![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by porkpiehat on February 20, 2016, at 21:46:38
Since the early fall I've been getting almost daily headaches, neck tightness, heart palpitations, light sensitivity, manic (which is new for me), and very cold.
It started about the time I switched my lamictal manuf back to the name brand, which I was on for five years before getting the generic for another five years or so. I remember the fluey feeling, the daily headaches, and light sensitivity from the name brand stuff.
The palpitations, mania, cold arms and legs, and muscle pain are new. I finally took my blood pressure during one of these palpitations and it was 150/104. The headaches had become one long headache. I got so cold during an interview yesterday and I felt like every muscle in my neck and face were going to cramp or twitch. I was shaking pretty fiercely getting my keys out of my pocket.
driving I started getting back pain and it continued at home as I was laying down. Started to feel a little feverish. Took 1000mg advil.
Last night all I had were my old formula lamictal. Took it last night and this morning for my am dose. The headache is barely there. No palpitations today, no freezing cold body. I can move my head up and down without hearing "fizzy neck" noises.
I was watching for the "rash" this whole time. Just decided to search for "lamictal palpitations"
and found "Call your doctor at:
the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
fever, swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms, headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light;
easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;
confusion, nausea and vomiting, swelling, rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;
pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
increased seizures or worsening of your bipolar disorder.Nearly every one of these have been acute in the last five months or so. I've told both my PCP and pdoc and they pretty much shrug their shoulders. I also switched my HIV meds which has a danger of lactic acidosis (weakness, cold limbs, agitation, etc) so this was everyone's focus. My blood work came back normal with no indication of acidosis.
Anyone with a similar lamictal story? Can it change on you after 10 years like this?
Posted by PeterMartin on February 21, 2016, at 2:16:45
In reply to Lamictal toxicity, posted by porkpiehat on February 20, 2016, at 21:46:38
I had been having high blood pressure (chest pain/palpitations) recently as well. I can't be 100% sure it is/was the Lamictal but after 7 yrs of taking 100mg I've finally decided to try to come off. I also take Lithium, Marplan, and Seroquel though so it could be the combo etc even though it's been more or less the same since 2010. I came off Marplan for a month and that didn't fix the bp issue so I went back on it.
Can I ask what brand of generic lamictal you used?
There are some threads that come up if you google lamictal generic that indicate some people definitely have issues w/ the generic. Most seem to say Teva is the best and close to original. Sadly that's the brand I've been using since it went generic in 2013 and I've had issues. Your issues are with the brand right? That's interesting also....
But to get to the point yes I have had what I believe to be similar high bp/palpitation issues due to lamictal. I'm trying to be overly paranoid about checking my BP but from one check it has come down to my normal (~128/85) from averaging (150/100) last fall w/ lamictal in my cocktail....
Good luck.
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2016, at 3:37:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal toxicity, posted by PeterMartin on February 21, 2016, at 2:16:45
Did the palpitations begin when you added the Seroquel to the Marplan (or vice-versa)?
Seroquel has an active metabolite that acts as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor like many tricyclic antidepressants. In other words, it is as if you are combining a MAOI with desipramine. This might explain the palpitations. Infrequently, Seroquel can raise blood pressure, especially in younger people. Otherwise, orthostatic hypotension is a potential side effect. The bottom line is that it might be worth trying to reduce or discontinue Seroquel as a brief experiment.
For the sake of completeness, it must be noted that increases in blood pressure can be a symptom of a rare, but serious reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
I hope you are able to figure things out.
- Scott---------------------------------------------
http://www.rxlist.com/seroquel-drug/warnings-precautions.htm
---------------------------------------------
Posted by PeterMartin on February 21, 2016, at 14:18:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal toxicity » PeterMartin, posted by SLS on February 21, 2016, at 3:37:00
I'm only taking 25mg of Seroquel at night to make sure I sleep. I've gone a few days w/o it and been on higher dosages and I don't think that's related to my more recent issue.
Urgent care wanted to pin it on Marplan so I took 3wks off of that in November w/o resolution. My recent decision to wean off lamictal (100mg) came after trying 125mg for a couple days which increased the chest/abdominal pain. I wouldn't say I was perfect at the 100mg dose of Lamictal either (definitely up and down day in and day out). So far 11days off (after a week at 50) and I'm doing ok. I've had a terrible cold (GF has one too so not side effects) which has made it a little difficult to completely guage but overall optimistic.
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2016, at 15:30:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal toxicity, posted by PeterMartin on February 21, 2016, at 14:18:40
> I'm only taking 25mg of Seroquel at night to make sure I sleep. I've gone a few days w/o it and been on higher dosages and I don't think that's related to my more recent issue.
>
> Urgent care wanted to pin it on Marplan so I took 3wks off of that in November w/o resolution. My recent decision to wean off lamictal (100mg) came after trying 125mg for a couple days which increased the chest/abdominal pain. I wouldn't say I was perfect at the 100mg dose of Lamictal either (definitely up and down day in and day out). So far 11days off (after a week at 50) and I'm doing ok. I've had a terrible cold (GF has one too so not side effects) which has made it a little difficult to completely guage but overall optimistic.So, Lamictal gave you high blood pressure?
- Scott
Posted by PeterMartin on February 23, 2016, at 9:18:01
In reply to Re: Lamictal toxicity » PeterMartin, posted by SLS on February 21, 2016, at 15:30:50
> So, Lamictal gave you high blood pressure?
>
>It's too early for me to say that cause I may just have elevated bp normally.
I havent had upper abdominal(just under left rid cage) or chest pain since stopping. So we'll see.
I really think the generic lamictals are more likely to cause side effects.....
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.