melgcharlie Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I'm diagnosed with bipolar II... I'm supposed to be taking 200 mg of Lamictal per day. I counted my pills today just to double check that I was on track and hadn't missed any doses (I really believed I had taken it everyday, but I get distracted sometimes and forget what I have/not taken... Ugh). So over the last 10 days, it appears there's 5 pills (100 mg each) that I haven't taken. So, somewhere along the way I've missed 2 1/2 doses. I don't know when I didn't take them. My Psychiatrist told me if I miss two in a row, she has to start me all over again at 25 mg/day. I've felt better on Lamictal than I have in years. I'm so mad at myself for screwing up my medicine. I hate myself. Question... since I don't know when I missed these Lamictal doses (but it probably wasn't 2 days in a row) can I feel safe continuing my regular dose? I'm afraid of the fatal rash. Help!! Advice please, Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resonance Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I would say call your pdoc - only she can answer that definitely. Do you have a pill organizer? They are very good for not missing doses, or at least knowing once you've missed one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.mcmurphy Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 mary, because of unbearable side effects of what was an otherwise unbelievably effective med, i discontinued at 200. there was no damage done by ceasing it so abruptly. this is not meant to predict how your chemistry will will react. so ditto res's answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I've felt better on Lamictal than I have in years. I'm so mad at myself for screwing up my medicine. I hate myself. Question... since I don't know when I missed these Lamictal doses (but it probably wasn't 2 days in a row) can I feel safe continuing my regular dose? I'm afraid of the fatal rash. Do you still feel the effect of the Lamictal? The only way it could cause "the rash" would be if it went out of your system and you started back on too high of a dose - that kicked off a predisposition to getting the rash. If the med never got completely out, meaning you always had its benefit; I'd think you'd be fine. Otherwise, you've obviously already re-started.. so you might as well keep taking it. The rash is due to a type of allergic reaction, not the Lamictal itself. So either you react to it or not. Discontinuation only gives you more of a chance to have a reaction - it doesn't cause the rash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 you could call your pdoc just to be on the safe side-- but otherwise I'd just keep an eye on yourself and keep lookout for a rash (note: all rashes are NOT "the rash", also, it takes a long time to do damage and is very rare, so don't freak out if at al possible)...just use this as a warning for yourself that you have to be better at keeping up with meds. I also think that a pill organizer is a *really* good idea. There is no way that I would be able to keep track and take my pills accuratly every day without my little day-of-the-week pill box. It's from Target, and has a case so it almost looks like a makeup compact..it's awesome. I keep it in my purse ALWAYS..that way if I forget to take them in the morning or something they aren't left at home..I hang my purse on my bedpost so this works really well for me, but everyone has their own tricks. Put the case next to your toothbrush? The coffee-maker? Find something that you do everyday without fail. You can usually even get free pill boxes from the pharmacy--it'll be a little to get used to, but trust me, it'll save you a LOT of head scratching and hassle in the future. Goodluck, I think you'll be fine, meg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_melgcharlie_* Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Hey thanks for all the responses! I appreciate it. I went ahead and took my medicine today, and so far so good. Also, I bought these tiny little daily medicine bags... they look like 2x2 ziploc bags... and I set up my pills for the next 9 days! I also dated them. I think I'll like it. There used to be a time when I didn't need to do these little tricks/techniques for things in my life... But it takes what it takes, right? Thanks y'all. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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