hell on earth: the lamictal rash (STORYTIME) 

Thank you so much for your comment, Christine, and sharing your experience finding the right meds. While I haven’t been at it for as long, I can relate to it taking a LOOONG time. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine. I’m doing relatively okay on this and have been for a couple years now, but there’s always part of me that wonders if there’s an even better fit.

I am having this rash right now. It's the most horrible rash I could ever imagine experiencing. It's on my face too. It's driving me crazy!

Thank you so much ❤️ I had to go off of lamictal because of the rash, but I’m doing much better on a combo of prozac and abilify now!

So sorry you are going through this 😞

I just went to the ER for this and they told me I have bed bugs . I have rashes that started this week after my dose of lamotragine doubled . The rash is on my feet , legs , chest , back , arms .. apparently bed bugs though 🙄

I'm on lamictal and have a sore throat, it's day 8. I've been very careful with doses, even making sure I take it around the same time each day. I'm watching out for skin symptoms like a hawk right now. The air quality is also bad right now, so I'm not sure if it's lamictal or the air quality.

@@garrettlitt7224 doubled as in 50mg? a day

I had titration like this but still got the rash. Scary AF.

@@cojowiddy9108 so sorry... Actually I also had a rash after 3 weeks. Then I decreased a dose and continued taking it for 2 weeks, then the rash became less and disappeared at all. After it I decided to add a dose very very slow. Now all is ok. But it is only my experience. And of course it is better to consult with a doctor.

Myself had a really low titration in increments 12.5 mg.

Exactly! This is why I named my channel youseemnormal ❤️ basically people might seem a certain way, like they have it all together or are perfectly happy, yet we never know what’s going on inside…

Hi Ivonka. The medication will work different for everyone. It could help with indecisiveness. I would encourage you to talk to a professional if you are able to! Also challenge thoughts on things that are the “right decision.” What makes it “right”? Could more than one be right?

My wife was on lamotrigine for 6 years to treat bipolar at doses of 200mg and 300mg. I also have a mother with acute schizophrenia. The standard line is that "it effects everyone differently". That is a bit like saying that alcohol "effects everyone differently". While there is some truth to it, overwhelming, the effects are pretty common. According to one of the lead researchers responsible for the approval of lamotrigine, Nassir Ghaemi, the primary mechanism of action is glutamate blocking. Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, so blocking it's release typically has a somewhat sedating and calming effect. Whether or not this effect lasts is debatable, there is a theory first observed by Philip Seeman that a process called "supersensitivity" takes place and that the brain largely compensates for reductions in neurotransmitters overtime which can lead to the return of the original symptoms and possibly a worsening in the long run. When my wife first started taking the medication it was very relaxing, but over the course of about a year she developed akathisia, and after about three years the lamotrigine levels began to synchronize with her estradiol levels. We're weening off the medication at the moment and it is more horrific than anything the illness ever caused, or anything I have ever witnessed my mother experience, YMMV. My overall impression of lamotrigine is that it's a lot like benzodiazepine, it's very soothing and well tolerated while you are on it, but in the long run you may become dependant on it and any change in dose can cause very bad withdrawals. Case in point, here in Australia there was an issue with variations in dose quantities in generic lamotrigine, these tiny difference were enough to cause withdrawal effects in my wife that resolved on name brand Lamictal, the TGA here in Australia issued a warning regarding it directed at people with epilepsy. The best resource I have read on lamotrigine, is Nassir Ghaemi's Clinical Psychopharmacology: Principles and Practice. It is aimed at clinicians, but I think it provides some of the best information about lamotrigine from one of the world's leading experts. You're not going to want to hear this, but when my wife was very ill with mania and melancholia, hospitalised even, people would tell her to make lifestyle changes, reduce stress, change diet, exercise more. It used to make me very angry because my wife would often be told this in a hospital bed. I believed it was a biological illness and I still do. But through over a decade of experience I've come to realise that.. how can I put this... the treatments work, but they don't treat the disease, just the symptoms. There are very few true treatments for mental disease, so even though it's a real thing, if the treatments are not very good, sometimes it is better to practice "watchful waiting" under medical supervision and implement lifestyle changes even if it doesn't seem like the changes will have much of an effect. Medication is perhaps better used as a PRN in acute phases. That said the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself and I've been proven wrong, my wife has recovered substantially from a very severe illness with medication only playing a minor supporting role. Anyway, go and read Nassir's book, and work closely with your doctor.

I’m not sure!

I’m so sorry hun! :-( how are you doing today?? I don’t remember but maybe 5 days. 😓 can you talk to your doctor about the medications?

@@youseemnormal Tnx for your answer.Finnaly it stops.No more rash:) I have it firs two weeks now im feeling so much better and only side effect is insomnia and im tired all the time.Im going to see my doctor next week:) Stay safe:)

@@lela8081 I’m so glad to hear the rash cleared up!!! Phew!!! Because it is NOT FUN!!!!! I’m glad you can get in to see your doctor too 🥰 take care Lela ☺️

I am not sure either but I do hope everything turns out just fine for you and that the meds work without any terrible side effects!

Within a couple of weeks. 2-3 weeks maybe? And I did not increase the dose

@@youseemnormal what dose did you start at?

my rash started about 10 days into my 50mg a day change, first 2 weeks were 25mg a day and perfect - then 10 days into 50MG a day i got rash :(, it was itchy right away no clue how hers was not itchy on day 1 of rash. rash seemed to favor skin on skin areas like under armpits and groin and buttox because i was sitting on it, and it appears at least my rash favored warm places with contact of something to make it even more itchy. it started 4 days after finishing a 5 day chemo regimen of Temodar. Persivate cream solved the very swollen itcy spots pretty fast - but i only have limited amounts left from prior doc visits.

Oh gosh I’m sooo sorry!!!! You will get through this 🥲

Hey- how did it turn out? Hope you are doing okay ❤️

@@youseemnormal I'm good, thanks for that. Off all the meds. Turned to kratom, it works well :)

I’m so sorry! I hope it clears up for you ASAP!!

It’s pretty serious!

Make sure you let your doctor know. Then take good care of yourself

Hi! Please call your doctor or emergency services right now if you are having trouble breathing.

@@youseemnormal no as for now i had another panic attack short lived though, after i just heard that Lamictal is dangerous drug, but my doctor is just keep saying that i should drink it anyways, so its just a big mess.

Let them know that you are concerned about the rash and want to try a different medication!

I don't blame you Erik. My son's been on it for six months and has been itching like crazy and noticed the rash just above his butt crack. It's about 2" by 2" and he showed me but at first I thought it was shingles but nope it's from the lamictal.

How has it been treating you?

@@youseemnormal still on it It is just what I’m addicted since been on it since 2007

My best combination is prozac 60 mg and 2.5 mg abilify 💖💛💖 and propranolol as needed (when anxious or restless)

@@youseemnormal u take lamictal or any moodstabilizer? And which country? I am in turkey

@@ErenEren-wm3ez Sorry - I'm just now seeing your reply. No mood stabilizer. Abilify is an anti-psychotic

@@ErenEren-wm3ez United States

@@youseemnormal thank you🙏

Thank you and I’m glad it works for you!

Hi! Thank you for your comment 🥰 I believe it came after about a week to two weeks. Odds are, you will not get the rash 💖 if you want to talk more, you can message me on Instagram! @youseemnormal

@@youseemnormal thanks for answering🙂I am definitely gonna ask you if need some advice..Bipo2 ..🌼

Im on the two weeks and now it started.First week it was just skin itching.Bipolar 1:)

@@lela8081did it go away?

AGAHAHA NOOOOO