Can Lamictal cause the sensation of bees stinging you?!
Question: Ever since my doctor increased my Lamictal (from 100 to 150mg) I've been having stinging sensations in various places. Once it was under my tongue, and then it was my foot. The stinging is in various places, and usually occurs within 4 to 6 hours of taking the Lamictal.
Is this side effect dangerous? Is it connected to the skin rash that everyone fears with Lamictal? Or is this a different side effect altogether?
Answers: Ever since my doctor increased my Lamictal (from 100 to 150mg) I've been having stinging sensations in various places. Once it was under my tongue, and then it was my foot. The stinging is in various places, and usually occurs within 4 to 6 hours of taking the Lamictal.
Is this side effect dangerous? Is it connected to the skin rash that everyone fears with Lamictal? Or is this a different side effect altogether?
It could be the beginning of a hystamine reaction, which is what the rash is. I had the Lamictal reaction and it was not fun, the cortisone shots that they gave me which should have stopped the itching did not, even though the nurse said it was impossible for me to still be itching.
It's something I would advise getting checked out.
That sounds like a very odd side effect. I have never heard of that specific side effect. If it is still bothering you I would definitely call your physician.
This comes from the Lamictal Site:
"Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. Common side effects with LAMICTAL include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and rash. LAMICTAL may cause other side effects not listed here. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about or need more information, call your doctor.
Although most patients who develop rash while receiving LAMICTAL have mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals may develop a serious skin reaction that requires hospitalization. Rarely, deaths have been reported. These serious skin reactions are most likely to happen within the first 8 weeks of treatment with LAMICTAL. Serious skin reactions occur more often in children than in adults.
Rashes may be more likely to occur if you: (1) take LAMICTAL in combination with valproate [DEPAKENE? (valproic acid) or DEPAKOTE? (divalproex sodium)], (2) take a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL than your doctor prescribed, or (3) increase your dose of LAMICTAL faster than prescribed.
It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. Therefore, if you experience a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue, tell a doctor immediately, since these symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor should evaluate your condition and decide if you should continue taking LAMICTAL.
Keep in mind if your doctor prescribed LAMICTAL
If seizures get worse, or if you or your child experience new seizure symptoms, tell your epilepsy doctor right away.
Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about or need more information, call your doctor right away.
It is important to take LAMICTAL exactly as instructed by your doctor."
It is not always possible to tell if a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. For this reason, if you (or your loved one) develop any kind of skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands in the neck, painful sores in the mouth and around the eyes, or swelling of the lips or tongue, tell a doctor right away, since these symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor will evaluate the condition and decide whether LAMICTAL should be stopped.