Posted by Racer on September 8, 2005, at 20:04:58
I saw a dermatologist yesterday, because I am awash in rashes -- none of which look anything like THE rash -- one of which is new since starting Lamictal. She confirmed my own self-diagnosis: it's nothing like THE rash. Then she took a biopsy! I couldn't believe it -- maybe a scraping, I figured, if anything. Nope, a huge chunk of my leg is gone! I even have stitches! Results will be back in about a week.
Meanwhile, she didn't say to stop the Lamictal, and I haven't. On the other hand, I'm not enjoying it at all so far, although I'm not sure what to expect. So, how about some sharing of experiences:
I get blurred vision -- so badly I can't read, and can barely see the computer screen.
Constipation and the most foul and hideous intestinal gas -- I'm not positive, but pretty well convinced that some small rodent has crawled up my colon to die, based on the smells involved. (Sorry, overshare. Problem is, this side effect bothers me more than almost any other right now. I can't stand to be near me, think of what my spouse is spending on clothespins for his nose!)
More depressed and amotivated and fatigued and sedated than before starting it...
Now, I've heard that 200mg is the Magic Number for Lamictal to be helpful. I'm only on 100mg so far, and won't be raising that tomorrow as instructed, because the dermatologist thinks this might be related to the Lamictal, even though it's not SJS or TEN. Has anyone who's very unhappy with Lamictal by five weeks while titrating up been pleasnatly surprised by how effective it becomes at 200mg? Or should I tell Dr CattleProd next week that I think it's worth stopping it?
Thanks!
And thanks especially for any soothing lollipops, since I didn't cry while getting stitches...
poster:Racer
thread:552439
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050901/msgs/552439.html