Oh the itching! If you follow this blog you know that I tried generic Lamictal for my bipolar disorder and then had to go back on brand Lamictal. Well! Since there were little meds in my system, I’m having major side effects from going back on the Lamictal!
I itch! I really itch! And it’s not the rash that comes with the drug. It’s internal like little squiggly creatures are crawling under my skin. It’s like they are amped up on caffeine! They itch.
I also have neck issues that make it difficult to find a comfortable place for my head when I try to sleep!
These are normal side effects and will go away. I was talking with a friend last night and we agreed that it’s such a fine balance between the side effects and the efficacy of the meds! For me, these side effects are uncomfortable, but definitely worth it. My friend is on Zyprexa and she truly struggles with whether the side effects are worth it- sleeping 12 hours, feeling mentally dull and physically tired. But…. the drugs helped her keep her job during a tough evaluation. She of course is great at her job, but the stress made her ill- thus the Zyprexa and the side effects!
It’s always a challenge and a balancing act.
Julie
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My body has finally gotten used to the generic Lamictal from TEVA. I just got my refill from the mail in Rx and it is DIFFERENT! At first I thought it was the wrong medication. Nope they just went with a different generic. I am not happy. Will I experience the side effect all over again while my body adjust to the new generic? This suck.s
Hi Jessica,
I just answered your question on the blog. It’s crazy how we have to deal with this! Julie
As I sit here scratching, I am laughing at your comment on Lamictal in one of your lamictal blogs. It honestly feels that something is under your skin making you itch ! Thanks, Julie. I now know it isn’t just me or my illness talking
I started Lamotrigine (Lamictal) May 1st after a hypo mania episode. It started working right away…I could feel the effects in my frontal lobe!
I felt drowsy at first but that went away.
I somewhat stabilized during the day but I used Clonzapam to settle me down at night. I thought it was a good drug. I didn’t feel drugged out as it got into my system and was able to have moods without going into extremes.
I started to mellow out but June 20th I broke out in hives. I was red as a lobster!
It literally started from toe to head!
I immediately got off Lamictal and went to the doctor to get med’s to get rid of my itchy rash. It was just awful!
It’s all gone now and the residue of the mood stablizer is slowly going away too.
I’m not on any medication now. I’m not looking forward going on other mood stablizers in the near future. I don’t like blood test to check out my levels with certain medications.
They all have weight issues and have black label warnings.
Plus I spent a good 16 months losing 50 lbs and I don’t like the idea if I eat a piece of bread I gain 20 lbs because of these mood stablizers!
I’m really thinking just going back to my Wellbutrin and Clonzapam again. I’m putting a puzzle together trying to figure out why I had my last eposide.
I know in March I went into a hypo mania state because of day light savings time and I had my sleep disturbance but maybe it started earlier?
Maybe it was my manopause….maybe the kids at school drove me off the edge? Maybe it was that trip to Las Vegas and the bright sun light in the desert?
But the next question…did I take my med’s regularly? Did I get feeling so good with my exercise program and being on Weight Watchers that I forgot to take my meds on a regular schedule?
It can happen. I did have my meds in my bag when I went to work at school too but I got busy with the classes and forgot to take them.
My pill regiment became very irregular and it finally caught up to me.
“It can happen!” I’m starting to sound like Judy Tenuta.
My husband suggested that I should put my med’s on the kitchen counter and we will make sure we take our dosage everday.
He has high blood pressure and acid reflux diease.
Pink pill box for me….blue box for my hubby. We can listen to the radio, eat our breakfeast and take our pills.
How romantic!
Talking about romance…my husband and I are planning a trip to UK this March to see relatives and have our seventh honeymoon.
Did you finish your book on traveling?
Julie, am at the end of my rope. Had the same issue you had with the “itchies” with Lamictal but also have had it off and on with other meds and now it’s been chronic for the last 3 months and keeps getting worse. It always happens after I take a shower but now it’s gotten so bad that even when I just change my clothes, I get it on my arms. And it went from just my arms to all over my body now. I have a calming lotion that works a little bit but it’s even not as effective now. I’m using baby bath wash and can’t stand washing my hair in the shower because the shampoo irritates my skin. And perfumes are also a problem now and they never have before. I’m going days without bathing/showering and am now washing my hair in the sink. Obviously, this isn’t the solution but I don’t know what else to do. It takes hours to recover from an episode. The meds I’m on are seroquel 800 mg, xanax 6 mg, zonegran 300 mg (can’t go any higher – too sedating), and just added, celexa 20 mg. Am doing EMDR, meditation, and DBT weekly, as well as independent Buddhist study. I’m diagnosed BP2, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, chronic depression (more now because I just lost my sister a month ago very suddenly), and borderline personality disorder. Am on disability due to the bp, anxiety, and panic disorder. Also have a lot of trouble sleeping so take either melatonin or valerian before bed nightly. I know this is a lot but you talk to a lot of people and I’m getting nowhere with my doctor and hope you may have heard from someone dealing successfully with the “itchies” and what their strategy is. I’m really desperate at this point – would appreciate any advice! Thank you in advance!
Hi Readers- please give your advice to Kalime 123 on the itching.
I have found that taking my meds throughout the day- even if it means waking up at night to take them- helps the side effects. You have to make sure it’s ok to break some of your meds. Ask your health care professional about taking a small dose of Benedryl. It usually has to be small as it will make you tired- maybe you can take it at night. You must ask your doctor though- as you always have to check med interactions- but I know people who use the Benedryl successfully.
Please know that bipolar II does mean chronic depression, so it’s not a separate disorder – and we all have anxiety- the panic can definitely be separate- and really research a lot to find out your symptoms of borderline as that is the illness you want to spend a lot of time managing.
I think you are amazing- keep it up! Julie
Julie,
Many thanks for your rapid response to my questions this morning. I have finally found a GREAT medical provider. No surprise to me she’s a nurse practitioner. I have now added Lamictal, based on your recommendations. The nurse is VERY positive about its affects and I will (after some time) go off the Seroquel, which has horrible hangover effects for me.
I have been started on a very low dose, which will gradually increase. I will let you know how this works for me. I am more positive about my future outlook, than at any time in the last few years. Thanks for your advice.
dt
Hi Julie. This is my first time on the site and I’m thrilled to find it. I’ve been on Lamictal for just over a year and it has worked miracles for me. Technically, my doctor has me as having medication resistant reoccurring depression, but has mentioned Bi-Polar II. Based upon what I’ve read about hypomania/rage, etc, I believe I’m Bi-Polar II. My main side effect with Lamictal is that I lose track of what I’m saying mid-sentence. I also can’t think of a common word or even use a completely wrong word/name without realizing it. It is very embarassing to call your husband by your brother’s name.
My husband had been teasing me about my “mind blanks” until I sat him down and explained that it was a side effect of my medication and that it really bothers me when it happens. He is more sensitive to it now.
Kathleen, I too have that problem with words. I feel so scared about it. I just never know when I am going to slip up. At home it is not so much of a problem, but at work it is much worse. People don’t realize that it is a side effect of a drug I’m taking. Recently I went from 150mg of lamigitrine to 200mg and the problem really increased a lot. It is so disappointing because I was doing well for so long.
Hi Cee. My problem still exists, but it seems better. I don’t know if it is because I’ve come to accept it or my body has adjusted. I try to slow down in pressure situations and it does seem to help. If it is the brain freeze or no lamictal, I’ll take the brain freezez. My life is better on Lamictal than off of it. The thing is that we are all different and one person’s miracle cure is another person’s poison. And unfortunately, some times your good old reliable meds can just quit working. Arrgh! I hope I don’t have to up my dose anytime soon. Isn’t it odd how once you find “normal” you spend time agonizing over it like its a ticking bomb? I hope the side effects will ease for you. If not, talk to your doctor. In the mean time, know that you aren’t alone.
i am bipolar dep for the last 10 years. stabilised since the last to years taking lithosin 400 mg ,dicorate 500 , oleanz rt5
I’m glad you mentioned the itching. I keep feeling itchy like bugs are crawling on me/biting me and I didn’t know why. I am going to see about getting my dosage of lamigitrine lowered to see if that helps. The dosage was increased 3 weeks ago and I’ve had a great increase of side effects since then.