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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 2, 2005, at 16:45:47
I've been plagued by what I call "the travelling itch" for several nights now. Seems that I scratch one place, and the itch moves on...arms, back of legs, scalp, nose, upper back, and so on. It's really annoying.
Can Lamictal cause itchy skin even after you've been at the same dose for awhile?
No real sign of rash, although I do have some itchy skin break out on my chest. Grrr, I hate being itchy.
gg
Posted by spriggy on August 4, 2005, at 0:56:44
In reply to Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by gardenergirl on August 2, 2005, at 16:45:47
It made me itch but this was when i first began it.
Are you possibly taking any other meds that could cause you to itch? I itch if I take codeine.
Posted by barbaracat on August 4, 2005, at 22:54:34
In reply to Re: Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by spriggy on August 4, 2005, at 0:56:44
Don't want to scare you, but that itch eventually morphed into full-blown Stevens Johnson syndrome for me. I didn't get the rash when I began itching (at 125mg) of Lam so my pdoc didn't think of having me reduce it. It got so bad I was goudging my scalp from scratching and stopped on my own.
After stopping it, months later I developed SJS from another drug I'd taken before with no ill effects. That itch is a symptom of the 'prodromal stage' where your body is telling you it is developing an allergic inflammatory complaint. If you continue to aggravate the allergic reaction you can stay in that prodromal inflammation stage that cause an ultra sensitivity to the mast cells on the skin surface. Stevens Johnson rash is just a more extreme variation of wildly inflamed mast cells.
I can no longer take most antibiotics or sulfa drugs since that episode.
What I'm saying is take great care. Just because you don't have an obvious rash at this point doesn't mean there's not one brewing. - BCat
> It made me itch but this was when i first began it.
>
> Are you possibly taking any other meds that could cause you to itch? I itch if I take codeine.
>
>
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2005, at 7:13:14
In reply to Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by gardenergirl on August 2, 2005, at 16:45:47
I know exactly what you are talking about. I get this "traveling itch" thing when I take certain drugs. TCAs an Zonegran were the worst for me. I used to get it particularly after taking showers or swimming in the ocean. It can be an intense experience. My gut feeling is that this is a CNS thing and has nothing to do with an allergic rash or Stevens Johnson type syndrome.
How much Lamictal are you taking?
How long have you been taking Lamictal?
Lamictal can also produce patches of dry, red, scaly skin. However, it never seemed to itch. These patches occured around my nose and in my ears.
- Scott
Posted by bimini on August 5, 2005, at 9:44:32
In reply to Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by gardenergirl on August 2, 2005, at 16:45:47
Yes, Lamictal can cause skin reactions even after a long time on the same dose.
The travelling itch is more annoying than dangerous. The dreaded Lamictal rash sweeps through swiftly, often within hours covering the entire body with pink blistery patches.
I had a rash of tiny light colored bumps like sandpaper, starting around neck and chest spreading everywhere quickly, then all lymph nodes swelled and I started to shut down.I heard Lamictal dehydrates, it could mean that especially during the summer this can cause more of a skin problem with Lamictal. Try to increase your water intake, beware of diets that dehydrate like caffeine, teas, salt, alcohol.
Bimini
Posted by gardenergirl on August 5, 2005, at 19:23:36
In reply to Re: Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by spriggy on August 4, 2005, at 0:56:44
> It made me itch but this was when i first began it.
>
> Are you possibly taking any other meds that could cause you to itch? I itch if I take codeine.Hi spriggy. Lots of meds do tend to make me itch, but I can't think of any I am on now that might.
gg
>
>
Posted by gardenergirl on August 5, 2005, at 19:25:23
In reply to Re: Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin? » spriggy, posted by barbaracat on August 4, 2005, at 22:54:34
> Don't want to scare you, but that itch eventually morphed into full-blown Stevens Johnson syndrome for me. I didn't get the rash when I began itching (at 125mg) of Lam so my pdoc didn't think of having me reduce it. It got so bad I was goudging my scalp from scratching and stopped on my own.
Yuck, sounds like a rough time for you. Mine is not that bad yet, and it's not the first time I've had the travelling itch.
>
>
> I can no longer take most antibiotics or sulfa drugs since that episode.I do have this reaction to sulfa meds. And I am allergic to a few antibiotics. Yuck, I hate being sensitive.
>
> What I'm saying is take great care. Just because you don't have an obvious rash at this point doesn't mean there's not one brewing. - BCatThanks for input.
gg
>
Posted by gardenergirl on August 5, 2005, at 19:29:59
In reply to Re: Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by SLS on August 5, 2005, at 7:13:14
> I know exactly what you are talking about. I get this "traveling itch" thing when I take certain drugs.
Hi Scott. Our mutual friend, Racer, misunderstood when I mentioned "travelling itch" to her. She thought I had the urge to travel somewhere. :)
TCAs an Zonegran were the worst for me. I used to get it particularly after taking showers or swimming in the ocean. It can be an intense experience. My gut feeling is that this is a CNS thing and has nothing to do with an allergic rash or Stevens Johnson type syndrome.
Interesting. I don't get it with water-related stuff. It's mostly at night. Perhaps it's related to sweating, because it's been hot lately and I sweat buckets just going outside to water my plants.
>
> How much Lamictal are you taking?50 mg. I went up to 75 mg briefly, but I think it was too activating with my Nardil. Hard to say, though. Insomnia is not exactly a stranger to me. :(
>
> How long have you been taking Lamictal?Hmmm, 2-3 months?
>
> Lamictal can also produce patches of dry, red, scaly skin. However, it never seemed to itch. These patches occured around my nose and in my ears.I sometimes get patches like that, but again, it's kind of a normal thing for me versus Lamictal related. I've just got sensitive skin. Comes with being a fair-skinned, light-eyed, redhead. I get dry flaky patches along each side of my mouth and nose, kinda along the crease there. I think it's from crying in therapy of all things. I used to get it in the outer corners of my eyes. I must be letting tears flow down my face more than before.
Thanks,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on August 5, 2005, at 19:31:03
In reply to Re: Hmmmm Itchy Lamictal skin?, posted by bimini on August 5, 2005, at 9:44:32
Thanks forthe reassurance, bimini. Yes, it's more annoying rather than anything else. And since I was on an anti-inflammatory for a brief time, I tended to get bruises where I scratched too hard.
I need mittens!
gg
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