yellowbutterflies Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Hi, I took a huge leap in Lamictal three days ago from 250mg to 350mg. I didn't know how dangerous this was at the time and I had my reasons (suicidal, desperate, no doctor appointment, etc) so please try not to judge me as I didn't understand the seriousness of what I was doing. I spent the last two days in the garden without any sunscreen and yesterday observed a reddening on my chest with small whitish pimple-looking things (not very noticable). My skin started peeling almost straight away (usually takes a few days). Anyway I finally saw my pdoctor today (after a three week wait and of being depressed). She immediately asked me if I had any side-effects from the increased dose. I mentioned I have been photo-sensitive ever since being on the Lamictal (burning and peeling easily despite my olive skin) and showed her the sunburn on my chest. She didn't say anything for a while and then later it appeared to dawn on her that it might be Lamictal rash. NB: She is a new doctor and very insecure about any recommendations she makes (another observer's words); she has a community worker with her to support her all the time who she is always asking for advice. She ordered me to stop taking ALL my medication, including my Lithium and go to the A&E (Accident and Emergency) immediately. So in total panic - thinking that I was about to die - I rushed to the A&E. After all that stress the A&E doctor said it was in all likelihood sunburn (however no dermetologist examined me) and that I shouldn't worry. The A&E doctor then rang up my pdoc who still insisted that I don't take *any* medication until Monday when I see her again about my acute depression. She said I may never be able to go on the Lamictal again even at my old dose, which is really upsetting me because I feel like this drug saved my life. Anyway I'm really depressed and I want to know what you think about this (over)-reaction. I don't respect her decision to take me off Lithium for apparent sunburn and I resent her for telling me she may not prescribe even small doses of Lamictal for me "ever again". She may be right and she may care, of course, but I also strongly suspect she is trying to cover her arse in case anything goes wrong and she does not feel competant enough to monitor small lamotrigine tirations for me in the future. Maybe this is time to get a new pdoc (a private one because I don't seem to have any luck with the public ones)? Agh, complain, complain, Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowbutterflies Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Update: I just called the A&E doctor and she's confirmed with my psych team that it's okay to continue taking my meds as it's not even a real rash just a photosensitive reaction. I can't believe my in-experienced pdoc over-reacted and tried to make me go cold turkey with the Lamictal *and* the Lithium (ignoring my current suicidal thoughts and the complications of re-starting therapy with Lamictal, see: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet...talchewtab.htm). It is time to get a private pdoc I think, as our relationship is not very workable anyway. Happy to hear any thoughts on this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
december_brigette Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hi, "the rash" comes with other side effects. your pdoc saying to stop all meds until monday is dangerous. one cant just stop - or the possibility of very bad side effects will happen. i would want a pdoc with more experience. good luck with these decisions, db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowbutterflies Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hi, "the rash" comes with other side effects. your pdoc saying to stop all meds until monday is dangerous. one cant just stop - or the possibility of very bad side effects will happen. i would want a pdoc with more experience. good luck with these decisions, db Thanks for the reply DB. At the consult today my pdoc admitted that she needed to consult with someone else about the situation but insisted that I should stop with the Lamotrigine (300mg) just in case. A while later she then called me at home and told me to stop taking the Lithium as well. Although I don't believe in over-medication (as you probably noticed) I was scared sh*tless about the thought of being off medication altogether, firstly I have read some worrying things about going cold turkey for both La. and Li. and secondly, of course, I am currently occillating through some of the worse episodes of depression I can ever remember having (despite being medicated!). I can't think what she was thinking(?), I went in specifically to ask her to help me with my depression, to prevent me from doing something stupid. I was prepared to take any of her medication advice and finally when I'm asking for medication I get told to go off it completely. Ha - there must be some kind of beautiful ironic force at work in this universe. Take care, Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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