a doctor can tell the difference between SJS and something else, like the flu or a cold.

 

[gr33nr0se]

i called and they said its probably the flu. it was the on-call dr

 

[Endless]

Yahoo! That is good news. I'm so glad you called and all is okay.

But still watch yourself like a hawk. If you get a sore throat and/or runny nose, get a rash of any kind, any where, feel worse, etc., then call the Dr. again.

 

[gr33nr0se]

yep we are calling again, i have a rash on my back. hopefully its nothing but you never know. this sucks though

 

[Nakamova]

Oh no! Keep us posted. I wish your neuro hadn't ramped you up so quickly on the Lamictal -- that increases the chances of an allergic reaction

 

[Endless]

Oh, no. Triple oh, no. I am so, so sorry you are going through this. Do your parents know how potentially serious a drug reaction can be? Are they helping you to pursue this with vigor?

If you don't get to talk to your neuro within the next 3-4 hours please go in to the ER.

Also, if you call a dermatologist's office and say the words "lamictal" and "rash" together in the same sentance, they will get you in to see the doc within a few hours. A dermatologist is one of the best docs, other than your neurologist, to treat you.

Whenever you talk to any doctor's office or the ER, please do say "lamictal Rash" and "flu-like symptoms" They will see you PRONTO.

The probable outcome is that they will take you off the lamictal cold turkey. Like, today. And in a few days your rash will be fine. But withdrawal won't be fun. It would be a good time for the doc to slap those electrodes on your head. What dosage of Lamictal are you on again?

Big hugs to you. We love you and are thinking of you.

 

[RobinN]

It is my belief that any and all of your symptoms can be due to the medication.
Rebecca was in a fetal position from the drug. My little athlete was curled up for days, with all over body aches. She then began to get a sore throat, and I had read that the "rash" can begin in the throat too. So the oncall Dr said to stop it. Rebecca had no side effects to stopping the medication that I can remember. She actually has always done BETTER off meds than she did when she was taking them.

In addition it is highly recommended not to give to a patient under 16 and Rebecca was 15 at the time. Of course I didn't learn that until after the fact.

We continue with no meds, and using nutrition to keep her seizure free.

 

[Chel]

yep we are calling again, i have a rash on my back.

Uh oh. Good luck.

Thinking of you!

Chel

 

[gr33nr0se]

the dr told us to email him a pic of the rash and he said it doesn't like the allergy but to watch it like a hawk. i'm not sure what's going on really because i still feel really sick and my body really hurts. if it gts worse, my mom is taking me to the er and we are seeing a dermatologist tomorrow just to make sure.

 

[Nakamova]

Definitely, don't hesitate to hit the ER. And keep us posted.

 

[Endless]

I am VERY glad you are seeing a dermatologist. They'll get to the bottom of it.

Because of the flu-like symptoms, still watch yourself, okay? I'm worried about you, and want you to be okay. Here's hoping it's the flu....