Bug Bite!

[Nicki270275]

Hi All,
I really need your advice/input please. I have sleep Epilepsy which I am extremely fortunate that it has been under control for the last 10 years.
I get the normal grogginess, pains in my head, unexplained feelings etc but generally I am ok.
I was put on Lamotringine of 300mg daily and I am lucky that it has kept it under control.
However I recently went to Cyprus on a family holiday returning to the UK on the 17th June. On the 16th June my husband and I were bitten (not sure what by) and we both experienced what I can only describe as fuzziness that evening. I was then bitten a further 8-10 times whilst we had dinner, so a total of 12 bites.
My husband recovered after a couple of days back in the UK (he wasn't very well on holiday anyway so it may have been down to this) however I am still experiencing a kind of what I can only describe as whooshiness/fuzziness in my head periodically and it just doesn't seem to be going away.
On holiday I was absolutely fine up until the last night - slept well, drank minimal amount (wine with dinner) and no stress (other than the normal kiddy stress!)
So maybe its all coincidence or maybe the bites have done something to mess with my head or medication.
Has this happened to anybody else or do you know of anybody else that has experienced this. Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks Nicki x

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Nicki --

Some questions: Did you get the bug bites while you were outside or inside? Have the bug bites gone away? And have you been to see your GP?

You may have some kind of low-grade infection from the bug bites (or from something else -- travel is a great way to exchange infections with your fellow travelers). Lamictal can sometimes depress your immune system, so it could be that you are having a harder time fighting off the infection than your husband did.

 

[masterjen]

It is worth a doctor's visit. It could be that the venom from whatever the bugs were is still in your system. You might want to google what types of biting insects are native to Cyprus, and see if any of them have venom that could be toxic when bitten many times as you were. Sometimes an antibiotic or antiviral medication, or even a steroidal medication is given in certain cases of insect bites but I would imagine it would all come down to what the bug possibly was and the preferred treatment method in your country.

 

[Nakamova]

I think Cyprus doesn't have any particularly toxic bugs. It has mosquitoes, but not ones that carry malaria. Bedbugs are another possibility if the bites occurred in your hotel room. But a blood test might help clear things up and put your mind at ease.

 

[Nicki270275]

The bites have gone away but not until the weekend just gone. Yesterday was the first day I felt ok but then I feel odd again today. Although unfortunately my son has given me a stomach bug so I guess that doesn't help and my immune system is down again!
The only insect really native to Cyprus are Mosquitoes. A few spiders/cockroaches/fleas etc but I doubt that would be the cause. My guess is Mosquitoes and it does say they breed in puddles and streams.
I think I am going to go to the docs tomorrow and rule out the bites/venom in my system. Can they do a blood test - will that give the answer?

 

[Nakamova]

A blood test could indicate whether or not you have an infection, though it might not indicate what kind. If you do have an infection, your white blood cell count would be elevated. If it's a bacterial infection (as opposed to a virus) your would your CRP (C reactive protein) would be higher than normal.

You might ask them to test your lamictal levels as well -- if those are too high for some reason, that might make you feel woozy.

 

[Nicki270275]

Thanks for your help