Lamictal and Feeling like The Flu

[BrandiBrat]

The neuro started me on Lamictal I think a week ago and first I got a sore throat right away (the first 24hrs) and now I am getting a fever at night. Today I woke up with swollen lymph nodes and I just generally feel like crap. I feel like I have the flu. My head hurts, fever, I'm achy, feverish, feel like sleeping, lymph nodes hurt, and I feel sick.

I don't get colds or the flu....I haven't had either one in years, as I normally have a really high immune system and I started feeling like this when I started the Lamictal.
I called my neurologist this morning and her nurse is passing on the message to her and said she will call me back ASAP. I also did not take my morning dose out of fear of allergy.

Has anyone experienced this before?

 

[Nakamova]

Yes it's happened to other CWE members:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com...d-swollen-glands-while-taking-lamictal-12354/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/allergic-reaction-lamictal-7589/

Sounds like you may be having an allergic reaction to it. Keep trying to reach your neuro if you don't hear back soon. It's likely that you'll have to stop taking the Lamictal.

 

[BrandiBrat]

Thank you for the links, Nakamova. I haven't figured out how to do a search yet so this was very helpful. My Dr. hasn't called me back yet but I didn't take my morning dose of it. The Topamax will give me a buffer, hopefully. I have a fever and my lymph nodes are definitely swollen. I feel horrible. If this is how I feel after a week or so, I can't imagine how I'd feel if I kept going on the stuff...

 

[RunningGirl85]

I actually felt that way when I started on Lamictal, though I don't know about the lymph nodes. Keep us updated!

 

[BrandiBrat]

Hi Runningirl, it got worse really fast last night. My fever jumped around midnight and my eyeballs felt like they were on fire. This morning I woke up and I paged my Dr and she told me not to take my morning dose, thank goodness. I have an appt with her Mon morning and she said if the symptoms get worse to go to the ER.
We sure have to go through a lot, don't we? Lol

 

[momof3boys]

Im glad you got ahold of your doctor! I hope you can take it easy and you start to feel better soon! :hugs:

 

[BrandiBrat]

Thanks Kristin! I have Angelina Jolie lips lol man this stuff is no good for some folks, that's for sure!! I pretty much got everything on the side effect sheet but the rash but I bet that was coming next. It makes me nervous to start a new med on Monday! Since I'm getting the VNS maybe we can just hold off.... Im sure she will say no. Haha

 

[momof3boys]

Im glad you didnt get the rash! When I looked it up, it didnt look like the rash I got on my face... but my primary care dr said it was a rash that started out but as the dose increased, it got worse and went to scabby looking crap... with alot of pain! So Im thankful you didnt have that at all! Ive never had a VNS but have heard alot about it. Ive just been on medications since the age 18 months. But I would love to look into the MEG test. Something we heave heard about since I was in my teens when it was in the making!

 

[BrandiBrat]

Ouch!! When you described the rash it made my face hurt!! What is the MEG?? Besides my daughter? hehe Her name's Megan Gosh 18 months old, huh? That's a long time to live with this...bless your heart. That's why y'all are my "go to" to everything.

 

[momof3boys]

Yeah my mom didnt know what was going on til I had a grand mal seizure at the age of 18months old. When she learned more about seizures, she then thought back to what she saw me doing when I was 6 months old. I had alot of staring, and my right side would stiffen and jerk. She didnt know anything about seizures til I had a big one. But looking back she said thats what they were. The doctors think that when I was being delivered, my heart rate went down for a good 20 minutes, and it caused lack of oxygen to my brain during that time, which is what they suspect caused epilepsy.

The MEG test we were told about by my pediatric neuro a long time ago. Its now at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and we've always wanted to get it done. Here is link that tells more about it.

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/meg_intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoS2UXr0yMg

 

[BrandiBrat]

Very interesting!! Both the read as well as the YouTube video. It's just amazing what continues to be developed in the way of modern medicine, even though at times during my frustration I curse the stars that there isn't more for us. You know?
I look up to your strength and your positive outlook and encouragement, my friend. It's people like you that give me the strength to mosey on A big thank you for making me feel better the last few days, as well. Today is day two not on the Trileptal and I still have a low-grade fever and my eyes are on fire but I feel better....so THANK YOU for your kind words!! They truly helped in my moment of fear.
You rock, sista!! *in my best Bob Marley voice* lol

 

[momof3boys]

Im glad I can be here to support you! It is amazing at all the new tests they are coming out with these days! Ive met so many kind, caring and supporting people here at CWE. Its an amazing place! Im glad you're starting to feel better! Now I didnt want to hear about the fever and eyes being on fire! Hopefully that will go away soon and you'll feel back to normal again! You rock too sista!