Hi gang. I was wondering if anyone has had side effects from Lamictal. I haven't posted for about 3 weeks - partly since we were on vacation & partly because I have been so sick since before we came home.
My neuro tapered me off Topamax and started me on Lamictal at the same time. The only thing he told me to look out for was a rash within the first three days on my hands or feet. Nothing happened, so we left on the 3rd night for Oregon. The next day I started feeling a little bad. I assumed it was allergy to sagebrush. As each day went by, I kept feeling a little worse. I get altitude sickness & was on medication before we left. I kept thinking the altitude medicine wasn't working. I was tired & weak, always chilled, I had trouble breathing (I attributed that to my asthma). By the time we headed home, I was vomitting & had diarrhea (I thought food poisoning). We have been home almost a week & I still feel horrible. The diarrhea continues, I feel like I have been beaten all over with a baseball bat, the pain is so severe that I am doubled over sometimes, I'm still chilled & weak. Then yesterday my voice started getting hoarse. Even drinking water causes terrible stomach pain. I'm still drinking it, but not as much as normal. I'm able to handle popsicles, but that's about it. I thought "I've had food poisoning before & it only lasted 24 hours. This must be something else." So I looked up Lamictal side effects & those symptoms are from Lamictal.
I didn't think of this until after the doctors office was closed, but I discussed it with my pharmacist. He said I'm definately having a reaction to the Lamictal & told me to taper down one pill until I can talk to the neuro on Tuesday. He said an extended release tablet might work, but chances are I will need to be switched to yet another different med.
As far as the seizures go, I'm still having some. The day after we got home, I went to take a shower & couldn't figure out how to step into tub. There have been several minor seizures this week, but earlier this afternoon I had a myoclonic that hit so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. Thankfully, I can say that since I'm not on theTopamax, my anger is gone & my mood swings are back where they usually are.
Anyway, sorry to make this so long, but I wondered if anyone else has had similar problems with Lamictal & what you have done. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Shelia
My neuro tapered me off Topamax and started me on Lamictal at the same time. The only thing he told me to look out for was a rash within the first three days on my hands or feet. Nothing happened, so we left on the 3rd night for Oregon. The next day I started feeling a little bad. I assumed it was allergy to sagebrush. As each day went by, I kept feeling a little worse. I get altitude sickness & was on medication before we left. I kept thinking the altitude medicine wasn't working. I was tired & weak, always chilled, I had trouble breathing (I attributed that to my asthma). By the time we headed home, I was vomitting & had diarrhea (I thought food poisoning). We have been home almost a week & I still feel horrible. The diarrhea continues, I feel like I have been beaten all over with a baseball bat, the pain is so severe that I am doubled over sometimes, I'm still chilled & weak. Then yesterday my voice started getting hoarse. Even drinking water causes terrible stomach pain. I'm still drinking it, but not as much as normal. I'm able to handle popsicles, but that's about it. I thought "I've had food poisoning before & it only lasted 24 hours. This must be something else." So I looked up Lamictal side effects & those symptoms are from Lamictal.
I didn't think of this until after the doctors office was closed, but I discussed it with my pharmacist. He said I'm definately having a reaction to the Lamictal & told me to taper down one pill until I can talk to the neuro on Tuesday. He said an extended release tablet might work, but chances are I will need to be switched to yet another different med.
As far as the seizures go, I'm still having some. The day after we got home, I went to take a shower & couldn't figure out how to step into tub. There have been several minor seizures this week, but earlier this afternoon I had a myoclonic that hit so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. Thankfully, I can say that since I'm not on theTopamax, my anger is gone & my mood swings are back where they usually are.
Anyway, sorry to make this so long, but I wondered if anyone else has had similar problems with Lamictal & what you have done. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Shelia
